Chapter six
702 Words
The hard decision
The sun rose gently over Boame Village, but inside Afia’s heart, there was no peace.
She had barely slept.
All night, her mind had been filled with thoughts of Mr Matey’s offer.
Accra.
School.
A new life.
But also…
Leaving her family behind.
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Afia sat outside their small house, staring at the dry ground. Ama and Adwoa played weakly nearby, while little Kofi clung to her side.
Inside, Pomaa sat quietly, as she often did these days.
Afia took a deep breath.
“Ma…” she called softly.
Pomaa looked up.
“Yes, my child?”
Afia hesitated.
Then slowly, she told her everything.
About the visit.
About the questions.
About the offer.
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Pomaa listened in silence.
Her face showed no emotion at first.
But when Afia finished speaking, her eyes filled with tears.
“Accra…” she whispered.
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Before she could say anything more—
A voice came from outside.
“Agoo!”
Afia’s heart jumped.
She recognized that voice.
---
Mr Matey stood at their doorway.
Well-dressed, calm, and respectful.
He looked very different standing in front of their poor home.
Afia quickly stood up.
“Sir…”
Pomaa adjusted her cloth and came forward.
“You are welcome,” she said politely.
---
Mr Matey nodded.
“Thank you. I hope I am not intruding.”
“No, please come in,” Pomaa replied.
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He stepped inside and looked around briefly.
The condition of the house spoke louder than words.
The empty corners.
The worn mat.
The quiet hunger.
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He turned back to Pomaa.
“I came to speak with you about your daughter,” he said gently.
Pomaa glanced at Afia, then back at him.
“She has told me,” she replied.
---
There was a short silence.
Then Mr Matey spoke again.
“I want to take Afia with me to Accra,” he said. “She will live in my house. She will help, yes—but more importantly, she will go to school.”
Pomaa’s lips trembled.
“School…” she repeated softly.
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“I can also support you and the children here,” he continued. “You will not suffer.”
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Pomaa looked at Afia.
Her first child.
Her strength.
Her helper.
The one who had carried the family through their darkest days.
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Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“If she goes… who will help me?” she asked, her voice breaking.
Afia felt her heart tighten.
She stepped closer.
“Ma… this could change everything,” she said softly. “I can learn… I can become something… and help all of us.”
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Ama and Adwoa had stopped playing.
They were listening now.
“Are you leaving us?” Ama asked, her voice small.
Afia knelt down and held her.
“I’m not leaving forever,” she said gently. “I’m going to make things better for all of us.”
Kofi held her tightly.
“Don’t go…” he whispered.
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Pomaa covered her face and cried.
This was not just a decision.
It was a sacrifice.
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Mr Matey spoke softly.
“I understand this is difficult,” he said. “But I promise you… I will take care of her like my own.”
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Pomaa looked up slowly.
Her eyes were filled with pain… but also understanding.
She knew the truth.
Afia deserved more than this life.
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After a long silence…
She nodded.
“Take her,” she said weakly.
Afia’s heart skipped.
“But promise me… you will not let her suffer.”
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“I promise,” Mr Matey said firmly.
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Pomaa pulled Afia into a tight embrace.
“Do not forget us,” she whispered through tears.
“Never, Ma,” Afia replied, crying.
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That moment was filled with both hope and pain.
A door was opening…
But something precious was being left behind.
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As Mr Matey stepped out of the house, Afia followed slowly.
She turned back one last time.
Her home.
Her family.
Her past.
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Ahead of her lay Accra—
A place she had never seen.
A place that would change her life forever.
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- Writer
