Nimako's parents join her in France

Chapter 10

Nimako’s parents’ join her in France

They never knew things could change for destiny to answer their call. Her mother opened her mouth and what came out of her was ‘This place is a paradise.’ What a place to be! Nimako took her parents home, got them food to eat and they washed down. Though they were tired, they did not sleep in the night. They talked till 2:00 A.M.

The following day, Nimako introduced her Fiancée Gustave from Ivory Coast and some few friends who had all helped her to be who she was to her parents.

Ransford was happy in France and one thing which also surprised him was that for all that while he was there, he could not differentiate between day and night. There was no light out. Gustave was touched by what he heard and at once Culture’s song: no night in Zion came to his mind and he sung it.

Gustave sings Culture’s song: No night in Zion and he dances at the same time.

No night in Zion,

There is no night there,

Alleluja, there is no night.

King Rastafari is our light,

And we need no other light

Alleluja, there is no night there.

Gustave sung it over and over. Ransford was wondering whether Gustave was a Rastafarian because of his behavior but he put it aside.

That was the happiest moment in their lives. The atmosphere was excellent. The environment was totally different from Ghana and Nigeria. Their music and dance was something one could not forget. What were scaring them were the French Language and the weather.

In fact they went to France in winter, at the time that the weather was very cold and so they spent most of their time indoors. Nimako found sometime to take her parents to Gustave’s parents who really welcomed them. Gustave’s mother once stayed in Kumasi for three years before she went to France and so she could speak the English Language without any problem. They talked as if they knew each other. Nimako’s mom felt at ease because she was able to communicate with somebody apart from Nimako.

Ransford and Stephanie were happy in France except that the language barrier and the weather were scaring them. It was an experience they would never forget. Since Nimako’s mom could express herself freely with Gustave’s mom without any language barrier, they became very close to each other.

At last, Gustave made his intension to marry Nimako. Gustave made an arrangement for his parents, Erica and Chris to go and see Nimako’s parents. They went there on a Saturday morning and Nimako’s parents were prepared to meet them. They finally arrived and they were welcomed into their house. Ransford asked them of their mission and Chris broke the news to them.

Chris:

They say, ‘Marriage is like a groundnut: you have to crack them to see what’s inside.’ Again, ‘When one works, travels and saves money what one has to do next is to get a family that will use everything one has struggled for in life otherwise it will be of no use.’ Gustave wished to marry Nimako and because she came from a reputable family and no one was an island, we’ve decided to come home to discuss it with you if there is a way out.

Ransford looks at Stephanie.

Ransford:

Well said Chris. Nimako already informed us about you coming here. ‘When a lion roars, he does not catch game.’ Secondly, ‘Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs.’ Stephanie and I will discuss it and get back to you sir.

Chris and Erica ask for permission to leave.

Chris:

Life they say is ‘Like a shopping in a market; when you finish, you go home.’ On this note we would like to ask for permission to leave.

Ransford:

Right! ‘No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.’ We shall get back to you.

They leave.

Nimako was lost in what was going on between the two families. She thought her family was going to give a straight answer to Gustave’s family but that wasn’t the case. She had a feeling her dream was fading. She became moody and helpless. She thought nobody understood her. Her appetite changed often leading to significant weight loss. She was not able to sleep any longer and every little thing, she became upset. She was not able to concentrate anymore. She asked her dad whether or not she was going to allow her marry Gustave but her dad said he was not going to allow that marriage because it was against their tradition.

Nimako became more confused whenever she saw her parents. It was like should tradition override the interest of the very people tradition was made for them? She went to her mom and asked her for her opinion on the issue and it was as if they had made up their mind to take that decision. She left Nimako in the living room and entered her room. From that time her attitude to Gustave’s family changed. In fact, Nimako noticed it and so she went to her mom in her room and asked her if she had a personal problem with Gustave. There, Nimako’s mom voiced out and said, ‘It is the dream of every parent to see their daughter marry, but to marry a foreigner will not be accepted by her father.’ She brought in her tradition and culture to France which for her it was impossible for Nimako and Gustave to marry. Nimako explained to her mom that ‘In the white man’s country tradition and culture is not regarded and marriage goes beyond it.’

Nimako was really in love with Gustave and that they had made a promise to marry. Now Nimako’s dream of getting married to Gustave became shaky though she had not broken the news to Gustave. She was trying to see if she could solve the problem alone but the problem was eating her up. The more she discussed the problem with her mom, the more things were falling apart.