"This is Onyema, as depicted by Temi!" Jimmy introduced finally.
"Onyema?" Uka probed, "She gave her the name?"
"Yes dad! I know what you are thinking," seeing the puzzle on his father's face. "I asked her the same question, guess what she said," He paused to peer at their faces, "The name and the image is from her fantasies!"
"What?" Ucheime exclaimed in shock!
"This Temi girl, where is she from? I mean what part of the country is she from?" Uka asked, still puzzled and still examining the painting.
"She's from Ondo state, Akure to be precise. She's Yoruba, dad!"
"Really! How could it be possible for her to have imagined and fantasised you in this attire?"
He glared from the painting to his wife and back to the painting.
"This attire was worn only by the ancient Ohafia dance warriors and no one else!" He declared. "This piece of cloth,"
He touched the garment tied around Onyema's waist in the painting,
"Was the traditional Akwete fabric worn by the dance warriors back then."
He continued to glare at the image on the canvas.
"These marks on his chest, his legs and his face were the same ancient marks drawn by the warriors. Look at the red cap!"
He pointed,
"this was the original traditional red cap only seen about a hundred years ago in Ohafia, this quality has long ceased to exist, Ucy!"
He turned around to exchange stunned glances with his wife.
"Being a Fine Art student, she could have seen this look from a book or somewhere else, it couldn't have been too difficult to discover this dressing since it actually existed in Nigeria or even somewhere else." Sarah suggested.
"She said the image was from her fantasy or a faded memory, she didn't get the inspiration from nowhere else!" Jimmy stated clearly.
"Photos or art works like this may be extremely difficult to find in any known museum or history book." Uka asserted.
"I have seen myself in this attire as well in my dreams!" Jimmy declared and his family glared at him in amazing shock.
"Yes, and Temi was also in a sort of two piece attire, like pieces of clothes each wrapped around her chest and waist. Her hair adorned in braids and beads. A dressing so far different from what's attainable in this generation."
He paused and stared back at his family.
"The strange thing is that Temi doesn't experience these dreams like I do, she said she hardly dreams but yet, she seemed to have a faded memory of us and….."
"What are you saying Jimmy?" Ucheime interrupted him, afraid of hearing what he was about to say.
"I believe that I am Onyema and she is Mgeodi and we both have lived before, and that we were deeply in love with each other because we are so familiar with each other, we have this inexplicable connection between us that can never be broken and…"
"Stop!" Ucheime screamed and blocked her ears. She staggered backwards and slumped to the dining chair. Her husband went to her side to hold her shoulder to calm her.
"I'm sorry mom!" Jimmy said pathetically.
Feeling the weight of his wife's distress, Uka intervened with a gentle yet firm resolve, sensing the need to diffuse the tension and provide a moment of respite for his family.
"Alright, everyone, I think it's best if we take a step back for now," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "These revelations have been a lot to process, and it's clear that emotions are running high. Let's take a break and give ourselves some time to digest everything."
He casted a reassuring glance at Jimmy's mother, his eyes filled with empathy and understanding.
"Ucy, I know this is a lot to take in, and I can see how overwhelming it must be for you. But let's not rush to any conclusions just yet. Jimmy has shared his experiences with us, and while they may be difficult to comprehend, it's important that we approach this with an open mind and a willingness to listen."
Turning his attention to Jimmy and Sarah, he offered a reassuring smile.
"Jimmy, I appreciate your honesty and courage in sharing your perspectives with us. We'll continue this discussion at a later time, once we've had a chance to gather our thoughts and emotions. In the meantime, let's focus on supporting each other and maintaining an atmosphere of understanding and respect."
With his words, Jimmy's father effectively suspends the discussion, allowing his family the space and time they need to process the shocking revelation and come to terms with the implications of Jimmy's experiences.
The next day, James came to visit his friend Jimmy who was relieved to see him. They hung out and later in the day, Ucheime approached James with a mixture of curiosity and concern, hoping to gain insights into her son's journey.
"James, I hope you don't mind me asking, if you have noticed the deep connection Jimmy seems to feel with this Temi person," she began, her voice tinged with apprehension. "As his childhood friend, have you ever noticed anything... unusual about Jimmy's dreams or experiences?"
James met her gaze with a sympathetic expression, sensing her need for reassurance.
"Well, Ma, Jimmy and I have been friends for a long time, and while I can't say I've witnessed anything out of the ordinary firsthand, I do know that he's always been a deep thinker and prone to introspection," he replied carefully, choosing his words thoughtfully.
"I've heard him talk about his dreams before, but nothing quite like what he's described recently. It's clear that these experiences are deeply meaningful to him, and I believe he genuinely feels a connection with this Temi."
James paused, gauging Mrs Uwakwe's reaction before continuing.
"I think Jimmy's just trying to make sense of things, you know? And maybe this Temi person is helping him do that in some way. Whatever the case, I'm here for him, and I'll support him no matter what."
His words offered a sense of comfort to Jimmy's mother, assuring her that she's not alone in her concern for her son's well-being. As she listened to James's insights, she found herself feeling grateful for the support of her son's loyal friend, even as she grappled with the mysteries surrounding Jimmy's experiences.
"Are you really not going with your parents to London for vacation?"
James asked Jimmy when they were alone in Jimmy's room.
"No! I want to be here, I have stuff to look into." He answered solemnly.
"What are you planning to do? Your mom is worried."
"I know! I've assured her it's nothing to worry about, I'm not going to do anything stupid, I just want to do some research, that's all."
"Alright!" James hummed.
"But Liliana is really going to feel bad if you didn't show up in London, she would be expecting you."
Jimmy refused to respond to that.
"What about you? Where are you heading to?" He asked James.
"I'm staying right here too!"
"Really?"
"Yes! I want to go swimming, clubbing, gaming and hunting with my best friend." He chuckled.
"Get out of here!" Jimmy pushed and teased him.
"But seriously, what about your folks? Aren't they mad you are not going with them?"
"They are not! I told them you are not going, and we are not kids anymore you know, we can't keep tagging along our parents wherever they go at this age."
"Hmm you are right!" Jimmy concurred.
Let's get changed and go play basketball!"
The two young men changed into sports tunic and went outdoors to play basketball.
Their noises attracted Ucheime from the master bedroom. She went to the window, parted the blinds and observed the two James at the basketball court, focusing more on his son.
"I really can't believe my son is a grown man now and has fallen deeply in love. I have never seen him so passionate and intense about anyone or anything besides his studies and Taekwondo." She said and turned around to glance at her husband.
"It was bound to happen! He has come of age, at eighteen years, he's old enough to find love!" Uka responded with a smile.
Ucheime turned again and continued to observe Jimmy as he jumped and tossed the ball inside the basket with a triumphant snarl.
"Uk, I'm still unsettled about his dream experiences and his belief of reincarnation, all that he has been saying, do they add up? Is there anything really like reincarnation or is he just being delusional?"
"He's not delusional Ucy! I sincerely believe he's matured and handling his encounters and instincts well. Besides, you know very well how our people hold strongly to the belief of reincarnation, it's just that as Christians, we are taught to believe in judgement after life and nothing more."
He strolled to the window where his wife was still watching their son play with his childhood friend, put an arm around his shoulder and watched as well.
"You're spot on; Jimmy has really matured. I think we should respect his judgement and let him explore his feelings for this girl and the deeper connection he feels. He should have the freedom to delve into his research and form his own beliefs about reincarnation. After all, we've always encouraged him to think for himself and challenge conventional wisdom."
"He paused and observed Jimmy for a while.
"I'm very proud of our son, Ucy!"