Trotro Diaries: An Every Day Thing – 12

Episode 12

Kwee! Kwee!!

It was not the falling rain outside that caused the solemn mood in the household nor the darkness hovering the sun, turning the afternoon a temporal night. It was not even the sad tired cries of the ceiling fan going on its latest turn.

Kwee! Kwee!!

Seated on the only two small couches in the dim parlour of Massa’s household were family representatives of husband and wife. Massa’s wife once again has reported her husband to their kinsmen. Sadly, this was not the first time and the issue was no different- straying spouse.

“This did not happen in my day I tell you!” The oldest representative on Massa’s side was nodding like he just discovered gold. The family called him Papa out of respect. 

“Yes! A man will marry many wives in those days because no man wanted to be called a stray dog for chasing after women he could, or did not wife”.

This statement from Massa’s uncle caused Papa to nod again at the truth in those words.

“Even in the case of men with concubines, their wives or wife was honoured before the others outside because the family recognized her, not the other woman,” Uncle Nortey pushed on.

“Only of course when there were no heirs from the wife or wives, in such cases the family considers the concubine,” Papa added as an afterthought.

“And that is just for the sake of continuing the lineage of the man”. Seeing that the elderly woman on the other side was starting to have a sour face, Nortey quickly stepped in to soften the effect of their words.

“But you Massa, your wife has given you three offspring. All boys but for one. This your latest woman you keep backtracking for, how many children has she given you?”

Even though Massa tried to look remorseful, Red knew from his vantage view at the window that the man was anything but a very sneaky man. Give him ten minutes tops after this gathering and you know. 

Red watched all that was transpiring with satisfaction and felt no remorse reporting his boss to the wife at all and no one can call him a loudmouth. He did the right thing.

“Do you still want our daughter as your wife?”

Red had never seen Massa’s head snap so fast to look at someone.

“Naa Najat, she is my wife”. He stuttered out looking between Naa Najat and his very angry looking wife seated between her aged father and a younger aunt on her mother’s side.

“Young man, you know you are a confused man?” the older woman nodded her head as if she just discovered a cure for neck pain. 

Red did not know if he could hold his laughter. His master’s face, when aunty Najat did not even allow him to answer, was priceless. This was not the first gathering so Red knew aunt Najat never failed to dish hot. 

“He is my nephew and I can tell you that his father was not like this when he was alive”.

“Nortey, let us not lie on the dead”. 

“Najat!”

“Nortey! Have you forgotten Laila was my best friend? How many gatherings like this were called on her behalf?”

Uncle Nortey glared at his nephew as if it was his fault the firebrand Najat had just had one over him.

“It was, for this reason, I strongly refused this girl marrying your nephew but daabi ahh she was in love!” With her fingers aunty made shaping sounds shaking her head in despair.

“Er let us not deviate from the matter now”. Mass was glad his father-in-law stepped in at the moment. The man was the only reasonable one in these talks aside from Papa. Aunty never liked Massa’s father for breaking her friend’s heart with his straying ways and even disliked Massa more for following his father’s steps.

Red watched on as the elders talked on and soon the meeting was closed. As usual, Massa was fined and his wife will have to take him back after he complies with the conditions given him. Not that the mate wasn’t happy for the once more settled couple but his goal aside from helping his master’s wife was to stop the late-night runs. Nothing was said concerning that during the meeting.

“Red, bring the bus so we can drop the elders home!”.

The mate who had been perched at the window was now far down the veranda steps watching God knows what. He did not fool his watchful boss.

“Red!”

“Yesai boss!”. They were on their way from the last relative’s home. Aunty Najat lived further from the couple but she still came each time. 

“This money I was saving for the iPhone was almost complete before you let your mouth loose”.

“Massa, me?” Red looked like an angel pointing innocently to his chest.

His boss refused to engage him, driving towards the nearest bus stop  “We have to complete the money soon because after I buy the settlement things the savings will be knocked down some”.

“Yes Massa”. It would have been better if Naa had just shut her big mouth. “See what she don land me”  Red was not happy at all and as if treading his mind Massa sealed the coffin more.

“We have to increase our rounds per day!” 

To be continued…….new episode every WEEKEND. Subscribe to receive notifications. Leave your comments below.

Previous episode

Questions

1. Did Red do the right thing by reporting Massa or he should have just let things be?

2. Is Massa selfish or entitled?

3. Between Red and Naa, who talks more?

4. Should Massa’s wife have left?

5. What would you do differently?

By Jamila Abdul Wahab Follow on Twitter @activetvgh

Send stories to: news@myactiveonline.com WhatsApp to +233 591 521 188 Follow us @activetvgh

Author