Mamle was happy to join her other colleagues on the catwalk today. The chaperones dressed her in fine apparel and gave her a six- inched high heel to wear. It was the most intimidating day of her life as she struggled on the runway, wobbling and moving from one side to the other without any instruction or help from anyone. Almost everyone was making fun of her now as she stumbled on her long dress and fell flat.
"Are you alright?" asked one of the girls.
"I think so," she replied.
"I can tell you have not been practicing enough," she said
"How will I know I have to be practicing if I've not been told?"
"Did your coach not tell you?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Then you must be in deep trouble. You're not here to be a model. He just wants you." Mamle did not comprehend her language.
"Pardon me?"
"Kwei Fosu always selects a number of girls every year. They always drop out of the college midway. Nobody knows why. We suspect he tries getting them into bed." Mamle was shaking all over. The lady touched her shoulder.
"Sorry, I thought you knew. We thought he liked you for sure because you have stayed longer than every other girl who followed him." This news was too much for Mamle to bear. What were Kwei Fosu's real motives for keeping her in the dark? Would she be better off checking out than staying miserable in his company?
Head to head
"Look, Amihere, please, can we discuss this career change?"
"Why, Mamle?"
"You know why, Amihere."
"Refresh my memory then."
"I was okay with my job and suddenly you suggested a change which I don't think is helping me much." Amihere was surprised to hear that and wanted to find out more, yet, he perceived Mamle was holding back a lot of information.
Giving himself away
Finally, Kwei Fosu came clean. It was either now or never. Mamle was beginning to act funny. The sooner he took action, the better it would be for both of them. Kwei Fosu was at Amihere's door once again.
"I can't take my eyes off Mamle," he said, confessing.
"You're her coach and I expect that; only don't overdo it because she's beautiful," Amihere replied.
"Tell me something: Are you interested in her?"
"What a question?"
"Just answer me!"
"I can't tell you that," replied Amihere.
"Then don't interfere if I start going out with her."
"I'm glad you have come clean. I didn't choose your organisation because I wanted her to fall into bad company," he said. "I thought I trusted you to take good care of her. It seems I was wrong." Kwei Fosu felt embarrassed by his reaction. Those were honest words coming from someone who had suffered betrayal.
It was time to get out of his sight before thing went sour. Kwei Fosu excused himself. Mamle returned exhausted and surprised that Amihere was not around to welcome her as usual. Kicking off her shoes off her feet, she reclined in the sofa.
Where could he be? She thought. "Amihere! I'm home!
"Yes Mam, I'm around."
"You don't look cheerful. Are you alright?" Amihere gawked at Mamle. He had sold her out on a silver platter. How was he going to go back in time and make things right?
"Nothing you have to worry about," he said.
"Something must have happened here, " she said, insisting.
"Are you a seer or something? Don't worry your head over some things. I'll be fine," he said.
Soon enough, Kwei Fosu began to discredit Amihere before Mamle.
"I don't like the look of things, Kwei Fosu," she said. "Could you leave Amihere out of our business conversations?"
"Do I talk about him a lot?"
"Sure, you do. You know how much he has been of help to me. You cannot take that away from him." Kwei Fosu disagreed with Mamle secretly knowing he would soon have the upper hand.
"I love your body. I love the way you walk. I love way you carry yourself. I love everything about you. Tell me. Will you go out with me?" rubbing it in even more, ignoring Mamle's misgivings.
"You deliberately left me out of some of the auditions and screening. May I know why?"
"Why are you now asking me if it was not okay with you? I could have arranged for a private session."
"Alone?"
"Of course!" What kind of a man is he? Thought Mamle. He's not even embarrassed to say such things!
"You know it will not be right. You and Amihere are good friends."
"Leave him out of our conversations. He just lost out on a great catch. I happened to take advantage of my opportunity. I must let you know that unlike him, I take my love life seriously. He will never know about us until we are sure."
"I will be very ungrateful to him if I did that," said Mamle, disagreeing with him.
"He will never know. I will make sure of that."
Trouble was brewing between two good friends already. If allowed to go on further, Mamle might lose all that she had worked for and the great favour she had in the eyes of Amihere.
"If I were to fall in love again, it will not be with you," she said.
"Fall in love again?" he repeated, turning his ears towards her head slightly as they had dinner in Pate restaurant. Mamle was sorry she had let out something about herself Kwei Fosu was so interested in.
"So you were ever in love?" he asked. " I actually thought I was going to be the first to get into your pants."
"Who has never been?" she asked sarcastically.
"I know some who haven't," he replied. "Like Amihere." So Amihere had never been in love? She thought.