The story begins with a prologue that introduces to lovers at their old age. The man dies, but promised to take care of his part

NAVIGATING FUTURES

After three years, Hajia has completed the Senior High School; Papa Kwesi and Ibrahim are in the final year.

Papa Kwesi, Ibrahim and Vero are seen discussing their life after school under one of the campus’ summer hats. Papa Kwesi said he will continue at the masters’ level and have his doctorate and if situation permits, he would want to be a professor. The lady of the sun said, she was hoping to get the chance to teach in one of the Senior High Schools in the country. Also, she plans to meet Ibrahim’s family. Ibrahim said he would be seeking scholarship abroad to study Creative Writing. His reason was that, the country’s system of education does not support young aspiring writers, and that his talent will be a waste if he stays in the country. He said, since he started reading, he hasn’t come across a renowned writer below thirty years – most of them are above forty or dead. He said. ‘I have always wanted to go to the United State, because their creative arts industry is very good, and a lot of opportunities are given to young writers to develop their talents. Vero didn’t look happy hearing what Ibrahim was saying. So Ibrahim said, ‘Oh my lady of the sun, don’t worry I will surely come back for you’. They all laughed. ‘You know what I’m saying is true. Even the Asian countries, which were known for martial arts, give more opportunities to young writers than our country does. As for you’, Ibrahim added touching Vero’s shoulder, ‘If yours parents do not allow us to marry, I will just take you away without a trace. By the time they see us again, we will be married with kids and they won’t be able to do anything about it. Are you in?’ ‘Always in’, Vero answered and they all laughed. ‘It is your turn to tell us about your love story’, Vero said this to Papa Kwesi. ‘I’m just focusing on my education and hopes to be a professor in the future’, Papa Kwesi replied. ‘Oh please; till you vomit it out, we are going nowhere. Even if we say goodbye to the sun, we will happily welcome the moon and allow him to take part in our conversation’, Ibrahim said. ‘But why do you address the moon as ‘him’?’ Vero asked. ‘When everyone is asleep and someone is needed to keep watch, would you call a man or a woman?’ Ibrahim asked. ‘Usually, it is a knight who stays awake at night to keep watch. Knights are mostly men, and are not afraid of darkness: since the moon shows up in darkness to keep watch over us, he is definitely a man’, Ibrahim added. ‘Wow! I mean. Wow! How are you so smart about everything? Aren’t you adorable? I really love you’, Vero exclaimed. ‘Since the moon is a man, the sun will surely be a woman right?’ Vero asked. ‘Of course, women like attention and they always want to show how beautiful they are. Look at the attention the sun commands when it’s rising and how scorch it sometimes become just to get people talk about her. We know women do not usually like the rain because of their hair, same as the sun; she runs away immediately she hears the footsteps of rain. Nevertheless, she sometimes stays in the rain to get more attention. Also, the way she leaves the stage for darkness is very typical – always looking back at us with her golden eyes as if she doesn’t want to leave, even though she really wants to disappear because she is as scared of darkness as frogs of snakes. So typical of her’, Ibrahim replied. ‘Awwwww, you take me to the heavens with your poetic explanations’, said Vero. ‘Back to Papa kwesi: have you ever thought of falling in love?’ Vero asked. ‘You really want to know?’ Papa Kwesi asked. ‘Yes’, Ibrahim and Vero replied. ‘Yes I’m already in love, but with someone I do not know’, Papa Kwesi replied. ‘What type of Ananse story is this?’ Ibrahim asked. ‘It is no Ananse story; just the truth’, Papa Kwesi answered and took his time to narrate everything to Ibrahim and Vero. ‘Are you saying she is a Muslim? Oh thank God, we are in the same boat. From what you are saying, she is surely someone in our Zongo community, because our community is not far from the Anomansa Market, where our whole community trade at’, said Ibrahim. ‘That could be true, because her Fante accent is that of the Anomansa people’, said Papa Kwesi. ‘Okay, I have a plan’, said Ibrahim. ‘It could wait; I want to obtain my degree first’, said Papa Kwesi. ‘Nah, it could be late by then; just listen to my plan’, said Ibrahim. ‘Go on’, Papa Kwesi said. ‘After our end of semester exams, I will have a friend organize a party home: he is that guy that can get all the girls in the zongo community at one place with his good looks and good music. We will then have the opportunity to search for her through the crowd. Are you with me?’ Ibrahim asked. ‘Yeah, let’s give it a try’, Papa Kwesi replied.

Ibrahim’s phone rang. ‘Hello, please who is this?’ Ibrahim asked. ‘It’s your only sister’, a voice replied from the phone’. ‘Oh ok, but why are you not using mom’s phone? Whose phone is this?’ Ibrahim asked. ‘It’s mine, daddy just gave it to me, and since you are my favourite brother of all time, I had to let you know first’, Hajia replied. ‘That’s nice to hear. Make sure you take good care of it and use it wisely’, said Ibrahim. ‘Yes sir’, Hajia replied. ‘Papa Kwesi is here; will you like to say hello?’ asked Ibrahim. ‘Sure’, Hajia answered. Ibrahim gave the phone to Papa Kwesi. ‘Hello Hajia, how are you doing?’ asked Papa Kwesi. ‘Hello my savior, I’m great and all thanks to you I have completed the Senior High School’, Hajia replied. ‘The pleasure is mine’, said Papa Kwesi. ‘Anyway, how far with your Muslim girl?’ asked Hajia. ‘I haven’t found her yet’, Papa Kwesi replied. ‘Have you given up already?’ Hajia asked. ‘Not yet’, Papa Kwesi replied. ‘All the best then; I will pray for you to find her’, said Hajia. ‘Thank you’, Papa Kwesi replied and gave the phone back to Ibrahim.