HAD I KNOWN
03
WRITTEN BY ADEYANJU FAITH
Kelvin carried Othanel to his house first to see how he is living extravagant life. He told him he built the house while he was in Paris. It was his elder sister that helped with the building. Othanel was just nodding his head in respondent to what he is saying. He asked him to take him to the man that he doesn’t want to waste time about it.
“Don’t worry, I will take you there tomorrow.
“But why not now? Is the baba house far.
“We can’t just go like that na. And moreover I just returned and I haven’t gone to see him personally so I have to call him and inform him about our coming.
“if it’s because of that no problem. Is it not tomorrow? Tomorrow will come so soon.
Both of them gisted for long, Kelvin told Othanel not to be scared that there’s nothing to be scared of as he will enjoy his wealthy life immediately the baba finished helping him.
AT THE MARKET
Deborah’s mother was sitting by the road side with their iced drinks. It’s only the children that do hawk the sachet water and drink’s . They have been making a lot of sales since morning like never before. At some point Anita murmured that she’s tired and didn’t want to hawk again and before she knew it she will be called by buyers to sell again. When the day is getting dark, their mother told them to wait for their brother so that they can all go home together.
“Must we wait for him. Me I’m tired oo” Anita grumbles.
“Have we not been waiting for him or what is your problem.
“Mama don’t mind her, lazy girl.” Deborah said and while seating beside her mother. “We really make a lot of sales today. Infact I wished every other day will continue like this.
“That is sales for you my dear. You can’t determine when it will blossom like this. Let just give thanks to God for today own and pray for tomorrow own to be better than today.
“Then let eat something delicious tonight mother.
“Delicious like what madam Anita?.
“Like we should cook rice and chicken.
“Chi…what!” Deborah laughed out loud. “See your mouth like chicken.
“Is that what you want my pikin?” Their Mother asked and she answered “Yes”
“Thank God Othanel is here already.” Deborah said.
He greeted them happily and his sister was curious about his happiness.
“Have you been paid?” She asked.
“Why such question?”
“Because you look so happy than yesterday.
“So it is a sin if I decided to be happy today right? It seems you’re not okay.
“is it not question I asked or why are you taking it so serious.
“both of you should not start again please. Let go home and stop all these.” Their Mother said to them.
They all headed home and when they got to a crossroad to cross over in the traffic. A man rolled down his side glass and called Othanel.
“I have gone to your shop and….”
Othanel pretended not to see the man as he was the man that accused him in his boss shop that result to his quit. They crossed immediately and he was happy that his mother didn’t hear what the man said because if it were to be him alone he would have waited to abuse the hell out of him.
“We are eating rice and chicken tonight.
Anita jumped up excitedly thanking their mother.
“Why? Did you people win lotto or someone gave you money for free?.” Surprised Othanel asked.
.
.
.
The next morning, Othanel woke up as early as possible and headed out to his friend house. When he got there he knocked and his friend opened the door immediately without being at the door. He puzzled, looked at the door very well as it closes by itself again. “Remote control door. Chai! Poverty is a bastard!.
“Othanel how fa?.
His friend came out from the kitchen holding a juice. “You didn’t sleep at all?.
“I slept. Why do you ask?.
“This one you came so early.
“it is because I want us to get to the man place on time or what do you think?.
“You are now really eager to go when you know the suffering has almost eating off your stomach.” He laughs. “Anyways, we can’t go by this time because the man must surely have one or two things to do. In the next three hours we should be on our way there Sha.
“Three hours! Is that not much.” Othanel asked almost popping out his eyes.
“Guy calm down. Just calm down na, am I not the one that will carry you there. If at all I don’t even want to help your wretched life, did you think I will tell you the secret of my wealth.
“Is that why you just insulted me.
“Oya sorry, no vex. I’m not really insulting you. I’m just, you know….. like….”
“It’s okay I have heard you.” Othanel answered shapely even though he felt the insult he was trying to cover up.
“Have you eaten? Maybe I should order for both of us before leaving.
He wanted to say no but he let go off the angry side of him and obligated to eat the food he will be ordering. Therefore his friend order the food online and before it was delivered they had a long chat about their lives including their other friends whom they can’t connect with anymore.
CAR WASH
“I still don’t understand why you refused bringing that boy back to work. At least I have let go of the money issue. So why sending him away when I have forgiven him.
“Mr. Mathew. You see that boy ehn, I have told you severally that he knows what he did and that’s why he has also refused to come back to apologize. Stop asking of him again, he doesn’t worth it.
“At least you should have sort for him. What if he doesn’t have any other work to do? .
“That is his own headache. Anyhow he likes he should live his life. A thief will always be a thief and also forever a thief.
“Hmmm” Mathew sigh and gave him his work money. He drove to his office thinking all along on how he can see Othanel to assist him and also apologize for what he did to him. He knows he caused his predicament because of his pride of unable to tell the truth to save him. But only if he could see him and make things right with him. “I wished he had answered me the day I called him.
His workers entered interrupting his thinking.
“Good morning sir. We are here….”
“I know.” He answered shaperly.
Othanel
They arrived at the man house and after a warmly welcome the man asked them to follow him inside his hut. They entered and Othanel was also surprised seeing that people were actually on queue to see the man which tells how powerful the man is. Kelvin had a laughable interaction with the man for some minutes before he excused them living the man and Othanel alone. The room was decorated with different shrine clothes just like what he do watch in Nollywood.
“You are welcome once again.
“Thank you Baba.” He answered.
“I can see poverty hovering around you. You have been working and working without positive results.
“Yes sir. I don’t know why it so.
“It didn’t start from you my son. It started from your father’s father.
“That’s my grandfather sir.
“Yes my son. Your grandfather why on earth was striking in poverty. He was cursed by someone doing his youth days that he will never smell riches talk of dwelling in it. His generation to come was cursed along with it and that’s what is happening to your father and also what is transgress to you. And infact to all your siblings as well.
“Haa Baba! Help me please help me I don’t want to d*ie in poverty please.
“There is never a solution to a problem that I Etobo can’t solve hahaha yes, I’m sure your friend must have told you so much about me.
“Yes sir yes sir.
“You don’t need to worry. That curse will be broken from your head.
“iseeee baba.” He answered
“We will consult the deity for the way forward and if you’re lucky to be favoured by him then you’re definitely going to laugh last.
“Please sir I want to ask something” He asked in a trembling voice.
“What is it?”
“I….I hope there won’t be any….”
“At all” He answered shaperly cutting him shut. “You don’t need to panic my dear. In my place there is no cause for alarm.” He smiled and turned back on him facing the deity and started chanting.
After his chanting he turned to Othanel with a smile and said he should rejoice because the gods have given him a go ahead to eradicate his poverty. “You will go home and bring your family pictures. If you have the one all of you took together then you can bring it. And if it’s just each single photos you can also bring it.
“Is that all baba?.
“That is all my son. The picture is all I need and a fortification will be made on all of you.
“And then I will have money right?” He asked curiously.
“Yes! Money, attractive wealth, good things will start flowing into your life like a river. You can go and make sure to bring it tomorrow.” The Baba answered.
He stood up from the small stool he was seating and thanked the Baba as he made his way out.
“Stop!” The man ordered.
“This is a warning to you. You must not tell anyone about this or even allow a cockroach see the pictures you will be bringing tomorrow. Make sure by 7pm you’re already alone in your room without talking to anyone.
“Ha, if I may ask baba. Why should I be alone by that time without talking to anyone.
“It is because I want you to rethink your decision of becoming rich without anyone interrupting.
Tbc.
