"What can we do to keep these two people apart?" asked Koo Benti at one of their many gatherings. Fortunately, Dome was not present to hear their unfortunate comments and plans.
"Dome was our 'buddy buddy' until he met this girl. We do not know where she came from. Suddenly, she has stolen the whole show and we are down to nothing. He has changed so much ever since he met this woman."
"We agree with you," said Adan. "I think he's overdoing it." Kwesi was the only silent observer who did not seem to see eye to eye with them. Even their suggestions did not make sense. No one would listen to his opinion though, if he dared expressed his view. As the discussion progressed, the discomfort grew unbearable so much that walking out was the only option left for him. Adan was quick to sense the discomfort and stopped him in his tracks, holding him by the hand and making it difficult for him to take any further step.
"Where do you think you're going? We're all in this together," he said, cautioning him.
"I need to attend to nature's call urgently," Kwesi said.
"I'm keeping my eyes on you. You dare not escape," Adan replied. Kwesi excused himself and sneaked through the back door. The discussion dragged on until late in the night when Adotey finally said: "I'll do it!" All eyes turned towards him.
I enjoyed last night with you. Can we do it again some other time?
Love,
Akosua.
"See?" he said proudly, showing the message to all present.
"Great!" they said. "This is going to be awesome! Somebody's heart is going to break soon." Koo Benti volunteered to alert Mamle with a call.
"To what do I owe this call?" she asked him. "This is a surprise."
"I'm glad you're amazed. You're special and you know that. We care about you."
"We?" Mamle asked curiously.
"Yes, the brothers," he said.
"Brothers?"
"Yes, people who care about Dome and those he cares about."
"Okay, I get it now."
"Sure! If I may ask, where was he last night?"
"Why do you ask such a question?" she asked. "I don't monitor his movements. I can't be doing that even if I was married to him"
"That's very dangerous and you know that," he replied. "Do you ever scroll through your fiancé's messages?" he asked.
"No I don't," she replied. "I already told you I don't monitor his activities."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need to. I trust him. Besides, we're only friends."
"Friends? Then you must be wasting your time with him, as a matter of implication. What if I told you he is serious with someone else? He's only playing around with you." Mamle's eyes opened wide as if someone had pierced her heart with a dagger and she was about to die.
"What?!!! You don't mean it!" she said, overreacting.
"Relax," he said, feeling so accomplished. "You can always find out. I wouldn't tell you something that's not true."
"Why would I do that?"
"Don't be so naïve! Just read the messages on his phone."
"He has a password on it," she replied, arguing.
"Find out the password. It's as simple as that. If you truly say you know him well and trust him just as you said." Now, Mamle did not know what to believe and who to believe anymore. Torn between believing him and doubting his friends, she kept pondering all day long over the words of his friend, Koo Benti. Being a trusted confidante of Dome's, it seemed highly impossible for him to tell a lie or to stab his own friend in the back. In her world, that did not exist. What if she had no grounds to trust Dome anymore? Were these words a tangible basis to make a life altering decision?