Chapter 3: Auntie Esi's Interrogation

I won the Ghana Open. But I did not sleep that night.Not because of the trophy. Because of the kiss.Coach Kwame kissed my forehead in front of EVERYONE. Including Auntie Esi.

When we got home to East Legon, Auntie Esi did not say a word. She just sat in the living room with her arms folded. My big trophy was on the table. My parents were on video call from London, shouting "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Mum, thank you, Dad," I said, quickly ending the call. I knew what was coming."Adjoa." "Yes, Auntie." "Come and sit."I sat. "So. Coach Kwame." "Auntie, it's not what you think..."

"He kissed your forehead at the club. In front of the whole Achimota. The chairman's wife saw. She already called me. 'Esi, your daughter and the coach, ooo!'" I covered my face. "Auntie, we were just happy because I won."

"Adjoa, look at me." Her voice was not angry. It was worried. "You are 19. He is 28. He is your coach. You are rich, he is still building his life. Are you sure this is love, or you just like that someone finally stays? Your parents travel, I am strict... I know."I started crying. "Auntie, he is different. He didn't want my money. He stopped my car kiss. He said 'win first.' He cares about my future."

Auntie Esi was quiet. Then she said, "Call him. Tell him to come to the house tomorrow. 6pm. I want to talk to him. No golf."The next day, Kwame came. He wore not his coach shirt, but a proper African print shirt. He brought sobolo and two cakes."Good evening, Auntie," he said, sitting straight like a student.

"Kwame," Auntie Esi said, "You are coaching my daughter. Now you are kissing my daughter. Which one is it?"Kwame swallowed. "Auntie, with respect, I am both. But coaching comes first. I told Adjoa, if she doesn't win, no relationship. She won. She is disciplined, she is talented. I like her. But I will never let love spoil her golf."

I was holding my breath.Auntie Esi looked at me, then at him."Adjoa told me you refused to kiss her in the car when you were stuck in the rain."Kwame was shocked. "She told you that?"

"Yes. And that is why I am allowing it," Auntie Esi said. "Because any man who can refuse a rich man's daughter in a car in the rain has self-control. Many boys would have taken advantage. You did not."She stood up. "But listen to me, Kwame. If you break her heart and her swing goes bad, I will come to that golf course and beat you with a golf club. Do you understand me?" Kwame laughed nervously. "Yes, Auntie. I understand."

"Good. Now both of you eat the cake. And Adjoa, from tomorrow, training is 5am, not 5:30am. If you want to be a champion AND have a boyfriend, you must wake up earlier."Kwame and I looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Later at the gate, when Auntie Esi went inside, Kwame held my hands."So... I'm officially your boyfriend now? Auntie approved?" "You are officially my boyfriend who is still my coach who will make me wake up at 5am," I said.

He pulled me close and kissed me again — this time not on the forehead. Properly. Under the East Legon streetlight.And for once, my parents were not traveling. They were calling to say they were coming home for good.I had won the trophy. And I had won him.

*THE END.*