"Ejigbo! " Olori called her to order. "Why did you speak without permission?" Olori asked, facing Ejigbo. "Olori, I am very sorry." Ejigbo begged. "Olori, as you know so well that a toad does not walk in the daytime for nothing." She started. "I was shocked by what I just heard. Olori, Akande is my only surviving son, and as you know, he is the reason I joined this cult in the first place." She explained. Ejigbo, was one of those who got married at a very young age. Unlike many of her age mates, she was fortunate enough to have many suitors come her way at a very young age of 18. Well, one would not be wrong to say she was not just fortunate because Ejigbo was very beautiful then. Her beauty could be compared to the river goddess whose skin is always very soft and tender, and whose body is always very cool. It was just a matter of time before one of the suitors won Ejigbo's heart, and in no time, the man performed all traditional rites, thereby, possessing Ejigbo. Fate was very benevolent to Ejigbo as she had her first child exactly 12 full moons after her wedding. It was a male child, which made her husband very happy and impressed. The naming ceremony was a big small one as neighbours ate and drank what were available. In a matter of 4 years, Ejigbo had given birth to 3 children in two births. Life was smooth and everything was calm. She could be regarded as a fulfilled woman because she had a male child as her first child, and a set of twins, a boy and a girl. Her husband's business was growing, and she herself was not lagging behind in the mini-canteen she operated. October 1st, 1960 was Nigeria's Independence Day, and Ejigbo had several plans of selling more than usual that day. But, in the early hours of the day, her first son started complaining of stomach pains. "Put little salt in a bowl of water and drink." She told him. It was just like a movie to Ejigbo and her husband when all of a sudden, the boy fell down and died. Her independence celebration was cut short by misery and agony. She cried her eyes out till she had no more tears left in her eyes. But, in a matter of months, she moved on with life, and in no time, she conceived again and gave birth to a boy. She called him Remilekun (wipe my tears), but her husband named him Akande. Few years down the line, Taiwo (the male twin) was climbing a cashew tree to pluck some for his sister when he got bitten by an ant. He missed his footsteps, and fell from the tree. Taiwo hit his head on a stone, and the rest was history. Ejigbo cried yet again, but her tears were not as much as that of Kehinde (the female twin). Kehinde cried herself to sickness, and it was just a matter of time before she was carried from one herbalist to the other. "Taiwo's spirit is troubling her." One of the herbalists told them. He provided a solution which involved buying of goats, cocks, clothes, among other things. Ejigbo and her husband did not hesitate to get the listed items, but even after the sacrifice, Kehinde did not recover. They tried all their best, but Kehinde gave up the ghost in no time. Ejigbo and her husband made efforts to replace the dead children, but no issue came between them again. It was the need to protect her only surviving child that led Ejigbo to where she was initiated into the women's cult.
"Olori, I'm very sorry. My only son's manhood can not be eaten." Ejigbo protested. "What then would be my gain here if I can not carry a grandchild?" Ejigbo asked, raising her voice a little beyond normal. The whole place was filled with loud silence. Everybody understood the rule that guided such situation. "Only the person that brings a 'meat' has the right to loose the meat" Olori reminded Ejigbo. With that, attention moved to Asake to see if she was willing to let go of the "meat", but the look on her face said it all. She wanted Akande to be dealt with, and nothing less. "Ejigbo, I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do." Olori said to Ejigbo. To the amazement of everybody, Ejigbo replied Olori in a way nobody has ever done. "Funmi, daughter of Ifabunmi" Ejigbo called Olori by name without her title. "You must do something about it. Or, have you forgotten our covenant?" Ejigbo reminded Olori.
© 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
Permit me to quickly say this. As against what many people think that the episodes of the stories on Daily Diet are always typed somewhere, and I just copy and paste, I will like to say that it doesn't happen that way at all. I type each episode of the story just before sending it, and times I don't send at all, are times I got so busy or/and tired to type. So, I will enjoin you to bear with me. Nevertheless, I will always try my best to ensure that you are not "starved" of your daily diet. Lolzzz.... So, back to the story. What do you think? Ejigbo VS Asake. What covenant does Ejigbo have with Olori, and would it help the situation? Keep your fingers crossed.
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THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY !!!
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
Inspirational Speaker/Media Consultant,
Swift24 Multimedia Services.
+2348072970850
Mrtackle2009@gmail.com
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