It had been a boring holiday. All day and all night, there seemed to be nothing intriguing, only the sound of birds whistling in the trees and the scary noises of animals piercing through the thick forests to their abode. Which place could be creepier than a new environment? As Mrs. Agyei gawked at her husband, memories of the past came rushing through her mind of how active and vibrant he was when he was far younger. Could the two of them revisit those days? Smiling with pleasure, her lips moved to corner of her mouth in sync with her smile. Her husband's neatly shaved beard and mustache gave his old age away and his hair was hanging loosely at the sides of his head untended.
"You've got to get rid of these," she said, touching the lose parts of his near bald head.
"If I do, there will be no more pleasant memories of the past," he replied, smiling back at her. "What makes you talk about it? It's been there since Adam? What's on your mind?"
"We need to come up with something interesting before everyone begins to complain of boredom," she said. "We used to be so dynamic and innovative as a couple. What happened to us?" Mr. Agyei sighed, reminiscing about the past. What could be more involving, intriguing, and energizing? Nothing at the moment crossed his mind. Suddenly, his eyes lit up like a bonfire.
"Why not try climbing the mountains?" said Mr. Agyei, smiling up at his wife and winking at her. "We have been here for so long and haven't taken advantage of the grounds people are dying to stand on." The time had come for him to show how creative he was, to prove to his wife that she was wrong about him after all. It was true Adobea had taken to sneaking out to her heartthrob, the very reason for which they moved house so she could see him no more. Mrs. Agyei was thrilled with this suggestion. Her husband was amazing when it came to coming up with spontaneous ideas. "We don't live down this mountain for nothing. Bring down the calendar so I can circle a particular day. When we do finally agree on that day, it will be final." The couple called the children together. As each of them slumped into the cosy sofas, Mrs. Agyei could see from their eyes how eager they were to hear something stimulating. They had better not disappoint them! The children suggested were enthusiastic, suggesting several days, including public holidays for the special activity.
"Some of you might have to consider taking time off school. We might be away for two months or three," said Mr. Agyei.
"Then let's have it during our vacation," said Frema.
"We sure will," said her parents. Time to circle a particular date brought chaos and mayhem as they struggled to bring the calendar down for a clearer view. Oblivious of the chaotic situation, the two lovebirds discussed the prospects further.
"You're going to feel younger. I promise you," said Mrs. Agyei.
"Do you think I've grown older?" asked Mr. Agyei.
"You still look as handsome as I met you," she replied.
"Don't flatter me," he said, pleading.
"I wouldn't if it were not so. You may have advanced in age but not in youthfulness and I must add that you are wiser than you were several years ago."
"Wonderful," he replied and held her as she tried to escape his grip.
The children cleared their throats. They surely were about to interrupt something. Bentum produced the calendar which was unfortunately, torn in pieces like an undesired letter.
"Who did this?" asked Mr. Agyei, stunned. No one responded. "If I find out for myself, the culprit would organize our first expedition."
"What if it's Deede, Daddy?" asked Frema.
"You and I know she's not responsible. Just own up, if you're the one," Mr, Agyei replied with his arms akimbo.
"Forgive them for their folly," said Mrs. Agyei. "I will go and get a new one from the room for you." Their mother was in the habit of covering up for their folly. How relieved they felt to have been let off the hook!
"Frema," said their mother.
"Mummy, I'm not the one responsible!" she said with trepidation.
"I didn't call you because of that," she replied, smiling. "Is that your guilty conscience talking or?"
"No Mummy. To tell you the truth, I wasn't responsible for this…."
"Enough girl, I'm not pointing fingers at you. I just want to have a chat with you."
Frema heaved a great sigh of relief.
"Sit down and let's talk," she said to her as Mr. Agyei waited for the two to iron out their differences. Whilst they sat down, Baafour had a separate talk with Adobea.
"Let's bet," said Baafour.
"How much are we to bet for?" asked Adobea, excited at this prospect.
"Mmmmm….5000 cedis for the winner, 2000 for the second, and the last person will pay it all," said Baafour.
"Because you believe so much in yourself?" asked Adobea "But that's not fair!"
"He never deals fairly!" said their mother, intruding and looking up empathically at both of them. The two have been competing with each other ever since they were born.
"Mummy!" she exclaimed, embarrassed. "I thought you were having a private discussion with Frema.
"Yes we were," she replied. "But we couldn't help eavesdropping on your conversation. You were talking so loudly."
"Why would the last person have to pay everything? I'm still convinced that's not a fair deal at all!" said Mr. Adjei, glad to support his wife and interrupting his children's petty squabble.
"The one who brought the idea up should pay if he doesn't make it to the top first because I think a person who will think of this should be so sure of himself." Baafour's demeanour changed all of a sudden. Howbeit, his father's words were true. This was the greatest challenge ever thrown in his face. The onus lay on him to prove himself. Five thousand Ghana cedis was a lot of money.
Mr. Agyei, knowing his son very well, called him privately to his side,
"I believe in you," he said. "I hope you know that?"
"Yes Paapa," answered Baafour, swollen headed.
"It means a great responsibility, and I hope you know that too?"
"Please explain further, father," said Baafour. Although there was the possibility that he had an idea about what his father was saying. Knowing himself, it would be best to have a fair idea of what his father was getting at before he became presumptuous.
"This is not the competition you would like to supplant and scheme for survival. Take it easy, relax. We are your family." His father's remarks cut him to the heart. It would take some time for him to get over it. "I will be recruiting others to join us from the village and possibly notify the authorities concerned so we could involve other interested parties."
"Okay Dad, I thought it was going to be a family affair?"
"That's what I thought at first, but I think it's going to be far bigger than that .The bet, however, is a totally Agyei affair. Note that!"
Deliberating over the words of his father however came along with some temptations somehow impossible to resist. Coveting the prize would not be a bad idea if he put in much more effort than everyone else did. Getting himself fully prepared for the task ahead would give him a head start over the others. Mr. Agyei then, after giving his full attention to Baafour, now sought to find his daughter's whereabouts who seemed to have sneaked out when he was talking to her brother.
"Frema, you might miss some of your lessons even though you proposed we did this activity during your long vacation," he said to her. "Would it bother you?"
"Father, you are the one who pays my school fees," she replied. "What can I say?"
"I need your opinion, my dear. It makes a lot of difference."
"Right now, I'm only excited about the activity and may not be able to think introspectively." His daughter was more intelligent than he thought. The final decision lay in he and his wife's hands.