Illusions Of Love

Chapter 2

Kuuku knew the ins and outs of the mountain, climbing it every day, and growing more accustomed to its twists and turns. Selina gladly joined him and learnt the art sooner than expected.

“You surprise,” said Kuuku. “Climb well, well. I’m not here. You climb alone.” Exornam smiled. Kuuku was picking up the language faster than expected.

“You speak English well, well,” she said, mimicking him.

“You teach me well, well,” he replied.

The two of them built their little hut down the mountains although they had several campsites up there so that during bad weather, they would fall on them for shelters, sometimes spending several days and nights in them.

 Gradually, Selina liaised with more visitors and made them feel at home when they came around to see for themselves the serene environment. Selina managed to convince her family to come over to Neverland to perform an engagement ceremony.

“Find a Reverend Minister and come with him,” she said.

“It will be difficult to find one, “said her parents. “ If we tell them where we are taking them, they may decline the offer.”

Her parents however found a Reverend Minister who was willing to come over to perform the marriage ceremony after several years. His name was Father Dickson, a kind gentleman. He left his family behind to stay in Neverland for a short while. Selina looked so beautiful on the day of her engagement and so did Kuuku, who wore the suit Selina had ordered for him. After several days of convincing him to look his best, he obliged for Selina’s sake.

“The wedding will follow anytime soon,” said the Reverend Minister.

“Are we not going to be rushing things?” asked Selina.

“If we do not perform it early enough, I may not be able to officiate.”

.“If you say so, Reverend, then it should be soon.”

A year later, Selina and Kuuku were ready to tie the knot. Reverend Dickson fulfilled his promise and came down for that very purpose A few months afterwards, Selina could no longer climb up with Kuuku. She was with child. Kuuku advised her to stay put and wait for him to return from his endless journeys to the summit. The long waits caused her to be bored and stroll around finding something profitable to do, either washing her feet at the shore or watching the waves of the sea. It was so refreshing. Soon, Selina put to bed and Kuuku could not frequent the mountains as much as he used to. There was another mouth to feed and more attention to give. The child’s name was Baafi and he grew to love the mountainside, accompanying his father wherever he went. Naturally, Selina should have been jealous but she wasn’t. The boy needed his father more than he needed her. Perhaps she may soon get a girl to stay by her side. Baafi was reserved and playful at the same time, always making his parents happy. Medium in height, chocolate coloured in complexion and very active, he loved music and played the drums often. Unfortunately, however, the next child, Bentum, was a boy who got even more interested in following his father than his elder brother. Bentum was tall, fair, and muscular and loved playing football. Selina wished for a girl all the more, a wish which was granted several years later. A bouncing baby girl came as an answer to her prayer. Her name was Adobea, charming, a great companion and replacing her father and brothers appropriately.

 Civilization soon caught up with Kuuku, Exornam and the entire family, having to tighten their belts a little bit and face reality. Development was catching up fast with them and the children were growing quickly. Some of them, like Baafi and Bentum, left for the city for better opportunities and schooling. The parents and their children were light-years apart. Even Adobea grew up so fast the couple were left on their own to be their companions.

To salvage the good life they had, the couple came up with dynamic innovations to save their marriage, children, and their heritage. If not, their beautiful scenery and habitat would be lost to civilization and exploitation. The white men from afar still came to visit and enjoy themselves in the area. Why not take advantage of that fact? Man and wife put their heads together and soon came up with a beautiful idea.

“My people suggest that we make this place homey and inviting,” said Exornam.

“What exactly do they suggest?”

“That we find paths in the forest for visitors to walk through with our help and guidance and charge them for the campsites and rest stops we place on the way as they go up the mountain.”

“Who will do that?”

“We have engineers who can do the job. They will come from Rome.”

"Will they do it for free?”

“Of course not! They will have a share of the proceeds and own this place together with us.”

“Is this not the same thing they did to our forefathers?”

“I understand your point. I will see to it that that situation is not repeated.”

“If you say so, then I concur.”

 Mr Agyei was simply conversant with proceedings and would be the best to implement his idea with the help of the appropriate authorities. Exornam saw to the paperwork because it was best to involve someone conversant with the rigours of agreements. The Agyeis could start a lucrative business to generate enough revenue both for the nation and themselves. Many came from far and wide to show their interest and support. They just couldn’t wait for it to be completed. The government, who themselves at first were not aware of Neverland’s existence, employed Mr Agyei as the custodian and guide of the land. This was no tough job for this man of courage who did his possible best to make everyone feel at ease and content at the end of the day.

Amongst the many visitors who came from far and wide to attest to development efforts and progress were well-wishers who genuinely wanted to help bring up the land to international standards. Mr Agyei however, was very sceptical. One way the visitors could prove that they meant no harm was to befriend the whole family. The ‘Browns’ had a son who was very helpful with all the legal processes. His name was Gaither.

“This boy seems to have been trained well. I would love to have him for a son-in-law,” said Kuuku.

“It’s too early to think about marrying our daughter off, Kuuku. She needs more time to mature.”

“There are a few good men. Catch them young!” he replied.

“I just hope your suggestion does not scare Adobea off.”

“I want the best for her. She has to understand. Did you not also catch me unawares when I was not ready?”

“Yes I did,” she replied, acknowledging his point.

“And you succeeded, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

As the cordial relationship between the Browns and the Agyeis grew to a point where they could trust each other, Kuuku could not help but state his interest in betrothing his daughter to their son, Gaither. This came as welcoming news to the Browns since they knew Adobea well as who upheld the virtue of integrity and trustworthiness. Those qualities Mr Brown saw in Kuuku’s daughter softened his heart towards him and from then on, he vowed to help him to get his daughter and his son together. The agreement was not to reveal the real intents of their friendship. Howbeit, they also acknowledged that it could slip out at any point in time unawares and unintentionally.

A small zoo was built purposely for taming wild animals on the terrain so that they could be the major source of attraction for tourists who were interested in climbing the mountain. There was also a playground for children to keep them busy and entertained whilst their parents went mountain climbing. The visitors also suggested that Mr Agyei and interested private developers adopt the campsites and build some for the mountain climbers so they would not have to stop on the way to fix one for themselves. They also set up private fireplaces for tourists who could not spend time setting up their fires. There was also a clinic downhill to help with health issues.

 “Adobea my dear, meet Father Mason Brown from Rome and his son Gaither,” said Mr Agyei, deliberately setting the tone for a good relationship between the two of them. “Adobea, whilst we discuss a few pertinent issues, why don’t you and Gaither hang around, perhaps showing him a few tricks about mountain climbing.”

“My son is an expert at mountain climbing,” said the Reverend Minister.” I can testify to that. Gaither smiled. His father never missed an opportunity to highlight his credentials anywhere he went.

Gaither and Adobea spent several days on the mountain whilst their parents chatted away concerning their plans for the establishment. By the time they were ready to call them, the two were far beyond reach.

“This is the reason why we should consider fixing telecommunication poles and lines so people can communicate both up and down the mountain,” said Gaither’s father.

“Will it not interfere with the natural habitat?” asked Adobea’s father. Father Mason Brown was surprised to know that Adobea’s father was very knowledgeable. This kind of enlightened talk was never expected.

“You’ve been reading a lot. I can tell. That’s great news,” he replied. “Now, to answer your question, yes, it could, but those experts know how to find their way around such obstacles.”

“I’m not too sure of that.”

“So do we chase our offspring or leave them to take care of themselves?” said Father Mason Brown, trying to change the subject.

“Let’s allow them to be,” said Mr Agyei

“I’m surprised this is coming from you. I expected you to have panicked.”

“Times have changed and we need to change also.”

“That’s great to hear.”

Gaither and Adobea chatted about Rome, where Gaither came from, his studies and every other subject.

“I didn’t seem to see any school around here. Where do you go to school?”

“We travel a long distance from here to neighbouring towns. They understand us when we are late. It may not be appropriate though but we have to live with it for the time being.”

“Live with it? It’s a waste of time and resources. Something must be done about it. We could suggest that to your father. In the meantime, we’ll find a temporary solution to the problem.” Gaither and Adobea settled for some kebabs prepared by the chefs in one of the tents uphill.

“Our parents will be worried about us by now. Shouldn’t we get going?” said Adobea, realizing all of a sudden how much time they had spent on the mountain.

“Sure. I’ve not been a good mate. We have breached the trust they put in us.”

“Let’s hurry down then.”

“First of all, I must ask you. Are you interested in studying in Rome?”

“I’d love to think about it first.”

“No problem. You have all the time in this world to do so.” As the two hurried guiltily down the mountain, the two fathers were eager to interrogate their children.

“Where have you two been all this while? We’ve been worried sick about you,” asked Gaither’s father.

“We’re sorry Daddy. We got carried away.”

“To have stayed up there for days? That’s unacceptable!” rebuking his son sharply and pulling his son aside to speak privately with him.

“Can you excuse us for a moment, please?” he asked Mr Agyei.

“Of course yes.” He and Adobea needed time alone too anyway to reprimand her appropriately.