Elorm finally wakes up at 5:15 a.m after putting her alarm on snooze for the second time. She heard the swooshing sound of the broom from the neighbours. She reached for her phone which lay by her head and went straight to WhatsApp to check her messages. Before she opened the unread messages from Nuerkie. It dawned on her to spend time with God first. She tapped on the bible app quickly. The memory verse was ‘’In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven’’ from Matthew 5:16. She closed her eyes and prayed for the strength to let Jesus shine through her. Every decision should lead her.She sighed to herself and got up to select her outfit for the day.

 Working in one of the business consultancy firms in the city meant Elorm had to always look presentable. She was the executive assistant to Gwen Arthur, the Managing Director of Oceans Consult. Gwen’s specialty was crisis management and supporting businesses during mergers and integration.

Being an executive assistant at 30 was not in Elorm’s cards. She was working as a bank teller with hopes to move up the ladder when the Ghana banking crisis of 2018 hit. Unfortunately, she was laid off and stayed at home for two years. Unemployment was a true test of her mental fortitude, and Nana was with her every step of the way. He was the one who secured her the interview at this company. Through his cousin who works as one of the Senior consultants.

This is her third year as Gwen’s executive assistant. She was great at her job but Elorm always felt she was putting herself in a box. What is the way forward? She doesn’t know her interests or what her passion is.

ELORM

 After dressing up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked nice in my black skirt suit and white inner. I noticed my lower abdomen protruding. I really need to start working out or something. I kept two pairs of heels in my office drawer, black and brown. I wore my black ballet flats. I hated wearing slippers because walking to the junction to board a trotro¹ meant dust will be all over my feet. This will not be a problem if I drove my own car. Worla will not lend me hers and my dad always claimed he had errands to run during the day.

I looked at my phone, it was almost 6:20 a.m. I had to get to the junction before 6:30 or else my chances of getting an empty seat on the Circle² trotro will be zero. I grabbed my small make up bag and selected what I will need. I will apply make up in the office as usual.

I was running late and wasn’t able pack something to eat. This means I have to buy both breakfast and lunch at work. What a dent that will make on my finances! Being underpaid and working in Cantoments is not for the faint-hearted. The office does not provide lunch so we the staff have to fend for ourselves. Cantoments is an upscale area with only fancy restaurants and apartments. But there are offices and embassies too sprawling around. The bosses are capable of affording lunch at such restaurants everyday.

We tried organising a caterer for the company, but there were so many setbacks it was unbelievable. Due to the nature of the company, all members of staff are not present daily. Those who were absent sometimes forget to cancel their order and the food gets rotten in the company fridge. Others who remembered made the company drivers bring it to them at home which caused chaos. Especially in instances where company vehicles were needed for official tasks. In other cases, people forgot what they ordered and ate another person’s food erupting in fights. The straw that broke the camel’s back were the rampant cases of food theft and the culprit was never found. The CEO was tired of talking about food at important meetings. He then concluded that everyone must fend for themselves.

I got to the junction on time and snagged the last seat on the trotro to Circle. That meant I was seated at the conductor’s³ place. If you understand the trotro ecosystem of Accra, that means you know my doom. The conductor had to stand and then stretch his armpit over me to collect the fares. I put in my earphones to listen to music to distract myself. Unfortunately, I couldn’t block my nose from the stench from his armpit. To make matters worse, no one got off till the bus was two stops away from the main station. My journey to work was halfway done. Walking in the main station, I had to be careful of the pickpockets. I got to the station at 7:00 a.m, I saw a fresh bread seller. I can grab some bread and butter and drink coffee from the manager’s lounge.

For my second trotro league, I was the second to enter the bus so I found a good spot. To me, the best spot was the window seat on the last but one row unless it rains. Just when the bus was full, a man mounted the bus and started preaching. I lowered my music to listen to him. He then started talking about how people who refuse to listen to him will end up in Hell. I just increased the volume of my music and focused my attention elsewhere.

By 7:45, I was at the office, feeling tired from the uncomfortable bumpy trotro rides. I rushed to wash my hands in the washroom. After, I sprayed some body splash to mask whatever ‘’eau de trotro’’ I picked up. I quickly applied my make-up, thanks to Worla for the make-up lessons. I need to remind her to resume her make up business. I changed to my high heels, did a sweep of Gwen’s office to ensure everything was how she wanted. By 8:10 a.m, I was seated at my desk replying emails.

At exactly, 8:30 a.m, Gwen arrived. People in the company were intimidated by her. They were scared of her but after working with her. She isn’t, just do the right thing and keep her informed. This morning, she looked confused which was unusual and rushed to her office and locked the door.

After forty minutes, I was quite worried about her and knocked. ‘’Leave me alone’’ she said in a muffled tone. Something is not right.  I quickly went ahead and cancelled all her appointments for the day stating she had a family emergency. I knocked again after an hour. No answer, I began to panic. Should I call an ambulance? I tried opening with my key but Gwen had left her key in the lock.

‘’Okay Gwen, I am calling security to break this door’’ I shouted.

‘’Don’t, I am fine’’ she replied amidst sobs.

 I was not satisfied with her answer. I felt the urge to do something, I took a deep breath and prayed “Lord, help me’’.

Just then, I decided to call Kwensima, her long-time friend who was on her emergency contact list. In no time, Kwensima arrived. She knocked on the door and after a few minutes Gwen let her in. I wanted to follow her but decided to wait. I was so curious to know what is happening. I inched closer to the wall to eavesdrop but they were whispering.

I hurriedly went to grab two cups of coffee, put them in a tray and knocked before entering. What I saw broke me, Gwen was cowered in the corner, her heels were off, wig off and make-up mixed with tears smeared across her face. Kwensima was seated on the floor with her with her arm around her. I put the tray on her table and walked quickly to my entrance to lock both offices. I placed the meeting in progress sign at my door. Thank God, my side of the office was frosted glass. I do not know what came over me but I walked over to them. I bent over and looked at her.

‘’Gwen, I have cancelled all your appointments for the day. I am going to cancel all the other ones for the week. I do not know what you are facing. I may never understand but I am certain that you will come out strong. You know why? Not only cause you are Gwen Arthur, because you are a child of the most High. If whoever or whatever you are crying about gives you air to breathe. Then go on ahead, but if not, then pick yourself up. Take a break if you have to. You have come too far to break down here’’ I said.

I was even shocked at the words that came out of my mouth. Gwen took a deep breath and stood up slowly, she wiped her tears. Kwensima got up as well.

‘’Thank you Elorm’’ she said.

‘’Do you have her copy? I want one of her’’ Kwensima joked and we all laughed.

‘’Unfortunately, God broke the mould after He made her’’ Gwen answered amidst sobs and we all laughed.

‘’Thank you Elorm and yes go ahead and cancel all her appointments for the next two weeks. I am flying her to Cape Town. Here is my bank card, book the flights and hotels for us. I hear you have taste’’ Kwensima winked as she gave me her card.

‘’No, I have things to do’’ Gwen whined.

‘’Those things can wait my dear, Elorm will keep you posted. If you die, this company will move on’’ Kwensima interjected. ‘’Elorm please be quick and make those tickets business class. Call my assistant to arrange for my chauffeur in Cape Town. Gwen wear your wig and let’s go to my place ‘’.

As I was busy arranging for their flights and hotel, they both came out. Gwen looked better. Kwensima stopped at my desk.

“I am taking Gwen to my place, here is the key to her apartment. Go and pack some of her clothes and bring them to us. I will text you my address’’

‘’She doesn’t have a car, let me go there myself’’ Gwen said.

‘’Your assistant doesn’t have a car? Gwen ??? you know something, we will talk about this later. Alright, I will send my driver, Roy, to assist you. Just let me know if you need anything else. ‘’ Kwensima ordered.

‘’I can go home myself’’ Gwen insisted

‘’Knowing you, you will change your mind as soon as you get home. Let’s go’’. She said and they left.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Gwen lived in one of the luxurious old money houses in Ridge. I admired the mix of African luxury and how green her yard was. There were some modern touches that were made to the house. I admired the brick exterior walls, dark brown tiles with carpets at sitting areas. The beautiful curtains, her wooden and cane furniture all well-coordinated with beautifully handcrafted artefacts. The house exuded a warm, homey atmosphere and the rooms carried a light scent of vanilla. I have been to her house a couple of times, but never her bedroom to talk of the walk-in closet. I kept wondering when I will get to this level of wealth. I checked the temperature in Cape Town and packed accordingly, I added a formal attire. Knowing Gwen, she will definitely try and have a business meeting with a company. Roy (who looked like he was in his mid-40s), assisted me with the suitcases to Kwensima’s Range Rover. I admired the interior and had a quick flashback to the trotro I sat in on my way to work. I shook my head lightly and let out the most Ghanaian ‘’Hmmmmmmm’’⁴ one can hear. Roy glanced at me through rear-view mirror and laughed.

Kwensima’s mansion in East Legon on the other hand was very different from Gwen’s. It was modern “Ghanaian luxury”. The yard was tiled with huge vases at the side and a small lawn which had a bar for hosting visitors. Her home had more of a minimalist modern touch, her lights were beautiful.

‘’Thank you so much Elorm’’ she said as I dropped the items.

‘’Have a safe flight and I hope she feels better’’ I said.

‘’yes, take care and Elorm. You are young, don’t rush into anything. Open your eyes well’ she said as she gave me an envelope.

‘’No, I can not take this Ma, I was only doing my job’’ I pleaded, knowing very well I needed money.

‘’Don’t be silly, everybody needs money. Thank you for calling me’’ she said and pushed the envelope into my hand. Roy dropped me at the office at about 3:00 p.m, I was exhausted. As I stepped out of the car.

‘’ Mawu awɔe na wò hã’’⁵ Roy said

‘’Amen ooo’’ I replied. I did not even know he was Ewe since we did not chat throughout the drive.

I got to my office before I counted the money in the envelope. It was 1000 ghs, I was shocked. That is almost half of my salary, maybe Kwensima should poach me after all.

I slumped into my office desk, pondering on my life and imagining a life of wealth. Just then, Richard, one of the junior consultants and a friend at the office popped in.

‘’Hey Elorm, I just got the email about Duncan stepping in for Gwen. This seems so sudden, because she did not announce she was going on leave at the last team meeting’’ he said

‘’Yes, she had to attend to a family emergency’’ I said

‘’she has family? I thought she was single’’ he stated.

‘’She belongs to a family, you know?’’ I said

‘’what family emergency?’’ he asked

‘’I don’t know and even if I do, I will not tell you’’

‘’what is the benefit of you being my friend if we can not gossip about your boss?’’ he joked

‘’Me getting you coffee from the lounge sometimes’’ I answered and we both laughed.

‘’Have you had lunch?’’ he asked

‘’I haven’t even had breakfast. And I didn’t bring food today.’’

‘’Me too, my wife has travelled so no packed lunch for the next two weeks. Let’s quickly dash to Osu and get something from any of the street vendors’’

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

As soon as I got back from lunch, I saw Duncan had already made himself comfortable in Gwen’s seat. Working with Duncan is a breeze, but he is a smooth talker. He will spend on you just to get information. I had to be very careful about what to say to him concerning work. He was the first to get any information, this is because he was always chatting with the drivers and cleaners. Buying them treats and taking them out.

‘’Ah Elorm, so sad about Gwen’s situation’’ he stated when I sent him some documents to sign.

‘’what situation?’’ I asked

‘’Her family emergency, I can’t imagine what she is going through’’ he said.

‘’really! well she did not say anything to me. Knowing Gwen, she will be back to work in no time’’ I reassured

‘’You? her assistant and you do not know? Oh! I thought you knew. I heard she had puffy eyes when she left with her friend. So I figured she had lost a family member but if you do not know. I guess we will never know. Gwen the secretive…’’ he said and paused, expecting me to add something. I kept a straight face.

‘’Will that be all?’’ I asked

‘’Ei, like madam, like secretary, so secretive. Yes , that will be all’’ he teased.

At exactly 5pm, dark clouds were forming. This meant rain and either I rush home now or wait for the rain to stop. I can already feel the panic in the air, as people rushed to leave the office. This is not the time to sit in trotro after such a soft-life⁶ filled day.

I dreaded the smell of sweat and fumes while being stuck in traffic from Danquah Circle to Obetsebi Lamptey. Not forgetting the sound of running engines, shouts from hawkers, loud radio presenters and the collective depression that clouds the bus. Not knowing who might sit next to you or what they’ll smell like. And having to deal with entitled mothers who push their children onto your lap. Sometimes I am not in the mood, but these children are innocent and do not deserve this life. Another person spitting from the front and the wind might blow it your direction. Who knows what will be stored under the seats that will torment your feet and ankles?

In addition, people who sit in your way and refuse to get down for you to pass. Making me brush my big behind on some of them sometimes.

All these problems compound when it rains, windows remain closed making the trotro stuffy. To make matters worse, you might sit right under the leaky part of the roof. The conductor giving you their duster to hold the leak.

I imagined all the worst-case scenarios of boarding a trotro at this time. I was not mentally prepared to make the journey home. Neither was I ready to spend the money I received from Kwensima on transport.  Taking an Uber at this time meant 200ghs gone from the 1000. I need to add it to my car fund.

It is either I move now or wait till the rain stops.

As I was contemplating, it started raining cats and dogs. I have been beaten by the rain enough times to know it is better to wait before moving. Even after the rain stops, wait an extra twenty to thirty minutes for some of the floodwater to subside. I guess I will be leaving this office at 9 p.m, even better. Looks like I will be spending part of the Kwensima fund after all. Let me just finish up my mandatory work training at this rate.

Just when I logged onto my computer. I got a message from Nana.

‘’Hey El, I am downstairs. Are you in your office?’’

I stared at the message, not knowing whether to reply or not. Allowing Nana upstairs means he will be the one driving me home. With the day I have had, I was feeling really vulnerable.

I ignored the message and started my training. Another message popped up.

‘’I can see the light in your office. I brought dinner for us…’’

Thank God I had a late lunch and was not feeling hungry. I ignored and another message popped up.

‘’perhaps if you are not hungry, you can have the dessert I brought… cupcakes’’.

It was like this warlock was reading my mind. It will be so good to bite into a cupcake as I did this training. Leaving him to sit in his car in this rain is just disrespectful.

‘’Come to the door’’ I caved and texted.

The receptionist and some colleagues were seated in the lounge and opened the main door for him.

NANA

 ‘’Hey Beautiful, how was your day?’’ I reached for a hug when Elorm opened her office door for me. She gave me a light hug.

‘’Alright. Where are the cupcakes?’’ she asked. I handed them over.

‘’What time will you close?’’ I asked as I sat on the visitor’s couch.

‘’After this training. Let me go get a plate’’ she suggested

‘’relax, focus on your training. I know my way around’’. I said.

I walked to the kitchenette next door and grabbed some crockery. I walked back and closed the office door.

‘’Leave it open’’ she said.

‘’The smell of the food will fill the entire corridor, my dear’’ I stated.

She rolled her eyes before she agreed with me. She seemed so focused on her training. I ate my food in silence admiring her. After an hour, the rain stopped and I am sure she can pause her training now.

‘’El, are you almost done?’’ I asked after clearing the plates and spraying her office to get rid of the smell of food.

‘’Yes, give me ten minutes’’.

I went to the washroom and when I got back. I noticed she was texting someone. Right after, she started packing up.

‘’Ready to go?’’ I asked

‘’No, I wasn’t but Jonathan said he is coming to pick me up’’ she said.

‘’Worla’s Jonathan?’’ I asked.

‘’Why? Does she own him? You know he runs his dad’s printing business. He made a delivery in the area and he is free to drive me home’’. She answered gleefully.

‘’I thought I would be the one to drive you home’’ I said.

‘’Don’t worry Nana. At least you will get home earlier. Thanks for dinner and dessert’’ she said holding the extra food pack I brought for her.

‘’I wanted us to go to my place. You know, relax and talk. We have a lot to talk about El’’ I tried to convince her.

‘’Nana,…you want to talk about us on a rainy Monday night? Come on. Don’t worry, we will schedule another time but I have to rush. Jonathan is already downstairs.’’ She said as she showed me the exit.

I reluctantly followed her downstairs and saw Jonathan standing by his car. I waved at him, as I walked to my car. I could hear them talking.

‘’Chale, Elorm, do you have some biscuits in your bag? I haven’t had the chance to eat all day’’ Jonathan asked.

‘’I have a pack of assorted fried rice here, and I’m not hungry. You can have it’’ she said. She was offering him the food I bought her.

‘’Thank you baby El, then drive while I eat. I am starving’’ he said.

I turned and saw him toss his car keys to her and she danced her way to the driver’s seat.

‘’Do you have your license on you?’’ he asked

‘’Always!’’ she replied excitedly.

I drove to my apartment disappointed. It would have been nice to have Elorm over. Before I got into the shower, I got a text message from Elorm. I hope she’s changed her mind and is on her way here. The message read

‘’Thanks for the food and cupcakes. I am home safe’’

I kissed my teeth and texted Princess, a lady I had an arrangement with.

‘’Come over and bring protection’’.

Author’s Note.

Thank you so much for the support over the weeks. Do not forget to comment or like the posts.
From next week, there will be discussion points where readers can share their comments, experiences and thoughts.
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LEXICONS

1. Trotro: A privately owned minibus or van used for public transport in Ghana, operating on fixed routes and carrying multiple passengers at a time.

2. Circle: Refers to Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a major roundabout and commercial hub in Accra, Ghana, known for its busy transport interchange.

3. Conductor (Trotro): Also called a “mate,” the person who collects fares, calls out destinations, assists passengers, and signals the driver.

4. Hmmmmmmm: A common Ghanaian expression conveying surprise, disbelief, frustration, or sympathy, depending on context and tone.

5. Mawu awɔe na wò hã: An Ewe expression literally meaning “God will do it for you too”.

6. Soft life: A slang term meaning a life of ease, comfort, and luxury, free from struggle or hardship.