My mother-in-law to be and I
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| Credit: Freepiks |
Episode 1
It all started in the comments section of a Facebook post. We discovered a shared passion, and soon our conversation blossomed. He messaged me privately, and we quickly transitioned to WhatsApp. We clicked instantly; I was captivated by everything about him, and the feeling seemed mutual.
After a year of getting to know each other, we decided to take the plunge and get married. My family's welcome was overflowing with warmth. They were especially thrilled because I was their only daughter, and this was the first time I brought a man home. Mom, nearing 60, had been longing for this moment. "Araba, you're my only child," she'd often say. "I dream of you finding love and giving me grandchildren to keep me company." You can imagine her joy when she met Kojo.
It was Kojo's turn to introduce me to his family. Excitement bubbled within me. We arranged to meet on a Sunday after church. Dressed in my finest, I waited for Kojo at the designated spot. After a little while, he arrived with someone I soon learned was his cousin. We exchanged greetings and set off for his family's home.
Theirs was a lovely three-bedroom house. Kojo suggested I relax while he went inside to get his parents. Lost in my phone, I didn't notice his mother enter the room.
"Araba?" Kojo called.
I looked up, and our eyes met. But it wasn't a warm welcome I received.
"What?! You?! What are you doing here?" she shrieked.
Kojo and his cousin were stunned. His father rushed in, drawn by the commotion.
"Mom, please, it's not what you think," I stammered. "I had no idea!"
Kojo's confusion mirrored my own. "Ladies, what's going on here? Do you know each other? Why are you apologizing?" His questions bombarded me, but all I could manage were repeated apologies.
Episode 2
Kojo's mother's voice exploded through the air, "Kojo, you will not marry this girl! Not while I draw breath! Over my dead body!"
Kojo's gaze darted between me and his bewildered mother. "Erhm, Esi," his father attempted, "calm down first. Let's talk this out in the other room." He ushered his wife away, leaving a trail of tension.
Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed onto the floor. Kojo's sole cousin offered a hand, helping me onto the couch. The joy of meeting his family had morphed into utter chaos. Neither of us could provide a clear explanation for the sudden uproar.
When Kojo finally found his voice, he sat beside me with a heavy sigh. "Araba," he began, "tell me, what is going on between you and my mother?"
Fresh tears welled in my eyes as I tried to speak, but only choked sobs escaped me.
He gently wiped my tears away. "Alright, maybe not now. I'll take you home and talk to my mom first. Then, I'll hear your side of the story."
Understanding, a quality I deeply admired in Kojo, shone through. I could only manage a weak nod.
As we prepared to leave, Kojo's mother's voice boomed from the room, "Never! He will not marry her, and that's final!"
I gasped, clutching my hand.
"Don't worry," Kojo assured me, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'll get to the bottom of this. We'll figure it out." He drove me home, the weight of the unresolved conflict hanging heavy in the air.
Episode 3
The drive home was a tear-filled blur. My mind spun, trapped in a whirlwind of disbelief. How could a simple encounter escalate into this? It truly is a small world, but one that felt suffocatingly small right now. Kojo, usually so talkative, remained focused on the road, his silence mirroring the turmoil within me. What was going through his mind? Would there even be a future for us, considering his mother was the very woman I'd verbally attacked?
A wave of guilt washed over me. It wasn't her fault. Six months ago, she'd simply tried to be a voice of reason. "My dear," I recalled her saying, "you're young and beautiful. Please compose yourself. That woman is old enough to be your mother, or even your aunt. There's no need for this."
But I'd been a hurricane of fury that day. A bad day spiraled into a meltdown when a clumsy bump from another shopper sent my groceries flying, splattering me with broken eggs. The woman, entirely innocent, became the target of my rage. Kojo's mother, a witness to the scene, had tried to intervene, but my anger was a runaway train. "Old witch!" I'd shrieked, hurling insults before storming off.
"Araba," Kojo's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.
"Yes, dear?" I mumbled, shame already burning in my cheeks.
"We're here."
Embarrassment clouded my judgment. We'd arrived home, yet I hadn't noticed.
Kojo studied my tear-streaked face. "Can you talk now, or do you need some time?"
"Please, give me some time," I pleaded. "I'm so ashamed, and I don't even know how to begin explaining this to you."
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Alright. Take care of yourself. Give my regards to your mom." With that, he drove away, leaving me with the heavy weight of my actions.
My mother's surprise at my early return quickly turned to concern. "Araba, what's wrong?" she asked, her excitement fading as she saw my tearful state.
"Mom," I choked out, the dam breaking once more.
Episode 4
"Mom," I confessed, my voice trembling, "Kojo might not marry me anymore."
Concern etched itself onto her face. "Why, darling? What happened?"
Shame bubbled up within me. "It's my fault, Mom. I behaved terribly. You raised me better than that, but that day... I just lost control." Tears streamed down my face as the memory resurfaced. "Honestly, after I calmed down, regret hit me hard. I even went back to apologize, but they were gone."
My mother's brow furrowed. "Araba, what are you talking about? What did you do?"
She pulled me close, her embrace a familiar comfort. "You can tell me anything, honey. You always have."
Taking a shaky breath, I pulled back and wiped my tears. Then, I poured out the entire story.
Disappointment spread across her face, but she softened her voice. "Araba, this is serious. I can't say I wouldn't have reacted similarly to your future mother-in-law. Not everyone is forgiving."
My breath hitched. "I know," I choked out, tears welling up again.
The only person who had ever truly loved and understood me was Kojo. The thought of losing him because of a momentary lapse in judgment months ago threatened to shatter everything.
"Mom, please," I pleaded, desperation lacing my voice. "Help me talk to Mrs. Koomson. Help me apologize. Tell her how sorry I am. Mom, I love Kojo so much. Please help me."
Pity clouded my mother's eyes as she sighed. "Araba, I can't make promises. This is ultimately in the hands of the Koomson, especially Kojo. But listen to me carefully. If she doesn't forgive you, don't marry Kojo, even if he says he wants to."
Her words were a bitter pill to swallow. It wasn't the answer I craved.
"In the meantime," she continued, her voice firm but laced with love, "your father and I will reach out to the Koomsons. Now, go freshen up. I made your favourite dinner."
A weak smile tugged at my lips as she walked to the kitchen. But the weight of uncertainty settled heavily on my chest.
Episode 5
My parents, usually the voice of reason, were a portrait of concern. They weren't overbearing, but neither were they pushovers. They'd raised me with a firm hand and a loving heart, knowing exactly when to offer guidance and when to let me learn from my mistakes.
Disappointment hung heavy in the air after my mom relayed the story. My dad, a man of few words, finally spoke. "Honey," he addressed my mom, his voice etched with worry, "we haven't even officially met the family, and already there's trouble brewing. I think we should hold off for a while. Kojo must have heard about it from his mother. Given the kind of young man he seems to be, I'm sure he'll reach out to Araba soon."
Their eyes landed on me, filled with a mixture of sympathy and a silent reminder of my actions. My dad adjusted his glasses with a sigh and stepped outside, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Mom offered a comforting pat on my back.
"Let's hope Mrs. Koomson doesn't hold a grudge, Araba. Otherwise, you know I stand by what I said earlier."
Days bled into one another, a suffocating silence stretching between me and Kojo. My texts remained unanswered, my calls a hollow echo. Despair coiled around me, squeezing the life out of hope.
"I've lost him," I wailed, the crushing weight of my actions settling in. Self-criticism became a relentless echo in the chambers of my mind.
Episode 6
Just as despair threatened to consume me, a notification chimed on my phone. My heart lurched. It was Kojo.
"Hey baby," his message read. The simple endearment, a familiar comfort, sent a wave of relief washing over me.
"Sorry for not responding to your texts and calls," he continued. "Been swamped the last two days. Consignment arrived, had to sort things out at the harbor."
"No problem, babe, I understand," I typed back, a newfound lightness in my fingers.
"Coming to see you this evening. Okay with you?"
"Yes," I replied, a single word brimming with unspoken hope.
The evening arrived, and I prepared myself, armed with my mother's advice: complete honesty, remorse, and a genuine apology. Kojo greeted my parents warmly before we headed out.
He took me to a cozy cafe, the atmosphere a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. We ordered drinks, but the guilt churning in my stomach made them difficult to swallow.
"Araba, relax," Kojo said gently. "It's still me. My mom told me everything. I want to hear your side too."
Shame washed over me. I buried my face, the words catching in my throat. Finally, I managed to stammer out the entire story.
He listened patiently, then spoke. "Araba, what you did was wrong. Six months into our relationship... I understand you were having a bad day, but you could have handled it differently."
His words stung, but they were fair. "I know," I mumbled, tears welling up.
"Hey, don't cry. We're in public." He offered a comforting smile.
I wiped my tears, a sliver of hope waking within me.
"Araba, he called. " it's been a year. I've seen your kindness, your understanding. That's why I can't let this come between us. People make mistakes, and they learn from them. And you have." He said.
"Yes, yes, yes," I repeated fervently.
A smile softened his features as he playfully pinched my cheek.
"Kojo, please," I pleaded, "help me apologize to your mom. I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry," he surprised me. "I already talked to her. We'll come for introductions and get the marriage list."
My eyes widened. "But shouldn't I apologize first, before you come formally?" I suggested
"That's a good point," he conceded. "Should we go now, or schedule a day?"
The lateness of the hour dawned on me. "It'll be too late by the time we get there. Maybe call her first?"
"Okay, babe," he agreed, a smile playing on his lips as he sipped his drink.
The weight of my actions still lingered, but a fragile hope had taken root. Perhaps, there was a way to mend things, one apology at a time.
Episode 7
I practically skipped into the house, my face flushed with a mixture of relief and excitement. My parents, alerted by the telltale bounce in my step, were waiting.
"How did it go?" My mother inquired, a hopeful smile gracing her lips.
"Everything's alright with Kojo and me," I gushed. "They talked, and he even wants to come for the marriage list!"
"Oh, Araba! That's wonderful news!" My mother exclaimed, pulling me into daughter 's hug.
"We should celebrate!" My father boomed from the living room, having overheard their conversation.
A wave of happiness washed over Araba, but an iota of hesitation clouded her joy. "Actually, Mom," she began, "I suggested Kojo hold off on the formal introductions for a bit."
"Why, dear?" her mother asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"I think it would be best if I apologized to Mrs. Koomson in person first," Araba explained. "I want to make sure she's truly forgiven me. You know Kojo is her only son, and she might just be agreeing to everything to please him, but still harbor resentment towards me."
A thoughtful expression settled on her mother's face. "You're right, Araba. That's a very mature way to handle this."
Pride warmed Araba's chest as her father approached and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm incredibly proud of you for taking responsibility and trying to make amends," he said.
"I truly hope she accepts your apology with an open heart. And you won't be going alone. I'll ask your uncle and cousin to accompany you."
Gratitude welled up in Araba's eyes.
"Thank you, Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
The next morning, while Araba's family bustled around preparing for her visit, a tense silence hung heavy in the Koomson household. Kojo, despite his mother's initial agreement, knew Araba's instincts were right.
"Mom, can we talk?" he began, his voice laced with concern. "It's about Araba. She wants to apologize to you in person."
Mrs. Koomson's face remained impassive. "Kojo, I've already given you my answer. You're free to marry her. Just don't bother me about it."
Before Kojo could respond, she stormed out of the dining room, leaving him and his father to exchange a worried glance.
"When is she coming?" his father finally asked.
"Tomorrow," Kojo replied, a knot of apprehension tightening in his stomach.
A heavy sigh escaped both men's lips. The path to reconciliation, it seemed, was paved with more hurdles than they anticipated.
Episode 8 (Final)
Araba had been on edge, waiting for Kojo's call. When it finally came, relief washed over her – he'd said she could come. But something in his voice snagged at her. It lacked its usual warmth.
"Kojo," she said, concern lacing her voice, "is everything okay?"
"Well, Araba, everything's well," he replied curtly before hanging up.
Araba's worry deepened. Her mother, sensing her daughter's unease, tried to soothe her. However, she reiterated her earlier advice: if Kojo's mother wouldn't forgive Araba's outburst, the marriage shouldn't proceed.
The next day, Araba's relatives – two uncles and an aunt – arrived instead. Together, they went to Kojo's family home to seek forgiveness on Araba's behalf.
"Mrs. Koomson," one of the uncles began, "Araba is young and impetuous. As the saying goes, even a stubborn chicken submits when the pot gets hot. She deeply regrets her lack of self-control and understands the consequences of her actions. We humbly beg for your forgiveness."
Mr. Koomson, empathetic towards Araba, also joined the pleas on his future daughter-in-law's behalf.
Mrs. Koomson, overwhelmed by the outpouring of remorse, could no longer hold onto her anger. "I already forgave her," she confessed.
Taking Araba aside, Mrs. Koomson gently advised her to learn to control her temper. She pointed out that Araba's actions had nearly jeopardized her dream marriage.
Araba, tearful but grateful, thanked Mrs. Koomson. With the forgiveness secured, Araba and her family returned home.
Araba's parents, overjoyed by the news, embraced their daughter tightly. "Finally," her mother exclaimed, "my dream of having grandchildren is coming true!"
Araba blushed slightly at her mother's enthusiasm.
©️ 2024, Kandey Alhassan. All rights reserved.
(A property of Between The Lines)
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