The Market Encounter – How He Won Her Heart

I promised a love story and here it is. It is rather long, but I like to give glory details. If you stick it out, you will get my point, and hopefully enjoy it. Like I said before, I am not a professional writer, and certainly not the sharpest tool in the box. I am just happy being part of the forum, and doing my best to contribute to the debate. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who have suggested ways in which I could improve my writing skills. Hopefully I will get better with time. All I ask is your support, advice and cooperation.

Nana Yawo and Lebene were from the opposite sides of the track and under normal circumstances their paths would never have crossed. However, destiny had other plans, and their paths did cross. So now lets find out what happened shall we? Lebene was born into extreme poverty, the eldest of 4 children. Her father sold lotto at the tro-tro station near their house in a very poor neighborhood, and her mother a market trader who sold gari in the local market. Although Lebene was from a poor background, however, nature was gracious to her, in that she was well endowed with such beauty normally associated with princesses, royalty, models, and, the rich and famous.

She was a beauty to behold with features women envied and men admired. There was such an air of grace and elegancy about her; no doubt she was all that and a bag of chips as they say in America. Not only was nature kind to her by endowing her with such incredible beauty, she was also exceptionally intelligent and considered a gifted child. She was always at the top of her class in her poor neighborhood school, and her teachers had high hopes for her. She was encouraged by the head master to aim high and excel to the highest possible level of the academic ladder. The Head master often told her that the sky is the limit and she could go as far as she wants to irrespective of her poor background. She was held in high regards by her school and class mates. Although she was poor, but she was confident, friendly, sociable and very out going. She displayed qualities and characteristics of royalty, wealth and aristocracy, which her mother often pondered over in her mind, and often wondered where she inherited such qualities and what would become of her. She was her parents pride and joy, and they did all they could within their limited financial resources to make sure that she was reasonably cared for. Lebene and her mother became very close; she accompanied her to the market to sell gari whenever she was not in school. Her mother often said to her, my daughter, you are such a beautiful young woman with a promising future and I will sell all the gari I can to make sure that you go to the university, and become someone in the future. I don’t want you to go through what I have been through. You have the opportunities I never had, so my daughter, try and make something out of your life

She advised her to leave boys alone for now and concentrate on her studies. She told her that once she completes her education, and given the fact that she is such a beautiful young woman, with good home training, gentlemen including, royalty, noble, rich and famous would come running after her, Lebene laughed and asked her mother, which royalty, noble, rich and famous man would want a poor girl like me? Miracles do happen my daughter, and you would be surprised as to who would come knocking. I want you to know that if you are destined for greatness, no matter your social background, you will surly reach your destiny one day. She advised her not to think low of herself, and instilled in her pride, dignity, integrity, and good morals. She further told her that she shouldn’t let anyone look down upon her just because she is from a poor background. You are just as good as the best of them; therefore walk with your shoulders held high.

In the mean time Lebene was doing well in school, she became very Interested in international affairs by just reading the old newspapers her mother sold gari with. She often day dream about foreign countries and wondered how it would feel like to live and work in a foreign country. She had great imagination and would often tell her school and class mates about what was going on in the world; she had acquired such detail knowledge on international issues so much so that her friends nicknamed her minister of foreign affairs. Since her mother was uneducated, she was not familiar with some of the things Lebene had grown to develop interest in, however, she supported and encouraged her as much as she could.

One evening on their way home from the market, they came across one of Lebene’s friends who called out Lebene’s nickname “minister of foreign affairs” and wanted to know what was new on the international front. As they walked home, her mother asked her what was the meaning of her nickname? She laughed and explained it with such pride. Her mother pondered for a second, and said, daughter, if that is what you want to be, we just have to sell all the gari we can to make sure we get you there. At this point, they were almost home, and Mother and daughter were laughing uncontrollably.

The next morning just before her parents were about to head out for the day, the school head master came running to their house looking very excited and proudly announced that, he has good news. The secondary school results just came out and Lebene passed with flying colors with the best grade in the entire country. He therefore pleaded with her parents to do all they can for her to go to the university. Grades as good as this; she deserves nothing less than university level education he said. When the head master left, the entire household burst out with joy and celebrated the remarkable achievement of Lebene. Meanwhile, her mother was in tears, tears of joy knowing that her precious daughter is on her way to the highest institution of learning which has been her hope and dream for her daughter. Lebene on the other hand, was reflecting and wondering what the future holds, and wondered what university life would be like.

Her mother had intended to go to Keta that morning to buy some more gari, for her retail market. However, upon hearing the good news and the urgent plead from the head master, she decided to give part of the money meant for the trip to Lebene, to go and buy the university application form without delay. By mid –day Lebene made it to the university’s admission’s office and duly purchased the form, filled it out, submitted it and went back home with such joy and pride, thinking to her self, the gari selling girl from the other side of the track will soon be rubbing shoulders with those from the other side. Would she fit in, would she be accepted, would she be good enough were just some of the things on her mind as she made her way home.

Several weeks went by, and finally she received admission letter from the university to read law and economics. She shared the news with her parents, and preparation for her university education began. She got everything she needed and was so ready and looking forward to the beginning of the school year. The day before she departed for school, she went around the neighborhood to say good bye to her friends and everyone wished her success. The big day finally arrived, and her parents made sure that everything was well put together for their daughter’s big day. Her father and uncles carried her suit cases to the taxi rank, and saw her off with tears of joy. So it was Lebene went off to the university, the first from her family and one of the few from the neighborhood. Upon arrival, she located her room, met her room-mate for the first time, who was very nice and they got on like wild fire. In the mean time, she settled in, and excelled in her studies with the prospect of a first class degree.

Nana Yawo on the other hand was born into wealth; his father was the richest man in town, a multi-billion business tycoon, with business transactions all over the world. Given the fact that he was born in to wealth, he had a privilege upbringing, and lacked nothing. He was waited on hand and foot. He had a kid sister named Nana Yaa and they lived in a mansion in the most expensive and posh area in town, with servants, including house girls, drivers, butler, gardeners, and everything in between, you name it, they had it. His mother owned the largest boutique store in town, and was a fashion and beauty consultant to the rich and famous, including the President’s wife.

He was arrogant and pompous and definitely a spoiled brat. Although He was a spoiled brat; he was good looking and naturally bright and did well in school. After secondary school, he went off to university in England to study business administration with the certainty of taking over the family business in future. When his was not busy with studies, he spent his time going from one party to another in accompany of some of the world’s most beautiful women. He likes to travel, so during the long vacation, he spends his time traveling between, London, Paris, Rome, New York, LA, Cape Town, Nairobi, and anywhere else his fancy took him. Given his social status, and looks, he had many friends, and was very popular especially with the girls. So many girls have thrown themselves at him, and had given him what is commonly known as scholarship. He enjoyed all the attention he received from his friends. However, he often wondered, whether all his friends really cared or they were only interested in him because of his father’s wealth?

Back home his father’s business empire continued to expand and grow, the family’s political connections also flourished. It has been his parents wish for him to hook up with the President’s daughter who was also studying in England. Although he and the President’s daughter were friends, but nothing serious as their parents had hoped. And as far as he was concerned, life was good and couldn’t be better until one faithful Friday afternoon in a dusty, noisy dirty market when he saw a young beautiful, and intelligent final year university student selling gari.The encounter changed his life for ever.

On this particular Friday afternoon, Nana Yawo, had just got back home from London, and was checking out the family’s latest fleet of cars when his mother who was under the weather and was resting, asked for him, and upon arrival in the elegant and beautifully decorated living-room, his mother asked him to take Afi the chief house girl to the market to buy ingredients for dinner. He was totally surprised that his mother would ask such a thing of him, so he asked? Mother! You want me to do what? You know I have never been to the market he protested. There is always the first time for everything, and besides, I am not asking you to go inside the market, all I am asking you son, is to drive Afi to the market and wait for her in the car. He wanted to know where all the family drivers were. Never mind where the drives were; if there were here I wouldn’t be asking you to take Afi to the market would I, his mother remarked.

He reluctantly agreed to take Afi to the market and the only reason he agreed to so was to try out his father’s latest top of the line S class Mercedes Benze. Upon arrival at the market, and just as Afi was about to exist from the car, master Nana Yawo ordered her to buy some gari for him. Afi nervously informed him that gari was not on the list his mother had given her, and besides the money may not be sufficient to buy the gari. He shouted; do as I say will you! I said I want gari and that is all there is to it. Although he had been living abroad for quite a number of years now, and has been exposed to different cuisines, but he never lost his love for gari and beans, and whenever he was home, he likes to have a taste of it every now and then. Off Afi went into the market. She first bought everything on the list her madam had given her before making her way to the gari stand. When she got to the gari stand, she looked around to see who was looking reasonably decent; after all we are taking about buying gari for the high and mighty master Nana Yawo.

On this particular Friday, Lebene was home on vacation, and her mother was under the weather as well, so she offered to go and manned the stand. Lebene was so well brought up, and grounded in who she was so much so that, she thought nothing of going to the market to man the stand while her mother was under the weather. For her, the market and selling gari has been part and parcel of her life. She accompanied her mother to the market whenever she was home on vacation throughout the 3 years she has been at the university. And as usual she was well dressed in slit made out of the latest African print with the head gear, and was looking elegant. When leaving the house that morning, her mother made fun of her by saying you are the most glamorous gari seller ever, and if you continue like this, it won’t be long before you find yourself a gari king, and they both burst out laughing as she headed out the door.

Afi sported Lebene and was attracted to her appearance, and therefore went to buy the girl from her. After ordering the gari, she discovered that, she didn’t have enough money left to pay for the gari, and remarked that master Nana Yawo will kill me today. Upon hearing the remark, Lebene enquired as to who master Nana Yawo was, and was told who he was, and was further informed that he was waiting in the car outside. Thank God for cell phones, Lebene offered Afi her cell phone to call him to come and give her the money to pay for the gari. Afi thanked her and remarked that it was ever so kind of her, but you don’t know master Nana Yawo like I do, he will kill me. Lebene reassured her that nobody is going to kill anybody, here you are just call him.

Afi was at this point almost in tears, however, was wondering how nice, caring and concerned Lebene was. Afi made the call, although Nana Yawo did not recognize the number but he picked up the call anyway, and Afi explained to him what had just happened, and pleaded with him To come and give her the money to pay for the gari.

H e was obviously not a happy camper, but had no choice at this point... He protested that he has never been inside a market and wouldn’t know how and where to locate her. Lebene overheard the conversation, and took the phone from Afi, and proceeded to direct him to the stand, he stayed on the phone and she talked him to the stand. Upon arrival, he could not believe what he saw, his first reaction was “OH MY GOD” He was amazed to see such a beautiful young woman so nicely dressed like a lady and spoke flawless Queen’s English selling gari in the market... He was enchanted and captivated by her sheer beauty and intelligence. He was speechless and could not take his eyes of her for a while. When he regained composure, he paid for the gari, and asked Afi to wait for him in the car.

The first thing he said to Lebene was you are a goddess, with such flawless beauty and well spoken, and nothing would give me a greater pleasure if you would agree to have dinner with me. To which Lebene replied, thanks but I don’t go out with strangers. Nana Yawo introduced himself; I am Nana Yawo Owusu, the son of Kwame Owusu of Owusu Enterprise. It doesn’t make any difference to me who your father is, my position still remains that I do not go out with strangers, and if you would excuse me, I have gari to sell. He could not believe what he just heard. Never would he have believed that any girl would turn him down let a lone a market woman selling gari. The situation shocked him to the core, and he wondered who the hell Lebene was to have declined his invitation to dinner. There were so many questions he wanted to ask. He was so amazed about the classy and dignified manner in which Lebene conducted herself, and was so intrigued so much so that he resolved to get to know her at all cost.

For the next several weeks, all he could think of was Lebene. He couldn’t sleep, he couldn’t eat, and nothing made sense to him any more. All he now longed for was the sound of her voice. In the mean time, he called his best friend in London, and told him all about Lebene. His best friend could not believe what he heard. The high and mighty Nana Yawo heir to a multi-billion business empire attracted to a young woman in the market selling gari who happened to be attractive and well spoken. Wonder shall never end he remarked.

At this point neither NanaYawo nor his friends knew anything about Lebene, as she refused to take his calls. Her mother once told her that any man who is interested in her must prove his interest beyond all reasonable doubts before she even considers the proposition. Even with all his wealth, she was not about to fall for him without a lot of convincing. She knew in her heart that he would come back to look for her. So she offered to go to the market for the reminder of her vacation. Her mother protested, and tried to convince her to stay home and study, but Lebene insisted, so her mother agreed to the arrangement. And true to her convictions, he came back every single day and sat with her in the market from 11AM to 6PM for the next 3 weeks. At the close of each market day, he would offer to take her home, but she would decline. Every day he would bring a different car, hoping to impress her. But each time he offered to take her home after the market day, her answer was always the same.

For the next 3 weeks he faithfully visited her, and during launch time, he would go and get launch for the two of them. They would talk through out the day when she was not busy. He was very impressed with her knowledge on international law, and economic issues. In his desperation, he asked her, who are you really? I am just plain old Lebene the gari seller who happens to know a lot about the subjects we talk about she said. How come you know so much he asked? It is for me to know and for you to find out. I have never met anyone like you in all my travels he remarked, you never will, I am one and only “Lebene Sika Amuzu”

Towards the end of the vacation, Nana Yawo had to go on a short business trip for his father on a short notice. And as a result he was unable to inform Lebene before leaving for the trip. However, while he was away, all he could think of was Lebene and could not wait to get back home to see her. At this point he had become very fond of her, and she was beginning to like him as well, so when he didn’t show up at the market during those few days, she missed him, and wondered whether she took the hard to get game a little too far.

Lebene had some business to take care of at the university so she did not go to the market on the day Nana Yawo got back from his business trip. Upon arrival from the trip, he went straight to the market to give her a present he had bought for her from Paris, and to his disappointment, she was not there, and he wondered what might have happened. He introduced himself to the young girl who was at the stand, who happened to be one of Lebene’s kid sisters, and made enquiries as to Lebene’s where about, and was informed that she had to go to the university to take care of some school business. He could not believe what he heard, thanked her and quickly headed off to look for her at the university.

While he was on his way; he couldn’t help but wondered why she didn’t tell him she was a final year student at the university. Now everything was beginning to make sense to him as to why she is so knowledgeable and spoke such flawless English. Traffic was really bad so by the time, he got to the university, Lebene, had finished what she had gone to do and went back home to do some washing. Mean while, when He was at the market earlier on, he took the trouble to find out where Lebene’s house was located, so when he missed her at the university, he went to look for her at home. When he got to the area, his Range Rover could not go any further, since the house was tucked away at the back of a non drivable road. He therefore parked the Range Rover and walked through a narrow path with public toilet on one side and garbage hip on the other, with flies all over the place. He asked himself what is wrong with me? Why am I doing this? He could not believe where he was, mind you, this was his first time at this side of the track. He was surprised to see how the other side lived. Eventually, he made it to the house and was so very proud of himself to have located to the house.

Lebene was hand washing her cloths when he got there, and upon seeing him, she was pleasantly surprised, she could not believe what she was seeing. What are you doing here? And how did you know where I live? She was not ashamed of where she lived; she was just surprised that he took the trouble to find her. He asked her, why didn’t you tell me? why didn’t I tell you what? That I live in a poor neighborhood? Not that, and who cares where you live anyway he said. I am talking about the university, would it have made any difference she asked? Not really, but it would have been nice to know he said. Well, now you know she remarked. By the way, I brought you this gift from a business trip which was why I haven’t been to see you these few days, and sorry I couldn’t come to tell you before I left, it was such a short notice but I thought about you all the time I was away, and could not wait to get back to see you.

I just got back about 2 hours ago, and the first place I went was the market and your sister gave away what you have been keeping away from me all this time. So it was my sister who told you where I live? I will kill her when she gets home she said, no one is killing anyone he remarked. I am just so happy to see you again, did you miss me one tiny bit? He asked? She smiled and said of course, how could I not. I thought you had given up on me. Not now, not ever, how can I give up on what I having looking for all my life he said.

He pulled a stool nearby and sat next to her while she wash. The next thing she knew, he took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and offered to help with the washing. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. You mean you want to help me hand wash my cloths she asked? This is a guy who has never even loaded the washer and dryer at home, let a lone hand wash anything. Before she could say another word, his hands were in the water and whatever he got hold of, he took and started to wash. The next item, he took was her underwear, and she strongly protested, you are not going to wash my underwear, are you? Haven’t you ever heard that in our culture any man who washes a women’s underwear, becomes gyimi gyimi. If by demonstrating my love for you through washing your underwear makes me gyimi gyimi, then so be it he said. She watched in disbelieve as the high and mighty Nana Yawo Owusu the heir to a multi-billion business empire washed her underwear. She couldn’t hold the tears; she reached out her hand in the water, took his hand and said to him, you have won my heart, and if you think you can love a girl from the other side of the track who was brought up selling gari then I am yours. Now that I love gari so much, I might as well love the gari seller if she would have me he said. She drew him closer and kissed him, and they embraced each other and wished that the moment would last forever. He said to her that from the moment he first saw her, he knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and was prepared to do whatever it took to win her heart, and thanked her for giving him the opportunity to prove his love for her.

When he got home that evening, he told his parents all about Lebene. His father was very upset that his only son would fall for a girl with no connections, when he could have had any girl in town including the President’s daughter, He could not comprehend his son’s decision to marry a daughter of a lotto seller and a market trader. It was just too much for the old man. He wondered to himself who could this Lebene girl be, to have made such an impression on his only son whom he had hoped would marry the President’s daughter. He strongly objected to the relationship; There is no way I am going to allow my only son to marry a nobody an Ewe girl for that matter, over my dead body he remarked She has nothing to offer you, can’t you see?. Son I am asking you to stop seeing her or else you won’t inherit anything from me his father said. Father, I hope you are not asking me to choose between inheritance and the girl I am in love with. If that is what you are asking, then I am sorry to disappoint you. I would rather have Lebene any day. There is no inheritance in this whole world worth giving her up for, Nana Yawo said to his father.

The matter was discussed at breakfast the next morning. His parents entreated him to break it off with her. I love her and I don’t care which tribe she is from, and it doesn’t matter that she is poor he told his parents and walked out of the dinning room. His mother suggested that Lebene be invited to dinner for them to warn her to stay away from their son. Nana Yawo was so very happy upon hearing the news to invite Lebene to dinner. However, little did he know that it was a set up to break them up.

He called Lebene and extended the invitation. She was apprehensive of meeting the mighty Owusus. However, he assured her that she had nothing to worry about; they would adore you he said. She was ready at the agreed time, dressed in a simple dress made of African print with head gear to match.

When Nana Yawo arrived to pick her up, she almost took his breath away. She was looking adorable, classy and elegant, and he knew there and then that his parent were in for a big surprise. And low and behold upon arrival at the Owusu’s mansion, and at the first sight of Lebene, his parents were speechless and amazed by her beauty. When she began to speak, they were even more amazed at such intelligence, grace, splendor and elegance which melted away every resistance and plan they had. Nana Yawo’s father called him into his study, and said to him son, never have I seen such an incredible beauty and intelligence, and if I were you I would ask her to marry me before she could say Alleluia. His father was so taken in by Lebene’s beauty and elegance that he called her Princess Lebene, and from that day, she became known as Princess Lebene. They gave them their blessings, and they got engaged. Nana Yawo went back to England to finish his studies. Lebene graduated with first class, and joined him in England. And while there, she pursued her master’s degree in international relations. Upon graduation, they returned home and she joined the Foreign Service, and with time, became the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs. thereby realizing her childhood dream. Nana Yawo on the other hand, took over the family business as expected. They got married in a grand traditional style and lived happily ever after.

Now, Should women play hard to get? Should parents have a say in who their children marry? And should one marry from the same social class and background? Should a man wash a woman’s underwear? And should one marry for money and title, or for love?

Komla - The Self Proclaimed Peace Broker.