Forbidden Love - Episode 2

 

One hot night, I decided to take a stroll with my friends, Afua and Ama. On our way, we bumped into three guys whom I guessed were also taking a stroll. They decided to join us, because we were all moving in the same direction. I realised two of the boys were really loquacious which was typical of most Ghanaian men.

They talked about cars they never touch before, countries they have not set their feet in before , monies that did not exist in their pockets or bank accounts , all in a bid to woo my friends. I realized one of the three boys was not talking . He stood unique and was quieter than the other two boys. 

I had an intuition that the quieter boy was staring at me. I turned well to see who the person was and there he stood,….Fafa , the most intelligent, cute and humble student on campus. The hot cake guy most ladies were dying to date or at least have a one-night- stand with on campus. I smiled seductively at him but he seemed disenchanted.

The other boys in Fafa's company intensified their loquaciousity in their bid to impress either Afua or Ama but still Fafa didn't utter a single word. I kept looking at him, my incessant looks betraying my hidden admiration for him.

I moved to his side and asked him if we could segregate from the group

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/forbidden-love-1

. Luckily, he complied with my request. I began talking, "Fafa, I'm one of your favourite fans in the university. You are such a genius. Congrats for wining such an enviable award. He couldn't look me in the eyes directly but he said," thanks for the compliment. I really appreciate it.

"Welcome dear, "I said, rather involuntarily. Suddenly, he turned and looked at me curiously without saying anything. I decided to take the initiative once again and started a much longer conversation with Fafa.  I knew every accomplishment began with a decision to try. I surely needed to accomplish my mission.

"Can we be friends, Fafa?" I asked, without mincing words.

"Which type of friends?" he asked curiously. 

That was the question I anticipated he would ask me. I said, "Normal Friends, Errr.mmmmmm. I mean ...Boy...I mean Platonic friends for now, I struggled over the words.

You might be wondering why I couldn’t simply tell Fafa that I love him and would like him to be my boyfriend. The fact was, culturally, a lady was not supposed to propose love to a boy. Off Course, this was an obnoxious culture in this rapidly evolving century of globalisation. Sadly, cultural versatility was a luxury we don't have in abundance in our part of the world, a world stemmed in the thick waters of a fixed, antiquated culture.

I decided to break that culture and made my feelings known to the guy that had unknowingly stolen my heart.

I asked him, "Can I have your contact number?"

"No," he said.

I felt a little bit embarrassed by his response but decided to hide it. At first, I decided to excuse him and leave but the pull of love made my feet unmovable.

"Why can't you give me your phone number?" I asked.

“Sorry, Abena, I don't use a mobile phone. I believe Mobile phone is a distraction to my studies for now,” he justified himself. 

I was dumbfounded. How could a 21st-Century University undergraduate not have a mobile phone which was even ubiquitous in primary schools, not to talk about Senior High School? 

I didn't believe it but decided not to prop it further but I have other ideas in my game plan.

"Can I pay you a visit anytime?" I asked him.

He looked into my eyes for the first time and smiled,

Then he said, "No, I'm always busy.

Is Fafa flexing on me? I doubted it. He didn’t look like that type of guy.

As I was contemplating on what to do next, "Fafa's masculine voice broke through my thoughts like a sharp knife through a bread, "Okay, Abena, you can visit me on weekends. I'm happy chatting and familiarising with you tonight. Honestly, I have never had a female friend before." 

“Like seriously?” I asked, visibly mesmerised.

“Yes, it’s the gospel truth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not Gynophobic but I don’t want to be gynephilic either. It’s a personal decision. My study is my priority, “ Fafa explained.

He looked at his watch and said, ”Gosh, it’s getting late, I have to go home.

"Ok, Fafa, see you soon” I said.

I am sure by now you could see that Fafa was a strict and principled guy. I loved him for that. 

I told him, “Expect me on Saturday. “

He responded, “Ok, Abena, I will be looking forward to seeing you. 

"Which time will you be coming, please?" he asked?

"10.30 a.m.,” I responded, "If it's OK by you."

It’s OK. Fafa Responded. 

We returned to our various hostels. Unfortunately, Fafa's friends could not niche their presence in the hearts of my two Friends Afua and Ama who saw them as a bunch of talkative boys.