Prologue
The village of idikan had transformed from a backward village to the most prosperous in Abeokuta within few years of The New king’s Ascension. They gloried in their achievement.
Chapter one
The beginning of catastrophe
” Kabiyesi ooo”, they all greeted, as the king entered the palace.
” Good afternoon everyone. I am pleased to tell you that the queen just gave birth to a baby girl”, he said with joy.
” Kabiyesi ooo, congratulations”, they chorused in unison.
The Rain continued to hammer on the roofing like an angry man beating his wife.
It began to fall, some minutes after the queen, went into labor.
The flash of lightening, radiated the whole town of idikan, accompanied by it’s brother thunder, which shook the whole town with its clap.
It was believed in idikan, that a child born while its raining is a great child, and now it isn’t just raining, it was raining with great intensity, releasing its love to mother Earth.
Just as they were rejoicing over the birth of the child, a midwife, rushed into the room.
” Kabiyesi”, she greeted, kneeling down as the customs required.
” What is the matter?, the king asked, looking into her eyes. He immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Kabiyesi, the olori is dead”, she announced with great sorrow.
There was total silence as none could fathom what happened.
It was a shattering blow to the village of idikan as it had never been heard of before.
The king was utterly shaken and shattered. He requested the exit of everyone including the chiefs from the palace.
” Kabiyesi ooo, they hailed as they left the palace one after the other.
He sat down on the floor and began to wail like a woman whose valuable had been stolen, and truly, his most valued possession had just been stolen from him.
” Where would I start from?, he questioned, to no one in particular.
He remembered when he first met her three years ago in Lagelu her Father’s village.
He had gone there to see her father the king, when he met and mistook her for a servant.
“Hey you”, he had called out to her in a rude manner on that fateful day.
She looked at him, hissed and walked out.
He was so angry, and reported her to the king, who he didn’t know was her father.
The old man had laughed out loud, before he later told him, she was his daughter.
He became angry with himself and went to apologise to her.
She laughed in a strange way, which amused him.
He had gone home greatly embarrassed at what he did, but couldn’t get afolake out of his mind.
He continued seeing her and developed a strong relationship with her.
They grew so fond of each other and decided to tie the knot.
It was the talk of the Town in both Idikan and Lagelu and even other neighboring towns.
They had the most lavish wedding ever heard of in lagelu and idikan.
He remembered the way, they played and curled up with each other, enjoying the warmth of their bodies against each other, relishing the comfort the huge trees in the palace provided.
He also remembered the way she would worry over her, not getting pregnant after a year of their marriage and he would pacify her, telling her they would have a child at the right time.
She was so excited, when she became pregnant, that she began to sew clothes for the unborn child.
She had always wanted a girl as her first child, while he wanted a boy as his first child.
They would argue over it, with him always giving in to her after a long argument.
So Afolake is dead, he said to himself again.
” Ah, my treasure is gone!, he said aloud with grief.
” Kabiyesi, you need to put yourself together”, a voice said to him.
He looked up and saw it was Bashorun Olayimika, his father’s old friend.
” Baba, Afolake is dead, she left me alone with our child”, he wailed as tears flowed freely down his eyes.
“Yes, my son. But there’s nothing you can do about it, she is gone forever, the only thing you have to do is to care for the treasure she left you”, olayimika said, embracing the king like a father would embrace his son.
“Laide, laide”, the Bashorun called out to a servant who was Standing outside with the new princess.
Upon seeing his daughter and hearing her voice, he stood up like someone who just sat on a pin and went to carry her. He hugged her tightly which made her cry.
” I promise to love, care and protect you with all my heart.
****
It was eight years after Afolake died and all had returned to normal, even though the king staunchly refused to marry a New wife.
A girl about the age of eight could be seen climbing a tree in the palace, which had part of it’s branch in the palace and another part outside the palace.
She was about to jump outside the palace, when she heard her Father’s voice.
” Remilekun, what are you doing over there?, he asked, already knowing what she wanted to do.
” I wanted to pluck some mangoes”, she lied.
” Remilekun, you are lying”, he chided.
” Fine, dad, I am sorry, I want to see my friends outside the palace”, she replied as she jumped, down the fence.
” Yes, I know, but you could have told me, and I’ll have some guards follow you.
” You are the only one I have left in this world”, he said as he bent down, holding her in his hands.
” But, you still have Uncle Fisayo”.
” Yes, but Fisayo is not to be trusted”.
” But why daddy? is he not your brother?, she asked
” He is my brother, but you cannot understand until you grow up. Just promise me that you’ll be careful.
” I promise, I’ll always be careful”, she said, flashing him a smile brighter than the electric power supplied to the palace.
He took her hand and they both walked into the house.
****
” Kabiyesi”, greeted the courier, with a note of urgency in his voice.
” Olarantimi what happened?
” The Bashorun is dead. He died just some minutes ago.
” No, it can’t be true”, he shouted, nodding his head in various directions.
” It is true kabiyesi”, he reaffirmed.
” Hmmm”, he sighed. “Let’s go to the Bashorun’s house”, he said to the courier.
So many things were running through his mind.
He had lost his father ten years ago, his mother nine years ago, his wife eight years ago and now the Bashorun, who acted like a father to him after his father died.
” Who would I run to in times of trouble?, Who would advice me the way baba Olayimika advised me?, he thought to himself as they passed the narrow path which led to the Bashorun’s house.
The wailing of women could be heard a mile away.
They had just lost their father, husband, brother, grandfather and son.
The king got there, minutes later and met the Bashorun covered in white linen.
” Excuse us”, he said to everyone in the room as he knelt down beside the body of the Bashorun.
They exited the room as requested.
” Baba Olayimika, why did you decide to leave me all alone to rule Idikan”, he said to the body as if he was talking to a man who was standing in front of him.
” You left me alone, even after you promised not to Leave me”
” You didn’t even wait for your granddaughter remilekun to bring her husband to you”, he lamented as tears began to form around his eyes.
” No, baba, you cannot leave me alone”, he said with his voice raised.
He began to cry, holding the body of the Bashorun close to him.
He continued crying by the Bashorun’s death bed for over an hour that he had to be moved out by the Bashorun’s children.
All the preparations had been made to send the Bashorun to his ancestors, as it was the tradition of Idikan to bury a person the same day of his death.
The pit had been dug and all rites performed when all of a sudden, it began to rain heavily.
The burial had to be completed without any distraction, else the spirit of the dead person would torment the family members.
They were still in the middle of the burial, when a great thunder struck the Bashorun’s sons to death.
” E gba mi oooo”, their mother shouted, as she saw her sons fall down dead.
She fell down, hit her head on a rock and died instantly.
The news spread like wildfire across the village.
It was unheard of in Idikan and all neighboring towns for a family to die all on the same day or week.
Everyone believed someone was behind it, but no one knew who was behind it.
Chapter 2
The devil within
It had been more than a month, since the Bashorun and his entire family had perished mysteriously. And a new Bashorun was to be elected.
The king was in a dilemma as he didn’t know who to choose.
Gbenga who was his closest friend, after Bashorun Olayimika, had bluntly refused to be the next Bashorun.
He had no option than to choose, Aremu as the next Bashorun, as he was the only person fit for the position.
He called a council meeting the next day to announce his decision.
” Oloye Aremu, is the new Bashorun of Idikan”, he suddenly announced to the council.
The option of choosing Aremu as the next Bashorun came with mixed reviews.
Some were in support of his appointment as Bashorun while
Some kicked against it outside the palace, where they couldn’t be heard
” Aremu is not trustworthy to be handed such a post” iya olode said with her hands clamped to her waist.
” I was also thinking the same thing”, Asipa had said in support of iya olode, while others nodded their head in agreement.
” Let’s go, before someone overhears us and report to the king”, one of them suggested and with that, they all went to their homes.
That night, it rained throughout Idikan, pouring down heavily.
It was so heavy, that over an hundred farmland were flooded with rain and even the bridge linking Idikan with Lagelu was flooded with water, making it impossible for people to cross from/to lagelu.
The wailing of people whose farmland, goods and houses had been damaged Could be heard all over the village.
The king decided to go on a tour round the village to see the extent of the damages.
He was amazed at the level of damage caused in just a night.
He gathered all the villagers to talk to them and reassure them that all will be well.
Little did they know that all was far from well.
About sixty percent of the crops for the next year had been destroyed by the rain.
How would they survive?
The new year came earlier than expected and accompanying it was great hunger and famine which raged the whole village like a wild fire.
Within two weeks of the famine over ten people had died.
The king had to call an emergency meeting to discuss the way forward.
” Kabiyesi”, greeted the chiefs as the king entered the court.
” Good morning everyone”, he began, I am sure we all know the reason for this meeting.
” Yes ooo, kabiyesi, just yesterday two people died again”, iya olode said with great concern.
He held his head in his hands,” so, what are we going to do?
Bashorun Aremu stood up to make a suggestion.
” Kabiyesi oooo”, he began.
” I have a suggestion”.
” Yes, Bashorun”, the king aided him on.
” Kabiyesi, I know a town, far away from idikan where food is plenty in supply. We can go there and buy some foods”, he suggested.
The king looked at him,”That’s a good suggestion, Bashorun”.
” So what is the name of this town, Bashorun”, iya olode asked giving him a doubting look.
He removed his cap, kept it on the floor before he answered her,” The name of this village is Bayebogun”.
” Bayebogun”, they chorused in Anger.
” Bashorun, which kind of suggestion is this”, Asipa accused in anger.
” Kabiyesi, I know Bayebogun has been our mortal enemy since ages past, but right now, we need to bury our pride. Is it until we starve to death before we do the right thing?”
” Shut up there, what do you know?, Otun said with authority, eyeing Aremu viciously.
Out of Anger, at being ridiculed, Aremu stood up and began to rain insults on Otun.
” Òlörîbúrúkú, what is your problem ehn?, I brought up a useful suggestion and you are here talking rubbish. What suggestion did you bring, Wéré òkùrín
” Ahhhh, kabiyesi, did you hear what your Bashorun said?, the chiefs complained in annoyance.
” Heyyy”, the king shouted, calling the chiefs to order. ” What is wrong with you all?, We came here to get a solution to our problem and you are all fighting.
” Otun, please do not be angry”, he pacified the Otun.
“And you Bashorun, apologise to Otun now” he commanded.
” I am sorry”, Aremu apologized grudgingly.
” That’s good”, the king said after Aremu had apologized to Otun. ” Now, Bashorun, I want you to journey to Bayebogun with Aro, and some servants, to purchase as much food as possible, is that clear?”
” Yes, kabiyesi, we’ll leave this Evening”, the Bashorun announced.
” Kabiyesi ooo”, they all greeted and trotted off one after the other.
” Ahh, these chiefs”, the king mumbled to himself as he went into the inner Chambers.
Aremu and Aro gbenga had set out early, with some men towards Bayebogun. They crossed two Rivers and three villages, before they finally got to Bayebogun.
The sounds of people advertising their goods could be heard from afar.
” Èrá girl yín ooo
“Buy your Coco yam”
” Gàrrí wá ooo”
They all called out in a bid to get customers to patronize them.
” Bashorun, we are at Bayebogun already, what are we doing next?, Gbenga asked, a few minutes after they arrived Bayebogun.
” We are heading to the king’s palace”, he announced.
” Alright”.
They headed to the palace which was some minutes away.
The palace of Idikan was a city in comparison to the anthill they called palace in Bayebogun.
Who is Bayebogun? If not for the disaster which Idikan.
On getting to the palace, they met the king who was taking a walk around the palace.
” Who are these”, he exclaimed upon seeing men from idikan.
” Are these not the Idikan’s?, He asked in mockery.
” Kabiyesi ooo,” they greeted postrating in respect.
” Why are you here?, he questioned.
They looked around,” kabiyesi, can we talk inside the palace?”
” Of course”, he answered and led them into the palace.
” Kabiyesi”, Aremu began, we are here to buy some foods. About sixty percent of our crops were damaged by flood Last year.
” hmmm, so you want to buy food? he asked again.
“Yes sir”
” Okay, wait outside, let me converse with my chiefs”, he muttered grinning mischievously.
He conversed with his chiefs and then called the men from Idikan inside.
” Alright, we would sell ten bags of Rice, Twenty bags of beans, a thousand tubers of yam and an hundred tubers of cassava for an hundred and fifty thousand naira”, he said grinning from head to toe.
” Hundred and fifty thousand naira!!!, they exclaimed in suprise.
” Yes, any problem?, he asked mischievously.
” Kabiyesi, we don’t have up to that amount for that quantity of food. Let’s pay one hundred and twenty thousand sir”, they pleaded.
“Alright, he said in agreement, and sent his men to bring in the foodstuffs.
” Kabiyesi ooo”, they greeted as they exited the palace with the foodstuffs.
They began their long journey back to Idikan, joyous at getting food to buy.
Some hours later, they arrived Idikan, and went straight to the palace.
They were the focus of all and sundry as a result of what they carried.
They entered the palace, and met all the chiefs anxiously awaiting their arrival.
” Good afternoon everyone”, greeted Aremu and Gbenga.
” Bashorun, Aro, welcome back. “Any success?”, and king asked anxiously.
“ yes kabiyesi”, Aremu answered as he beckoned to the servants to bring in the food.
All the chieftains opened their mouth in amazement, gazing at the quantity of food before them.
” Bashorun, is this the whole food in Bayebogun?, Asipa asked in a bid to crack a joke.
” Yes, it’s the whole food, infact the whole town we brought”, he replied sacarstically.
Asipa stood up, angry at what Aremu said, “Aremu be careful” he warned.
Knowing it was going to turn into an argument, the king shut both of them down and began to address the chiefs
” Otun, he began, I want you to tell the Town crier to announce to everyone that they should be at the village square tommorow morning, to get foodstuffs, and you Aro,as they begin to arrive, you take the names of everyone who has collected food, is that understood?”
” Yes, kabiyesi”, they affirmed.
” The meeting is over”, he announced and the chiefs began to take their leave.
” Kabiyesi”, they hailed as they left one after the other.
Chapter 3
The return of the tyrant
It was sunset and the sound of the pestle hitting against the mortal in a quest to make dinner for their master with the little yam some had could be heard from every corner of the village.
The sounds of women shouting, men gesticulating loudly in a bid to kill the sorrow engulfing them could also be heard.
The news about the arrival of food had travelled like wildfire throughout the village.
” Gbagaun, Gbagaun, people of Idikan, the king had asked me to tell you to gather at the Village square tommorow morning to receive food”, the voice of the town crier could be heard, as he went about every corner of the Village, repeating the same statement over and over again, with his bell, making music of his announcement.
” Food!!, exclaimed all, who heard the announcement.
The once downcast spirit of the people, was revived with that announcement.
Their children would no longer die of hunger.
Their children would no longer go to bed hungry.
They went to bed with a renewed hope.
It was morning In the blink of an eye and all chiefs and palace servants were already at the village square, ready to distribute the foods.
They distributed enough foodstuffs to everyone and still had some remains.
The villagers began to sing the praise of the king, which angered some people.
*******
The night had eaten it supper and darkness had shone upon the whole village when the scream of Remilekun was heard from her room.
” What is that?, her servant asked running into the room, only to find her lying on the floor, while a snake hurried across the floor to a corner, then reared its head up and disappeared.
” Help us oooo”, the servant screamed fearfully.
Immediately, the sounds of feets could be heard as they went to see what happened.
They met the servant kneeling beside Remilekun.
” She was bitten by a snake”
“A snake!!, The king exclaimed. Quickly call the medicine man” he commanded to some guards outside the door.
“Yes sir”, they answered and left to get the medicine man.
They arrived some minutes later, with the old man and was led into the princess room.
” She needs modern medicine, he announced after checking her pulse, none of my medicines can heal her. The poison of the snake is too strong”
” That would be in Abeokuta?, The king asked.
” Yes sir”.
” Won’t she be dead before we get the medicine?, the king asked panicking.
” No sir, I’ll give her some of my medicine, to suppress the effect of the poison, so I suggest you send someone as fast as possible.
” Alright, he said and called a servant.
” Laide, take this money, and hurry to the big city of Abeokuta and get some medicine to treat my daughter”, he commanded the servant.
She left immediately with a guard who was to accompany her.
” I have given her the medicine, and it’s meant to stabilize her for the next twenty four hours”, the medicine man announced.
” Thank you sir”, the king said in appreciation, handing over a bag of food and some cash to the medicine man.
” Thank you kabiyesi”, he greeted and left the palace.
” Remilekun, you mustn’t leave me alone”, he pleaded as he knelt beside her, with tears in his eyes.
” Don’t worry, she’ll be alright”, Gbenga comforted.
He had been immediately informed and ran to the palace as fast as he could.
” I don’t know what I’ll do without my daughter”,he moaned.
” She’ll be alright”,gbenga comforted again and waited a while before leaving the palace.
Laide got to Abeokuta, few hours later, got the medicine which costed a lot and began the journey back home with the guard.
She had just entered Into the palace, when commotion started.
Remilekun was finding it difficult to breath and was about to give up the ghost.
“Laide, bring in the drugs!, the king shouted upon seeing her.
She quickly handed it over to the king, who in turn gave it to the medicine man, who had been called immediately Remilekun began to display.
He collected the drugs, sat beside Remilekun, and poured it into her throat.
After doing that, he stood up and dusted his behind.
” She is meant to wake up in some hours time, when the medicine begin to work, he said as he made to leave.
” Thank you baba for your help”, the king said in appreciation.
” Kabiyesi, there’s no need to thank me. I am only performing my duty” he answered and went out of the room to his house.
He hadn’t gone far, when some masked men apprehended him.
” Who are you, and what do you want?, he asked them.
“There’s no need to know who we are. Why did you save Remilekun the king’s daughter?,they questioned.
” She is the king’s daughter, and morever it is my duty to treat anyone who is ill”, he answered with awakening anger.
” Well, we’ll see how you’ll perform your duty when you’re dead”, they said giving a devilish laugh.
” Say your last prayer man, before we kill you”, one of them said, cocking his gun.
“Pau,Pau”, was the sound heard as they shot him twice, in the chest and head.
“Quick, let’s go away from here, before someone sees us”, said one of them.
It was morning quickly and with it brought happiness as the princess had woken up.
But the morning was not entirely good, as the whole town woke up to the news of the death of Mr Ogunrinde, the oldest and best medicine man in Idikan and its environ.
He was found dead on the path leading to his house, by his neighbor who was leaving his house early to his farm.
” Who could have done this”, they all wondered.
It was a time of sorrow for everyone who knew of his kindness.
The king heard about Mr ogunrinde’s death and went to pay his respect.
He was warmly welcomed by his children and wife.
They were in great pain,as a result of the way their father died.
” He was shot in the head and chest”, one of them said in tears.
The king sighed,”I understand your pain, and I promise you we’ll do our best to apprehend the culprit. Just take heart”
“Thank you kabiyesi, they said as the kind stood up to go.
He was buried the same day, as the customs of Idikan requires.
Just after the burial, a mighty wind blew across the land, which sent everyone scurrying for shelter.
*********
The sound of drums could be heard from a distance, and accompanying the drummers was prince Fisayo.
Fisayo was the king’s younger brother who had been aspiring for the throne.
He had planned to overthrow his brother numerous times, but fails.
Out of shame, he moved to Abeokuta two years ago.
And now he is back in Idikan.
His arrival brought fear in the heart of all except his allies.
The fear was greatly increased, when he didn’t pay his brother a visit in the palace until after a month of his arrival.
“Remilekun, kabiyesi is calling you” her servant called out.
She immediately ran out of her hiding place to attend to her father who was already standing by her Door.
” Let’s go for a walk”, he said as she came out of her room.
” Remilekun, he called out.
” Yes daddy”, she replied, pouting her lips in an awkward Manner.
” Now that you have completed your primary education, I want you to go to Abeokuta for your secondary education”.
” But daddy, you’ll be all alone here in Idikan”, she objected.
” Don’t worry dear, I’ll be fine, you just take care of yourself.
” But daddy”
” I said I’ll be fine. See Remilekun, I want you to study to the highest level you wish to study to. I only stopped at the secondary level and I don’t want that for you”, he said, drawing her to him.
” Alright dad”, she said and hugged him.
Two weeks later, she left for school in abeokuta in the company of her father, who was sad at sending his daughter far away, but had no choice than to do that.
Fisayo had started his move to overthrow his elder brother again.
He met with his key spy: Bashorun Aremu who had been working for him, even in his absence.
He had caused the flooding that destroyed valuables in the village and also proffered solution to it to draw attention away from the king to himself.
He had sent a snake to the princess to kill her, so as to make the king weak and then attack from within but failed as she was saved by Mr ogunrinde.
Out of Anger, he sent men to kill him on his way home.
And now with the arrival of the prince, they decided to launch their mega plan
Chapter 4
Violence unleashed
It was April, a month which was known for its regular rainfall, but this time, it was different.
The rain had fallen just twice in March, and the farmers had planted their crops in anticipation for April rain.
But they were utterly disappointed.
Rain didn’t fall and as a result of that, the crops they planted began to wither.
April and May went without a single rainfall. Another famine is on it’s way, the villagers said to one another.
The king became Agitated and called a council meeting to discuss about the lack of rain.
” Kabiyesi ooo”, all the chiefs greeted as the king entered the court.
“Good afternoon everyone”, he greeted as he sat down. “We all know why we are here”, he continued. For over a month there has been no rainfall, even when it’s most expected. “so chiefs, what are we going to do now?”
There was total silence as they were all lost in thought, thinking of the predicament which was about to befall Idikan.
Just when the king was about to speak, the Bashorun stood up to make a contribution.
” Kabiyesi, he began. “I suggest we consult the gods to know why this is happening to us”.
” Hmmm, that’s a good idea”, all the chieftains said at once leaving the king no option.
” Alright, call in the high priest tommorow morning, let’s hear what he has to say”, he said and moved into the inner chamber.
At night, he found it difficult to sleep, as he was so sad at the happenings in his village.
” Why does these bad things always happen to us”, he wondered.
” Hmmm, it is well”, he sighed and then closed his eyes hoping he’d fall asleep.
He woke up early as he had a dream where Afolake was trying to warn him, he was about to hear what she wanted to say but then he woke up abruptly, unable to sleep after that.
The morning came faster than usual, with great anxiety.
He was thinking about what the gods would say, when he was informed that the chiefs and the high priest were waiting in the court.
He hurriedly dressed up and went to the court.
“Kabiyesi ooo”, they greeted in the Normal routine..
” Good morning everyone”, he answered.
” Priest, can we hear from the gods as to why this is happening?, He asked impatiently.
The high priest began to chant various incantations calling unto the gods.
He stopped suddenly some minutes later and turned to speak to the king.
” Kabiyesi, the gods are angry”, he announced.
” Ewooo”, the chiefs shouted in agony.
” They are angry because an abomination had been made”, he said again.
” Ahhhh, they shouted again.
” So what can we do to appease the gods?, the king asked.
“Your dethronement”.
“What!!”, they all exclaimed in shock.
” The gods has spoken”, he said and left.
The king stood up and went into the Chambers.
He was shattered, broken and in a dilemma.
” What am I going to do” he wondered as
he began to Pace around the room.
The chiefs who had already taken their leave began to question one another.
” Do you think the king would quit the throne?
” I don’t know ooo, it is a very difficult thing to do.
” Well let’s wait to hear from him”, one of them said as they split up, each going on his way.
The news of what the gods said had spread like the air, throughout the whole village.
It was really a trying time for everyone as they didn’t want the king to be dethroned and they also didn’t want to die of starvation.
Fisayo was very happy at the smooth running of his plan, but was eager to get everything done in time. He sent for the Bashorun.
“kabiyesi”, Aremu greeted postrating before Fisayo as he entered the house.
” I am not the king yet, Aremu just you wait till I become king.
“Now, is the time we have been waiting for. Head to our camp in Bayebogun and inform the men, we’d be attacking in three days”, he ordered, giving a devilish laugh.
Aremu greeted again and left to do as he was told.
Just as he left Fisayo’s house, he met some people dancing and wondered what made them to dance. Just as he moved to ask them, he saw Remilekun carried by some women.
” She’s back. Well well well, we might as well kill both father and daughter”, he said and burst into a great laugh.
The king was very happy to see his daughter, as he needed her solace badly in this trying time.
As soon as she saw him, she ran to hug him. She missed him so much as she didn’t see him for over two months.
” How was school?, He asked as she sat beside him.
” School was fine Dad, she replied grinning. Infact, I came first in the class.
” Really?”
” Yes Dad, she replied and made to bring her report from her bag, which she handed over to him.
He hurriedly opened it and went through the results, Happy at seeing the good performance of his baby.
” Remi, for getting a good result, I’ll get you a gift.
” A gift!, She exclaimed in surprise. ” Thank you Daddy, she said and hugged him.
She left her dad and decided to go on a tour of the village with laide and some guards, whom her dad insisted she goes with.
She went from house to house greeting all elders she met.
” God bless you my daughter”, they prayed for her as she knelt to greet them.
” Such a sweet child”, they thought as she left.
After an hour of going round the village, she was exhausted and decided to head back to the palace.
On their way to the palace, she met her uncle Fisayo.
” Remilekun, he called out to her in a friendly tone.
She moved to hug him, but was held back by the guards, who had been warned by the king not to allow Fisayo come close to Remilekun.
He laughed loudly and walked away, knowing the guards had been warned.
“Just you wait three days more, and You’ll all be dead”, he said to himself as he walked away.
She was so angry with her Father for not allowing her move close to her uncle.
She stormed into the palace and went straight to her Father’s chamber.
” Daddy, why didn’t you allow me talk with uncle Fisayo”, she complained.
” Remilekun, Fisayo isn’t to be trusted”, he said
” But why dad”, she demanded.
” Remember he tried to take the throne away from me”, he reminded her.
” Yes dad.
She now understood why he doesn’t want her to be near him. He didn’t want to loose her.
She was touched by his care and love and out of joy, she hugged him.
” I love you Daddy.
” I love you too my baby.
It was sunset and everyone had retired from the day’s work into their houses.
Fisayo had made all arrangements without leaving the village. He didn’t want to raise suspicions, so he sent Aremu and others in his stead.
He had planned to attack in three days, but he became impatient and changed his plan.
They were to attack today’s night, when all souls had gone to sleep.
He felt fufilled.
His dream was finally becoming reality.
The men were already outside the border of Idikan, waiting for midnight, before attacking.
Remilekun had gone to bed earlier than usual. She hadn’t slept for long when she had a dream. She saw a woman who called herself her mother.
She wanted to run to her, but was stopped with great urgency.
“Remilekun, there’s danger, there’s is danger, go and tell your father”, the woman said and disappeared.
She woke up and immediately ran to see her Father.
” Father, father, she called out from the door.
” Yes, what is it Remilekun?, He asked as he came out.
“There is danger, she warned.
The king without wasting time asked to increase the security, but it was too late, as the attack had began.
The guards at the palace were skilled men, but were greatly outnumbered.
They easily took over the palace, brought all the men and women including Remilekun and the king to the court.
Some minutes later, Aremu entered giving a cynical laugh.
The king was angry and stood up to punch Aremu, but he was held by some of the soldiers.
He hadn’t recovered from the shock at finding out that Aremu betrayed him, when his brother Fisayo walked in.
” How are you my brother, long time no see”.
” I knew it, you scheming Bastard”, the king shouted.
” Not so little brother, you should use the limited time you have left to bid your daughter farewell because I’m sending you to Meet our parents soon.
“Fuck you, Fisayo”, the king cursed spitefully.
” Is that your last Wish, my brother”, he asked mockingly.
” My last Wish is for you to rot in mysery.
“Ok, brother” he said cocked his gun and aimed it at his brother Gboyega.
” No, uncle Fisayo, don’t kill my father”, Remilekun pleaded, running to shield her father.
” Well, well, Remilekun, I am going to kill him, now and then you later on. Just enjoy.
” Guards, take her away from there”.
She was dragged away from her father and was held by two strong men, who still found it difficult to hold her down.
” Farewell brother, he said and shot the king thrice- on the head, chest and stomach, pushing out his intestines to form a rope and horrible design on the floor.
” Noooooooooo”, she shouted in great pain.
She dragged herself from their grip and ran to her father who was dead already.
” Father, father, don’t leave me alone”, she pleaded as tears flowed freely Down her face.
” Take them away and lock them in a room”, he said, irritated by the display of emotions.
“We’d take care of his daughter, tomorrow evening”,he announced as he sat on the throne.
He turned to Aremu who had been watching all the while.
” Announce to everyone, that I am the New king”, he ordered with Elegance.
The news of the dethronement and killing of king gboyega, spread like dust, throughout the whole village and it’s environ.
Fisayo was the New king.
“Announce to everyone, that I’d be coronated on the fourth day of the new month”, he commanded to all the chiefs, who pledged allegiance to him.
Remilekun, was sad and angry at her Father’s death.
She wept till tears refused to flow again.
She vowed in her heart to take revenge on her Father’s killer one day.
” But if am to take revenge for my father, I have to find a way of escaping from Fisayo’s clutch.
She thought deeply and remembered there was a toilet by the palace wall, which had a little hole leading outside the palace.
She went there under the guise of easing herself and began to enlarge the hole using a stone, she saw resting by the wall.
She continued hammering on it noiselessly, till it was wide enough for her to escape, then she came out and was taken back to the room she was kept in.
As soon as the door was locked from the outside, she ran to Meet laide who was sitting by the wall, lost in thought.
” Laide, laide”, she called out.
She looked up at Remilekun and Drew her to sit beside her.
” Laide, I have a plan for us to escape”, she whispered joyfully.
” Really?
” Yes, we’ll leave in the next one hour”, she announced grinning from head to toe.
” I can’t go with you, princess.
” But why?.
” When you leave, there would be no one to watch over the village. Let me stay here so that when you return, you’ll have someone to assist you in the palace.
” But laide”, she protested.
” It’s ok, Remilekun, let me stay here”, she said and hugged Remilekun, who was already teary.
She waited for some time, before knocking on the door.
” What do you want”, the guard appointed to their room asked.
” I want to ease myself”, she replied pouting her lips.
” Again?
” Yes”
” Alright you can go”, he said.
She hurried as fast as she could, but was careful so as not to arouse the suspicions of the guards.
She quickly entered the toilet and was out of the palace within a minute.
She began to run fast, in a bid to reach lagelu, before the guards noticed she had escaped.
Back in the palace, the guards who saw her enter the toilet, waited endlessly for her to come out.
” What is this girl, doing in the toilet, since morning”, one of them asked.
” I don’t know ooo, maybe we should go and check”, another suggested.
” What the hell is this”, he shouted as he entered the toilet.
He didn’t see any trace of her and was about to confirm if she went outside when they weren’t looking, when he saw the hole by the wall.
” She escaped”, he shouted to the other guards
” Quick, report to the king, that Remilekun has escaped.
” What??, Fisayo shouted when he was told about it.
” How did she escape?
” Through a hole In the toilet sir”.
” Quick! find her and drag her here, she wouldn’t have gone far”, he Commanded with rage.
They went and combed the whole village, but she wasn’t seen.
They came back after searching for four hours.
” We didn’t See her sir”, they reported.
” You bunch of good for nothing fools”
” Who was with her in her room before she escaped? he asked as a thought came to him.
” Laide, her servant, sir”.
” Good. Bring her to me”, he ordered.
They moved to the room where laide was and brought her before the king.
” Where is Remilekun ?, He asked In anger.
” I don’t know sir”, she lied.
” Really? No problem, you’ll be hanged in her stead.
” Kabiyesi, please don’t kill me, I don’t know where Remilekun is”, she pleaded as she was dragged back to the room.
Three hours later, she was hanged in the village square as a replacement for Remilekun.
It was the beginning of hard times for everyone in Idikan.
Chapter 5
Renewed hope
Remilekun had spent two days wandering around lagelu, without a place to go.
She had exhausted the little she had on her, and was about to give up, when she remembered her maternal grandparents resided there in lagelu.
She was so happy for that little discovery.
She had visited them times without number but, it didn’t occur to her to run to them.
She quickened her pace and in some minutes, she got to the palace.
Her grandmother was sitting outside, shelling some melon seed when she saw her.
” Grandma, she screamed and ran towards her.
” Oh, my Remi, you’re alive”, she said breathing an air of satisfaction.
” Adigun, Adigun”, she called out to her husband who was talking with some men inside.
” What is it”, he asked as he came out, but was cut short, as he saw Remilekun.
He streched his hands outward, inviting Remilekun, for a hug, which she gladly accepted.
” We were so worried about you”.
“we heard what happened and sent some men to search for you but there was no trace of you”, he explained.
“Yes grandpa, she said as she began to recount her story from how her father was killed by his brother to how she escaped from his clutches.
She was taken into the palace after telling her tale and was bathed, dressed and fed properly.
She was showered all the love and attention she needed, so she wouldn’t miss her father much.
She began to recover from the shock of the recent mishaps and started playing with others.
She made some friends, who she was always seen with. They’d play, fight and then make up again.
On this fateful day, she went with her friends to pluck some mangoes from the bush near the palace.
They hadn’t gone far, when the body of a man was found dead in the bush.
They were shocked to the marrow, and ran back to the palace, without glancing back even once.
Her grandparents, saw her running with her friends and wondered what could have made them run with such speed.
” Remilekun, what Happened”, her grandmother questioned impatiently.
” Grandma, Grandpa, we saw a dead body in the bush”, she answered panting loudly.
” What? Which side of the forest”.
” The side close to the palace”.
They immediately abandoned what they were doing and went with some guards to check out the body.
On getting to where the body was, they got the shock of their lives.
The dead man was Adeyemi, their only son who was to ascend the throne in few days time.
He had been killed by a lion which had been ravaging the village and had claimed the lives of eight person, Adeyemi included.
” No,No, Adeyemi you can’t leave me alone”, his mother cried holding him in her hand.
They carried what remained of him back to the village for proper burial.
It was surprising at how he died within three hours of leaving the palace, to cut some herbs which he planned to drink after preparation.
He was buried some hours later admist tears.
For the next two weeks, the village continued to mourn the death of adeyemi, most especially his parents.
They could be talking and suddenly burst into tears.
Their only daughter had died ten years back and now their son. It was so painful.
Some weeks after the death of Adeyemi, two more people were killed by the lion.
The whole village was once again thrown in turmoil.
It was at that moment, they decided to kill the lion and stop the havoc it was causing.
The next day over 50 able men went into the forest in company of a priest who would call out the lion using incantations.
“Grandpa, can I follow you?, Remilekun asked as he was preparing for the manhunt.
” No, Remilekun, it’s too dangerous”, he said shaking his head.
But she didn’t listen, she followed them from afar and stood a great distance away from where they stopped to call out the lion.
The priest began to chant various incantions in a bid to draw out the lion from it’s hiding place.
He continued for minutes and stopped when he heard the lion’s roar.
They turned to the direction, where the roar was heard, and was suprised and worried at seeing the lion pursuing Remilekun.
The men quickly rushed upon it, throwing Spears on it till it died.
She was very Lucky that the lion didn’t get to her, before the men attacked it.
” But I told you not to follow me remi”,her grandfather reprimanded her drawing her ears widely.
” I am sorry”, she apologized.
They carried the lion which was heavier than two men combined, to the village to do justice to it.
The villagers were awed by the size of the lion, as it was carried into the village, and at the same time, they began to dance.
It was a dance of happiness. Happiness at finally killing the animal who killed their loved ones.
The animal was later skinned, and roasted on an open fire, then shared to everyone in the village.
They danced, sang and made Merry.
This was short-lived as a man was seen running towards the palace shouting:”soldiers from Idikan are coming towards Lagelu.
But it was too late.
The soldiers entered the village and started shooting at the villagers.
There was chaos everything, as they scrambled for shelter.
Killing various people, including Remilekun’s grandparents, who didn’t have the strength and agility to run.
” Find her”, a voice shouted from behind to the soldiers.
Remilekun heard that and began to run without looking back, already knowing she was the one they were looking for.
” Look, she’s running that way”, a soldier shouted.
And immediately they started out in her direction giving her a hot pursuit into the forest.
She continued running till she got to the main road leading to Abeokuta.
She was tired and exhausted, but was fortunate to see a lorry, pass at that time.
” Abeokuta”, she called out to the driver who was driving at an high speed.
It looked to her like the driver wouldn’t wait, but she was relieved when the lorry stopped to carry her.
She jumped into the lorry without wasting a second, and was just in time, as the soldiers pursuing her, bursted unto the road.
” Chaii!!”, They exclaimed,as they spotted her in the lorry.
” Damn it”, they cursed.
They had no choice, but to return to idikan.
” What??, Fisayo shouted at the guards after telling him what happened.
” You are set of idiots”.
” The whole of you couldn’t capture a young girl”, he ranted in great anger.
Chapter 6
The escape
The lorry arrived abeokuta, some hours later.
She was happy.
Happy to be far away from the reach of Fisayo.
She got Down from the lorry unto the busy road, not knowing where to go.
Neither did she have money nor any Idea of what to do next.
She just continued walking till night came.
As she continued walking,street to street, she saw various edibles which enticed her.
She was tempted to steal some of those bread displayed in front in her, but remembered the warning her father gave her:
” Remi, he had said to her on that day, do not steal, no matter what happens to you.
She became exhausted and found a place to sleep for the night, under a pedestrian bridge.
She began to cry as she thought of her predicament.
” I, who had enough to eat, has nothing to eat now”.
” I, who slept in a well decorated room, has been reduced to sleeping under a bridge, all because of uncle Fisayo”, she lamented with hatred in her voice.
She slept off earlier than planned as a result of hunger.
Though she didn’t have a good sleep as a result of the countless mosquitoes, which found solace in her, and found her ears a good place to perform their musical opera.
She was woken up by the blaring of a huge truck, which was plying the road.
” Grandma, what is that?, She asked thinking she was in lagelu, only to realize she was under a bridge.
No sooner had she woken up, than her stomach began to grumble in protest of the injustice served to it.
At this point she was left with only two options- stealing or starving to death and she wouldn’t want the latter.
She stood up from her resting place and proceeded to a shop determined to steal and then face the music later.
She made to dip her hand into a pack of bread outside the shop, when she saw an advert for sales girl.
She moved closer to the advert and saw she was even going to be paid daily.
” Ahh, this is wonderful”, she exclaimed and hurried into the shop before another would apply before her.
As she entered the shop, she met a woman who was heavily built, talking to a girl who was a little older than her.
” Chinemerem, wetin do you?”
” Why you never go deliver the goods”, the woman asked angrily.
” I for-for-for-got”, the girl replied stammering.
” Good morning ma, she greeted as the woman turned to her direction.
“Yes, what do you want to buy?”
” I am not buying anything ma. I saw your vacancy for sales girl and I decided to apply.
” You?, Sales girl?, The woman said sarcastically.
” Yes ma, I can do anything you want me to do.
” Really?”
” Yes ma’am.
” Alright, I’ll employ you”, she said as she went inside to get her bag.
” Chinemerem, would put you through on how we run here”, she said as she left the shop.
Chinemerem was happy at finally getting someone she’d shove at her duties at.
” What’s your name?, She asked mischievously.
” I am Remilekun”.
“Alright, Remilekun, now in this place, we supply bread to people and at the end of the day, you receive your wage for the work you do, am I clear”.
“Yes ma’am”, she replied.
” Good, presently we have fifteen deliveries to make, this morning”, Chinemerem said feeling bossy
” Take, this is the address of the places you are to deliver to”, she handed over a book to her.
” Those are the breads to be delivered” she said pointing to a big basket by the wall.
“Now go”, she ordered.
Remilekun in haste carried the bread and went out to start her delivery.
She was familiar with some of the roads making it easy for her, while those she wasn’t familiar with, she asked for direction.
By 10am, she had delivered nearly all the bread having just one delivery to make in coker street.
On getting to the place where she was to deliver the bread, she found out it was a big restaurant.
” Wow, she exclaimed in suprise.
She entered the restaurant,made her delivery and was about coming out when she was called back by the manager.
” What’s your name?, He asked, and why are you the one delivering today.
” My name is Remilekun”, she replied in a graceful manner. I am a new employee at our place.
” Oooo. But you look young. You are meant to be schooling,not working.
” Yes sir, I know but…”, She couldn’t continue as she began to cry.
” Don’t cry”, he said trying to pacify her. He dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out a thousand note and handed it over to her.
” One thousand”, she shouted in amusement.
” Thank you sir”, she said kneeling down in appreciation.
” No need, stand up.
She stood up,thanked him again and went her way.
*****
She arrived the shop an hour later, and met Chinemerem, chatting with a man who handed her some amount of money and left hurriedly.
” Good afternoon aunty Chinemerem”, she greeted as she dropped the big basket on the floor.
” Have you delivered it”, Chinemerem asked.
” Yes, I delivered everything”, she answered and handed over the money for what she sold to her.
Just as she sat down to eat another sets of orders came in.
” Oya, go and deliver it.
” Now?, She questioned.
” Yes, now. Any problem?.
” No ma, she replied, packed the bread which Chinemerem had arranged in a corner into the basket and stepped out to deliver them.
The sun had risen in all it’s glory and was beating down on every thing within it’s proximity.
” I’m tired”, she murmured to herself as she continued in the sun, wanting to make the delivery on time.
She got to the address where she was to deliver the bread to and was suprised.
She had expected to deliver it to a house, restaurant or shop, but this was different.
She saw various men drinking and smoking and was about to leave when a voice called out to her.
” Hey you, you no wan deliver the bread.
” I am sorry, I didn’t know this was where i was to deliver the bread”, she apologized and told a lie to cover her.
She dropped the bread, collected the money and hurried away as fast as her legs could go.
Fifteen minutes later, she arrived the shop, which was a great feat for even the fastest walker, considering the distance.
She handed over the money from the sales, and without wasting a second, stepped out to get some food, bofore she dies of starvation.
Just some minutes to closing time, the owner of the shop, Mrs opara walked in.
” Good evening ma, they both greeted.
” Good evening Remilekun”, she answered, ignoring Chinemerem’s greeting.
She turned her head sharply in Chichi’s direction.
” How many bread did you sell?
” I sold 100, while Remilekun sold 60″, she lied.
” Wow, that’s good”, she said in praise of Remi.
She handed over their wages to them and gave remi extra for performing well.
” Haaa, this girl can lie”, she muttered under her breath.
She decided she wasn’t going to let anyone take her praise.
” Ma, I was the one who sold everything”, she spoke up.
” Really?
” Yes ma’am, she answered bowing her head.
” So chichi, you were here since morning, not doing anything and now you want to take her money away from her”, she collected the money from her and handed it over to Remi.
Chinemerem was so angry, and vowed to deal with her.
Chapter 7
Risen hope
They closed the shop and both went their separate ways- Chinemerem to her house, Remilekun to no where.
She just continued till she saw a place conducive enough to sleep: under a counter.
She could sleep soundly now even with the disturbance of mosquitoes, because she had rest of mind, even though all was far from well.
She now had a job and even some money to buy food.
She dreamt that night and in that dream, she saw her uncle Fisayo calling her name, and laughing viciously.
She woke up sweating all over, even though she was outside, where the breeze blew in abundance.
Just as she woke up, she began to hear gunshots.
” Where am I going to run to now?, she asked herself.
She wanted to run away from there, but a small whispering voice said to her; sit down here, and don’t move.
Just at that moment, the robbers passed by her side.
She was already scared, thinking they were going to catch her, but fortunately they passed by her without looking at her direction.
She breathed loudly, thankful that she wasn’t seen.
The crowing of cock could be heard signifying the dawn of a new day.
She stood up, went to a public bathroom and had a refreshing bath.
She had finished bathing and decided to take a walk around the city before heading to work.
She crossed the first lane of the road and was about to cross the second when she was almost hit by a car approaching with speed.
The driver was raged.
She came down of her car to spank the senselessness out of Remilekun, but was electrified.
” Remilekun, what are you doing here?, the voice called out.
She looked up and saw the principal of her school, standing before her.
” Good morning ma”, she greeted.
” What are you doing here?, she asked again.
” It’s a long story ma.
” Really?
” Yes ma’am”
” Then you can tell me the long story as we drive to the school.
She entered the car and they drove off.
” I am sorry to hear that”, the principal said with pity after hearing her story, I’d discuss with the school management and see what I’d do about it.
Half an hour later, they got to the school.
She was assigned to an hostel temporarily, pending the time, the board would decide what to do.
The thought of returning to school gladdened her heart and made her dance in a way she never did.
She took a walk around and met bisola, a friend of hers.
” Hey, Bisola, she called out, moving towards Bisola’s direction.
She looked back, wondering who could have shouted her name so early in the morning.
” Remi!!, she exclaimed, ran to her and hugged her tightly.
” I missed you Bisola”
” I also missed you. Why didn’t you return to school?”
” It’s a long story dear. I’ll tell you later, but for now, I want you to gist me”,she said as they walked into the hostel.
The board had met and had come to a conclusion after deliberating for over an hour.
She was sent for by the principal who was to announce the decision of the board to her.
She was scared as she walked to the principal’s office.
All manner of thought ran through her at that moment:
” Will I be sent away?, “Will I be allowed to stay?
She made her mind to accept whatever decision was made.
” If I am allowed, fine. If I am not allowed fine”.
” Come inside, Remi, the principal invited as she knocked on the door, even when it was open.
She walked sheepishly towards a chair, waiting impatiently to hear the board’s decision.
The principal guessed what was running through her mind just by looking at her.
She gave a bright smile and broke the news to her: ” the school has granted you scholarship for the rest of your secondary education here in Saint John
She jumped up in amazement and moved to hug the principal, but stopped halfway.
“Come on, hug me”, the principal invited and without second thought, she embraced her, feeling fufilled, as her dreams were gradually becoming reality.
The next morning, she woke up early, bathed and wore the new uniform given to her the previous day.
She was overwhelmed with happiness and decided to make good use of the opportunity given to her.
As she stepped into the class, she didn’t meet anyone in it.
She was astonished and was about leaving thinking she was in the wrong class, when her classmates Came out of the hiding place and gave a big shout to welcome her back.
This attracted the attention of Mr Johnson the dreaded maths teacher.
” What is the.., he said but was unable to complete it.
” You’re back, Remilekun?, He asked happy at having his best student again.
The news of her return, spread round the school like wildfire, among both Teachers and students.
But there were some people who weren’t happy to see her- The likes of Jennifer and co.
Jennifer was the beauty queen of the school before Remilekun joined the school.
She was referred to as queen bee, and she made sure she lived up to the name given to her…
She lost her position, with the arrival of Remilekun who was an hundred times, prettier than her.
” What’s so special about her”, she had asked when her friends started to talk about Remilekun.
She was so happy when she didn’t show up after resumption, but her happiness is about to be cut short with the reemergence of Remi.
” The witch is back, she said with fury after hearing the news.
She stood up in anger and was about to make mockery of Remilekun, when out of the blues, the English teacher brisked in.
She made to sit down but it was too late as she was seen by Mrs Gbadejo who was the second most dreaded teacher. She doesn’t flog nor asks you to kneel or stool down. She does worse than that.
There was an incident, where a senior student had been caught cheating in the exams.
The senior saw hell that day.
Mrs Gbadejo only made a sentence: write the history of this school a thousand times and it was to be submitted the next day.
Writing the history of the school on a normal day takes twenty minutes and now he was to write it one thousand times.
He had no choice than to write it or stand failing his English exams.
Jennifer knew she was doomed fromthe moment Mrs gbadejo called her out to act the exact scene she was acting before she came in, thirty times.
” Thirty times!!, she cried.
” Yes, thirty times or skip my class.
She had no choice but to opt for the former as the latter was no go area.
She could decide at anytime to give a test and once you miss it, you miss one tenth of an hundred mark.
She began to talk just the way she was doing before Mrs gbadejo came in, making everyone laugh loudly
” Sit down”, the teacher said after she had completed the punishment. Now to today’s work, we would be talking about conjunctions. Repeat after me”.
” Conjunctions”.
” Good. Can anyone tell me what conjunction means?
The whole class was silent. She made to continue when she saw an hand raised up.
” Yes, Remi, tell us.
” A conjunction is a word used to join two or more words together.
” A round of applause for her”.
The whole class clapped their hands together for her as she sat down…
Mrs Gbadejo later went on to explain the meaning, types and examples of conjunctions to the class and afterwards left the class when the bell rang.
Chapter 8
Victory
After classes, she collected the notes of Bisola her friend, so she can copy them in the hostel.
Just as she was about to leave the class with Bisola, the Queen bee walked up to her.
” Remi, the village girl, she insulted, poking her tongue out.
Bisola was angry and wanted to land Jennifer a resounding slap which would make her see stars, but was stopped by Remi.
” Leave her alone, we don’t need to fight with a nuisance”.
Jennifer became angry and in retaliation called Remi a witch, who killed her father and mother.
The statement stung her deeply, touching the recess of her soul and forced out tears.
” No, Remi, you mustn’t cry”, she calmed herself down.
Bisola let’s go”.
She got to the hostel and burst into tears.
“Jennifer called me a witch. She said I killed my parents”,she said crying profusely.
” Don’t mind her Remi, she’s just jealous”, Bisola comforted.
She made up her mind to work harder and make her parents and grandparents happy.
Two weeks later, the exams commenced.
Remilekun was so happy.she had read, read and read, so when the exams came, she was overprepared for it.
The results came out a week later and to everyone’s amazement, she came first.
” Congratulations dear, the principal wished her as she was handed the results.
She was excited at her achievement, but suddenly became sad.
” What happened?, the principal asked, noticing her change of mood.
” Nothing ma, she lied, but the principal was not to be deceived
.
She had through her instinct, realized what happened.
” Remi, I know you are sad, because you don’t have where to go, am I right?”
She nodded her head in agreement.
” Don’t worry dear, you’d live with me”, she said smiling.
” Really?, Remi shouted in disbelief.
” Yes, my dear.
She went out of the office to her hostel to pack the little load she had In preparation for the holiday.
They drove from the school to Bawage, where the principal lived. She was dumbfounded, seeing the huge house the principal lived in.
She had thought that school principals were always poor so she had expected a small house.
She carried her bag, and was led into the house.
She looked around the house confounded at the beauty of it.
” This house is more beautiful than the palace in idikan”, she thought.
She was interrupted by the presence of a man, who she immediately guessed was the principal’s husband.
She knelt down, ” good afternoon sir”, she greeted.
” Good afternoon, you are Remilekun right?, the man asked. ” Yes sir”
” Welcome home”, he said and walked into his room.
She was accompanied to a room, by Rachelle, the principal’s daughter who was a little older than her.
” This is your room”
” My room!!, She said vociferously.
” Yes, Remi, this is your room.
Don’t worry we’d paint it to any color you want tomorrow.
” Really”.
” Yes.
She walked around the room, staring at the teddies on the bed and the beautiful color pink it was painted with.
She marvelled.
She was shown around the remaining part of the house- The pool, the garden, the dogs which barked viciously at her, as she came close to them.
” They won’t bite you, Rachelle urged her on.
” Thank you she said, shifting far away from the dogs.
” Food is ready”, Mrs Maxwell called out from the door to the children outside.
They walked into the house hands in hands, and went straight to the kitchen, to assist with the serving.
*********
Six years later
Remilekun had just finished her senior school certificate exams and was anxiously awaiting the results. She was restless.
” Calm down Remilekun”, Mrs Maxwell, whom she had grown to call her mother said.
” I cannot calm down mum. What if I don’t pass?”
“Keep quiet, Remi, she cautioned her. Why won’t you pass?, You prepared so hard and now you are doubting yourself”.
” Yes, Remi, mummy Is right”, Rachelle who was in her second year in the university chipped in.
A week later, the results were released.
She became so tensed and worried more about what the results would be.
She became extremely cheerful and exultant, at seeing her good performance.
She dashed straight to the office to show mrs Maxwell.
” I had seen the results two days back but I decided not to narrate it to you. I wanted you to see for yourself.
Congratulations dear”, she said, and hugged her daughter from another woman.
They drove to the house, an hour later when school closed to show everyone.
” Congratulations dear, her adoptive father and sister wished her heartily.
” This calls for celebration”, he said. Let’s all go to an eatery for celebration.
” Yepee”, shouted Rachelle exultingly.
They entered one of their cars and drove to a restaurant to celebrate Remilekun’s success.
She wrote jamb the next year and was admitted to study law in Babcock university.
While in the university, she Excelled beyond measure and led the school to the international scene.
She won over ten awards for the school from various local and international competitions.
Half a decade later, she graduated from Babcock as the best graduating student of the year.
She was posted to Oyo state for her service where she met a lot of people from different cultural background, before she went to law school In Lagos.
She came back home a year later with an honour as the best graduating student.
She got so many jobs opportunity, but she opted for the one which would give her opportunity to fulfill her mission.
Chapter 9
Revenge
The entire village of Idikan suffered greatly as a result of Fisayo’s Ascension to the throne over 12 years back.
He had made them pay triple of what they paid as tax during the former king’s reign.
And none of them could say a word of complaint against him.
Gbenga a friend of the former king was hanged when he spoke against the former king.
They continued in mysery and endured the Tyrannic behavior of Fisayo hoping for a savior.
Remilekun had decided to open a law firm in Idikan to make it easier for her to execute her plans.
She met with Aremu who didn’t recognize her and bought all the land holdings of the king from him, as he was the only one the king trusted with the documents.
She had called a high price that he was unable to reject.
Fisayo found out later that Aremu had sold all his property and ran away with the money.
He was devastated and nearly had a stroke.
She laughed out loud as she was told the news from a spy she had planted in the palace.
The next day, he called a meeting of the council which he rarely did.
” Kabiyesi ooo, the chiefs hailed as he entered the court wearied.
” Chiefs, I am sure you have all heard of the crime committed by Aremu.
They nodded in agreement.
” Does anyone know who he sold them to?, he asked.
” Yes sir, I know”, the Otun said eagerly to gain his favor.
” He sold it to Rems law firm which just opened in Idikan”.
” ooo, he exclaimed. The meeting is over”, he announced and went into his Chambers.
He stood up and went with about twenty men to his former land where labourers were already clearing.
He became infuriated and ordered the arrest of all the labourers working there.
Remilekun became angry, when she heard what he did.
She stormed the palace the next morning with some guards.
” Where is Fisayo?, she shouted as she entered the court, where he was with his chiefs.
” Who are you, he roared loudly at the intruder.
” You want to Know who I am, she laughed sarcastically.
” Yes, he shouted.
She took a chair and balanced on it.
” I am a daughter of this land, whose father was gruesomely killed in cold blood.
” Stop speaking in riddles and tell me who you are”, he commanded.
” I am the owner of Rems law firm and the daughter of your elder brother who you killed in cold blood.
” Ehhhhhh”, they all shouted in shock.
” So you are alive”.
” Yes, I am alive and well”.
” Well, get ready to meet your parents”, he said as he brought out a gun from his clothes and shot her twice.
She laughed loudly, ” Do you think I’d come to your place unprepared?, I wore a bulletproof underneath, she said brought out a gun and shot him thrice, in the same way he shot her father.
He fell down to the floor and died instantly.
The whole village erupted in happiness.
The tyrant is dead they sang as they carried Remilekun, on their shoulders.
” Come and rule over us”, they requested.
” No, she refused vehemently.
They later choose a new king from the next ruling house.
Epilogue
Remi returned to Abeokuta after setting up her law firm.
She further went on to open three branches- one in Lagos, Abeokuta and Abuja.
One year later she got married to Enoch, whom she met at the law week of NBA.
Her adoptive family were so happy for her, most especially Rachelle, to is in the states with her husband.
” The violence of men, bounces back on them”, she said holding her Enoch’s hand tightly.