I sat just behind two of my former school mates in the waiting area of domestic departures, Kotoka Airport. If one had seen these ladies together 8yrs ago, anybody in Sarbah Hall could always bet what they would be talking about and where they could be going or coming from. Dates, pizza, night clubbing and anything rendezvous. Today, their conversation is different. They were talking as wives, mothers and career women. They shared experiences and compared notes on their kids feeding and health, marital issues and the task of combining work with family. I just sat and wore a smile all the time they spoke. I smiled not because I found the conversation funny but the fact that my mates were taking a walk with life’s realities. Their conversations have evolved.
On one of the days when the rain showers all day, I ran into one of my “hardcore” seniors at Prempeh College in Adum. In an unfamiliar cool manner he approaches me, and as usual exchanged pleasantries. I asked what he’s doing in town and he told me he’s looking for a shop where he can get balloons to buy for his son’s 1st birthday celebration. I couldn’t help but looked into the sky, shook my head and laughed out loud.
“Boys” meet and the conversation have evolved from sharing their sexual escapades to talks of how and where to make the next cedi to make life worthwhile. You would not find it exciting to talk about it if you have diapers and sma to buy, school fees and medical bills to pay, mummy calls to remind you of her next medical check up and a annoying when you have to cater for her funeral expense too. Even though the monthly utilities are expected, you still feel a little irritated when you come home to find the folded bill tucked by the meter or lying on the table somewhere and in the case of pre-paid, you come to meet your lights off or the meter beeping, signaling you have to recharge. That feeling you get when reminded that jack, the gas has ran out. There are some calls that anger you as soon as they appear on the phone’s screen. PRESSURE! Growing up, driving daddy’s car was fun at the expense of him but today you drive at your cost. You visit the mechanic hoping that it will be just a minor fault but the after diagnosis the dude comes with a tall list of problems. At that moment u feel pity for yourself.
It is at this point that we get a heightened sense of appreciation for our parent(s), guardians, elderly siblings or anyone who took care of us.
When they said “Wob3 nyinin abeto” , that’s what exactly they meant.
Story culled from Emperor Senaya facebook wall
