"Mrs Tinu ! the gods revealed to us that your son is out there in the city, is this true ?... the first elder asked.
Mrs Tinu was seen seated before five of the elders and the high priest, to be queried on what the gods said.Being asked the question,Mrs Tinu kept quiet.
"Woman ! where is your son ?...he asked again.
Mrs.Tinu still keeping quiet,folded her arm,crossed her legs, looking to the ground, she shakes her legs. The high priest then took the question up to himself and spoke.
"Woman ! We aren't fools to call you out from your home to let you know the sayings of the gods and it's solution, but you are trying to make us look like one.We all here,knows the tradition of our land including you seated here, your husband has served the gods faithfully and has gone to rest peacefully and it was expected that the family members carries along especially the son.You know the do's and don't of the gods and also the repercussions that follows one going contrary to it.We have found out that you are trying to jeopardize the chance of surviving forever with your son.We also know how the god's have limited son's freedom for not believing in their existence, your late late husband has always pleaded with the gods to consider your son for he is just a child and now he has grown from a child, was he able to understand the way of the gods ? Did he follow after his father ? No ! but rather, he plays with the gods,he didn't bother to visit the gods and plead for his ignorance.You allowed him travel out to the city and hid the secret from us for long, you both have defiled your generation and have committed one of the tragic abomination which will only take the pleading of an innocent elder to cleanse you. Well ! Bringing the words of the gods, the gods have given their words stating that, if your son refuses to come back and do the needful,they will strike and you will see your son no more "
"Why don't the gods take my life instead of my son ?
Tears streamed down Mrs.Tinu's cheek.
"If the gods takes away his life,who will bear our generational name ? Why can't I plead the gods on his behalf and let him overlook my son's offence ? Is there nothing I can offer for his atonement ? I can't see anything wrong with my son having this belief about the gods..."
"Woman ! Watch your mouth ! ..... one of the elders warned.
"If I have to watch my mouth,if my husband should die at his early stage,if the gods should descend angrily on my son,then, what type of gods are they ? I have silently believed them in doubt and the gods pronouncing their judgement on my only son is just an eye opener that the gods doesn't exist and you being the high priest is only using such name to your own favor and want...."
Before Mrs.Tinu could utter another word, the high priest landed a slap on her cheek.
"How dare you speak against the gods and their servant ! You will be buried alive in your grave early tomorrow "
"Nooooo ! Mooooooom ! No ! no ! no ! .... Saliki screamed out loud.
"What is wrong with you ?.... Jasco questioned.
Saliki was breathing heavily with sweat all over.
"Hhhhhhhhh.... it's... it's just a nightmare, it's... just a nightmare "
Saliki took a breath in and out, again and again.
"What's that mehn ! Why the screaming ?
"It's just a nightmare...Ja....Jasco !
"Come on ! What about it ?....Jasco asked surprisingly.
" My mom ! My mom !
Saliki said still breathing relentlessly.
" You gonna be a mom's baby forever ? Speak up !
"Before I left the village, she warned me not to travel to the city, not until I receive the gods consent,I never believed in the gods and now, they are threatening her and concludes to kill her. The nightmare was terrible , it isn't just a dream, it's a warning and I don't do something, she will be buried alive and I will be strike too "
" Hahahaha ! OMG !.... Seriously ! you really got me....gods ! gods ! gods ! What about this gods ?.... Jasco said jokingly.
"Is this funny ?...I am telling you of something tragic and you are making mockery of me...."
"Hei Saliki ! How can you talk to me about gods and you expect me to believe you,does that really exist ? We don't even know about it here in the city... come on mehn ! You've got to live your life, ok !
"Huh ! you are right, I've got to live my life "
"So you gonna stay today ?... Jasco asked
"No ! I need to take a walk to relieve myself from the nightmare"
Leaving the house for a work, Saliki saw some females tying their hair, carrying a book in their hands,they were well dressed with their families. Saliki was astonished and decides to ask one of the men.
"Excuse me sir ! Please ,why are the ladies tying their hair and where are they going to ?
"Oooh ! Have you forgotten that we go to the church to worship Oluwa ?
"Oluwa ! But who is Oluwa ?.... Saliki asked
"Aaaah ! it sons like you that are led astray,if you want to find the answer to your question, follow us to the church down there "
..... the stranger explained.
Saliki, who needeth elaboration on his confusion followed them to the church. When he entered, the church was crowded, he looked around in amazement, the setting, decoration,altar and even the preacher. It was at the moment, Saliki heard the preacher mentioned Oluwa, that he looked up and listened deeply.Saliki also heard the preacher mentioned about God.
"This means Oluwa is also God ?... Saliki thought the preacher moved ahead to lay emphasis on "REPENTANCE " which he didn't. The preaching was interesting and now Saliki has gotten the full explanation of Oluwa.
"If there is another God,then this means he is in existence, hundreds of individual worship him and still has their freedom ".....
.....these thoughts continues running in his mind.
Getting back home, Saliki was excited to tell Jasco about the new God he heard about.
"I heard that he has power over every creature and that he's a silent listener... the preacher also said that , he's an invisible creator....Ooooo ! if you've got to listen to the preaching, you will leap for Joy "
Saliki happily explained to Jasco.
"Yeah ! You are right.But I've got my own power, this power can take me to any level I want, with this power,I can get the unbelievable, nobody have to threaten my life again ...."
"What are you trying to say...is the power from Oluwa ? ..... Saliki asked.
"It might not be from Oluwa but it can do what Oluwa does, this power can never delay your request but Oluwa can....."
"You are going crazy Jasco , don't try joining those bad gangs...."
"Good boy you are, Saliki ! Remain obedient to your Oluwa ".... Jasco said lightning up the cigarette stick in his hand.This made Saliki stare at him for long leaving him alone in the room.
Saliki sat down to think about his life and the nightmare.
"Now I know who Oluwa is, I can challenge and prove to mom and the villagers that there's power that supersedes their gods, but, going back to the village is meaningless,I need to be financially fit, this can also be one of the proves, it won't be long to clear their doubt, having Oluwa and the cash. All I need is to get a job,I have to go back to the car washers,fit in there, they're secret millionaires, making such money a day is enough to serve as capital "
Saliki heaved a great sigh,he stood and went back to the car washers. Eventually,they were doing their usual routine. Saliki approached Rinny who welcomed him gratefully.
"You are back mehn !... Rinny said with a smile.
"Yeah ! I am back for good . I am here because of our previous discussion. Rinny ! count me in among the car washer's team "
"Oooh dude ! Whatsup ! you are really going to like this dude "
Rinny encouraged him in a guy way manner.
"For you to be well recognized, Saliki ! We will be having a gathering tonight and you are to be there..."
"... gathering for what ?
"Aaaah ! Don't you want to know the news of the game...Huh ! Saliki don't miss this opportunity "
Saliki retained the information as Rinny gives him direction of the gathering hall location. Rinny let Saliki work for the day, Saliki was paid the little penny, this time around,he wasn't furious because he's yet to understand the rules of the game.Luckily for him,he was able to attend to three of the cyclists, increasing his day's payment thrice.
"Jasco ! I will be going out tonight for the car washer's gathering "
"Wait ! Wait ! Wait ! When did you learn attending Ogbonge's gathering "
"What do you mean by that ?... Saliki asked surprisingly.
"Never mind ! In no time,we will be on desame cue and there will be no difference between you and I "... Jasco said horribly.
" Jasco ! I don't understand, you are speaking in parables, make me understand "
Saliki asked Jasco enthusiastically, Jasco paid no attention but rather starts to dress up.
"Jasco ! Where to ?
"Uhm ! I forgot to tell you that I will be also attending my own gathering tonight and don't bother asking me further questions "
Jasco said, picking up his cap and leaving the room..
Saliki still don't understand those parables,he swept those thoughts away by concluding that Jasco has always been crazy.
Seated in the large wide hall were the car washers association, four young men seated on the high tables and a moderator standing before the members. Saliki saw a bowl,two kettles and a cup placed on a decorated table with black and white linen. Seated beside Saliki is Rinny and another member by his right.
" Rinny ! What are those bowls and others for ?
"Calm down ! Calm down ok...in no time, you will find out, just stay calm "
Saliki did as Rinny stated,he kept silent and was watching the activities conducted after the other,his eyeballs were rolling at the direction of the moderator. What Saliki feared most was the members tying a red and black piece of cloth on their forehead.Saliki held himself tightly waiting to hear the cry of the owl.