First Crush

           Do you remember what your first crush was like? Your very first meaningful crush? (I’m not talking about that crush you had on your class one teacher because at that age – that is, 6 – he seemed so tall and mighty and invincible you couldn’t help your little heart admiring him a little more than it made sense for a 6 year old to). I’m talking about that crush you had when you were finally considered an adolescent (or at least pre-pubescent) and it hurt when someone bumped your chest because finally, your boobs were growing! Ok, I digress. Back to the main point; the first crush. So here I’m going to write a little something based on what MY first crush was like *wink, wink*. Enjoy!

* * *

                The period had just started for Integrated Science and Mr Appiah was asking questions about the topic he had taught during the previous week’s class. As usual, he was ignoring those know-it-alls who had raised their hands to answer the question, elongating their arms by stretching higher as though that would be more successful at grabbing the teacher’s attention. Mr Appiah was choosing to prey on those unsuspecting students who seemed to be pre-occupied with other more interesting things.

                Mr Appiah peered over his spectacles, looking round the class carefully and seemed to become excited when he managed to nab another unsuspecting victim. He called out her name, “Akua Mansa, what is the answer to my question?!”

                Akua started at the sound of her name and realized to her horror that all 31 pairs of eyes in the room were looking at her. Unfortunately for her, today was the one day when she had not being paying attention at all to what was going on in the class. She swallowed nervously as she tried to shove the notebook she’d been doodling in under her desk and get up at the same time.

                “Umm….sir, could you please repeat the question?” she asked timidly, feeling extremely self-conscious.

                “Aha!” Mr Appiah yelled out in triumph. “You were not paying attention” he said, stating the obvious. He began walking towards where Akua was standing and the other students in the class swiveled around in their seats, the better to see the drama which was quickly unfolding before them.

Oh God, please don’t let him come close, please, please, please, Akua prayed silently, hoping against hope that by some miracle the teacher would turn round and go back to the front of the class. It soon became evident to her and to the rest of the class that Mr Appiah was on a mission and would not rest until he had completed it.

                Mr Appiah came to a stop by her desk and peered over his glasses at her, “Miss Mensah, what were you doing that was so important that you couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to what I’m teaching?”

                Akua’s power of speech seemed to have deserted her momentarily and she struggled to respond, finally coming out with a very weak, “Nothing”.

                “Nothing, eh?,” Mr Appiah repeated, looking at her contemplatively.  His gaze turned to her desk. “What do you have under your desk?”

                She couldn’t stop the panic-stricken expression that spread across her face and the teacher noticed. He reached under her desk and pulled out her notebook as she looked on helplessly.

                “So what do we have here, Miss Mensah?” Mr Appiah said as he turned the book over in his hands with an amused look on his face.

                Akua’s face fell as she began dreading what would happen next. She tried to look calm even as her heart began to beat erratically, threatening to pop right out of her chest.

                Mr Appiah had opened her notebook to where she had left her pen holding the page in place (Akua kicked herself mentally for leaving the pen there). He was visibly amused and after reading some of what she had written in the book to himself, he walked back to the front of the class with the book still in his hand. Akua slid into her seat wishing she could melt into the floor.

                “Class, it seems while we were all engaging in serious discussions, Miss Mensah had found other ways of amusing herself and passing the time,” he announced. He opened Akua’s notebook and proceeded to read it out. “Akua and Nana Yaw forever, Mrs Akua Johnson, Mr and Mrs Johnson, Mrs Nana Yaw Johnson. And under that, she has drawn a picture of herself with said gentleman, I presume, and has drawn hearts around them” at that point he paused and looked up at the class. “I’m quite sure if Akua Mansa and the rest of you paid as much attention to detail in your diagrams for this class as she has given to her drawing, you would all be making As”

The whole class erupted in laughter to the further embarrassment of Akua.

                “Mr Johnson! Nana Yaw Johnson,” Mr Appiah called out, looking round the class for his new target. He finally located him seated at the back of the class. “Please stand up, Mr Johnson”  

The class turned in unison, as though by remote control to look at Nana Yaw as he stood up from his seat.

Akua could feel the sweat trickling down her back. Oh no, what would this man do next to humiliate her further? She wondered with trepidation.

                “Nana Yaw, it seems to me, you have a very  committed secret admirer here” he said in amusement, turning to look at Akua who was trying her best to blend in with the furniture without success.  “Nana Yaw, you may sit down. Akua Mansa, next time pay more attention in class, ok?” Mr Appiah peered at her sternly waiting for her response. The whole class was laughing uncontrollably now and it didn’t look like they would be stopping anytime soon.

                Akua nodded meekly, “Yes, sir”.

                Satisfied, the Integrated Science teacher turned his attention back to the class. “That’s enough excitement for today, class. Now, who can answer my question? What are the necessary conditions for photosynthesis to take place in a plant?”

Some students raised their hands even as others continued to giggle and steal glances at Akua.

Akua had never felt so humiliated in her life. For the rest of the Science class, she sat up and managed to keep a straight face though deep inside all she wanted to do was to cry.

*

                Finally, the class had come to an end and it was time for lunch break. Akua continued to sit at her desk while the other students left the classroom for the break.

                Mr Appiah, who was still gathering his notes, noticed her still seated at her desk and called her forward. Akua got up slowly and went to him.

                He handed her notebook back to her but continued holding on to it as she took it. She looked up at his face. “As your punishment, I want you to write ‘I will pay more attention in class and less to my love life when I am in school’ 500 times. I want it on my desk by close of day tomorrow. Is that clear?” he instructed sternly.

                “Yes, sir” she responded tiredly.

                “Ok, you have a good day,” he said somewhat ironically and strode out of the class, his notes under his arm.

                Akua sighed and stood where she was, wondering what to do with herself.

                “Akua?” a voice from behind her called softly.

                She turned only to find Nana Yaw staring worriedly at her. Can this day get any worse? She groaned inwardly. “Umm, I’m really sorry about…” she began to apologise awkwardly.

                He waved her attempt away, cutting her short. “I was actually quite flattered” he grinned endearingly at her.

                Akua felt her jaw drop. Huh? Was she hearing right? “You know, if you’re trying to make fun of me I understand but it really isn’t funny,” she managed to say, looking at him warily.

“Oh, I’m serious o,” his grin faded and was replaced with a grave look. His face lit up suddenly. “You know what? Let’s go for break together and we’ll talk…ok?” he suggested.

Before she could compose an intelligible response, he had grabbed her hand and was pulling her out the door. All thought flew out of her head except for one glaring realization; he’s holding my hand!

Maybe ,just maybe, there was going to be a silver lining in this cloud of a day, she mused dreamily, strongly aware of the fact that the boy she had a crush on was holding her hand.

THE END.  

©2011 Abena K. Karikari.

Brown Eyes

Those brown eyes,
those twin pools of chocolate
Set my heart fluttering
every time they twinkle
Every time they smile at me.

Those brown eyes
with tiny specks of caramel
Look at me and they know
They know what they do to me
Each time they wink at me.

Those brown eyes
wide and innocent
Unlock all my inner secrets
Whenever they look into mine.

Still Waters

Still waters run deep

Was my thought

When I met you.

The moment your eyes met mine

No way could I have fought

The attraction, the pull, the wonder

That was and is you.

There is a powerful gentleness

In you that I feel

Each moment you look at me,

Each minute you touch me,

Each second you kiss me.

And I’m sucked in

Every time you hold me.

Your calm demeanor

 Opens up to my touch

And within I see

Your intricate interior.

The kaleidoscope of feelings

that emerge when we join

excites, invigorates and awakens.

Thus I have no fear

For I am yours

And you, mine.

My still waters, running deep

For all time.

-       June 21^st, 2010. 

The Flight

She waved as the car pulled away from the curb and headed out of the drop-off area. She was on her own now. Though it was a scary thought it also excited her. A whole new experience awaited her. Taking one last look around, she walked into the building pulling her luggage after her.

                She had done this several times before but never on her own so she knew where she had to go first. The customs official she stopped in front of smiled at her and she smiled back.

                “I see you’re travelling alone…?” he inquired politely as he flipped through her passport.

                She let out a long breath. “Yes I am”.

                He smiled and asked her to open her suitcase. Quickly but thoroughly he looked through the bag to make sure everything was in order. “You may go ahead and check in. Enjoy your trip!” he sent her off with another smile.

                “Thank you very much” she responded. She closed her bag, locked it once more and proceeded to the check-in.

                She was quite early because her mother had woken her and made sure she arrived at the airport well before time. Though at the time she had been slightly annoyed at having her sleep interrupted she was grateful now that she saw how easily and quickly she was able to complete the check-in process. Afterwards she climbed the stairs to the waiting area.

                The smell of brewing coffee immediately hit her and she remembered she had skipped breakfast. She found a place to sit and placed her luggage next to the seat and out of the way. She crossed over to the small café stand and ordered a cup of tea and two plain croissants. She turned to return to her seat to wait and her heart skipped a beat. Someone had taken the seat next to hers and when her eyes met his, her first thought was, he’s cute! Embarrassed that she should have such a thought she looked away.

                “Hi,” his voice broke into her thoughts, “I hope you don’t mind me sitting next to you…”

                She looked up to meet his earnest gaze and could not look away. She realized she’d been staring when his mouth formed a smile making the dimples in his cheeks appear.

                Flustered she stuttered an answer, “Umm..yea. Oh, I mean no! That is, sure you can sit there”

                The dimples in his cheeks deepened as his smile grew broader. “You know, I don’t bite” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

                She found herself smiling and relaxed as she resumed her seat.

                “I’m Kwame and you are?” he introduced himself.

                “I’m Maame” she responded.

                “Nice to meet you Maame” he said meaning it. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you headed?”

                She considered for a moment whether to tell him the truth or to lie since she would probably never see him again. She decided to take the risk. “Well, I’m going to the US to visit some family and friends”

                “What a coincidence. I’m also travelling to the US…” he looked pleased. “I was preparing myself for a long, lonely and boring flight but I guess I’m not alone now”

                Maame couldn’t help herself; she smiled shyly.

                He proceeded to ask her about herself and discovered they were both final year students in university though she was schooling in Accra and he was in Kumasi. As the conversation progressed they realized they shared some interests in music, books and even had a few friends in common.

                “I can’t believe you actually played that prank on your teacher!” Maame laughed. Kwame had been regaling her with some of his escapades from secondary school and she had been laughing non-stop.

                A voice over the PA system interrupted their exchange. “All passengers boarding Delta Airlines flight DL 156 to New York JFK should proceed to boarding gate 1”  

                “Wow, I didn’t realize so much time had passed” Maame remarked as she glanced at her watch. She looked up to meet Kwame gazing at her.

                “I guess time flies when you’re having fun” he said slowly, never taking his eyes off her.

Maame found she could not look away either and the silence between them stretched until her phone started ringing.

                She smiled sheepishly and reached into her pocket for the phone. “It’s my mum” she told him as she pushed the answer button. “Hello, Mummy. Yes, they just announced it” she nodded as she answered her mother’s questions. “Ok, mummy. Bye! Love you too.” She hung up and turned to Kwame.

                “I see you’re mummy’s girl” he teased.

                “No, actually I’m more of a daddy’s girl” she joked back. “We should get going don’t you think?” she glanced at the passengers who were moving in the direction of the boarding gate.

                “Yes, we should” he agreed. He stood up, hoisted his backpack on his shoulders and pulled out the handle of his suitcase. “Need help with anything?” he offered.

                “No, that’s alright. There’s nothing much in my bag anyway” she explained as she adjusted the straps of her handbag and pulled up her luggage to a standing position by her side.

                “Ready?” Kwame asked.

                Maame nodded yes and together they proceeded to the boarding gate for their flight.  

                They had to wait a while in the lounge at the boarding gate while the airline officials attended to elderly passengers as well as passengers travelling with children. They were not bothered by the wait since each was enjoying the other’s company so much.

                Finally it was time for them to board the plane. They went through the final security checks and went down with the other passengers to the tarmac to join the small bus which took them to the plane. After they got down and ascended the stairs into the plane, it hit Maame that they would probably be sitting at different parts of the plane and she realized the thought of it made her a bit sad. In the short time that they had conversed and gotten to know a few things about each other, she had relaxed considerably and had no longer been dreading the long flight. However, now that they were getting on the plane, she had become conscious of the fact that they would have to part ways. As all these thoughts were running through her head, it got to her turn and she showed her boarding pass to the flight attendant at the entry who in turn directed her to her seat.

                Behind her she heard Kwame ask the flight attendant a question she didn’t quite hear. She figured he was probably asking about his seat so she walked ahead to find hers. It didn’t take long for her to find it; it was a window seat and she was glad because she enjoyed looking out at the clouds as the plane travelled through the sky. She made sure she had all that she needed from her backpack for the duration of the flight and then put the bag in the luggage compartment above her seat. She was just settling into her seat and trying to put on her seatbelt when she heard a familiar voice ask, “Is this seat taken?”

She looked up to find Kwame’s grinning face staring back at her. She could not help herself; she continued to stare at him agape until he repeated the question.

                “I don’t think so…” she trailed off, confused. “Is this your seat?”

                Kwame grinned wider. “Nope! But I did ask the flight attendant if I could switch seats so I guess now it is my seat” he responded cheerily. “May I sit?”

Maame was pleasantly surprised. She had not expected this. “Of course, you can sit” she gestured to the seat and moved her books which had been lying there.

After Kwame had also settled, they easily slipped back into conversation and soon they were laughing together like the oldest of friends. They were so engrossed in their banter that when the plane took off Maame, who was usually scared, hardly noticed that the plane had begun its ascent.

Throughout the flight, they watched the same movies and ate together while chatting the whole time until they were both so tired they nodded off and fell asleep.

                When Maame woke up, she looked out the window and realized dawn was breaking. She turned to her other side and was startled to find Kwame staring at her.

                “Ei, I didn’t realize you were already awake” she said sheepishly. “But you slept, right?”

                “Yes, I slept. I woke maybe about five minutes before you did,” he grinned at her. He looked at his watch. “Hmm. It looks like we have about forty-five minutes till we land”

                “Oh wow, really?” said in surprise; she hadn’t realized she had slept for so long. “I guess we better get our things together then” she suggested.

They took turns using the lavatory to freshen up. By the time Kwame, who had gone last, returned to his seat, the flight attendants had begun serving the passengers with a light breakfast. They ate together while chatting and laughing as though they had known each other for ever.

Not long after, the pilot’s voice came over the PA system announcing that they would be landing in a few minutes so they fastened their seatbelts just as the other passengers were doing. Finally, the plane landed and as soon as the pilot indicated that they could begin disembarking, the passengers quickly began unloading their bags and items from the overhead cabins. The excitement amongst the travelers was palpable; most were overjoyed because they had returned home and others were excited about the experiences anticipated in a new country. Maame and Kwame also joined the others as they moved towards the exit of the plane and headed for the customs and baggage check. Though they were also excited about having reached their destination, both were quiet as they realized their time together had come to an end.

The queue at the customs checkpoint was long but the customs officers were efficient so, soon they were through and went to the baggage carousel to wait for their bags to be unloaded.

“So….” Kwame broke the silence that had settled between them. “How long are you going to be here for?”

“Well, I’m not too sure. My ticket is for August, but I might change it to return earlier” Maame responded. “Oh, that’s mine!” she pointed at a navy blue suitcase that was heading towards them.

When it got close, Kwame lifted it off the carousel and placed it on the trolley Maame had gone for. As though they had planned it, Kwame’s suitcase was not far behind Maame’s. They put his also on another trolley and followed the signs to the arrivals hall.

                On reaching the arrivals hall, they each scanned the crowd of waiting families, friends and business associates for the faces of their family who were supposed to pick them up.

Maame spotted her big sister waving at her from the back of the crowd and her face lit up with a wide smile. She turned to Kwame who was still scanning the crowd. “That’s my sister,” she pointed at a slightly older looking version of herself who was making her way towards them. “I guess this means goodbye” her smile faltered slightly.

“Yes, I guess so,” he smiled sadly. He hugged her and Maame wished he would never let go but he broke away and also pointed towards the crowd. “I see my uncle”

“Ok, then. I hope you enjoy your vacation” Maame waved as he made to move towards his uncle.

“Enjoy yours too, Maame. It was really great meeting you” he said sincerely, waving back.

Maame was about to respond when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and her sister enveloped her in a warm hug.

“Ei, so who was that cute guy I saw you with just a moment ago?” her sister teased.

“Oh, Akua!” Maame laughed shyly. “We met at the airport and we sat together on the flight here”

“I sense there’s a story in there somewhere” Maame’s sister continued to tease. “I hope you got his number because he is CUTE!”

Maame groaned. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Now it seemed there was no way she would ever see Kwame again. “I didn’t get his number o” she said regretfully.

“Ok then you can look for him on Facebook then…or?” her sister suggested helpfully as they exited the arrivals hall to find where she had parked.

Maame became more sad as she realized even that was not an option. “I only know his first name. There’s no way I can find him”

On noticing the sad look on her younger sister’s face, Akua patted her back gently. “Don’t worry, I have a feeling you just might meet him again. In the meantime, tell me the whole story” she consoled Maame as she unlocked the car and they both got in.

Meanwhile, after settling into his uncle’s car and they had set off, Kwame also realized he had neglected to ask Maame for her number. “Oh no!” he groaned in frustration.

His uncle looked at him in concern. “Did you forget something? Is something wrong?”

Kwame sighed and proceeded to fill him in on the source of his frustration.

~ * ~

“Maame, I hope you remembered to pack Nana’s medicine” Akua said as she pulled in to the baggage drop section of the JFK airport.

“Yes, Akua, I remembered” Maame sighed, rolling her eyes. Her sister had asked her the same question more than five times already.

“I just want to make sure. I don’t want Mummy calling and blasting me on the phone like the last time” Akua got out and helped her sister take out her bags.

“I know, I know” Maame was starting to get annoyed.

Since she had already checked in online, they only had to weigh the bags and then dropped them off. After they had taken care of that the two sisters hugged.

Akua smiled. “I’m so glad you came, little sis. My greetings to everyone at home and make sure you call me as soon as you arrive, ok?”

Maame rolled her eyes at her sister’s reference to her as ‘little sis’ but smiled in spite of it. “I had fun too. I’ll call you”

They hugged again and Akua returned to her car. She waved as she drove off and Maame waved back.  

Maame hoisted her backpack on her back and walked into the airport. She had quite some time left so decided to browse through the duty-free shops. She first went to one of the bookstores and bought a few magazines to keep her occupied for the long flight home. As she paid for them, she remembered she had promised to get some chocolates for her best friend. She spotted one ahead and went there.

She was looking through the various chocolates displayed on the shelves wondering how much to buy when someone covered her eyes with their hands. “Who’s this?” she asked nervously; the airport was full of strangers and she was not expecting to meet anyone she knew.

The person did not respond and with much effort Maame managed to pull away the stranger’s hands from her face. She turned round to face the person and gaped at the person she saw.

“Yes, it’s me” the person announced, grinning widely.

“Kwame!” she yelled and hugged him in excitement, making the other people in the store turn to look at them.

“You’re surprised to see me, huh?” his grin was growing wider by the minute.

“Surprise doesn’t even begin to describe it!” Maame exclaimed. She couldn’t stop staring and smiling at him.

“That’s good,” he smiled back. He looked at the chocolates in her hand. “Why don’t we pay for those and then get out of this shop?”

Her eyes followed his gaze and remembered her reason for being where she was. She laughed. “Of course”

 Afterwards they found seats in the waiting area and began updating each other on how they had each spent the vacation. As they talked it seemed as though they were alone and before they realized, it was time to board the plane.

Maame looked at her watch. “Wow, the time went by so fast!” she commented.

“As they say, time flies when you’re having fun” Kwame noted with a lopsided smile.

Maame smiled back. “I think I agree with you”

“I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy this flight” Kwame said softly. “But this time, may I have your number before I lose you again?”

Maame laughed, wrote down her number on a piece of paper and handed it to him.

“Ok, now that that’s been taken care of, shall we?” he got up, holding out his hand. Maame took his outstretched hand and they joined the queue of passengers boarding the plane.

THE END