Henry came out of the baggage claim of kotako International Airport Accra feeling tired, obviously not because of the flight since it was a short one, but because he had not slept well for weeks, insomnia had been his buddy since he decided to visit his family.
Usually he'd drop by for a day every now and again but he had never planned a stay this long.
He took a cab to his parents house where he'll be staying while he was in Accra, Henry lost his wife to child birth 18years ago and that memory still hurts like a fresh wound.
It was after her death he developed the habit of drinking, the womanizing and almost rapist he'd become only manifested after his only daughter whom his wife died while giving birth to prematurely after been gang raped by armed robbers was raped and impregnated by an unknown man.
The baby died immediately after birth which led his baby girl to go psycho, she currently is at a psychiatric hospital.
All of this kept playing in his mind as he rode home.
.....
The whole family drove in a salon car to see Yvonne, its been almost a year since he last saw her.
"What did the doctor say about her?"
"well! He said she has a chance at full recovery if she is visited regularly and shown love" His mother said.
"I really can't wait to see my baby as her old self"
"Me too" His son said
A thoughtful silence claimed all of them as they passed through the big gate of the hospital 'prison gate' as his father calls it and 'mad house' as his mother would say.
That was in those days when they had no connection whatsoever with the place, long before his life changed. If anyone had told him his own daughter would be admitted there he would have laughed it off.
"Good afternoon Mr McKenna" the doctor greeted.
"Henry" He corrected shaking hands with him.
"You may have your seat" The doctor told the whole family.
He was an elderly man who never seem to tire of his job,this man look liked he would work until the day he died or better put he would die the day he stopped work. He seems to draw energy from his patient which made him very special... it takes all kind Henry thought absently.
He updated them on Yvonne's recovery level, he them allowed them to go see her.
Yvonne's face lit up as she saw the people entering her room.
"She recognizes people now" His mother said "family especially"
They all sat around her and talked like a normal family. Henry told her about his business, about Rufi and how she'll love her when she met her.
The doctor told them to talk with her as though she was normal, he said it would speed up her recovery.
His mother restyled Yvonne's hair like she come's to do every two weeks, they ate, laughed, cried and laughed some more until late in the evening.
"Bye" she told them when they were leaving .
********
As Henry laid in his bed that night, memories of his wife, the days event and Rufi played in his mind. Seeing his daughter today had finally caused him to regret his actions lately.
When his wife was raped he tried to let it go even when she died which was a big blow to him, he promised her in her finial moments to take good care of their daughter, and he kept that promise. At least he tried to until cruel fate had its way again and she was raped on her way from school.
Yvonne was born having a bipolar disorder, after she was raped she slipped into depression but held on due to her pregnancy, then her baby died at birth which made her snap. That's how she got into the psychiatric hospital.
All these made him decide that if the world planned on raping every female in his family then he'll do the same to theirs.
But weighting Rufi's story in contrast to Yvonne's, he realized that not all families were as supportive as his, and raping innocent children wouldn't heal his wounds.
Making a promise to protect the female population he finally was able to sleep.
...........
Victor was attending to a customer when the phone rang.
"How much is my bill?"
2nd ring.
"#2000"
3rd ring.
"How come"
"4th ring.
"A plate of pepper soup is #1300 plus two bottles of beer"
5th ring.
"Ok" the customer smiled "thanks"
6th ring.
"Bye" he answered the call. He hated customers who come playing dumb about their bill.
'Hello! Hen's bar"
"Hey Victor! Its Henry"
"Good afternoon sir"
"Good afternoon, how is business?"
"Fine"
"Everyone?"
"We're all good"
"Where's Rufina"
"She's attending to a costumer, any problem?"
"Oh no, not at all"
"So, how's the family"
"They're all fine"
"Hope Ghana is treating you well"
"Oh! Very well"
"OK then"
"I just called to check on you guys"
"Thanks"
"Bye"
He waved at Rufi "Hey! What's up"
"Everything's up" she joked.
"Henry called and sent his regards to you"
"Well......"
"Excuse me" someone cut in.
"Hey sis" Rufi smiled "How are you?"
"Very well" looking at Victor "Ready?"
"Are you going out" Rufi asked lost.
"Yeah. Is there a problem?"
"You guys are leaving me here?! Alone!"
"Absolutely"
"Hun!" She sulked.
Maria and victor bursted into laughter.
"You better consider been a comedienne" Victor said amidst giggle.
"Plus being a schemer" Maria forced out.
"That's not funny!" She faked mortification.
"Sorry" victor apologised still trying to keep a straight face.
"Come on babe, let's go" Maria dragged Victor.
"Where are you going"
"To school"
Getting the gist she bade them fare well.
Victor announced a few days back that he had gained admission into UI, and that he was going to find out some things. What he forgot to mention was that Maria would be coming with him and all she'd get would be a come on babe. Let's go.