Finding Love in Accra Episode 2: Like a Brother

“Kojo?” His smile widened. “Ah. You remember.” Unfortunately, I remembered everything. The oversized university shirts. The bicycle. The waakye he used to buy me. I did not remember these shoulders. “You two know each other?” Emefa asked. “Yes,” I said. “From university. Kojo was like a brother to me.” Why did I say that? Nobody had asked for our family tree.

“A brother?” He glanced at Emefa. “First I’m hearing of it.” Emefa put down her fork. This was now more important than dinner. I laughed a little too loudly. “You know what I mean.” “I’m not sure I do.” He was enjoying this. The old Kojo would have looked down and smiled. This one held my gaze until I reached for a drink I wasn’t thirsty for. “So, how have you been?” I asked.

“Good. You?” “Good too.” A complete waste of English. I had several questions. Where had he been? Who was buying his shirts? And was somebody currently calling him baby? “You look well,” he said. “Well?” His eyes moved over my face. “Beautiful, Lovia.” “Oh. Thank you.” Emefa suddenly needed to cough. Kojo glanced towards a table near the back. “I should get back.

Enjoy your evening.” That was it? No chair pulled out? No request for my number? Four years, and he was leaving me with enjoy your evening? “You too,” I said, with the composure of a woman whose evening had not just developed a problem. He smiled and walked away. I watched him greet someone at his table. A woman. Of course there was a woman. “Your brother is fine,” Emefa said.

“Please.” “On your mother’s side or your father’s?” “He was just a friend.” “You should have said that before the naming ceremony.” I picked up my fork. Across the room, the woman beside Kojo leaned towards him, showing him something on her phone. He laughed. I had questions about her too. “Do you think that’s his girlfriend?” I asked. Emefa looked delighted.

“Why? Are you concerned about your sister-in-law?” I regretted bringing her. My phone vibrated. The man who had cancelled. You’ve gone out? I can pass by later. Earlier, that message would have upset me. Now he was interrupting my investigation. I turned the phone over. “Did Kojo ever like you?” Emefa asked. “A little.” “How little?” I adjusted my bracelet.

“He asked me out once.” “And?” “I didn’t reply.” She stared at me. Before she could deliver judgment, Kojo passed our table on his way out. “Goodnight, ladies.” “Goodnight,” Emefa said sweetly. I looked up. “Kojo. Do you still have my number?” His smile came slowly. “Yes.” “Oh. Okay.” “Same one?” “Yes.” He nodded. “Good to know.” Then he left. I kept my phone on the table for the rest of dinner.

Screen up. To be continued in Episode 3. Watch this space. Read Also: Finding Love In Accra Episode 1: Fine girl, empty side of the bed