WEDDING OF MY EX
***EPISODE 15***
THE KLEVER MAGG
THE FOCUS SUPERMARKET – THE NEXT DAY
Chris is in his office. His coat is draped on the back of his huge swivel chair.
His tie is loose, and the first two buttons on his white shirt are undone.
The laptop is on, and on the desk in front of him is a huge file containing documents that he is perusing.
He leans back and pinches the bridge of his nose. He sighs deeply and rotates his neck in an obvious attempt to ease a painful spot in his neck.
A terrible expression of pain flashes across his face as he recollects Effe embracing the Koffie man again.
The door opens and his mother enters and looks at him with a worried expression on her face.
MADAM LOIS
Wedding panic taking over your soul again, my prince?
CHRIS
(smiles wanly at his mother)
You could say that, but I’m cool, really.
MADAM LOIS
But you look worried. Haven’t seen that look on your face since your dear Daddy died. Something you want to tell your Mommy about?
CHRIS
No, Mom. I’m fine, really. Are you ready to leave for that appointment with Dr. Anaman?
MADAM LOIS
Yes, son. Just a routine checkup, he says. Anyway, Chris, there seems to be something funny about the figures from the Electronics Department.
CHRIS
For an old woman you sure do have a sharp brain. Yes, I noticed, and that’s why I’m now going through their reports all over again. I think Mr. Forson, the Section Head, is getting a tad greedy.
MADAM LOIS
I’ve never trusted that old frog, but you always insisted on giving him a chance!
CHRIS
It seems to be my failing, this kind of blind trust I have in my fellow men.
MADAM LOIS
(raises her eyebrows and c—s her head to one side)
Are you speaking double meanings here, son?
CHRIS
No, Mom. Go on, ran ahead. I’ll have a complete picture of Mr. Forson’s dealings by tomorrow.
MADAM LOIS
Okay, my cherished boy. Have a good evening then. And my greetings to Effe.
CHRIS
Sure, I’ll tell her. Say hi to Doc for me too.
His mother leaves the office. A moment later his phone rings. He glances at it and notices it is Effe.
A grimace passes across his face, and he continues to stare at the phone until it cuts off.
He waits, and then it begins to ring again. He picks it up and puts it to his ear.
CHRIS
Hello, Angel.
EFFE
Chris, my dearest, please forgive me, okay? I couldn’t wait for you this evening. I had to rush to church.
CHRIS
Bad news?
EFFE
Oh, no, no. The pastor wanted to see me for something urgent. He wouldn’t elaborate. Hope to see you tomorrow.
CHRIS
I was hoping to see you, Angel. But that’s okay, see you tomorrow, and please do take care.
EFFE
Chris?
CHRIS
Yeah?
EFFE
You sound distracted and distant. Something bothering you? You’ve been a bit strange since last night. You want to tell me about what’s bothering you?
CHRIS
I’m fine, love.
EFFE
No, my dearest, I know you. There was a great change in you last night. Want to talk about it?
CHRIS
I guess I’m scared of losing you, Angel.
EFFE
Oh, darling. Stop torturing yourself with such thoughts. You can take my love for granted. I can never stop loving you.
CHRIS
Glad to hear that, Angel. Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow. Take care, my love.
EFFE
I love you, Chris. I love you so much. Bye.
Chris drops the phone and clasps his hands together in the form of a silent prayer, and exhales heavily.
CHRIS
Oh, Effe, my love. Please, don’t betray me!
Two hours later Chris walks out of the sliding glass doors of The Focus Supermarket.
***************
More shoppers are trooping in, and he almost collides with a tall, dark handsome young man in a nice suit who is speaking and laughing with his companion.
YOUNG MAN
Oh, sorry, Sir.
CHRIS
That’s alright.
Chris begins to smile, and then he realizes that the man’s companion is Elaine.
He looks shocked.
CHRIS
Elly!
ELAINE
(smiles happily and gives Chris a hug)
Hello, Chris. You’re closing early today. I wanted to give you surprise in your office.
CHRIS
I didn’t know you were in town.
ELAINE
Aw, sorry, dear. You didn’t think I was going to let you get married without being there to help? I took a few weeks off to come down, and of course Frank here wanted to meet my folks before flying back to London, so here we are.
CHRIS
Oh, I see. Frank? Introductions are in order, don’t you think?
ELAINE
Oh, forgive me. Yes, of course. Frank, meet Chris Bawa, an old flame. Chris, Frank Stiles, my fiance.
The two men shake hands.
FRANK
Hey, man, pleased to meet you. Elaine told me a great deal about you. I gotta thank you, though, for letting her go ’cause I’ve fallen so much in love with her!
The three of them laugh, and Frank throws his right arm around Elaine’s shoulders, draws her close, and plants a kiss on her lips.
ELAINE
Behave, Frank! Anyway, Chris owns this fabulous supermarket.
FRANK
Hmm. That’s great, man. Anyway I’m representing the Blue Star group of companies. We want to invest in the oil industry in Ghana, and I’m here in discussions with the Government. We’ve almost wrapped up the deal. I plan to settle down here by December ’cause I’ll be in charge of the African operations. And of course Elaine and I will be married immediately.
CHRIS
Congrats, folks. Enjoy your stay, Frank. I’m so glad you’re making Elaine happy. But I got to run now, okay? Hope to see you again soon.
FRANK
Yeah, yeah. Hope to see you at our wedding, man.
ELAINE
Of course Chris would be there. Wouldn’t you, darling?
CHRIS
Sure, wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Frank puts his arm around Elaine’s waist and they go through the sliding doors into the supermarket.
Chris shakes his head and turns away sadly.
*************
CHRIS
Why do I feel this twinge of jealousy? Oh, Effe, Effe, Effe! Don’t hurt me.
Chris drives out of the car park.
His phone rings, and he picks the call.
CHRIS
Hello?
AFFUL
This is Afful.
CHRIS
What’s it this time?
AFFUL
Do you know a man named Joshua Darkwa?
CHRIS
(swings off the road and parks the car)
Who doesn’t? He’s one of the wealthiest men in the country, and owns a number of prosperous companies. What’s he got to do with me?
AFFUL
He’s got a lot to do with you, bugger. Do you know he is an Elder of the Mount Golgotha church, the same church your wife-to-be attends?
CHRIS
(clutches his chest as if in pain, and his voice becomes wary)
Once again what’s that got to do with me, worm?
AFFUL
Tsk, tsk, tsk, dude. No bloody insults again. Just called to tell you your beloved darling has just checked into a hotel with this wealthy old dude. I don’t know what she told you, but if you wanna find out, just come to the Ocean Front Hotel. I’ll be waiting! Don’t drive through the hotel grounds. She might see you. Park way past the entrance, and I’ll find you.
************
Chris gets out of his car.
He leans against the door.
Now he is bent over the bonnet.
Now he is kicking at one of the tyres.
Now he is at the back of the car, dialling Effe’s number on the phone.
A mechanic voice tells him that her phone is either switched off or out of coverage area.
Now he is seen leaning against the driver’s door, head bent, shoulders sagging, and one hand tapping continuously along his thigh.
He hears again and again Effe’s voice in his ear:
THE PASTOR WANTED TO SEE ME FOR SOMETHING URGENT!
He looks into the skies with his eyes shut tightly.
CHRIS
Effe, my angel, please don’t do this to me!
Finally he gets into his car with great haste, and drives off.
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