No Kukua, you walking alone and talking to yourself. There
is no Agyei here. The person responded and forced me into a taxi. I didn't know
what happened until two weeks later, when I saw myself in chains. I was tied
against a pillar at where I stayed. Afia, what is happening to me? Who tied me
up? I screamed. Kukua, you better shut up and stay there. Why do you keep
disturbing everyone's peace? Were we the ones who forced you to give your money
to a man? She angrily responded. Afia, I may have been mad, sick or something,
but no more. Please untie me. I screamed angrily. Immediately, all the tenants
rushed out from their rooms. Kukua, are you sure you are not talking out of
your madness? Are you sure you are fine? One of them asked. Don't mind her
Kwadwo, how can she be fine when she hasn't taken any medicine? She is talking
out of madness. Afia responded harshly. Afia, you are sounding as if this is
what you've always wished for me. I don't blame you nor anybody standing here.
I don't blame you for locking me up in chains instead of taking me to the
hospital. I solely blame myself for allowing this to happen to me. You didn't
force me to give my money to a man, love did. And remember, that is not the end
of my life. I bitterly spoke. Kwadwo, please untie me and let me go into my
room. I added. Quickly, Kwadwo untied me and I walked pass them into my room. I
looked so dirty and emaciated. My hair was unkept and my mouth was smelling
really bad. No one had had the time to bath me. Kwadwo, are you sure she is
fine? Are you very sure? I overhead Afia asking. Afia, if she isn't, do you
think she can talk sense like she just did? I believe she is alright. Kwadwo
responded. Well if you say so. As for me, I won't have the strength and time to
chase her when she runs back to the streets again. Just look at how the entire
household has suffered for the past two weeks. Cleaning her faeces alone wasn't
easy. Afia unhappily complained. But wait a minute, how can madness be cured
without medication? Another person asked. Maybe it is by divine intervention.
Let's all hope for the best. Kwadwo responded. God, so I have been mad for two
good weeks? Oh Kukua, where did I go wrong? I thought in tears. My landlord
brought me food and asked me to bath and take some rest. My daughter, sickness
comes but do not leave us at a go, so please, don't stress yourself thinking
about anything. Just eat the food, bath, and get some rest. He advised. Thank
you daddy, God bless you. I shyly responded. Days passed, and anytime I went
out, people kept pointing fingers at me. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed. All
my money was gone, I couldn't do the charcoal business any longer. I thought of
moving from house to house to wash dirty clothes for those who needed my
services. I began the job and it was moving a bit well. Sometimes, I made 10
cedis a day. I did the job for one month until someone told me to target the
beautiful houses in the town for huge sums. Kukua, your job is tedious, and I
suggest you visit the homes of the rich for bigger amount rather than the
peanuts you earn. One of my neighbors suggested. I heeded to her advice, but of
course, Caleb's house was out. I couldn't stand his kid brother's maltreatment.
I thought. One day, after knocking at the gate of one of the beautiful houses,
a gentleman came out. What do you want? Why are you knocking at the gate like a
villager? He insulted. I am sorry sir, I only came here to search for a laundry
job. Do you please have dirty clothes for me to wash? I asked. You are so
disgusting! Even if I had dirty clothes, do you think a dirty person like you
can wash it clean? He insulted. Emrys what's up with you and the person at the
gate? Why are you talking to the person in anger? A familiar voice asked from
the house.
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