Happy Endings...
The sun comes up, teasing my eyes open. In the first few seconds of wakefulness I forget where I am and what’ going on in my life. A wave crashes on the rocky shore and reminds me.
“Oh,” I murmur, my throught dry from the lack of water. “Hello world.”
And just like that; just the way I up and left my apartment four days ago, I up and leave the beach and head back ot my apartment.
When I get there, I take a long shower and brush my teeth. As I brush, I go to stand naked infront of the full-length mirror I had installed in my bathroom. I eye her skinny frame (my four days of involuntary fasting did a number on my weight) I’m not too worried about it.
I’m jolted out of my mind by a frantic knock on my door. I roll my eyes. Wonderful! back to intrusive people.
I open the door 5 minutes later to find Ayitey and Mansah standing at my doorstep. Mansah immediately falls into a rhetoric about people disappearing with no thought for their friends as she pushes past me. Ayitey stays on the landing staring worriedly at my emaciated frame. He doesn’t say anything just stares. I stare back at him. Somehow, I know that he knows I’ve had a rough few days. And I know him well enough to know that he knows better than to ask me about it. I’m grateful for that.
Then he finally says, “Don’t let her talk your ear off, I’ll be back.” and leaves.
Ayitey comes back 15 minutes later holding several white plastic bags. The scent of fast food wafts through my small apartment and suddenly, I feel like eating. As I hungrily chomp down the food I look over at Ayitey and thank goodness for small mercies.
After spending the whole day there, avoiding the topic of my four day disappearance due to Ayitey’s side eyes every time she tries to bring it up, Mansah takes her leave. She has to get back to her husband.
Ayitey stays. Wordlessly, he cleans up and tucks me into bed. He makes himself comfortable on my couch but I’m sure can’t fall asleep for worry. I listen to him restlessly moving about as I close my eyes. Knowing he’s just a call away comforts me and I immediately fall asleep.
The next morning, he waits till I get out of bed at 7:20 am.
“Are you ok?” he asks. I nod and he gathers me in a long hug.
“I have to go to work. I’ll check on you throughout the day.” With that, he leaves.
I stare at the closed door long after he’s gone. Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with him? Maybe I’m one of those women who stays single all their lives. Perhaps this is how I should live. I certainly won’t be the first person to live like that. Maybe what the universe is telling me is simply this; “stop trying, it’s not for you”.
Five weeks later, I'm standing on the beautiful lawn at the Little House on The Hill, a hip destination wedding hotel. I look around at the dozens of white and red hibiscus bouquets decorating the scenic venue and I feel the slightest tingle of happiness.
It’s a big day and even though I vowed vowed never again to be in a wedding, this one I have no choice but to join.
The guests are almost all seated and the piano guy is tickling out a melodious ode to love. I turn to my left To look at Ayitey standing beside me. He smiles at me. I smile back and reach out to straighten his neck tie after which he reaches out to straighten my bowtie. We are dressed identically excpet for the ties.
“I have never seen a best man look so good in a suit.” He reiterates for the umpteenth time.
I laugh just before the piano man starts to play the Wedding March. The bride is ready to walk down the isle. I take a step back to stand behind Ayitey as he turns to face his bride who is being led down the petal strewn red carpet on the grass by her father.
Ayitey grins from ear to ear, I would too if I were him, Joy is a vision in her sheer, pearl, mermaid wedding dress.
The ceremony is short and sweet and the reception starts off with a bang. They play old favourites and there is food aplenty. Everyone is joyous.
I smile occasionally but I don't join in the festivities even though I am unquestionably happy for Ayitey for tying the knot and I watch the couple as they dance. I don't know Joy that well and therefore don't know of any uneven spots in her past but I fervently hope, for the sake of Ayitey’s happiness, that she is clean.
My mind wanders to Deladem’s wedding which is taking place at this very instant across town. He asked that I come but I was spared the ordeal by being best man at Ayitey’s wedding.
So how does a cynic get hitched? They don’t. They can’t get past their distrust long enough to let anyone else have the satisfaction of winning them over. Anyone else, of course, but the person who proves to them beyond all doubt that men cannot be trusted. Sure, there are men people scattered all over, but none of them will make it into a cynic’s life to stay because they won’t let them; they drag their feet and second guess and let them slip away. But then again, if they leave, then they weren’t meant to stay in the first place, or were they?
Cynics don't believe in happy endings because there are no endings until you are dead. And until you die, even death itself is one of the shitty surprises waiting for you at the turn of every corner.
I feel my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket. I take it out to check the caller ID and almost pass out. I stare at the phone, unable to answer it so it rings until it cuts and the picture of Nunya stops flashing.
