Chapter 4: Baba Afolabi’s Refusal

Baba Afolabi dey tap him old tobacco pipe, keep quiet for long before e talk.

The way he balance for him rickety chair, leg cross, na only elders dey fit do am. Smoke from his pipe dey circle for air, strong tobacco smell full everywhere. He look me with one kain eye, the kind way wey old tortoise dey look young goat. For him house, shrine dey for one corner, fowl dey scratch ground, goats dey tie for one side, and old kola nut shells scatter ground. Nobody dey talk too much.

"Chinedu, abeg go back. Wetin dey worry your family pass my power. I no fit handle am."

His voice deep, like say he dey talk from another world. I never see Baba Afolabi fear before, but today his voice dey shake small. E mean say the matter no be beans at all.

Worry grip me sharp-sharp, I grab Baba Afolabi dry hand. "Baba Afolabi, you no fit just dey look! Abeg help us!"

My hand dey tremble as I hold am, my voice high like person wey dem wan flog. The old man hand rough, veins dey show. Even mosquito bite no dey disturb him like this wahala dey disturb am.

Baba Afolabi just look me, e no talk.

His silence long, like say he dey measure my soul. His eyes get water, but e no blink. If no be say I know him, I for think say na statue I dey beg.

I grit my teeth, kneel down, begin knock my head for ground. Blood start come out for my forehead but I no stop. Na when I nearly faint, Baba Afolabi finally help me stand up.

I hear my papa voice for my head: "For elders, you fit use head knock ground, but make sure say your spirit dey talk true." I no send the pain. For my place, if you wan beg, beg well. When Baba Afolabi touch my shoulder, e be like say small breeze blow enter my heart. Him help me up, voice soft: "Stand up. E do."