Page 24 - Sultry

She Heard It All
(“Charley” is a Ghanaian term of endearment akin to the term “Dude”)
Saturday, September 29, 2000 Somewhere in Accra, Ghana
The day had gone so well, Atta thought. It was the day of his best friend’s wedding. His friend Ekow was getting married to his sweetheart, Ama, and Atta was the best man. So far, there had been absolutely no hitches and he was glad.
Atta looked around the hall noticing all the friends and family having a good time. He looked at his watch, reminding himself that it was almost time for him to toast the bride and groom. He looked over to Ekow and pointed at his watch. Ekow leaned over to his bride and whispered something in her ear. Then he looked back at Atta and nodded.
Atta stood up, got the small bell that stood in front of him and rang it. He soon had everyone’s attention. He started to speak:
“We all know why we are here today. To celebrate the union of two people we all care about. Being Ekow’s best friend, I had front row seats to the development of this romance.I will never forget the day it all started. It’s been five years but I still remember it like yesterday. It was during our time at Legon. We were just leaving a lecture that day - I think it was political science - when Ekow decided to confide in me. Well....”
Sometime back in February, 1995 University of Ghana Campus, Legon, Accra
“Charley, that girl is fine”, Ekow confided in his best friend Atta.
“Watching her walk totally kills me. She walks like she has all day...Charley, she flows....Have you poured honey before?”, he asked Atta.
“Yes”, Atta replied.
“So you know how honey flows, right? Cool like that! That is how she walks. This honey flows like honey”, he said laughing.
Ekow continued not realizing that Atta’s demeanor had changed suddenly. He didn’t realize that Atta was trying to signal to him.
“I tell you, I am going to marry that girl. Ama Adu-Ansah is going to be my wife one day. Man, just thinking of her makes my heart flutter”, Ekow went on.
Atta was silent now, shuffling uncomfortably.
“Yesterday after the lecture, I got the chance to really take a closer look at her. She was right beside me as we shuffled out. Do you know she only has one dimple? And her eyes, hmmm, softer than butter. As we walked out, she said “hi” to me and I almost lost it. What a woman”, Ekow went on.
Somehow, Ekow suddenly realized that Atta was uncharacteristically quiet. “What is wrong with you”, he asked Atta, brusquely.
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