It was a hot afternoon on a day in 2017. I don’t remember exactly which day it was, or even which month. All I remember was the scorching sun. I was standing out on the street deep in thoughts about where I was going to get money to pay my school fees. Poverty can do that to a person. You would be so consumed with all your problems that you won’t feel the sun’s heat.

While I was standing there contemplating my fate, he pulled over right by me. “Why are you standing in the sun?” he asked as he pulled his head out of the window. I took one look at his wrinkly face and answered, “I am not just standing here. I am picking something from someone.” It was one of those encounters I did not wish to give much attention to.

Unexpectedly, this man who looked like he was in his sixties offered me money. I didn’t ask for it. Neither did I give him any indication that I needed money. He just gave it to me. I rejected it. “Can I at least give you a ride home or wherever you are going?” he offered. I told him I wasn’t going far. “Then give me your number,” he almost pleaded, “I want to keep in touch with you.” At that point I was tired of relling him no, so I gave the number to him.

He called me after a few days and we had a long chat. He asked me, “What’s bothering you? Now, before you pretend everything is fine, know that when I saw you standing by the roadside you looked troubled. So tell me what you are going through.” Usually, I wouldn’t share my problems with a stranger, but something about him made me open up to him.

He promised to help me. When the time came for him to help, he delivered on it. He started paying my fees and gave me money to buy some basic necessities. Before I started accepting things from him I asked him, “What are your intentions toward me? What do you hope to gain from your acts of kindness?” His answer was, “I don’t want anything from you. Just see me as your destiny helper.”

As time went on, I kept asking him the same question, “What are your intentions toward me?” His answer was always the same, “I am just a destiny helper.” I introduced him to my grandma and my mom as the man who has been helping me with my fees. They thanked him and then asked if he had any intentions for me. He gave them the same answer he gave to me. He said he was just a helper.

He doesn’t live in the country so I am not in a position where I see him frequently. When he visits the country, he comes to see us. That’s how I usually see him. Also, he has employed me as his treasurer. This man is God-sent. That’s what I thought until recently.

READ ALSO: I Am Making Room In My Marriage For His Next Wife

I completed school last year. After school, I got into a relationship with a guy I like. I told him about the man. I said he was my uncle. I did not tell the man about him but I planned to introduce my boyfriend to him on his next visit to Ghana. My grandma agreed that I introduce my boyfriend to him seeing as he played a father role in my education.

The problem is, this old man came to Ghana last year. He asked me to marry him. To say that I was shocked is an understatement. After all the times he told me he was just a destiny helper, how could I see a marriage proposal coming?

My Heart Was Broken All Over Again | Abena On The Hot Seat

This man is old. He is almost seventy, while I am only twenty-five. I feel sorry for myself for accepting his help. The first time he proposed I told him, “I am very grateful for everything you’ve done for me but I cannot marry you. Sorry.” That hasn’t stopped him from proposing again. Every little chance he gets, he asks, “So what are you saying about my marriage proposal.” It’s like his ears are a locked door, no amount of, “No, I can’t marry you” is getting through to him.

This whole thing is eating me up, I can’t even open up and tell my man that, the man I call uncle and the one we are planning to do something to show my gratitude for is now disturbing me with marriage. My guardians are also worried about this whole thing. Because he helped me, we are treading carefully lest we come across as ungrateful. I am disturbed. What do I do?

—Aries

This story you just read was sent to us by someone just like you. We know you have a story too. Email it to us at [email protected]. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.

#SB