Mr lecturer

***********MR LECTURER********
Episode 12
My dad instantly sensed danger as
he saw me appear before him in
an angry mood. He drew back on
his chair and stared at me
cautiously.
“what’s this about?” he asked. I
bit my lips, frowned at him before
telling him all Pa Tony told me.
He listened quietly without
interrupting me even for a single
moment. When i was done, he
coughed and called my mother
who quickly appeared and stared
at us curiously.
“my brother told him everything
concerning the rituals we failed
doing when he was born. Now he
wants answers” he said to my
mum who scoffed, drew close and
touched my right shoulder.
“you shouldn’t stand before your
dad with such posture. Sit down
let’s talk” she said softly, calming
my spirit. I obeyed and sat down.
My dad’s eyes never left me.
“your dad wanted to perform the
rituals when you were born but i
refused. As Christians you know
such thing is against our faith?”
she explained while i nodded.
“you shouldn’t get mad at anyone.
We simply did what we thought
was best for you. Well you are
now an adult. You are now
capable of making your own
decisions. If you feel that the
ritual that wasn’t performed for
you is the cause of all your
problems. Go ahead with it but as
for me, i know it isn’t” she said
seriously, her eyes all over me
with concern.
It was my decision to make after
all but unfortunately for my dear
mother, my mind was totally with
Pa Tony’s words. It was my life at
stake just like he said and i wasn’t
ready to gamble with it or die for
my faith just like Pa Udoka’s son.
“mum, i’m going to perform the
rituals on my own. I’m sorry to
disappoint you” i said with a calm
voice, avoiding her eyes and
breathing deeply.
“very well then, it’s your decision”
she muttered with resignation.
_____
An hour later, i headed back to Pa
Tony’s house after resting and
putting my mind in order. I was
determined to perform the rituals,
determined to tie up every loose
ends or anything suspected to be
influencing my current situation.
Oh yes i was educated, oh yes i
was a Christian, but i just wasn’t
going to take chances with
something i didn’t know how or
when it started. I equally wasn’t
ready to gamble with my life.
Pa Tony was very happy to see me
and he shook hands with me as
soon as i told him my decision.
Ten minutes later, he led me to
Okparaugo’s house located at the
outskirt of our little community.
Okparaugo was a jovial middle
aged man. He looked neat and
simple unlike the native doctors
we see in African movies. Pa Tony
quickly told him the reason for
our visit. He instantly shook hands
with me, praising me.
“you know the white men brought
religion, education and many
good things for us, eradicating our
traditions. But not all the
traditions are dead. The science of
nature and the Universe practised
by our forefathers is very much
alive and we should learn to
respect it” he lectured while i
nodded.
After chatting with us for some
minutes, we got back to the topic
on hand. He collected five
thousand naira from me, then
asked me to return by 7pm.
“you are now an adult, your
presence will be required during
the rituals because i will have to
cleanse your spirit” he said
seriously.
I returned to my father’s house
afterwards, and spent quite a lot
of time arguing with Jessica over
the phone. I told her about the
rituals and just like my mother she
was against it.
____
8pm saw me seated with
Okparaugo in his small shrine. He
sang some local songs, performed
some smelly mixtures with leaves,
lit up a fire with some specially
arranged woods and slaughtered a
male fowl. I really didn’t know
how it happened but as soon as
the leaves he prepared was thrown
into the fire and the smoke went
upwards, a strong wind blew
across my face with little force.
“African science” i reasoned with a
smile.
“you have been cleansed. The evil
wind of misfortune just left your
presence. You are now okay.
However the past still can’t be
easily cleared, but It will clear
with time. I tried looking into
your future but was blinded by
burning flames. I don’t know the
reason but go and be scared of
nothing. Someone will be waiting
for you in the city” he said with a
strange tone. I picked up myself
and left, smiling and wondering
what exactly his strange words
meant. But at least i was happy
that i was no longer owing the
gods of the land anything.
__
By 10am the next day, i returned
to my apartment to see comfort
waiting for me with a big travel
bag. I couldn’t believe my eyes at
first until she smiled and greeted
me.
“my parents are tired of me. I
can’t continue being a burden to
them. I’m here to stay” she said
with a very serious voice that left
me gasping with shock.
THE CLEANSING HAS BEEN DONE,AND HERE WAS COMFORT READY TO STAY,MORE PEACE OR MORE TROUBLE?
To be continued