3 Years later . . .
Raina breathed in the air around her. Home at last! She was back from secondary school and the amazing thing was that she was never going back. She rushed into the house and straight into her mother’s arms. She hugged her tightly and laughed out loud.
Raina had grown taller and adolescence had been kind to her giving her curves in the right places. She had a natural poise about her. Her legs were her best feature as they were long and well-toned.
Theresa was glad her daughter was finally home. She looked all grown up. Her baby was now a lady. Looking at Raina now brought back memories of her own childhood. Raina was looking like an exact replica of her at that age. Tears filled Theresa’s eyes and she quickly blinked them away. Today was a day of joy. Her daughter was finally home.
Raina had expected to see her father and brother as well but her mother quickly explained to her that they had to travel to Nigeria to meet up with some business partners and will be back during the week.
School had been an amazing experience. It didn’t hurt too that she knew Darryl who was every girl’s favourite actor in school. When Leroy and Darryl came for visiting, she could see some of the other girls looking at her with envy in their eyes. She had also thrived in the learning environment and had actually won a few awards. To top all these, she had made amazing friends and discovered new things about herself. Her dad had been right as always. Boardings school was fun.
Her mother dished out food for her to eat and watched her as she ate.
‘It’s so great to have you back. I know you can’t wait to start calling Rita and talking to all your other friends so after lunch I will let you enjoy the rest of the day. You can let Rita stay over for the next few days. She has been asking of you.’
‘Thank you so much Mum. You are the best.’
Raina rushed off to her room as soon as she was done eating. Her mother did not even allow her to do the dishes. Raina quickly texted Rita who agreed to come over. Before she knew it she was asleep and sleeping soundly.
She woke up to loud voices. Raina wondered for a second if she was back in her school dorm before looking round her and orienting herself. It was already dark outside. She had no idea she was that tired. She dragged herself out of bed and washed her face in the bathroom. Probably Rita, she guessed. She changed her outfit and went downstairs. Rita had arrived and was talking her mother’s head off. Raina had missed her so much. She had made lots of friends in school but Rita was still her best friend. The two had to exchange written letters in school as in Raina’s school, phones and other electronic gadgets were banned.
‘Raina!’, Rita shrieked. ‘You seem to have gotten even taller over the past few months. I have missed you so much. We have so much to say to each other. And there is so much gossip to share. I have been dying slowly while waiting for you to get back home.’
Raina laughed. Rita was talking so fast that she couldn’t even get a word in. She had indeed missed her. She hugged her tightly and ushered her off to her room. Over there they could talk privately without her mother eavesdropping on their conversation.
‘Mum we are going upstairs. If you don’t see us again, that’s where we will be.’
‘Sure girls. Should I bring up some food for supper? Or maybe I should order pizza for you?’
‘Definitely pizza. I haven’t eaten that in three months.’
‘Alright. It will be sent up to your room on arrival. Just let me know if you need anything else.’
‘Sure Mum. You really are the best.’ Raina rushed back to hug her mother before heading upstairs with Rita.
The two girls talked late into the night. They had so much to share and there was so much to laugh about.
‘So Rain, do you have a boyfriend now? I have met this guy and he is so cute and dreamy. I just, like, stare at his pictures all day. I am playing hard to get though. Just for the culture.’
Raina froze at the question. She was glad Rita had not noticed her discomfort. Whenever she thought of having a boyfriend, it was Darryl she imagined. He had spoilt her for other guys. No one seemed to match up in her eyes.
‘No I don’t have a boyfriend. I haven’t met anyone who is good enough for my dad.’ She said this dramatically and made a funny face.
Rita laughed. ‘You are right though. Your boyfriend has to audition for your dad first. Goodness, he can be intimidating at times.’
‘Are you going to say yes to your admirer though? You seem into him. Let me see pictures.’
‘Not yet. I just want to get to really know him. Just know we are cool and he is not one of these playboys. I want him to be my 2nd best friend, after you, of course.’
‘Awww. That’s the sweetest thing I have heard so far. I love you too. You must really like him. What’s his name? I do hope I meet someone like that soon. So that the two of them will at least get along with each other.’
‘His name is Kelvin Aryeetey. Just imagine, Mrs. Rita Aryeetey, doesn’t it have a nice ring to it? Sounds way better than Rita Dogbe.’
‘It sounds so perfect, you might just have to stop using your father’s name. I guess this means you have already named your 5 children as well.’
Rita blushed and laughed in embarrassment.
‘Oh Rain! You know me too well. I am still deciding on the name for my second child.’
The two girls looked at each other and broke up in a fit of giggles.
‘Come on. Let’s go to bed. Tomorrow is a brand new day and we have so much to do.’
* * * * *
Over the next 2 days, the two best friends went shopping for clothes. They also went to the salon to get their nails done and did matching braided hairstyles. Raina realized she had missed a lot while she was away in boarding school. There were more cooler places to hang out at. A huge mall had also been opened recently in the capital and there were loads of people who were thronging to the place. Rita said that will be their last stop so they could take photos and laugh at it some 5 years later. Raina was not so sure she will be happy to see those pictures some years from now. But it would sure make for a good laugh.
So today being the third and final day they will be spending together, Rita suggested they go to the mall to mark the day. Her mum had promised to drop them off. By ten, the girls were ready and her mum drove them advising them to be careful as they alighted. She had given them spending money and money for transportation back home. She did however make them promise to be home by 4pm. The streets got choked with cars worsening the traffic situation in the city after 4pm.
Rita pulled Raina along and together, they went from shop to shop, admiring what they liked and buying what they could afford. They ate in one the food shops for lunch and continued browsing. They went to the photo store last and took several pictures. As they exited the photo store, Rita met a few of her friends from school so Raina wandered off a bit. She was not paying attention to where she was going and bumped into a man wearing dark glasses and a cap. She nearly lost her balance but he steadied her, pulling her away from him and making sure she was standing straight. He looked familiar which was a puzzle to Raina because she could not recall ever knowing anyone like him. She realized he was also staring at her.
‘Sorry.’ They both said simultaneously and Raina smiled.
‘Raina?.’ The man said again and this time Raina opened her mouth in shock and impulsively hugged him. He smelled really good.
‘Darryl! Goodness! It’s been a while. I haven’t seen you in a year. You look really different.’
And he did. It looked like he had had a new growth spurt. He had been lanky but he had gained more muscle and now filled his clothes very nicely. He was growing a beard as well which was neatly groomed. She wondered if it was the new craze in town he was following or if it was for a role.
Darryl looked embarrassed and cleared his throat.
‘So do you. Sorry I wasn’t able to come by as much as I did in the past 2 years. Work schedules were conflicting with your school’s visiting days. Are you here to check out the new mall. I would have brought you along if I had known you wanted to come.’
‘I came here with my best friend, Rita. She has met a couple of her old school’s mates so she is talking to them now. She will be done any moment from now.’
‘Alright. I remember her. Are you girls done. So I drop you home. It’s the least I can do.’
‘What’s with the hat and the glasses though? ‘
‘I am trying not to draw attention to myself. It’s hard to get around these days. So I tried to go very casual.’
‘Eish! No be small movie star! Come on then, let’s move away from Rita’s friends. If they get any closer, they will surely recognise you. I will just tell her to wait for us at the 2nd gate, that way, we can pick her up.’
And saying that, Raina grabbed Darryl’s hand and herded him off. Darryl allowed it because he was shocked at seeing her and it was downright amusing to see her slight frame pulling his 80 kg of lean muscle. He had definitely known she was back but wanted to prepare himself for meeting her. The last year of her senior high school he had refrained from going to her visiting days with Leroy. Partly because it got annoying the way all the high school girls were fawning over him and mostly because she was starting to fill his thoughts. He didn’t like that one bit. He wasn’t afraid of Leroy. In fact he was worried Raina just saw him as a brother. No point in dwelling over something that was not going to happen anyway.
Darryl realized they had gotten to Gate 1 and that Raina was still holding his hand. It seemed she could read his thoughts because she quickly released his hand and looked away.
‘I parked the car close by. Let me lead the way.’
Upon reaching the vehicle, Darryl unlocked it and they both got inside. Raina quickly placed a call to Rita and they drove off to go and pick her up. The two girls sat at the back seat and chatted gaily. Surprisingly, Rita was shy of Darryl and barely spoke to him. Darryl just concentrated on driving. He was glad to find out Rita lived about 2 minutes drive from Raina’s house. No need for any long conversations.
The radio was blaring music from one of the stations but a break announced the Ghana movie awards night which was scheduled for the coming weekend. She would love to go. It appeared Darryl and been nominated for about 5 awards. Briefly she met his eyes in the rearview mirror and smiled at him. He was really doing well. She was so proud of him.
‘Congratulations Darryl. The family is so proud of you.’ Darryl was glad Raina was unable to see him cringe. Just great. From friend to family! He shook his head.
As soon as he dropped Rita off, Raina moved to the front seat and turned in her seat to look at him. ‘I would so love to go though.’
‘Go where?’ He asked, a bit confused.
‘The Ghana Movie Awards. I am sure you already have a date already lined up for the event. I know by now Leroy and you will have already made plans.’
‘Actually no. I was planning on just going with him this year.’ To his surprise he found himself saying, ‘You can come along if you want. I am sure you will be a lovely touch to the night.’
‘Really? Goodness!’ Raina screamed. ‘I didn’t know it was that simple. I have to get a wonderful dress and quickly too. Thanks so much Darl.’ She quickly hugged him and jumped out of the car as the car drew to a stop right in front of her home.