Chapter 2

" From now on, each one of us must endeavour to be vigilant. It's no longer each man for himself, God for us all. It is about being your neighbour's keeper," said one of Ohene's legitimate children.

" We agree with you. How do we begin?"

" The sources of information vary. Anyone from anywhere can provide information. If you do not discriminate, you'll receive excellent results. Whenever you see a gathering anywhere, endeavour to fish out for information. That's how our lives are going to be from now." The siblings, Denkyi, Boateng, Kweifio, Addo and Kwaw did as their brother had said, poking their noses where they didn't need to, being inquisitive until they had a lead. Two women seemed disgruntled about an issue as Panyin passed by. Now pretending to be waiting for no one in particular, he heard what might lead them to Soya, the woman they have been searching for.

" She never has a man beside her. She is always walking alone. Who is she and where did she get her child from?"

" I hear she was the talk of the town until she got pregnant. Now, she has faded into oblivion. Nobody knows where she lives and she doesn't talk to anyone."

" What has that gotten to do with you?"

" It worries me that she's that way. I wish I could befriend her."

" Do you think that everyone wants to be your friend? Just look at yourself? Do you think you are of her social standing?"

" If she's humble, she'll like to be my friend."

" If I were a hermit like her, I wouldn't want to be your friend."

" I'll try one of these days to befriend her."

" Don't say I didn't tell you."

Mr Mireku visited his child in disguise. Even the child's mother could not recognise him when he came knocking.

" Who are you?" asked Soya suspiciously.

" My queen. It's me."

Perplexed, Soya let him in as quickly as possible.

" Did you have to do this? You're looking like a thief."

" What matters is that I've appeared. Let's see whether this trick will work for me. I can come and see her anytime, dressed like this."

" You ought to be careful. You should not be seen in one particular kind of disguise."

Despite her protest, Mr Mireku paid Soya another unexpected visit.

" I learnt my children are looking all over for you. Do you remember when I discussed homeschooling Frema with you?"

" Yes, I do."

" I think the time is now."

" Are you going to take her out of school with immediate effect?"

" The earlier, the better, my dear."

" What are her friends going to say?"

" We must take her out before they start asking questions."

" I can't handle this life. I told you, didn't I?" Soya said, hitting his chest and wishing there could be a way of turning back the tides of time. " You had better come and talk to her yourself because she loves school so much."

" You know that's impossible? I will be followed and she may never listen."

" I don't know how to convince her. You had better come and do it yourself."

" She doesn't know me. How do you expect that she'll listen to a stranger?"

" Just find a way of convincing her."

" You are giving me such a difficult task."

" I never asked you to give me a baby, did I?"

" Please stop saying that, I implore you."

" It's true, isn't it? You'll have to pay for your mistakes."

" I love you and I wanted to have a baby with you."

" Why didn't you discuss it with me then?"

" Stop being so difficult, Soya. I'm sorry." Soya hesitated a little bit before calling her little girl to the guest room so nobody would notice the man in disguise.

" Who's this man? mother?" she asked, as she leered from one face to the other.

" He's your father. He wants to talk to you."

" But I've never seen my father before? Why didn't you let me get acquainted with him before now? He looks old. Mum? Did you go for an older man? Did you need money that badly?" Mr Mireku felt embarrassed that his daughter was talking about him that way.

" I loved your Mum," he said, interrupting her gibbering. " I must confess that she didn't need anything. She had everything she needed. I was the one who moved heaven and earth to get her." Frema gawked at him suspiciously, her stare becoming a very angry one with every passing minute.

" So you got her pregnant!"

" Did she tell you?" asked Ohene, astounded.

" No, she didn't. I just deduced from what you just said. How could you have been so inconsiderate!?"

" Forgive me, my daughter. Unfortunately, we can not turn back the tides of time. The consequences of my actions are the reason why I'm here today, dressed like this." Frema slumped in a chair, her heart heavy with vengeance.

" The reason why I came here is to save you from my children's wrath."

" Your children? So you have children too?" Frema's eyes welled up with tears. " No wonder you're not proud enough to stay by my mother! She's always alone and people keep gossiping about her. Be a man! Stand up for her!"

" That's what I'm trying to do now, my daughter. Please hear me out."