THE STRANGE PROPOSAL (A SHORT STORY)
Part 4
©Franca Uwuigiaren
Baba Ibeji, the landlord, stood outside watching his son wash his car when I approached him. I approached him because he’s elderly, and I thought that if I explained my plight to him, he would be able to advise me on what to do. He knows that things are tough for me. When I lost my job, I knew how he encouraged me with words. When I started my poultry business, he was among those who told me I was on the right track, and he felt bad when he learned that the birds died. I had thought that morning of who to talk to, and the only person who came to mind was the landlord.
“Good morning, sir,” I greeted, prostrating like the Yoruba men.
“Papa Alabo, how are you?” He asked, smiling.
“Sir, everything is not fine,” I said.
He smiled.
“Don’t worry; everything will be alright.” He said.
I stood there with him, watching his son wash the car.
“I think you have to see a vulcanizer for this tire.” I said, touching one of the front tires.
“You’re right. I’m going out this morning, so I will fix it on the way.”
“Em… sir… there’s something important I would like to discuss with you, and I really need your advice.”
Without responding to me, he gave his son some instructions before facing me.
“Let’s go inside.” He said, leading the way.
I followed him inside and took my seat. Before I could say anything, he started talking.
“I know things are not well for you since you lost your job. I’m sorry about your wife and kid too. What have you really been doing about what’s going on? Without being told, you should know your problem is spiritual. I know all along but didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Sir, it’s spiritual, and it all started with a dream I had.”
“Really? What kind of dream?”
I went on to narrate all my dreams to him. He sighed and was quiet for some time.
“Hmmm! There’s nothing that doesn’t have a solution. I’m glad you came to me because you believe that I can advise you. I’m a Christian, but I am not going to tell you what you expect me to say.”
I nodded my head.
“Don’t expect me to tell you to go and fast and pray. I’m not saying there’s no power in such, but what I am saying, in essence, is that answers are too slow when you depend on such. I’m an African man, and I believe in the religion of my forefathers.”
He stood up suddenly and raised his clothes up; on his chest and waist were charms.
“My clothes conceal all these. The days are evil. Enemies are everywhere, and I needed to protect myself and family. The mysterious death of my wife opened my eyes to all these. She died too early and left me with only two children. There’s no place I don’t have charms in this house. There are charms too in my vehicle.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Papa Alabo. I am fortified by charms. I rely on these charms, and I wear them to church too. See, I am an active member of the church, and I contribute to anything going on there. It doesn’t stop me from serving God or praying. Do you know the process I went through? The medicine man took me on a seven-day spiritual journey. I know what I saw, and that’s why I have mouth anywhere. As it is, no one can hurt me.”
I listened to all he told me.
“My advice is to engage in a spiritual battle. Look for a strong native doctor who…”
“That’s why I came to you, Oga landlord. I don’t know anyone.” I told him but didn’t tell him I tried one fake pastor before.
He smiled.
“Don’t worry. There’s someone I will bring to you. He is powerful and knows his onions. But you have to give me time to see the person. I will give you feedback later.”
“Alright, sir!”
I thanked him so much before leaving. In the evening, he sent for me and told me that I should prepare my home, that he has gotten in touch with the native doctor, and he will be coming to my house the following day. He assured me that within a few days, I will see results. Well, I didn’t totally take what he said to heart until I see results. After all, Damian assured me about his pastor, and I was still sacked from work.
I thanked the landlord and still relayed my fears to him.
“I don’t have money to pay the native doctor.”
“Of course, I know; all expenses will be paid by him. Since you packed into this compound, you and your wife have never given me problems. Your payment has always been prompt. Whatever length I will go to make you stand as a man again, I will.”
I was relieved and thanked him again and again. I went to my apartment and told my wife that soon everything will be okay.
The following day, I waited for a long time and I didn’t see Oga landlord nor the native doctor. I tried the landlord’s lines several times, but he didn’t pick his call. I was worried. Many times I went to knock on his door, not even his children were home. There was no one to ask except a neighbour who told me he saw him drive away that early morning.
Inside, Oroma told me to be patient. Thank God there was light; I watched television to take my mind away from everything. It was almost six in the evening when Oga landlord knocked on my door. I opened the door, and he came in with another elderly man. We exchanged greetings. The landlord introduced the man to us, and without sitting, the man told me he knows what has happened in my life.
“But you will be victorious. I will cleanse the house and then fortify everyone.”
“It’s alright.” I said.
The landlord excused himself and left. The native doctor then settled on the floor of the sitting room, refusing the chair. He brought out fetish things from his consultation bag and began to chant. He then brought out a small-sized clay pot from his bag, raised it, and began making incantations, and immediately smoke started coming out of it from the pot.
“Don’t worry. When the smoke stops, it means the cleansing is complete in the house.” He explained.
He went ahead to drop the pot beside the television stand. The smoke was too much, and everyone began coughing.
“That’s part of the cleansing.” He said seriously.
The fortification ritual started with me as he used a razor blade to make incisions on my back, shoulders, and arms, then he proceeded to Oroma. My sons were afraid of the blade, but I held them until he finished. He rubbed a black substance on the cuts on our bodies at the same time making incantations, which lasted for more than an hour.
“You will follow me to the beach tonight.” He announced.
“Beach tonight? What for? Time is far gone.”
“If not tonight, no other night. The river goddess has to be appeased tonight.”
I looked at Oroma, who nodded her head in encouragement for me to go with the native doctor.
“But I don’t have money for that transport.” I said, embarrassed.
“Your landlord is driving.” He said. I watched him pack his things in his bag, and we stepped out. The landlord was coming out of his apartment at that time.
I quickly ran back and instructed my second son to remove the key from the keyhole so that I could insert my key when I return.
It was late when we got to the beach. The landlord preferred to wait for us in his car while I and the native doctor trekked inside. All through the journey, I didn’t understand the discussion of the landlord and the native doctor because they spoke in their dialect. The beach was silent when we entered, except for a few who came to do something on the beach.
“The river goddess is a powerful force. My powers are from her. I’m only going to appease her to quench her anger towards you or your family.”
Suddenly, it hit me. I remembered the dream where she said her subject will never fight against her because she is their source.
“Truth be told, it’s better to appease her than fight her.”
“I don’t want her proposal.” I told him.
“Whatever I do here will work. She will be appeased, and she will stop visiting you.”
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.
“Please, I don’t want to see her again in my dreams.”
We stopped some distance away from the water and he dropped the big sack bag he was carrying. He brought out a big-sized clay pot from it. It was loaded with sacrificial items. I couldn’t identify any of the items used for the sacrifice. Discarding the bag, he carried the pot close to the river and placed it on the ground. He went on his knees and began to bow before the water.
“It’s me, your faithful servant, mother. I have come on behalf of Obiama. Please forgive him and turn your anger away from him and his family. I know he has rejected your blessings…but mother, forgive him. Take your love to someone else, please.” He said.
I stood there and listened to him.
“He brought you an offering; please accept it.”
I watched him bow several times before standing up. He called me and placed the pot in my hands.
“Enter the water and offer the sacrifice to her.”
“I…I…can’t…I am scared of water.”
“I can’t go there…you have to go inside and place the clay pot on the water. At least let the water get to your waist before you stop and offer the sacrifice.”
My heart began to beat fast. What if the water carries me away? So many thoughts came to my mind.
“Don’t keep her waiting.”
I carried the sacrifice and started moving inside the water.
“Don’t look back, and the moment you drop the pot, turn immediately and don’t look back, no matter what.” I heard the native doctor say. I nodded without looking back. I went into the river and stopped when I was certain the water had reached the level I wanted. I placed the pot on the water and turned immediately.
I had not gone far when suddenly I heard my name, and I froze. “Look at me, Obiama.” I heard. I could feel her presence around me, and fear gripped me. I started moving fast. It was a lovely voice. She told me she loves me and is ready to do anything for me. I kept moving without looking back. Then her voice changed. I could detect anger and harshness as she called me to look at her. When I came out of the river, I had tears on my face. Was I scared? Yes, very scared.
“Well done,” the native doctor said. “You can go.” I didn’t tell him I heard my name and all the promises of the goddess. I just wanted to be far from the beach.
“Aren’t you going with us?”
“No, I need to do other things here.”
“What about your bag in the car?”
“I know how to get it. Now go!”
I left him and ran all the way to the car, where the landlord was waiting for us. As we drove home, he told me again that things will begin to change henceforth for good. I thanked him for spending his money and time on me.
When the landlord drove into the compound, it was very late. I thanked him and then entered the house. My kids were asleep except Oroma, who was still groaning in pain. I told her the goddess has been appeased, and assured her that in a few days, all will be well.
Even in her pain, I could see relief and hope in her eyes. I took my bath and joined her on the bed. I soon slept off.
In the morning, I was to wake up to the wailing of my neighbours. I rushed out to see the corpse of my landlord being carried into his vehicle to be taken to the mortuary.
“What happened to Oga landlord?” I asked in panic.
“Ahhh, he was screaming in the night. Didn’t you hear?” one of my neighbours asked.
“No, I didn’t hear anything.”
“He was pointing to an invisible snake. He said a big snake bit him several times on his neck. I heard his scream and rushed to his house, and thank God his children were around. We checked him, but there was no sign of a snake bite on his neck because he held his neck. He kept saying that the woman is angry with him. We got confused because he would mention a snake and a woman. We were searching for the snake when he died.”
“Eeeeiii!” I exclaimed. I went close to the vehicle where his corpse was and my heart began to beat very fast. I knew that the landlord was attacked by the river goddess. Looking at the face of the landlord, he didn’t die a peaceful death. I waited until his corpse was taken out of the compound before I went in to break the news to Oroma. Fear gripped her instantly, and the next thing she did was vomit. After cleaning her up, I sat beside her and broke down in tears.
To be continued…
