Bitter Honey is a Ghanaian-based series, centered around the Quartey family. Kojo Quartey; a taxi driver, his wife Aba; who runs a bank’s canteen, and their three children; Kuku, Abena and Maama live through a series of fortunate and unfortunate events. The Bitter Honey series tells the story of different bittersweet experiences that build their characters and teach them life lessons. Enjoy.
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Kojo was happy. His life was coming back together and he enjoyed seeing his children laugh more often, and his wife frown less. For the first time in a long time, he felt like the man of the house. Even his job made him happy. He met the most interesting and most frustrating clients. But at the end of the day, he was always satisfied with seeing his family live like ‘normal’ people.
“Good morning, please I’m going to coastal.”
Kojo nodded, “Sit down and let’s go,”
“Please how much?” the lady said.
She didn’t look older than 14 years. She had lipstick that was too red for her complexion, and a hairstyle that seemed too heavy for her neck. Kojo couldn’t tell if it was a wig or weave.
“GHS 8,” Kojo said with a smile. He could tell she was expecting something more expensive. She nodded and sat down.
She was a lady he would describe as ‘black beauty.’ She had flawlessly dark skin and very bright eyes. As Kojo waited for an opportunity to negotiate a turn in the opposite direction, he glanced at the lady’s dark legs.
They were uncovered. The skirt that should’ve reached the middle of her thigh was no dancing somewhere close to her hips. She didn’t notice, she was busy on her phone.
“Hi, I’ve got a taxi, I’m on my way,” she said into her phone,
“Were you asleep?” she asked.
Kojo glanced at the watch on the dashboard. 11:34am.
“Is your sister home?… Ok!… I’ll see you soon.” The conversation was over and she was staring outside the window.
The car was quiet for about three minutes and Kojo turned on the radio. The music from the radio made her head snap in his direction, almost as if she had forgotten that she had company.
“I’m Kojo, what’s your name?” he asked politely.
She hesitated for a moment but answered, “I’m Emelia.” “Are you a student?” “No, I’ve finished school. I’m waiting for my results.” “You’ve finished S.H.S?” “No, J.H.S.” “Congratulations.”
Kojo laughed to himself, ‘She thinks she has finished school.’
“Driver, please can I call you to come and pick me up?”
“Ok.”
By the time Kojo pulled up at the house she directed him to, she had already collected and saved his telephone number.
He hesitated to drive away in an attempt to see who opened the gate for Emelia.
Standing, there, she reminded him so much of his daughter, Abena. He shivered when he saw the tall and muscular gentleman who opened the gate.
Kojo drove away pensive, and spent the rest of his day expecting her call.
***To be continued***