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10.04.2011 Feature Article

TRIBUTE TO A LOSE FRIEND: EVELYN KATAPU

TRIBUTE TO A LOSE FRIEND: EVELYN KATAPU
10.04.2011 LISTEN

2PAC says “the good die young”. Until April 9th 2011, she was a third year student of Awudome SHS (AWUSCO). Her first name is Evelyn, but I call her Accra. Do you want to know why? Go to AWUSCO; look for Mr Asante and ask him.

I hope my wife (Miriam) didn't interpret my worried, confused, depressed and thoughtful mood after I heard the news of her death to mean anything. My heart sieged, my veins shrieked and for a moment, I failed to reason as I refused to believe that, I'll not hear “sir, I've missed you” from Evelyn again.

My first encounter with her was in the school's computer lab two during one of her class's ICT lessons. I was in the lab editing the current school prefect's manifesto for him when I over heard her asked a mate of hers whether I teach ICT or English Language. To satisfy her curiosity, she asked “sir, please, what subject do you teach?”

My question to Death is: why Evelyn?
Evelyn is too young. Moreover, she is a student. What wrong has she done to deserve a “capital punishment” from Death?

Oh Death, with much humility, from my sour and troubled heart, I appeal to you: please change your decision, give her back to “me”, for I've enjoyed her company for too short a period to lose her.

“Sir, I'm sick. I went to the school clinic but I'm not feeling any better”. These were Evelyn's words to me on in the evening of Thursday, 31st March, 2011. “So what do we do”? I asked her. “I want to go to the clinic in town or to the house (Accra)”, she proposed. “You are writing exams. See me tomorrow morning for some money and go to the clinic”. She returned from the clinic around 3.30pm and told me: “I'm back, I'm now better”. “I'm travelling to Adukrom this afternoon, keep me updated on your condition” I told her.

From my base at Adukrom, I arranged for transportation fare for her to travel home (Accra) on Saturday, 2nd April 2011. I never heard from her until Monday, 4th April 2011 when she called me from her hospital bed, in a faint and a shaky voice, she said: “good morning sir”. I ignored the greeting and quickly asked: “how are you today?” “I'm fine” she replied. I took a deep breath and said “thank you God for her life”.

I became worried when she failed to pick my calls through out the rest of Monday and the whole of Tuesday. What is happening, I asked myself. At least, someone close to her should pick the calls and keep me posted on her condition. This never happened until Wednesday, when she called again. “Evelyn, how are you”, I asked without letting her speak first and without waiting for an answer, I proceeded: “what happened? I called several times but nobody picked up”. “Sir, I don't even know where the phone was until this morning” she told me in a weak voice. “What is the problem” I inquired. “Sir, I'm fine today” she replied.

Little did I know that, that was the last time I was hearing the voice of the elegant, captivating and beautiful Evelyn. If she had the strength to read, then her last encounter with me was a text message I sent to her phone which read: “Your phone is off. I'm getting worried. How is your condition?”

No! That should be the second to last encounter. The very last one was unanswered phone call at around 12noon on that black day; the day of her departure (9th April, 2011). In fact, I made this call in a church chapter at Haatso in Accra, where Mr. Emmanuel Kumah had his wedding. While in the church, I had a strong feeling that, I must speak with Evelyn. On the first attempt, the call went through, but no one answered. Subsequent attempts failed. I finally gave up the call, praying and hoping that, she will call herself as the case has been since she fell sick.

Anyway, I'm still waiting for that call from you Evelyn. Don't read beyond this paragraph. Put that call through to me. Tell me “sir, I'm fine”, because I believe the call I had from that student at 7.41pm on 9th April, 2011 with the news: “sir, your friend Evelyn is dead” is just one of those gimmicks.

Do we have any lessons to learn from Evelyn's death? Certainly yes! First, live a righteous life, for life is short. Anybody can die at any time irrespective of age. Second, live an obedient life that attracts positive attention and sympathy. It's not for the sake humanity that I was so much concerned about Evelyn to the extent of making the attempt to talk to her at around 12noon, just 1½ hours to her death. Third, live a life of determination. Evelyn wrote her first examination paper in the morning of Friday, 1st April 2011 before going to the clinic in the afternoon. Four, live a life full of caution. Evelyn's anthem, whenever she sees me is: “sir, I'm hungry. What food do you have in the house?” My reply: “I've uncooked rice, you can go and cook”. She will be quick to tell me: “female students are not supposed to visit male teachers in their house. I don't want to create any problems for you sir”.

Evelyn, if only Death will heed to my appeal and give you back to “me”, I'll prove to you better, how concerned I feel about your well-being and how much I love you. I equally believe that, if you have this opportunity, you will mend your ways and live a more righteous life.

It was fun keeping you as a friend for this short period. Your early departure from my life has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill by any other student from AWUSCO.

Evelyn! I love you, I cherish you, I adore you and I respect you for your opinions, but God, He who created you, loves you most. He gave you to the world. Who am I to challenge his decision to take you back? I only thought it was too early, most especially when you and I have been friends for barely six months.

“Sir, I've missed you”. These words of yours will continue to reflect in my mind until God willing, that day when we shall meet again.

Rest in an everlasting peace, but to Death, I desirously wish you consider my appeal: please, change your decision; give her back to “me”, for I've enjoyed her company for too short a period to lose her.

Edwin S. Kwame Koge
The writer is a teacher at Awudome SHS and a very close personal friend of the decease.

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