Chapter 3

Upon waking up from bed, Gyebi felt so strange, as if someone had placed a heavyweight on his shoulder, like a heavy boulder, maybe. Was he going to make a move at the wrong time? If that was the case, he might feel ashamed if this girl lets him down. Dressing up seemed to take longer than usual; shaving, bathing and spraying his favourite perfume felt like a whole day’s chore. With that extra touch, you could never go wrong! Though this was something he never did routinely, it felt different. There were butterflies in his stomach, an extra spring in his step, special attention to detail and much more. Asabea’s face appeared in the mirror every time he thought about her. Perhaps that could be the dress rehearsal; an opportunity to practice how to speak with her at the least chance. The beginning was as bad as stormy weather; very shaky and lacked confidence. With these results, it seems he was going nowhere. This was too bad for a start.

I must conceal my dark spots. I can’t afford to let her see those. He said to himself. Those thoughts made him feel like a little boy once again. It felt normal for his classmates to be doing this every day of their lives when in High School; trying to impress girls they had crushes on. Did he ever have a crush? Yes, he did. Someone won the girls’ heart. He never had the opportunity to ask her out. He would never have anyway. Her name was Sowee, a pleasant demeanour she had always, very beautiful to behold. Sowee never noticed him because he never had the courage other boys had to chat with girls. Such hot cakes never had time for nerds like him. His face had a makeover with loose powder borrowed from his sister to cover the dark patches on his face. What could make him smile all day? Asabea of course! A trip to the store and back would not hurt even if it failed. He would climb any mountain for her sake. This first attempt must succeed by hook or crook. The well thought out list contained items that were not so essential which left him wondering whether his plan would succeed or not. It was meant to catch her attention. Perhaps adding one or two unacceptable ones would magnify the problem and give his case more priority. The customers were his bait. Soaring on the wings of complaint, he would take advantage of the moment and keep them waiting and then they would ask him so many questions and then, pam! The plan would have been set in motion. Even if it would take the manager to come down to settle issues, it was worth making that move, causing that commotion. How else would he win her heart? Was this means so crude? His heart was beating. His conscience would give him no respite. His only worry was the other customers in line who would not have the patience for his smart move. Gyebi was a calm person by nature so this method was troubling even before its beginning. Perhaps, there was no need to worry because there would be no queues. That would be the greatest joke of a wish for the year anyway. If Asabea ever ignored him, it would kill him outright. Would he be up for it? What if she was not the cashier at the till on this particular day? Did he know her schedule yet? Was it too early to make such a move?

It was her usual routine to smile at her customers; so she did so anyway, even though there was nothing to smile about. There was no familiar face and all the people in the queue showed some signs of worry and weariness so much that it did not encourage her to give them an ultimate customer experience. As she looked up to serve the last customer or so it seemed, this familiar voice spoke up. It was so husky that instinctively, her head tilted upwards to acknowledge the person behind it.

“Lady, can you find the price of these items for me?” he asked.

“I was just about to serve the last man, and that must be you, sir. You could deny me of my well-deserved break.”

“I didn’t mean to,” he replied.

“That’s alright sir,” she said.

Asabea scrolled through the list of items and found the prices for him, one after the other.

“Thank you,” he said. “I don’t think I have enough for those.”

“You can pay on credit. That is exclusive for some customers. I’ll make an exception.” The customer who was just about to leave the counter rolled his eyes, disgusted. “I can’t believe this!” he said. Asabea winked at Gyebi.

“Just ignore him.”

“I’m grateful for your support,” he replied.

“Don’t mention it. Now, I must get back to work immediately.”

“I understand, but won’t you even tell me your name?”

“Look at my tag and that’s a goodbye for you, I might get into trouble for extensive minutes of socialisation.” Her own words, after releasing them, cut her to the heart. “Sorry about that. I don’t normally treat my customers that way. I think you may be crossing the line and that is a bit troubling for me.”

“I thought I was your last customer?”

“You may be, but that doesn’t mean I have all day to talk to you.” Gyebi left the counter defeated but the words of the rhyme came to his mind, consoling him.

If at first, you don’t succeed, try again. I will not give up. If she warms up to me on the first day, I’ll think she’s cheap. Why am I thinking this way anyway? I just want to befriend her? But that’s what they all do? Okay, not all of them. There must be exceptions. Now, all his life’s experiences made sense. Life threw him a bitter pill but it became sweet in his mouth. Her bitter pill was not going to deter him in any way. As she was about to leave for home, her manager approached her. It was unusual of him to do that. They hardly spoke. He was always in his office receiving complaints. Was her action the complaint about the day's work? Her heart could not stop beating although she touched it softly.

Stop! Stop! Stop! she said to her heart, touching it repeatedly and calmly.

“I’m not going to fire you if that’s the reason why you’re so tensed up. I only wanted to ask you what that was all about.”

“ He needed some help.”

“I don’t think that was the right way to do it and you entertained him too much for my liking. I think you urged him on. Know how far you can go with customers.”

“I’m sorry if you think I breached work rules.”

“No, it’s for your safety that I keep checking on you. Apart from that, just be safety conscious too. Some of these customers may be after something else. Before you know, it will be too late.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“He’s a nice gentleman anyway,” said her boss as she walked away. Asabea smiled and courtesied and couldn’t help but smile every step of the way. “Don’t be naïve, please,” he said, winking at her.

“May I help you with your bag?” a voice suddenly spoke from beside her. She dropped both her bag and basket in fright.

“Oh!” touching her heart. “You frightened me.”

“I’m sorry,” said the husky voice.

“Oh! It’s you! What are you still doing here?”

“I was waiting for you.”

“You didn’t need to.”

“I thought you would need it.”

“Perhaps you were wrong. I don’t know you. I can’t walk with you back home. It’s not safe for you to know my house now.”

“I’m harmless. Take a look at my ID.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not falling for that.”

“You won’t regret this.” Perhaps, her boss must have poisoned her mind about me, that I’m a fraudster or something. I understand that. This is not her true nature. He thought. As Gyebi walked her home, the words of her boss kept coming back to warn her. Whenever it did, she would quicken her pace. It felt so strange seeing her widen the gap and close up again, exposing her secret thoughts and dilemma.

“It’s okay if you want to call a friend. I understand if you want to take precautions. I’m not going to go far. I’ll just leave you right here.” Just as he placed the bag on the seat for her, a man in black overall, dark shades and ruffled hair snatched it from her together with her purse and ran as fast as a hare, turning the corner and getting out of sight. Gyebi tried chasing him but failed to catch up with him.

“I’m sorry. He got away!” he said, returning unsuccessfully. Asabea was disappointed he could not help much.

“I had my phone in that bag,” she said.

“I’m so sorry,” he replied apologetically. “Unfortunately, I cannot get one for you.”

“I didn’t say you should. Or did I?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“You’re not to blame for this misfortune. It happens all the time. This time, it happened to me because I was not too cautious just as I was not cautious with you at the mall.” Her boss must have said a lot to poison her mind. He thought.

I will not be surprised if he and the thief are in this together just to get me. She thought. I don’t trust him. Gyebi walked her home, following her at a distance and waved her goodbye, which she sheepishly returned.

I hope my reservations concerning him did not show up much. She thought.

“Asabea, you went home with him?” said her boss the next day. “Don’t you ever do that again. After all that I told you? Are you so hard of hearing?”

“I tried to discourage him but he would have none of it.”

“Determined, isn’t he? You can easily get him off your back.” Why would my boss be so concerned about me? Is it because I’m his employee? But he doesn’t treat everyone else that way. Do I have to keep a straight face and stick to the rules? I don’t think I will be able to. Does that mean he’s been watching me?

“Well, I hope he doesn’t turn up today with the same issue.”

“I don’t think he would.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Just as her boss predicted, Gyebi was there once again the next day with the ridiculous list.

My boss was right after all. She thought. “Gentleman, it’s a lockdown. You’re not allowed to get these,” she said, pointing at the list and circling them. “You might be penalised for this, sir.”

“Okay. Can you show me the ones that are most important and acceptable?”

Why can’t I be frank with him and tell him off? It’s not my nature? Or I should let someone take my place and frustrate him?

“That will take much time. If you don’t mind, can you wait at the last till? Another cashier will serve you,” she said, after a long period of absent-mindedness.

“No. I want you to do that for me.”

“Sir, this is my station and I’ve gone the extra mile to be kind. Please don’t make it any more difficult for me.” So she can be this stern? He thought to himself. I would like to know the other side of her anyway. Gyebi walked to the last till and waited for hours. No one attended to him. Just when he was about to leave, Asabea came apologising.

“It’s the end of my shift. No one was ready to attend to you. It was a ridiculous request. I guess I’ll have to do that myself.” Gyebi was very pleased yet disappointed. As Asabea took him through the items on display floor by floor, he kept sizing her hips and her exposed thighs sticking out from her skirt. What a beautiful lady she is! Asabea noticed strangely that his mind was lost in thought.

“Are you alright, sir?” she asked. “Should I stop showing you around so you can tell me what you want?”

I don’t even know what I want. Asabea stopped abruptly, leering into his wandering eyes, feeling his searching eyes. The feeling it brought her and the words of her boss culminated in pressing the flight button, her adrenalin rising so high.

“Take it easy. I’m not going to hurt you,” said Gyebi, noticing that she was a little withdrawn.

“Are you sure you need these things urgently?”

“I think I might have changed my mind. Thank you very much for your help,” he replied.

I can’t believe this man! she thought.

“You made me come all this way for nothing?” she gawked at Gyebi. I hope she doesn’t get back at me, he thought, closing his eyes.

“And what are you closing your eyes for?” The manager thought it fit to intervene at this moment.

“Can I see you for a moment?” he said, leering at Gyebi. “Do you have anything to do with that young man?”

“No Sir,” she replied.

“Do you know him?”

“I’ve met him only once, sir.”

“And what transpired between the two of you?” Why would he ask me such a question? That’s quite personal, isn’t it?

“We bumped into each other.”

“And?”

“He apologised and I also did.” Her boss cleared his throat. The message was loud and clear now. Asabea wondered why she was so candid with her boss. Her boss would think she was encouraging Gyebi.

“You can go now,” he said.