Afia swallowed hard, but she did not back down. Boma gently squeezed her hand, and together they stood facing a future that had just become uncertain. But neither of them knew that this was only the beginning, and that a hidden truth buried for years was already waiting to destroy everything they believed.
The next morning, Boma stood outside Mami Joa’s gate with his mother, Madam Awusi, and his uncle Nemo. He had barely slept the night before, but his mind was made up. He was not going to give up on Afia, no matter how difficult things became.
Madam Awusi adjusted her wrapper and looked at her son. “Are you sure this is the right step?” she asked quietly.
Boma nodded. “Yes, Mama. We must do this properly. No matter how she feels about me, she deserves respect as Afia’s mother.”
Uncle Nemo placed a hand on Boma’s shoulder. “We are here with you. Let us handle this with calmness.”
They walked toward the gate and knocked. After a few minutes, one of the security men opened it slightly and looked at them with suspicion.
“We are here to see Mami Joa,” Uncle Nemo said politely. “Please inform her that Boma and his family have come.”
The guard closed the gate without a word. They waited. Minutes passed, then more time followed. The silence began to feel heavy.
Finally, the gate opened again, but this time two guards stepped out with stern expressions.
“Madam says she is not available,” one of them said flatly.
Boma stepped forward respectfully. “Please tell her we only want to speak with her. It will not take long.”
The guard shook his head. “She said she does not want to see you.”
