Chapter 7

The two families gathered once again around the fire talking about all that mattered. All of a sudden, the upcoming contest came up. Gaither spoke convincingly and pleaded that Aboagye is given a chance just like he had. Mr Adjei was surprised it was coming from someone who should have even aimed at sabotaging his contender.

“I will surely do something about his path too since you have mentioned it,” said Mr Adjei.

“Mr Agyei,” said Gaither’s father. “Are you not taking this contest too far? Allow the children to decide for themselves who they will fall in love with. This is my last plea, Mr Adjei.”

“We have gone very far with our plans, Reverend. Rescinding our decision will have a very terrible effect on our business.”

“Then let’s do it only for goodwill and not to determine who will take your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Mr Adjei was silent.

“Well, I leave it to you though. The ball is in your court,” said Gaither’s father.

It seemed like Aboagye was in Mr Adjei’s good books today.

When he paid a visit to the family house after his training session, Mr Adjei was nice and permissive.

“Your father seems different today. What’s up with him?” asked Aboagye.

“Perhaps he’s warming up to you. We have had to talk to him about his behaviour. Everyone has realised what he is doing and it is no good news for our name and business.”

“In other words, you have become my advocates?”

“Somehow.”

“I’ve been worried about his attitude but since he’s alone in this, I feel very secure now.” From the way the two kept looking his way as they talked, Adobea’s father was suspicious. They must be talking about him. His guilty conscience was already growing.

“Can I have a word with you?” Mr Adjei asked, interrupting the conversation between his daughter and future son-in-law.

“Yes sir!” replied Aboagye reverently. Mr Adjei pulled him aside, saying:

“It’s time to chart a course for you. Can we do that tomorrow?”

“Yes Sir!”

“Stop calling me sir. Just call me Dad.” That would certainly be difficult for Gaither to do. It seemed Mr Adjei worked hard to make it difficult for him to reach the status of a son-in-law. To call him ‘father’ would be like ‘treason’.

It was, however, a great working experience with Adobea’s father, contrary to his previous expectations, which left him wishing they would do it again and again, yet, time, as the saying goes, flies when you’re enjoying yourself. Mr Agyei charted the courses for Aboagye with Aboagye understanding the details more than Gaither did.

“This is Path 1, also known as the Aboagye path. Two rivers run through it so you will not be thirsty any time. I drank water from these rivers all my life that I lived here alone until I found my wife.” Aboagye nodded. “Tell me, how did you find Adobea?”

“I saw her from afar first. She was so beautiful.” Aboagye looked up as if to reminisce that moment. Mr Adjei cleared his throat. Aboagye‘s mind came back down to earth. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“That’s okay. It’s my daughter you’re talking about and you know we’re both men so I understand the way you feel. However, know that I will feel a bit uneasy when you talk about my daughter in a particular way.”

“Okay, Sir.”

“I told you to call me Dad. No matter what happens, I’ll be your coach and a father.”

Coach? I don’t think so. Aboagye said to himself.

“Don’t ask me why I hate you so much. It just happened that I liked Gaither the moment I got to know him. I’m sorry if it makes you feel cheated.”

“Yes. I’ve always wondered why. However, I understand your point of view.”

“Really? What kind of a man are you? I expected you to shout at me at the least opportunity yet, you didn’t. Do you still have respect for me? That’s incredible!”

“I learnt from my parents that an adult is always right.”

“Oh come on! Drop that and be real!”

“Much as I have my reservations and would like to speak to you from my heart, what would I gain? What if I tell you the truth and lose your respect? Then I lose Adobea as well and that will be forever.”

“You are a wise child.” Mr Adjei was silent for most of the journey until he got to paths that crossed each other.

“This we will call Tuboagye, that is, Aboagye number two.” Aboagye was amused.

“Won’t you ask me how I came about that?”

“I would love to know.”

“When Gaither and Adobea were charting their courses, they talked about how many children they would like to have. By the way, how many children would you like to have?”

“Two, sir.”

“Have you discussed it with her?”

“No please.”

“Then you two think alike. It may give you an edge above your rival.” The thought of having a rival sent shivers running down his spine. This was something he never wanted to happen to him ever. It seems it was unavoidable now. The next path he charted, he called Tribagye.

“I’m doing this so you remember the dangers and pitfalls on every path you take. I wish you well.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m afraid I have bad news for you this time. This is not a path. It goes down deep. It is called the snake valley. Here, you can walk without the aid of the ropes but you’re prey to snakes hiding in crevices. You’ve got to be careful.” Even Adobea’s father’s demeanour showed how frightening the journey through the valley could be. Aboagye was frightened too. “Just make sure you pass through this place only during the daytime.”

“What if night falls whilst you’re still here?”

“Then you’ll have to brave it through. It will not be prudent to settle here for the night.” At this point. Aboagye was convinced Adobea’s father was speaking to him straight from his heart. He was an easy-going and free person.

“We’re out of danger now to path Fourboagye”. There were tents and restaurants over there to welcome visitors.

“Would you like to visit one of these places before we go?” Aboagye was not sure how to respond. “Oh! Don’t be shy. Let’s go.” Mr Agyei introduced Aboagye to the staff over there. They were so nice to him. “I’m sure you would love to stay here forever, That’s how they’re supposed to make you feel. I’m so proud of them.” Now addressing his staff, he said: “Please be nice to him on the D-day. He will need a lot of it. I don’t have any favourites. I’m just spoilt for choice.”

“We will, sir.” Aboagye behaved himself so well that he earned Mr Adjei’s respect. This first impression, Aboagye hoped would last very long on his future father-in-law.

It seemed like Mr Adjei wanted to acquaint himself more with Adobea’s friend. The questions were incessant.

“Let me ask you. Is Adobea the first girl you ever fell in love with?”

“No sir.”

“How many girls have you had apart from her?”

“Two or three please.”

“You’re not sure?”

“Three, to be precise.”

“Did you have a child with any of them?”

“No sir.”

“Are you telling me the truth?”

“It’s the whole truth, Sir.”

“Would you take advantage of her if you had the chance?”

“Why would I do so, sir?”

“Don’t say that because I’m her father. Be honest. Your future depends on it.”

“I believe she must give me her consent if I ever have such funny ideas.”

“So you would if you had the chance, just that she would have to give her consent?”

“I love her so I would not inconvenience her in any way.”

“What if she coerces you to do something against your will?” I must be careful with my answers. My future depends on them. When Mr Agyei realised Aboagye was lost for words, he paused and gawked at him. “These are hard questions eh?” “Much as I would like to lie to you, yes. They are.”

“Well, I’ll tell you about myself and her mother then. We had no such thoughts and she never brought my attention to it.”

“I’m glad to hear your part of the story, Sir.”

“My wife will attest to that if you think it’s a hoax.”

When they reached the fifth path, Mr Adjei said:

“This is the point of the meeting where climbers can get to know each other better. I hope we are doing so. On the day you reach this height, either Gaither will be waiting for you or you will be waiting for him here.”

“It’s a great sight,” said Aboagye.

“Yes it is, I hope none of you throws the other down when you get here.”

“I hope to be in the best state of mind to be a good sportsman and a gentleman,” Aboagye replied. The two sat down and talked some more until Aboagye began to feel sleepy.

“This is a dangerous place to feel sleepy. Either you finish quickly or descend to the tents to rest.”

“I’d prefer to reach the summit, Sir.”

“Good boy.”