Jailbird
Episode 2
ACHIMOTA ROAD
Baaba has joined the main road towards Achimota, and
she keeps casting furtive glances at Chris.
Chris is reclining back in the seat, head back, eyes
closed, hands lying limply on his thighs.
Baaba looks at his long eyelashes, his thick brows, his
sensuous lips, and once again she is struck by how
absolutely handsome he is.
She sighs and rummages in a CD pack in a compartment
under the car’s player.
She selects a compact disc and slots it into the car’s
CD player.
Very soon the smooth sounds of AZ Yet’s “Last Night”
fills the interior of the car.
He opens his eyes, turns his head and looks at her.
BAABA
(voice strained)
Listen, Chris, I’m not really in a hurry. I can pass
through Madina and drop you off if you wish.
His eyes search her face, and his face remains
expressionless.
When he speaks his voice holds a little tint of
uncertainty.
CHRIS
What’s going on, Baaba?
She raises her eyebrows at him.
BAABA
With? I don’t understand your question, Chris.
CHRIS
(looking intently at her)
You’ve been good to me ever since you were transferred
to the Grand Castle prison two years ago. You’ve
always treated me with respect even when your colleagues
were doing their best to break me. Surely you’ve heard
the bad stories about me! So what’s this? Why are
you so good to me?
She bites her lower lip.
She looks ahead for a while, her hands gripping the
steering-wheel so tightly that her knuckles almost show
white.
When she looks at him briefly again he notices how
fragile she is looking, and how beautiful she really is.
For a moment her lips tremble, and then she gives him
a sad little smile.
BAABA
You mean it? You want honesty.
CHRIS
Honesty, yes, Baaba. What you have been doing for
me, your immense help and encouragement these two
years go beyond mere kindness. There’s something
more, and I want you to tell me what it is.
She hesitates for a moment, and then she nods almost
imperceptibly.
BAABA
(softly)
You’re right, Chris. But I don’t think now is the time
to talk about that. I’ll see you again after today,
won’t I?
He looks at her for a long time; there is no smile on
his face.
CHRIS
Do you want to?
She looks at him again, and her expression is as frank
as it is direct and honest.
BAABA
Yes, Chris. I want to see you again.
CHRIS
Okay. Then you will.
BAABA
So I take you to Madina?
CHRIS
Alright, Baaba. I would appreciate that very much,
thank you.
She smiles at him, and they listen to the music for a
while. Suddenly she starts, and turns to him again.
BAABA
Oh, I almost forgot. Please, my handbag is in the
back seat. Can you reach it?
Chris turns and picks up the beautiful black handbag and
proffers it to her.
BAABA
No, look inside the side pocket. There’s a phone in
there.
He unzips the side pocket and brings out a beautiful
Samsung Note 4 phone.
He again extends it towards her.
She shakes her head without looking at him, and a little
smile plays around the corners of her beautiful lips.
BAABA
You keep it, Chris. I wanted to give it to you on your
birthday last year, but you know, prison rules. It is for
you. Fixed a sim card in it for you too…. and oh, I
stored my number on it too.
Chris puts the bag on the back seat again.
He presses power button on the side of the phone, and
the surface of the phone lights up.
The wallpaper is a picture of a smiling Baaba.
He looks at her without a word and swipes the screen.
The phone lock appears, and he turns to her.
CHRIS
(softly)
Password?
BAABA
(looking suddenly demure)
What? Oh, yes, the password is BBBB.
CHRIS
(nodding)
For Baaba.
She laughs then and shakes her head.
BAABA
You can change the wallpaper, you can change the
password, Chris. That was just an initial setup
requirement and I just used the settings on my own
phone … and oh, yes, I’ve loaded some credits on
it.
They look at each other for a while, and then she
smiles, and his eyes also soften as a sweet little smile
plays around his lips.
BAABA
I love your dimples, Chris.
He gives a little laugh then, and holds up the phone.
CHRIS
(softly)
Thank you, Baaba. I really appreciate it. This must
have cost a fortune. Really appreciated.
She smiles happily and reaches out suddenly and
squeezes his hand.
BAABA
You’re welcome, Chris.
He looks deeply at her.
CHRIS
(softly)
You know I’m married, right?
She nods once and turns her attention to the road again.
They are now at the Toll Gate.
She takes out a one cedi note and pays the toll fee at
the booth although the attendant recognizes her and tries
not to take the money.
Chris reaches into his top pocket and takes out a lovely
wedding ring, and slips it unto his ring finger.
As she drives along again she speaks softly, and her
voice is a little bit frosted over, and shakes a little with
hidden emotion.
She looks once at the ring on his finger, and her jaw
tightens perceptively as she continues to speak.
BAABA
(voice frosted)
Yes, Chris, I know you’re married. I also know your
wife filed for divorce almost as soon as you went to jail.
I know that Mrs. Effe Bawa has not made any secret
about her wish that you sign the divorce papers so that
she can marry the man who was once your best friend,
Mr. Steve Hollison, who invariably was also your best
man at your wedding. I have always wondered whether
your wife and your best friend were having an affair
behind your back even when you two were married
because frankly I find their behaviour absolutely
disgusting. And oh, yes, I forgot to add that she never
once visited you in prison these five years. That’s no
news. You were a public figure, Chris, and everybody
knows your story. And oh, did they tell you that she
has been saying over and again that she took off her
wedding ring the day you went to prison? She has
written you off, Chris, baby! She’s now in an intimate
relationship with your best friend and just waiting for you
to sign the divorce papers for her so that she can marry
him. They’re certainly making love every night, so
don’t you think that ring on your finger is really
absurd?
He looks at her, and she sees the torture in the depths
of his eyes, and the sudden pain that rips through his
soul so that his handsome face becomes a tortured mask
of pain.
She realizes that she has just hurt him deeply, and
she reaches out to take his hand but he draws his hand
back sharply.
BAABA
(remorsefully)
I’m sorry, Chris. I didn’t mean to hurt you.
He leans his head back and closes his eyes, and does
not speak to her again until they reach Madina.
He makes her stop once, and he enters a gift shop and
returns shortly afterwards pushing a little gift-wrapped
package into his pocket.
When they get to his destination he begins to get out,
and then he stops and turns to her.
His eyes are still sad, and there is pain deep down in
the depths of those beautiful eyes, and without meaning
to she leans across suddenly and gently rubs his right
cheek.
BAABA
(contrite)
I’m really sorry, really. I don’t know what came over
me, Chris.
He nods, but he does not try to smile.
CHRIS
Thank you very much. For everything. Very much
appreciated.
BAABA
You’re always welcome, Chris.
He gets out of the car and walks away. He does not
look back.
She looks after him for a moment and then she sighs
deeply.
BAABA
(in a sad voice)
Why do you affect me so, Chris Bawa?
She engages gear and drives away.
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