Amihere watched Mamle moving around looking for a job without much qualification. Suddenly becoming mesmerised with her beauty, he yearned to help her,
"Who's that dark beauty over there?" he asked his secretary.
"She's Miss Afriyie's, sir," she replied.
"She looks so desperate. May I know the reason why since you are the one she has been coming to every day?"
"She just wants a job, sir."
"Does she think by making herself so conspicuous, she would find herself a job?"
"I'm amazed at her audacity," said the secretary. "But I suppose so. There's no harm in trying, is there?"
Amihere kept leering at Mamle although she seemed not to have noticed him. Fascinated by her determination, he resolved to give her a helping hand.
"Excuse me, beautiful lady, may I be of help to you?" he asked her as he drew close, placing his elbow on the low desk at the reception.
"Not exactly," she replied, quickening her pace. Why would he call me beautiful? Is he trying to hit at me?
"Wait!" he called desperately after her. "I haven't finished my rapport with you yet." Already at the door, Mamle bumped into a few people as she hurried out of sight, ever so sorry to have ever met him. Visitors in the lobby stared at her unbelievably. I didn't start this conversation and I wouldn't want to continue anyway.
"Watch where you're going!" said one of them, annoyed at her brashness. Watch where you're going too and give way! She said to herself. Amihere looked on empathetically, expecting her to turn back. To his amazement, she walked right on without looking back as determined as ever. Perhaps this attitude of hers had cost her many opportunities.
I wonder what's going on in her mind. Catching himself thinking aloud, he wondered what touched his heart to be so concerned about a woman he didn't know from Adam. Reminiscing, this woman reminded him so much of his sister with whom he had fallen out over a piece of land their late father left them; an issue so trivial that people thought they were too crazy to have fought over something so insignificant. Both of them were well off and could let go, yet their egos would not allow them to. Mamle resembled her so much. Perhaps that was what drew him to her.
"Sir," said the secretary.
"Yes," he replied, snapping out of his stupor.
"There's a call for you. It's very urgent," she winked.
"Thanks. I'll take it. You're a saviour!"
Mamle returned home dejected. The frantic search for a job had ended in futility. Slumping in the sofa, she switched on the television.
Vacancy
She was not interested. Thoughts of Dome filled her mind. He promised to help her with her talent and now, she was alone. On her way to visit Dome in the hospital, filled with anxiety about how she was going to pay his bills, she bumped into this same man she had met early on in an office.
"Not again!" she thought to herself as her thoughts finally found expression. With exasperation, she cried out. "You again?"
"Yes, it's me alright. I think fate has brought us together once again," he replied.
"Don't tell me you're stalking me. I would not be very pleased," she said
"Don't tell me you're not excited to see me?" he asked.
"Don't get the wrong idea, man. I have too much on my mind now."
"The very reason why you should let me share what's bugging you."
"No thank you. I'll figure out a solution by myself." Amihere watched as Mamle crossed the road to the other side where the hospital was and was surprised to see her moving towards the psychiatric hospital. A psychiatric hospital? What is she going to do there? Is she crazy? She didn't look crazy nor did she sound like one. When he came back to himself, she was almost out of sight. He watched her from afar. It took hours for her to come out of the hospital looking so forlorn.
What could be the problem? Why would she be so sad if she was going there to get help? Why not consider another alternative then?
Dome sat down catatonic. He wouldn't utter a word or look at her. Mamle waved her hand in front of his eyes. It was a wonder that he didn't even blink. It made her cry even harder
"What did I do to deserve this?" she said. A nurse placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go see the doctor. He will explain his condition to you. Don't cry," she said. On the way to the doctor's office, Adotey and Agyeiwaa showed up.
Agyeiwaa cleared her throat.
"Are you coming to make things worse for us?" she asked. The nurse gawked on suspiciously.
"We're only coming to pay him a visit," she replied. "How is he?"
"He's fine. Just that your silly prank has ceased his thought pattern and left him silent," she replied
"We're so sorry," they said.
"Tell that to him if he will understand," she replied. The nurse ushered the three friends, Agyeiwaa, Adotey and Tutuwaa in to see Dome. There was no expression in his face and he could not even recognize them. None of their words made sense to Dome. They felt so sorry and were remorseful.
"We have been bad friends," said Adotey after they left.