Seventeen
688 Words
When Everything Breaks
The house in Accra had never been this quiet.
Not peaceful.
Not calm.
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But heavy.
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The moment Mr Matey stepped into the house, everyone felt it.
Even the air changed.
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Afia, who sat in the corner reading, looked up slowly.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
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Behind him walked Evans Matey.
Silent.
No arrogance.
No confidence.
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Just silence.
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“Where is your mother?” Mr Matey asked sharply.
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One of the maids stepped forward.
“She is in her room, sir.”
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“Call her.”
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Within moments, Mrs Matey walked in.
Calm.
Unaware.
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“You’re back early,” she said.
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Mr Matey didn’t respond immediately.
He just looked at her.
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A long, hard look.
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Then—
“What have you been hiding from me?”
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The question hit like thunder.
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Mrs Matey froze.
“I… don’t understand,” she replied.
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“Don’t lie to me!” his voice rose.
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Afia flinched slightly.
She had never heard him like this before.
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“Your son!” Mr Matey continued. “All his misconduct… all his trouble… you covered it all!”
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Silence.
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Mrs Matey’s face changed.
“You’re exaggerating—”
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“Am I?” he cut in sharply.
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He stepped closer.
“They almost expelled him today!” he said. “He got a girl pregnant! She nearly died!”
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The room went still.
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Afia’s heart skipped.
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Mrs Matey’s eyes widened.
But instead of breaking—
She became defensive.
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“I was protecting my son!” she snapped.
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“Protecting him?” Mr Matey repeated. “Or destroying him?”
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Their voices clashed.
Loud.
Sharp.
Painful.
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Evans stood in the middle.
Silent.
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For once—
He had no control.
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“You made him believe there are no consequences!” Mr Matey continued. “You covered every wrong!”
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“And you?” Mrs Matey fired back. “You were never here! Always busy! I raised him alone!”
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That hit deep.
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Mr Matey stepped back slightly.
But his anger didn’t fade.
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“This ends today,” he said firmly.
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Silence fell again.
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“No more lies. No more protection. He will face his consequences.”
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Evans finally spoke.
“I said I’m sorry,” he muttered.
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Mr Matey turned sharply.
“Sorry?” he repeated. “Sorry doesn’t fix what you’ve done!”
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Evans clenched his fists.
“What do you want me to do?” he snapped.
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“Take responsibility!” his father replied.
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The tension rose again.
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“Everyone makes mistakes!” Evans shouted.
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“This is not a mistake!” Mr Matey roared. “This is a pattern!”
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Silence.
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Heavy.
Unavoidable.
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And in the middle of it all—
Afia stood frozen.
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She didn’t belong in this fight.
But she couldn’t escape it.
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Suddenly—
Mrs Matey’s eyes turned.
Toward Afia.
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“And what about her?” she said sharply.
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Afia’s heart dropped.
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“She came into this house and suddenly everything changed!” Mrs Matey continued.
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“That’s enough!” Mr Matey snapped.
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But the damage was done.
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Afia lowered her head.
Her chest tight.
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Even now…
She was being blamed.
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Eva quickly moved closer to her.
“Don’t listen,” she whispered.
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But Afia felt it.
That familiar pain.
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Not belonging.
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Not being wanted.
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The argument continued.
Voices rising.
Accusations flying.
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But Afia heard none of it clearly anymore.
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Her mind drifted.
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From her small home in Boame Village…
To this big house filled with problems.
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Different places.
Same pain.
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That night, the house fell into silence again.
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But it was not the same silence as before.
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This one—
Was broken.
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And deep down—
Everyone knew it.
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Nothing in that house would ever be the same again.
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- Writer
