The final semester at UEW was both a blur and a battle.
Kwabena had to wrap up his teaching assistantship while finishing a postgraduate project in Mathematics Education. Manda, on the other hand, was laser-focused on her final exams. The earlier scandal had left a scar, but not a wound it only deepened their respect for each other.
After a long silence, Rita dropped out of most department group activities. She had lost face among the lecturers, and the whisper that she'd tried to sabotage another student's success quietly circulated though no one said it aloud. Kwabena didn't gloat, and neither did Manda.
They both knew the high road was the hardest one, but the most rewarding.
GRADUATION SEASON
In July, the graduation lists were released and Manda's name shone brightly. First Class Honours, Basic Education (Mathematics major). It was a rare feat, and no one not even the doubters could question its authenticity anymore.
On graduation day, as they lined up for their certificates, Kwabena spotted her in the queue, wearing her gown, her mortarboard tilted slightly to the side, her face glowing with quiet pride.
"You made it," he whispered as he walked over.
She smiled. "We made it."
After the ceremony, under the scorching Winneba sun and between endless photo sessions,
Kwabena took her hand and led her away from the crowd, behind the faculty building where it all began.
He knelt not with a ring just yet, but with a folded paper
"This is from my new job . I've been offered a position with the Ghana Education Service to teach and train mathematics instructors across Ashanti Region. But that's not what matters most."
"What matters," he continued, "is that I want you in my life when I go. And when you also finish your national service… I want to come for you. Properly. With a ring, and a plan."
Manda was stunned, but she nodded slowly, eyes misty. "You have me already, Kwabena. But I'll wait for the official version."
They laughed, and kissed gently for once, without fear of being seen or judged.
STAYING CONNECTED
During national service, they were posted to different regions Kwabena to Suame, Manda to Takoradi. The distance was hard. But they kept in touch through late-night calls, surprise visits,
and handwritten letters tucked in brown envelopes a tradition Manda insisted on.
They avoided the temptation to rush things. Love, they had learned, was not about speed but about strength.
WHAT'S NEXT?
A year later, Kwabena, now a respected facilitator with GES, began planning a visit to Takoradi with a box tucked under his seat and a quiet smile on his face.
And this time, no rumours, no jealousy, no whispered gossip would matter. Just two people who beat the odds starting under a tree at UEW and choosing each other every step of the way.