I DIDN’T KILL BAAMI.
Episode 3.
“Bisola, what are you doing”. I asked my sister who’s hurriedly packing some clothes into her box.
“I’m living this house for you people. I’m going back to my husband’s house.”
“But he’s not yet back from his trip.”
“It’s better to be alone than live in the house any longer.”
“But you know we can’t hide from Baami”. I said.
She threw me a killer stare and replied..”Can you stop adding to my pain. Seeing his face makes me hate him the more so I need to leave before I do something stupid.”
As she continued her packing.
“But what will you tell your husband, about Lekan”. I pressed further.
She heaved and stopped packing for a few seconds.
“I’m tired of lying to him, Kemi.” My sister said amiss tears.
The death of her first child, baami had first struck the baby with Malaria. A two weeks old baby. The first was believed to have died a natural death. No one knew what happened except Baami, Bisola and I.
I can’t stop her from leaving because whatever she has set her mind on doing, she does it to the last.
I haven’t lost a child before but I know how it feels.
Now, let me tell you alittle about Baami.
I came into this world and met Baami as my father.
Baami is of an average height. A little dark with three laceration marks on his forehead and one on his right cheek. Baami has no hair on his head.
“He has never shaved or barbed his hair since I married him” Mama had told us once. “Because it never grew”.
I don’t think Baami has an emotion because we have never seen him smile, cry or being angry.
Whenever he has a problem or misunderstanding with anyone, he quietly goes into his room, shuts the door and do the needful.
All we’ll hear, are chants and incantations. It takes little time for us to hear of a misfortune befalling whoever troubles him.
Baami did same thing to uncle Bayo, his Immediate elder brother who tried cheating him of their father’s inheritance.
Baami is an evil man but you dare not confront him, if you so desire to live.
We’re his instrument. We can never say no to his bidding. He seems to control our will.
The first night Baami made me pound a new born baby in that ancient mortal, was the night I started seeing things.
Things I was never supposed to see.
Things which I never told anyone.
Things which only Mama knew.
That’s why I believe Baami killed mama.
“Bisola, you dare not step an inche”. Baami’s voice came from the door.
Even though I hate Baami, I can’t disobey him.
“Bisola please, don’t just leave. You know what Baami is capable of doing.” I silently begged my sister.
“Let him do his worst. Hasn’t he done enough?”. Bisola kept yelling.
I became scared. Bisola is really not going to listen.
She dragged her box of clothes to the door and turned the handle only to jam Baami “face to face.”
I saw Baami’s face curve in a smile.
Did Baami just smile”
I could barely conclude the question in my mind when Bisola walked back to the bed, opened her box and turned all her clothes out as she began to laugh.
She will look at me, and cry.
Turn to Baami, pause, then cry.
Look at me, and laugh.
Turn to Baami, pause and cry.
Baami has tampered with Bisola senses.
To be continued…
