“Ei best man, how are you doing?” Terry teased. I knew he had seen a post of our friend on social media. “I beg you, oh, I’m not the best man. I’m a mere groomsman. Do you know how much the best man suit costs? I no get that kind money,” I confessed. The whole idea of buying a new suit just for a wedding pissed me off but Kwesi, the groom, was a close friend so I had to suck it up. Kwesi was a social media fanatic. It was a video he put up of us having a fitting of our suits that had sparked Terry to make fun of me. “So how much is your suit?” Terry asked. The price rolled up in my mind but I was too angry to mention it. “Chale, I don’t even want to think about it. Where’s my laptop? Did your guy fix it well?” I changed the subject. Terry nodded and brought the laptop out for me. I inspected it and gave him the money I owed him. That laptop was my life! I had some work on it that my boss would sack me if I didn’t present it to him the following week.
“You have saved me, chale, thanks. I need to get going. I’ll see you later.” I said picking up my things. Terry teased me one more time as I left his house. He was right to make fun of me. I was being a fool. Spending over 3000 Cedis on a suit and shoes? Why? Was it my wedding? I was just glad the wedding was in a few days. Finally, it will be over so I can wallow in poverty before the month ends. I stood at the junction deciding on how to go home. I could take a trotro which would cost me next to nothing but it was late. What if I get robbed as I walk to my house when I get off at my junction? I took out my phone and requested a ride. If I was going to spend all my money I might as well do it in comfort and style anaa?
The cab came in minutes and a ‘5-star rating’ hungry driver picked me up. I could tell because he was smiling unnecessarily and kept asking if I was ok with this or that. There was a bit of traffic so I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my friend Kwesi’s social media feed. I hoped he hadn’t put more videos or pictures of me on there. It was worse! He had put up a video of me and his best man taking a look at the suits for the wedding. He captioned it as “the finest bridal party in Ghana. Yo ladies come for your MCM.” A smile formed on my face when I read some of the comments from some ladies. The next thing I knew the car door opened and a lady hopped into the back seat next to me. “Hello, I know this is strange but can I get a ride? I’m just going to the next junction. I’ve been standing here for an hour and I’m not getting a car,” She said. I wasn’t sure what to say because the driver turned to look at me.
She did look tired but the first thing I thought about was a con artist! Who just enters someone’s car without permission? She looked good in her body-hugging office dress and long wavy hair but that was usually the bait, right? “I’m sorry but this is a private ride. You can try the next car.” I managed to say. She turned to look at the driver who slowly looked away. The dude needed his 5 stars. He was loyal. She looked surprised at what I said like she never expected it. Good-looking girls think they can have it all eh? “I’m surprised but it’s cool,” She said. She opened the door and paused for a second. She then threw an empty water bottle at the driver. “You too you won’t even talk for me!” She said angrily and left the car. I leaned over and asked the driver if he was ok. See how the tables just turned? He said he was fine so I sat back and that was when I noticed my laptop was gone!
