Opana - The Coffin Maker

Opana the coffin maker episode 62

Opana – Episode 62
 
© Akoto Alexander
 
Mike manages to get to the reception and based on his strangling encounter on the staircase he informs one of the stewards at the hotel reception to go and help Julia convey her things down to the car park. Because of the signal he gets from the necklace he sits at the corner of the reception waiting area so he could see first anyone who comes in and out of the reception, he further as himself countless questions at to what exactly the problem is that he will suddenly feel that way. In no time Julia steps out of the elevator looking all radiant and smashing, he fakes a smile whiles he meets Julia.
 
Julia: Hey is everything okay? You are not looking good as you left my room and why didn’t you come back to me? I had some k-sses waiting for you up there but the steward came in telling me you asked him to come and help me convey my things.
 
Michael Ansah: (plays smart) I don’t really know my dear but it seems something is wrong somewhere, I had a terrible dream last night about Quincy been shot by the guy who has been pursuing me when he tried attacking me.
 
Some moments ago he called me in a very distressful tone and the line went off, after that I have called several times but he is not answering his phone.
 
Julia: My God!!! Mickey we need to go and report this to the police and rush to your end.
 
Michael Ansah: Hey don’t worry your head on this issue my dear, don’t forget you have a flight to catch and this journey is very important for you. I know what to do so please relax so I see you off at the airport.
 
Julia: Are you for real? Your friend might be in serious crisis where he needs you to survive and you are here thinking about seeing me off at the airport. What I need you to do now is to help me to the car park with my bags then off you go to save your friend’s life. Now let’s get going youngman.
 
Michael Ansah: (smiles to himself because his plan has just gone the way he likes it) If you say I should only help you to the car park I have heard you. Let’s go to the car park then.
 
Julia and Mike walks to the car park talking to each other as they bid last minute farewell to each other but upon getting to the car park they were received with a surprise.
 
Opana’s Workshop:
 
Opana: Hey you better hurry up over there before I channel my fraustration on you this afternoon, I sent you in the morning and look at the time you are returning? I don’t deal with snails and tortoise at my workplace oooo.
 
4th Apprentice: Sorry boss but I couldn’t get all the things you wanted at one place, the usual shop you often buy had short stock so they directed me to another place where I got everything at a cheaper price.
 
Opana: That is good but I hope the things you bought are not inferior goods because this work am currently doing is going to be one of my best if not the best job I have ever done. Now let me see the things you bought.
 
4th Apprentice: Okay boss, please here is the remaining part of the money and these are the things you listed for me to buy.
 
Opana: (takes a look at the things) These are the same things and even though I don’t like this colour I believe it will also create a different design. Well done youngman, I think you are the only person in this shop who uses his head most at times but don’t let my praises get to your head because those who said hosanna, hosanna are the same people who chanted crucify him. Go and change yourself and start the interior work of the coffin, please I want your maximum best because that will inform my decision whether you deserve to be graduated with your other seniors or not.
 
4th Apprentice: I won’t disappoint you sir, I promise to give my very best to the wonderful opportunity you have thrown at me.
 
Back at the Hotel Car Park:
 
Julia: Ah but I thought this arrogant guy said he was waiting for me at the car park so where is he now? He has a nice way of getting on my nerves but I promise he will get it just the way he wants it.
 
 
Michael Ansah: Calm down my dear, maybe he parked the car at a different place so why don’t you call him to ask where he parked first.
 
Julia: I don’t have his freaking number, he is not my friend or business associate where I will have his contact on my phone. I think I have to call his dad for him to find out where his stupid son is.
 
Michael Ansah: As you do so, let me find out if possibly he has parked somewhere on this big compound.
 
Security Man: (walks to Julia) Excuse me madam please are you Julia?
 
Julia: Yes I am, any problem?
 
Security Man: No please but I was given a message to be delivered to you by a man who had parked his car here earlier on. He said he is getting fuel at the nearest filling station so that he drops you at the airport, I believe he might be on his way back by now.
 
Julia: Hmmm this guy is a total jerk, so if he knew there was no fuel in his car why didn’t he get some before getting here in the first place. Does he think I have time to come and stand in this hot sun with my make-ups on, I dont remember telling him I am sunning my bronzed limbs this afternoon.
 
 
Michael Ansah: (returns from his fruitless search) Julia I didn’t see any sign of a guy who is waiting to pick someone up at the hotel, I think it will be prudent to call his dad so that he confirms where his son is.
 
Julia: Don’t worry yourself Mickey, the security man going just brought news that, that stupid fool has left this place to buy fuel somewhere close.
 
Michael Ansah: Then let’s go back to the reception and wait for him at the waiting area, you can’t stand in the hot sun like that.
 
Julia: Don’t worry Mickey, the security man said he is getting me an umbrella so don’t worry. Please you can leave me now so you rush and check up on Quincy, any minute you waste here could cause something negative. Please stop a taxi right infront of the hotel and rush home. I will call you before I board the plane to get updates from you.
 
Michael Ansah: Okay my dear, I wish you a safe journey as you fly back to your place of residence. Also may God richly bless you for everything you did for me, actually I never anticipated that gesture…..
 
Julia: Mickey kindly shut up and leave, there is time for everything and this is not the time for an afternoon mass, go and save that youngman’s life.
 
Mike quickly runs out of the hotel and enters a taxi that was parked in front of the hotel. The moment the driver takes off, Albert and his entourage drove into the hotel car park.
 
Julia: See youngman if you don’t respect yourself erh, know where to send your stupidity. Why should you make me stand out here in the sun if you know you were going to buy fuel before you convey me to the airport. I know your stupid cheap mindset, you want to hear me talk so you displace your arrogance but hey you have dialled a very wrong number.
 
 
Albert: Lady know how to talk to me because I don’t entertain stupidty of women at my camp at all, didn’t the security guy convey my message I left behind to you?
 
Julia: Whatever Mr, take me the hell out of here because am feeling hot already. I don’t know why you lack manners like that.
 
Albert: I wanted to switch the air condition for you but because of your insolence we will all sit in the heat as we drive to the airport.
 
Julia: Please yourself Mr, how many minutes am I going to spend in your God forsaken car before I get to the airport. It’s only this short period of time that you will get to flex me but when next I am in town I know how to go about things over here in this country.
 
Albert drives Julia to the airport without anyone talking to each other, she gets to the airport does her check in as some people brings her plane ticket to her. She called Mike to inform him of her success in her check in and gave him the time her flight will take off, she then sent a text message to Mike with information he will need to send her mother’s envelope to her.
 
Opana’s Workshop:
 
On phone:
 
Michael Ansah: Good afternoon daddy, I believe you are doing well and business is also booming?
 
Opana: My son am very fine just that business has been a bit slow nowadays, people have failed to die for my products to be purchased and that alone is very alarming and worrying.
 
Michael Ansah: Oh papa why would you wish for people to die? God will take care of you and I want you to know that, if God won’t give you what to eat He won’t allow you to see daylight.
 
Opana: Hold it there Mr preacher, have you forgotten that every man feeds from the work he does? See this work is what I have done for over three decades and it’s the same thing I did to see you through school so don’t go all angelic on me. Is that why you called me this afternoon?
 
Michael Ansah: No please, papa I called to check up on you and also to get updates about my sister and mother.
 
Opana: Well your mother and sister are doing very well back in the States, your mother called me last night to inform me of their safe trip and the wonderful reception that is been given to them over there. She said they have an appointment with the medical team that will operate on your sister’s surgery later in the day and I am looking forward to her call for anything that will take place over there.
 
Michael Ansah: It’s good to hear that they are safe and comfortable over there, I am very positive that everything will go as we except and in no time my sister will bounce back to her normal self again.
 
Opana: That is the spirit my son, how is your friend and is there any good news as to the reason why you travelled to the city?
 
Michael Ansah: There are good news papa, one of our school mates came to town and she helped us by acquiring some cameras and powerful machines that we are going to establish ourselves in our dream job for free.
 
Opana: Splendid, that sounds good to hear. Son a call is coming through and looking at the number it’s your mom, I guess she has some news for me.
 
Michael Ansah: Okay then let me cut the line so you speak with her, my regards to them.
 
Opana: I will certainly convey your message to them and stay safe over there, we will talk later.
 
Michael Ansah: Okay sir, bye for now (cuts call).
 
Akua Yankey: Hello my husband, how are you doing?
 
Opana: Am very fine knowing you and my precious daughter are doing well. How did your visit to the hospital go?
 
Akua Yankey: Hmmmmm my husband you won’t believe what the medical team briefed me today about, upon our arrival at the hospital the white doctor decided to also run a test on Bernice to ascertain the extent of damage caused. He made us shoot an x-ray and when the film came out he said what he was briefed was more than he was seeing on the x-ray results before him. He claimed Bernice had to undergo four different surgeries which will be undertaken by different medical teams at a different time.
 
Opana: Ah but that is not what they told us before you were flown outside. Why the change of communication now?
 
Akua Yankey: Well he said Bernice suffered a lump in her brain which keeps swelling and that lump has covered for remembrance senses in her brain, also he said the way Bernice crashed with the car, her spinal cord got twisted a bit and if that is not also corrected, she might never walk again. Another thing he said was the a bone at her h¡p that had dislocated and got a crack on it so they would operate on her and get the spare bone in her to replace the cracked bone. Lastly they will work on her broken leg so she can walk again as if nothing has ever happened to her.
 
Opana: So with all this that you have said, when are they going to commence with the surgery?
 
Akua Yankey: The doctor said he is going to assemble the team that will work on her brain first and then operate on her three days from today. After that, they will work on her leg then four months later they will do the final surgery on her brain to finalise everything, two weeks after that, they will work on her spinal cord to correct everything.
 
Opana: If I heard you right, then it means you are going to overstay the scheduled time over there and it is against immigration laws to overstay the duration on your visa that was given to you people. It could call for serious repercussions you know.
 
Akua Yankey: The doctor delegated some people to go and extend our stay in the country so I believe by the close of today, we will get a positive reply.
 
Opana: Wait ooo, so that extra expenses that will come in now, who is going to pay for it? The truth here is am not adding a pesewa to the money I have already paid, why do they think I own the central bank or am an influential person here in Ghana? Kindly tell them am just a local coffin maker in a small village.
 
Akua Yankey: Take it easy my husband, the medical team has written to the embassy for them to extend our stay and also to give me clearance to work so I can pay my bills here.
 
Opana: Did you say clearance to work? Ah Akua what can you do over there, did you tell them your track records? Even selling pure water koraa you run at a loss, please don’t go and endulge yourself in anything that will cause for a problem because the Whiteman doesn’t joke with his money and I don’t have money to pay them when you do your thing.
 
Akua Yankey: So do you have to rub it on my face like that, was it my fault for the collapse of the business I did? Are you not part of the reason why my shop collapsed, what were you expecting when you kept borrowing and eating from the shop. Since you don’t want me to work don’t forget to be sending our monthly allowance to us.
 
Opana: If am to send you people money monthly, we all know you are going to spend only 3months over there so the extension that came in is news to me. Don’t make it look like am self centered and insensitive, at least try and understand my plight also.
 
Akua Yankey: Well since we agreed on a 3months stay, when the time is due, I will convey our daughter back to Ghana so peace will reign even when we haven’t finished with the surgery.
 
Opana:Hold it there woman, don’t you try anything stupid because I spent a fortune to get you people out of Ghana. I expect you to get back here with my daughter back on her feet and well again, I expect nothing less apart from what those doctors told me before I gave them my consent.
 
Akua Yankey: If your expectation is so high then please comply with the information I conveyed to you. This is very simple so please don’t make it look like am doing things in my own way, I don’t have to remind you that the weather here is not friendly to me.
 
Opana: Its okay woman, let’s drop the topic here. How is my daughter doing? Well I miss you and when darkness creeps in your absence is felt much more.
 
Akua Yankey: Ahaaa I see where the issue is coming from, my dear six months will come very soon and am planning on doing some nanny jobs where I can raise money for our upkeep over here. Is this too much to ask?
 
Opana: No my dear, just proceed to what you were doing and get me updated on anything that takes place over there. (call ends)
 
Quincy End:
 
Quincy: Hey dude have you seen her off so soon?
 
Michael Ansah: (plays smart) Oh yes my guy, there were changes in the flight schulde so we had to expedite things that is why I am back so early. Charlie how far with the editing and are people following our social media handles?
 
Quincy: Am overwhelmed with the way people are liking and following our page. Get yourself ready because we have our first photo shoot tonight at the beach and another one tomorrow morning at the stadium for a new female football team.
 
Michael Ansah: Wooooow I forsee a bright future for both of us with our chosen field.
 
Quincy: Am not done yet bro, am in talks with a modelling agency who want to partner with us and some event planner also wants to sit down with us and discuss business. My guy brace yourself for a very busy task ahead for us.
 
Michael Ansah: Bro I was ready for this busy task and booking a very long time ago, see erh, I am ready that even if someone calls on us right now for a photo shoot I will go and execute the work. We have been on the reserve team for long and now that we have gotten a call up in the team, we won’t leave any stone unturned.
 
Quincy: I love it when you show positive attitude towards this project.
 
7 Days Later:
 
Opana’s Workshop:
 
Opana: Boss please take a look at the work and it’s finishing, do you like it and please I need your honest opinion on it.
 
Customer: Honestly, I don’t like your work my brother but rather I love the work, from the design, interior, finishing and colour. Ah this is not a coffin but rather a casket, your work looks like a casket I saw on the internet from South Africa. Director you are good at what you do and to keep my promise I will redeem myself and give you the token I promised if you meet my expectation. Please let your boys wrap the coffin so it can be conveyed to my end and here is your token.
 
Opana: Ah there is nothing pleasing and satisfying like seeing your customers happy with your work. This is my job and the only thing I have passion in doing, thanks for also redeeming yourself. Mmmm where is this boy, hey you get a brown paper and a cellotape and start wrapping the coffin over here right now, the owner is in to take his thing home.
 
6th Apprentice: Okay master but please can I go and find something to eat first, I am really starving and I feel like fainting right now.
 
Opana: If you want to faint why don’t you do it right now, if you are hungry you can cut the coffins into pieces and consume it. You guys shouldn’t spoil my mood this morning because my spirit is very high.
 
Customer: Director please take it easy with your boys, please if he wants to go and eat before he comes and wrap the coffin I think I can wait.
 
Opana: Chairman don’t get sympathy for this fools I work with because if you give them an inch they will take a yard, for this one he can consume 8 balls of kenkey and still complain of hunger. Don’t mind him, he will survive the so called hunger.
 
Quincy End:
 
Michael Ansah: Guy this ladies are very annoying to work with, ah simple photo shoot that we could use 30minutes to do it took almost 4hours.
 
Quincy: Guy get use to it because this is the work we have chosen to do. It comes with a lot of patience and endurance.
 
Michael Ansah: Why should I get patience when what they were doing were delibrate, for that girl with the blonde hair, she was the most annoying. Every shot I took she had something negative to say about it.
 
Quincy: Hahahahaha massa relax, couldn’t you read in between the lines? That girl likes you, everything she was doing was to catch your attention and to delay you so you spend much time with her.
 
Michael Ansah: Nonsense!!! Does she think I am into slim girls? Don’t you know my type of woman? I like them thick and though, as slim as she is where am I going to touch on her body? So you too as we went there to work you had switched your flirting senses on and it was hovering around huh?
 
Quincy: Herh you so you don’t like good things erh? In Accra anything goes my brother, that girl was the chief financier of the photo shoot and judging from the AMG Benz she was driving I can deduce that she is from a rich background and getting her in our corner will be great.
 
Michael Ansah: Chief advisor please hold it there, see am not interested in any lady apart from my sweet, s€×y, succulent and pretty Henrietta and wait a minute, the last time I checked you were a very strong and handsome guy so why don’t you go for her rather.
 
Quincy: See erh if she played to my side do you think I will hesitate to grab her? I don’t know what those s€×y girls even see in you that they keep falling for you? Now confess to me in a professional way, have you been using charms on this girls? If yes then I want you to link me up to your mallam asap.
 
Michael Ansah: You must be crazy to think am into any juju practice, if I was using charms don’t you think I will go after the daughters of Kwame Despite, Dr. Duffour and the other bank rollers of the country? Respect yourself and let’s start working on the pictures we shot, I wouldn’t like that ski-ny girl calling to give orders to any of us and is it my fault that am handsome? This even reminds me, I need to call Henrietta to check up on her because I have missed her so much.
 
Quincy: Na you sabi big big grammar, don’t use your over ambitious attitude to drive this fresh young girls from us Mr Prince charming because it has been long coming.
 
The coffin is wrapped finally and the customer conveys his coffin to his end. But after that transaction things turned against Opana and at the other side Quincy and Mike were getting booked for events and photo shoot every single day.
 
To be continued

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