1. A New Beginning

“Uncertainty is the refuge of hope.”

Henri Frederic Amiel

The scent of opportunity enveloped Ama Agyepong as she disembarked at JFK International Airport. This was America, the land of endless possibilities. She inhaled deeply, savouring the unfamiliar aroma that filled her lungs, and felt a rush of excitement coursing through her. It was a stark contrast to the comforting earthy scent of Kumasi, the city in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, that she had left behind only days ago.

As she navigated through the crowded airport, Ama could hardly believe that she was finally here. After months of dreaming and planning, she arrived in America with hopes of a brighter future for herself and her family back home. The journey had been far from easy, requiring sacrifices and unrelenting determination, but she had persevered. She stepped out into the bright sunlight of a new day, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. The possibilities in front of her were endless, and it was both exhilarating and overwhelming, but Ama refused to let fear hold her back. She was ready to embrace this new adventure and whatever challenges it might bring.

Much to her surprise, Ama went through immigration formalities smoothly, receiving a warm welcome to the United States of America from the immigration officer. She only had one suitcase with her and didn’t have anything to declare at customs. With a determined smile, she walked forward towards the arrival gates, her heart full of hope and determination as she looked out for Kofi.

Kofi Kyintoh, a man she barely knew, had promised her a brighter future, filled with endless possibilities. She first encountered him when he came to Kumasi for two weeks, 15 months ago, to attend his mother’s funeral. Despite her initial hesitation, Ama eventually agreed to leave her home country with only a one-way ticket and make the journey to the United States of America. But as she stepped into the busy arrival terminal, a seed of uncertainty started to grow within her. Any doubts vanished as soon as she locked eyes with Kofi. A smile spread across her face, and she confidently approached him. Kofi resided in the Bronx projects, so her journey home was quick. As she made her way to his apartment in a yellow cab, the bright and lively city of New York mesmerised her.

The city was alive with summer activities, despite the warm and humid weather. This surprised Ama because she had always believed that the western world was known for its cold climates, in contrast to her own country. The cab screeched to a halt in front of the imposing Bronx River Houses in Soundview, Bronx. The tall buildings loomed above, casting shadowy reflections in the murky river waters beside them. As they exited the vehicle, the sound of car horns blaring and people chattering filled the air. A bustling urban landscape surrounded them, adorned with colourful graffiti and a mix of different languages spoken by passersby. Yet, amongst the chaos, there was a sense of familiarity and home for those who called this place their community.

The moment she and her luggage crossed the door, Kofi’s hands were on her, pulling her towards him with an unexpected intensity. He devoured her on the sofa with a raw desire she had never witnessed before, but it only lasted for less than two minutes, leaving her unsatisfied. Without a single word, he got up and disappeared into the bathroom, abandoning her in bewilderment. Shortly after, she could hear the loud sounds of deep snoring emanating from the bedroom. Kofi had fallen into a deep sleep after a quick 90 seconds of sex. She felt exhausted and used, reduced to nothing more than an object for his pleasure.

Ama’s stomach grumbled loudly, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since the flight. Upon her arrival in America, she had anticipated Kofi to prepare a delicious Ghanaian meal, but instead she discovered leftovers and food that was about to spoil in the refrigerator. She made do with what she could find and settled down in the living room to watch television. Kofi appeared after sleeping for four hours and announced that he had to leave for work and wouldn’t be back until morning—a final disappointment for Ama on her first day in America. Kofi left Ama with specific instructions for his breakfast when he returned from work the next morning. He wanted a traditional dish from his Ashanti tribe: fufu with palm-nut soup, made with dried smoked fish and cow meat. He made sure to show Ama where to find all the ingredients and cooking utensils. Kofi was very particular about how his food should be prepared.

It was an unusually heavy meal to have for breakfast, but Ama still woke up at 5 a.m. the next morning to cook it. She had a hard time falling asleep after her long 12-hour Delta flight, and she couldn’t shake off the doubts that kept nagging her. Was it really the right decision to leave Ghana and go live with someone she barely knew? However, the thought of poverty back home and the promise of opportunity in this new land pushed all her uncertainties aside.

Kofi arrived back at his house by 6:30 a.m. to find a delicious spread laid out on the dining table. His favourite meal of fufu and palm-nut soup was waiting for him, but unfortunately, Ama did not join him because it was too early for her to eat this heavy meal. She went to the kitchen to make herself some hot cocoa instead.

Ama reached for her glass, hoping to find some solace in the warm cup of cocoa. But before she could even take a sip, Kofi was behind her, his hands aggressively pulling down her night gown. She weakly protested, but he had already made up his mind—another round of sex was all he wanted. Ama felt her body being bent over, her breasts pressed against the cold stainless kitchen sink, as Kofi took her from behind with rough and impatient thrusts. It was a disturbingly familiar scene, just like their first time together. And as always, it was over within seconds. Kofi pulled up his pants and went to the bedroom to sleep, leaving Ama feeling used and hollow once more.

Kofi worked the first and third shifts, sleeping during the day. Before leaving for work each night, he ate and had sex with Ama. This routine continued when he returned home from the morning shift. Kofi was a one-minute man, so the sex was always the same—short-lived. Ama was getting frustrated with this pattern. To control her, Kofi locked her inside their apartment whenever he left for work. After two months, Ama still hadn’t been outside. Despite Ama’s pleas to take on some responsibilities, such as doing groceries, Kofi insisted on doing all the grocery shopping himself.

Like a slow, agonising death, the dream she once held in her heart began to crumble and decay. The harsh reality of her situation engulfed her like a heavy, suffocating blanket. Kofi, the man who had promised her an equal partnership, exposed his true intentions as he confined her to the claustrophobic walls of his house. Ama’s spirit withered under the relentless demands of her captor, each passing day chipping away at her once vibrant soul.