Chapter Seven
528 Words
Goodbye and Arrival
The morning Afia was to leave Boame Village felt heavier than any storm.
The sun had risen, but there was no warmth in her heart.
Only pain.
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Afia woke up earlier than usual.
She sat quietly beside her siblings—Ama, Adwoa, and Kofi—watching them sleep. For a moment, she wished time could stop.
That she didn’t have to leave.
That things could remain the same.
But deep down… she knew this was her only chance.
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Pomaa was already awake.
She sat outside, staring into the distance.
Afia walked to her slowly.
“Ma…” she said softly.
Pomaa turned and forced a small smile.
“Come,” she said, opening her arms.
Afia rushed into her embrace.
They held each other tightly.
No words.
Just tears.
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Soon, the younger ones woke up.
Ama clung to Afia.
“Don’t forget me,” she said.
“I won’t,” Afia replied gently.
Adwoa wiped her eyes. “Bring me something from the city.”
Afia smiled faintly. “I will.”
Kofi refused to let go of her.
“I will come back for you,” Afia whispered, kissing his head.
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A car horn sounded outside.
It was Mr Matey.
The moment had come.
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Afia picked up her small cloth bag.
It contained only a few things.
But it carried her whole life.
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She turned one last time.
Her mother.
Her siblings.
Her home.
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Then slowly…
She walked away.
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As the car moved out of Boame Village, Afia looked through the window.
The only world she had ever known was disappearing behind her.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
But this time…
She didn’t wipe them.
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The journey was long.
The roads changed.
The quiet village paths turned into busy highways.
The silence turned into noise.
Everything felt new.
Everything felt overwhelming.
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Then, finally—
They entered Accra.
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Afia’s eyes widened.
Tall buildings.
Many cars.
People everywhere.
Shops filled with beautiful things she had never seen before.
The city was alive.
And fast.
Very fast.
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The car stopped in front of a large house.
Afia froze.
“Is this… your house?” she asked softly.
“Yes,” Mr Matey replied.
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She stepped out slowly.
The compound was big.
The building was beautiful.
Nothing like the small mud house she came from.
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A woman opened the door.
She looked elegant… but her face was not welcoming.
“Welcome,” she said shortly, her eyes scanning Afia from head to toe.
Afia lowered her gaze immediately.
Something about the woman made her uncomfortable.
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“This is Afia,” Mr Matey said. “She will be staying with us.”
The woman forced a small smile.
“We will see,” she replied.
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Afia felt it instantly.
This new life…
Would not be as easy as she imagined.
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As she stepped into the house, her heart beat fast.
Behind her—
Was her past.
Ahead of her—
Was a future she did not yet understand.
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But one thing was certain—
Afia’s journey had only just begun.
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- Writer
