4. The Silent Months

“I have nothing left to say to you,”

Serwaa

The cowardly man had failed to show his face both before and after the wedding, leaving Serwaa in a state of limbo. Time, which once seemed to rush forward with unrelenting force, now plodded along at a sluggish pace. Seeking refuge from her inner turmoil, she threw herself into the sterile routine of the hospital, finding solace in the monotonous beeping of machines.

Aware that depression was creeping in, she heeded her friend Fosuah’s advice and embarked on a two-week vacation to Ghana. The familiar rhythms of her home country of Ghana offered a temporary respite from the chaos of her personal life in Maryland. The warm, humid air wrapped around Serwaa like a comforting hug as she stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her family waiting for her at the airport, their faces beaming with excitement and relief.

For the next few days, Serwaa immersed herself in the hustle and bustle of Accra. She visited old friends and ate delicious home-cooked meals. With each passing day, she felt a little bit more like herself again. The weight on her shoulders lifted slightly, and she could almost forget about Kwame and his betrayal.

But as soon as she returned to Maryland, reality came crashing down on her once again. Kwame had been trying to contact her during her trip, leaving apologetic messages that went unanswered. Serwaa couldn’t bear to hear his voice or look into his pleading eyes.

She avoided him at all costs, pretending not to see him when they crossed paths at work or in public places. But deep down, she knew that avoiding him was just a temporary solution. Sooner or later, they would need to have a conversation about what had happened between them.

One day after work, as Serwaa was walking towards her car in the parking lot, she heard someone call out her name. She turned around to see Kwame approaching her with determined strides.

“Serwaa,” he said breathlessly as he reached her side. “Please, can we talk?”

Serwaa’s heart rate increased when she saw him standing so close to her. She couldn’t believe how much she still cared for him despite everything that had happened.

“I have nothing left to say to you,” she replied coldly.

Kwame’s expression fell, but he refused to give up. “Please, just one minute,” he pleaded. Serwaa summoned all her strength, started the car, and drove off as Kwame chased after her.