It was time for Mad. Akorkor to obey and go to the palace for the summons. She wasn't told why she was summoned anyway, she was taken by surprise when the matter was raises at the palace.
She was asked to tell her own side of the story.
She narrated just as Mr. Kim did. But she gave a little explanation to why she refused giving the child to Mr. Kim the second time he came.
She said, Mr. Kim during his active service days never bothered to check up on them and to know what his son fed on. She toiled to cater for her son and if Mr. Kim couldn't pay the amount he was charged to pay when the boy was young, what shows he could pay a bigger about when the boy was fully grown?
That's why she decided not to give the child to Mr. Kim.

After deliberations, the house decided to fine Mr. Kim for not taking responsibility during his active service days. And also fine Mad. Akorkor for not regarding the chieftaincy to report such an issue but take the sole decision to refuse giving the child to the father. In the sense that, it was the same palace that made him take responsibility before he left for service,so she should have equally informed them rather than taking that sole decision.

Mr. Kim then brought the current problem at hand to the floor of the house.
He said, I have accepted my faults and I'll pay the fine, but due to what Mad. Akorkor did, I never knew my son to introduce him to his siblings, as I speak my son has had an affair with my daughter unknowingly. Is that one too my making?

The house was silent for a moment.
The senior elder the said, then the usual ritual must be performed with immediate effect before 6 weeks.

Mr. Kim then said, that's all he knows so far about their relationship, he is yet to meet both parties and ask them how they met and how long they have been together.

The house then ordered Mad. Akorkor to quickly tell the story to her son and introduce the son to his father. The both parties should meet the children and interrogate them to know more about their relationship.

Mad. Akorkor was shocked to hear that her son was involved in such act. She argued strongly that it is not his son they were talking about, cos his son is a responsible married man.
But she had to verify.

Two days later, Mad. Akorkor called her son to come urgently.

Louis did went as her mum instructed.

Mad. Akorkor: Louis, I want u to tell me everything u know about what I'm about to ask u. I'm your mother, u have not hidden anything from me before and I believe u. Do not out me to shame.

Louis: Mum, what is it?

Mad. Akorkor: What is happening in your home?

Louis: nothing mum, we are fine. Do u want to pay us a visit?

Mad. Akorkor: Louis, I'm begging u in the name if God, tell me what is happening in your matrimonial home.

Louis: Mum, everything in my home is fine, have u had one of your scary dreams again?

Mad. Akorkor : Louis I'm asking you for the last time before I loose my temper, what is happening between you and your wife? What have u done to her?? !!!! (she screamed)

Louis : Did she call u mum?

Mad. Akorkor: Louis....!!!

Louis: okay okay mum, I can explain 🤦🏻‍♂.

Mad. Akorkor: I'm all ears.

Louis: I met her in the University, we were both sports persons. We became close when we once went for games at Cape Coast. I was an athlete so was she. We then became close on campus as well. We later started dating before I had the scholarship to study abroad. She was pregnant before I left, but I wasn't in the known. She actually worked the scholarship for me, when I got there there was an extension so my stay had to be prolonged. When I was robbed, I lost her contact, so we barely heard from each other for the past 2 years. I saw her wedding pictures one day on a friend's instagram page. The one who posted the pictures is a decoration specialist, she did the wedding decorations for them so I enquire led from her and she was able to get me her number. That was how we became close again. By then she was married and I was equally preparing to marry Mina.
The first day we met was at a beach where we reminded ourselves of the past.
We met again at a birthday party she invited me to, that night we both got tipsy so, in the car on my way to drop her, she grabbed me on the wheel, I had no option than to stop and the unexpected happened.
I felt guilty the following day and told her we shouldn't do that again. Then she threatened to tell Mina I have a child outside the marriage which I denied severally before marriage. That was how come I couldn't remember sister ger any time she needed me. I later became addicted and one day her husband tracked us together with Mina to the hotel where we logded and they caught us kissing. That's how this whole mess started.
I'm sorry mum. How did u know?

Mad. Akorkor: (In tears) Louis u have killed me, u have finished me. My enemies have gotten me finally. Aaaah (she screamed with her hands on her head)

Louis: Mum I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Mad. Akorkor: Are u saying sorry, do u know what u have caused to yourself? do u know what you have caused me? Do u know the mess you have caused?

Louis: Mum, she has been calm for a while now, just help tell her I have child outside the marriage. Let's find a way to make her understand. Pls.

Mad. Akorkor: ''Akodaa na wode3, wohu kootor aniaa wose abaa'' an Akan adage that literally means u are a kid, when u see the crab's eyes u call them canes.

Louis: Mum, is there anything u are not telling me, u are over reacting.

Mad. Akorkor: Louis u have committed a taboo and it's an abominable act in our family. U have been having an affair with your own sister all this years Louis!!!

Louis : What are you talking about? U have a daughter u never told me?

Mad. Akorkor: (In tears) No my son, that's your father's daughter ooo. I'm sorry I didn't show u your real father all this while 😭.
I was summoned to the palace and it was said there by your father.

Louis: Who is my father, who is my sister? Mum what are u talking about. I thought u said my dad is a soldier who never returned from peace keeping, how come I have a father today who's daughter have had an affair with today???
U mean Bella is my sister? Oh my God, I'm doomed.

Louis walks out and drives off.

Mr. Kim and Mad. Akorkor both paid this fines and bought the itema fur the rituals.

The rituals were performed on behalf of both parties.

Mr. Kim then met Mad.Akorkor to discuss and agree on something.

Mr. Kim: what do u think we should do about what our children have done? I've been trying to figure something out but my pillow can't carry what I have on my head.

Mad. Akorkor: I've been confused as well, I haven't been able to talk to my in-law all this while.

Mr. Kim: I think we should both meet their spouses and tell them the whole truth and hear their opinions because we can't predict what is happening in their homes now. They are all traumatized at the moment. This is the time to show our parenting abilities.

Mad. Akorkor: That's no t a bad idea anyway, just hope it turns out positive. I wish we could go there but for this lockdown.

Mr. Kim: Well, since they can find their way here let's find a day and call them over.

Mad. Akorkor: What has your wife said about this whole thing.

Mr. Kim: she tried confusing the whole scenario at a point in time so I told her to step out if the issue and leave it to me.

Mad. Akorkor : Well, when do u intend calling them over then?

Mr. Kim: I am always available. What about you?

Mad. Akorkor : I'll be available anytime, my son's home matters to me.

Mr. Kim: Since they are experiencing the lock down I'll enquire from them when they can find their way here so we can meet.

Mad. Akorkor : Alright then, see u.

Mr. Kim then scheduled to meet both couples in his house.

Bill suspected something like that so he called Mina and informed her about it.
To Mina's surprise Bill made mention of Louis's father.
Mina had always know Louis to be fatherless.
She did show any sign on the call anyway.

She asked Louis later that evening where his father was and Louis was tempted to voice out everything. But after taking a deep breath he said, it's the reason why my mum wants to meet us. Old calm down and be patient everything will be alright OK.

Mina: Hmmmm, I've heard you.

Two days later, both couples met in Mr. Kim's house.

They had a very long conversations, Bill wasn't so shocked upon hearing the rest of the story he never knew of.

To Mina, everything was like a movie show. She taught it was dream, she was in dismay, she couldn't hold herself but burst into cry.

Bill played the man role by trying to accommodate whatever was going on and helped to calm Mina down.

After the conversations, no secrets were left and both innocent spouses(Bill and Mina) were asked by Mr. Kim to say what they got and what they ought to do.

Bill: I am very shocked at everything that happened but the other side where Louis and Bella ain't aware of is another worry to me. All the same, I promised to build one home and keep it till the end, but I'll need some time to say my final words.

Mina: Dad, I don't have anything to say. But knowing Louis, I know very well that if he knew he had a child who's whereabouts he was aware of, it wouldn't have been hidden to me. But what I'm finding difficult to forgive him is what he did with Bella without my notice. I found in his wardrobe a visa that was meant for the two to go spend holidays in South Africa. Bill here has Louis's Voter's 🆔 card with him. I am veryuch aware of all that they have been doing. But I can't loose my husband for anyone. I love Louis and I want us to maintain our home. The boy should be brought to me, I'll take care of him, the unborn one should come I'll take them all. I love my husband and can't let him go.

Mr. Kim: Well, Mina u have been my worry all this while, but u have relieved me from trauma a little. U are a lady so I was contemplating on how under going to take this whole scenario, I'm very happy u made a decision to keep your home. Let's give Bill sometime to tell us his mind, probably some days.

They all agreed as such and the meeting ended.

Days after, Bella woke Bill from sleep so depressed and worried. She apologized for everything and confessed she didn't live him from the onset, but for how he has stayed around her upon all she has done, she is not going to loose him for any man. She pleaded with Bill to pardon her so they restore happiness at home.

Bill told her to sleep so they talk in the morning.
In the morning Bill woke and prepared breakfast in bed for Bella. She was shocked.

Bella: Bill, it's been decades u treated me this way.

Bill : I miss these moments too my dear, I've let go of everything. I don't mind taking care if that child when it comes. Let's maintain our home and make sure we don't commit same mistakes anymore.

Bella smiles as tears roll down her cheeks. She grabbed Bill and they kissed for some minutes.
They sat to take their breakfast like newly married couples in joy and happiness.

Mina and Louis also reconciled at home and we're perfectly cool.

Bill called Mr. Kim that evening and told him to worry no more for he has solved everything with his wife and they are happily living.
The news got to Mad. Akorkor and she was overwhelmed with joy.

Mr. Kim then called both sides on phone advised them as a father.

Both couples became friends and planned a get together dinner to take effect after the lockdown.

*THE END*

There are three major lessons in the story above
1. Tolerance
2. Forgiveness
3. Love.

*We need the above in our daily lives to overcome complicated issues that baffles our minds.*

*Authored by: MC NARROW JNR.

mcnarrow@gmail.com

IG: @mcnarrowjnr

Twitter: @mcnarrow

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