Nike stared at her and dramatically burst into tears, talking about how she was going to have a hard time if her husband should lose his job.
Ife felt disgust and tried to rise above it. She explained in a calmer voice that the lady should just learn to be less loud. Ife pointed out to Nike that everybody had learned about the contract, and she was sure that the First Lady would have heard stories that would have indicated the indiscretions of Nike.
Nike apologized again and said she suspected some witches were determined to give her a hard time. Ife sighed wondering how such a nitwit as Nike ever came to be close to public officers or be married to one. Ife spent the best part of an hour calming Nike down and assuring her that she was not in any way offended. She promised to put in a word for her if the First Lady should ever bring up the subject but she knew in her heart that the First Lady was too refined to discuss such an asinine topic.
When Nike finally left, Ife was touched that the First Lady had appeared to have defended her. She was puzzled though, wondering what the First Lady must have heard from other sources. It was never said out loud or specifically, but the ladies who attended her meetings knew better than to associate with Dolapo Peters.
Ife remembered that Tiwa had explained to her that Dolapo had made every attempt to restrict the First Lady to Lagos when her husband became Governor. Tiwa said it was the alert that the Governor’s younger sister sent to the First Lady that had nipped Dolapo’s plans in the bud.
According to the story of Tiwa, Dolapo had presented herself to the First Lady as an eager fan and near sister of the Governor using the friendship of the Governor’s sister as cover. However when the First Lady became uncomfortable about the closeness of the pair, she had questioned her sister-in-law. That was when she had learned about the affair.
The First Lady wasn’t known for being a talkative person but she had quietly created a distance between the two and closed State House doors to Dolapo.
The action of the First Lady to refuse Dolapo free reign of the State House created an unspoken declaration of hostilities. Dolapo would never attend any function of the First Lady and Dolapo’s name was almost never mentioned within the hearing of the First Lady. It amused the men who knew what was going on. It angered Dolapo who could not carry out her dream of ruling the roost that never was hers in the first place, and those who worked in the governance watched the distasteful activity from different views. Ife simply decided she had no business taking a stance on any of the issues so she simply acted as if she did not know of any of it.
One day, as she was leaving the private office of the First Lady, she noticed the flurried activity of the security details and stepped aside as the Governor came into view. She thought she had escaped his notice, but he came directly to where she was practically hiding and said hello.
Ife was at pains not knowing what she was expected to do with her hands. He inclined his head as he smiled and greeted her as Olori, and asked after her husband and gave her a kindly look. Ife was flustered and only stammered a reply as he moved off.
Ife returned to her office and remembered that the Lion had said the Governor was hard working. She also had learnt something touching within the proximity of the First Lady. That ultra slim woman loved her husband with a deep passion and devotion that made her angry with the Governor and despised Dolapo for flaunting her sexuality at the poor man.
One morning after she had attended to the First Lady’s mother, one of the domestic staff had come in quietly to request that the First Lady required her presence at the pink room. That was the room closest to their private quarters and it indicated the level of trust the First Lady had for Ife to ask her to come to that room, as she knew that the woman received all her visitors in the blue room or the brown room if it was just official.
The First Lady was already seated and looked very domesticated this morning. She complained she had a cold and wanted to see if Ife would recommend anything to aid her getting over it. Ife smiled as she said good morning to the woman and suggested the First Lady could simply stay in bed for the day. However the First Lady said she could not afford that luxury as she was going to visit a lady in a town not far from her village because the lady’s pottery had attracted attention at the Abuja exhibition of pottery products.
“I want to talk to Stella of the Bank of Industry to see what help we can give her you know, she is one of our own. Our pots are different from the Ladi kwali pots of Abuja and if she is given support I think she can give that Ladi kwali people a run for their money.”
Ife laughed and thanked her for thinking of such a venture for the pottery woman, saying she had heard of such a venture and the news of that recognition was indeed gratifying for all women.
“You hardly talk much about yourself, I know your town is famous for such things, pots and beading objects, right?” the First Lady said.
“Yes, Ma’am, I generally buy my flowerpots from my women and maybe I might showcase their works at the next exhibition.”
“Please let me know when you are ready and if you will need my assistance. I know I may have to force my assistance literally down your throat, because if it was up to you, you would not ask it of me.”
“Er…” Ife was stumped wondering what to say, but the First Lady smiled and said she knew of Ife’s reticence. She said she couldn’t blame Ife since everybody around them were always on the make trying to get money out of them.
“It is the nature of our politics, my friend. I always think if we had given that parliamentary system a good trial, we would have better Nigerians today. We all see politics as an opportunity to milk the next unfortunate person dry. Service is not about doing what is right but about seeing how much money we can stash away from the system. One day there will be a revolution, when the power of money loses its allure and hold, and our hunger for decency arises, then all of us that have taken part in the rape of this country will answer to the laws. My husband has strenuously refused to give me a penny for the pet project, insisting that he had no intention inviting the enquiries of the EFCC to his family.”
Ife was surprised and ask herself quietly if the First Lady was aware of the grapevine story that only last week her brother-in-law had allegedly celebrated his first billion.
Ife wondered if she was just saying the standard things to pull wool over her eyes. She kept her peace and nodded. The story in town was not about the dishonesty of the Governor but the vaunting avarice of his aides and Commissioners. She knew of one who had made a quotation for cut glass wine glasses at over four thousand per piece. She had heard of the different forms of graft that went on in government circles including inflation of medical supplies to government hospitals. So who is fooling who? she asked herself.
The First Lady, as a private person, may have escaped scrutiny by the public because she had kept a closed profile and was not really a partying type. She was known to be very religious, having a pastor coming every week for the so-called ‘evangelical night’. Praying to the Lord Almighty to keep Nemesis at bay while you party with the devil is not going to stop things, Ife thought to herself.
She really had no business with working for the faceless government when she could make a difference in her own tiny corner of the universe and fulfill her function as Numen. Suddenly things became very clear. She was not made of the crusading stock of rebels determined to change the world at once, her terms of service had been made clear to her. She was to serve as woman first of all and teach her women to be women. Can’t imagine how I ever thought I can be effective here. Change is made in small steps and builds momentum as it flows like a flood carrying away all bad things. A revolution can only start from the hearth of the human soul, not from the grasp of a blind greedy society. The level of corruption in the country was such that one human being could not make the difference. Ife sensed that and felt sad to her soul. She had been close enough to know that everyone was out to make something. She had at first been puzzled when friends would salute her th
at she had made it because she was perceived as being within the corridors of power. There had been expectations that she was now going to be making more than her salary as odd friends would come to her seeking for assistance. They expected her to get money from the First Lady and would sneer that she was going to die in penury each time she insisted on playing by her own personal rules. Ife recognized that the rot was in too deep and she would soon be swallowed up in the stench. It really was time to walk away before the doctrine of everyone for himself before it blunted her gaze as well. Ife felt something clean and invigorating wash over her and realized she had been released. She gave the First Lady a radiant smile.
“I am sorry, Your Excellency, but I will be resigning my appointment from the state health services and I think I should let you know. I am expecting and would not want to come back after my maternity leave to government work but would rather wish to start something from my town for the women and children there.”
The First Lady stared at her stunned, took a deep breath and sighed. It was obvious that she was shocked and had not quite expected that announcement. A full minute went by then she stretched her hand across the breakfast table and held that of Ife. Ife saw tears in her eyes and was moved.
“When am I losing you?”
“You are not losing me, Ma’am, but I wanted to tell you first before submitting my letter tomorrow to the Health Management Board .”
“You will serve the mandatory three months or are you close to term?” the First Lady asked.
“I am still in my first trimester, Ma’am, but will leave as I finish hopefully my second trimester, the traveling back and forth is not going to be easy, so Kabiyesi has requested I should stay back, and I agreed.”
“Of course, my friend, I am sure you know this is a shock and a pleasant surprise for me. Phew! Still wondering what has hit me.” She laughed making Ife feel better.
The First Lady said she was going to play the ostrich and refuse to think of a replacement until the very last day. She congratulated Ife and reminisced about pregnancies and matters that concerned women.
Chapter Sixteen
Tinu stared at Ife when she casually mentioned that she would be leaving the civil service in a couple of months.
“I thought you were reconciled to working for the First Lady and she seemed to like you,” Tinu observed after a short silence.
“I am okay with the First Lady, Tinu, it is just time to move on, you know; all that traveling back and forth would not be convenient after a while,” Ife tried to explain. She still hadn’t explained about being pregnant and Ife wondered at her reticence to talk about it. She just wanted to hold the knowledge to herself. I mean there is no law that states that I have to tell her about me, is there?
Tinu asked why she wanted to leave the civil service, as she could simply ask to be transferred back to another hospital if she was that desperate to be a slave to hard work. Ife laughed and said she wanted to start her own clinic in the town.
That didn’t impress Tinu who wondered how she was going to make money out of farmers’ wives. She said the women were more likely to patronize Yeye as they had done for ages or the numerous traditional birth attendants rather than attend a regular clinic by a doctor who was sure to charge them hefty fees.
“You are so encouraging,” Ife murmured, holding her anger in check. “Made a mistake sharing this with you, didn’t I?”
Tinu became embarrassed and shifted her gaze away from Ife as she confessed that there was not much to boast of if Ife was going to spike her bragging rights that she knew people in important places.
Ife stared at her in surprise. “And here I am thinking you were happy for me as a person.”
“Well I am happy for you but the First Lady is not going to be giving those lovely materials you give us now that you are no longer in power.”
“No longer in power? Was I in power at any time? How could you think like an idiot, Tinu?”
“Well you know what I mean when I said that, being able to tell my friends that my friend is the best friend of the First Lady has given me some advantages you know. When we hold our monthly meetings, people defer to my comments because they now think I am smart.”
“Lord of Mercy, you have been peddling influence? That is very wrong, silly woman.”
“Yeah, and you have decided to resign because you don’t wish to share with anyone anymore. You used to be a generous friend but now you have become snooty.”
There was a heavy feeling within Ife as she saw how superfluous their relationship was—she felt really lonely.
Ife knew there would be no need to be angry with Tinu as her friend would never understand and there would be no point feeling disappointed either. She had a clearer understanding of the demands and expectations of friendship now. She sighed and gave Tinu a small smile. “Sorry if I am disappointing you somehow, but I never gave you the impression that I was in power or you could peddle influence and give the wrong impressions. I would never have agreed with you.”
There was silence and Tinu showed she was sorry when she grasped Ife’s knees. She told Ife that Ife ought to understand her by now. She had been pulling Ife’s legs. Of course as the Olori, she had to come and settle down at home and stop all the junketing.
Ife suddenly saw a picture of her grandmother and remembered she had not seen the new raingirl for a long time. She knit her brows in a frown and asked Tinu if she had seen Lomilayo recently.
The abrupt change of subject threw Tinu off balance as she simply gaped and it took her a few minutes to gather her thoughts. “Who are you talking about?”
Ife asked if Tinu had seen the young girl who was to lead the next virgin dance.
Tinu blinked and complained that she didn’t know anyone by that name.
Ife sighed and knew she had to find a way to get across to the girl. She had been so busy that she had forgotten her other responsibility to keep an eye on her.
Tinu gave her a thoughtful look and asked Ife if she could simply tell her to go rather than change the subject that abruptly.
Ife smiled and gave Tinu a playful tap on the head but walked away to the window, looking out. She asked Tinu how things were now with Lucas. By the quiet intake of breath she knew that there was still reason to be concerned about Lucas. Ife turned round to give Tinu a critical appraisal.
Ife invited Tinu to explain what the matter was and what was really troubling her.
Tinu looked away from her friend and spoke slowly. She explained that she really could not put her finger on what the problem was but she felt that Lucas was now afraid of being around people. She said the easygoing Lucas had become a kind of recluse who found company on the farms. Tinu was now close to tears as Ife saw fear and confusion in her eyes.
“I don’t know what to make of it, he simply seems to have lost interest in so many things. He keeps staring at our daughter and one time when he didn’t know I was watching, he tested the edge of the cutlass across his wrist. I was so scared that I called out his name, he gave me a foolish grin, and said I should not mind him.”
Ife was worried too and placed a comforting hand on Tinu’s shoulder. She assured Tinu that she would think of something. “I think his confidence in himself is badly shaken.”
Tinu swallowed and retied her headgear. “One other thing—he hates being touched. When I mistakenly brushed against him he gave a yelp and glared at me. I was never so embarrassed. He thought I was going to rape him.”
“That is serious, and he has to come to the hospital to see Manuwa.”
Tinu grew suspicious and Ife explained that Manuwa treats patients with trauma. Ife had also to explain what she meant by trauma.
“You see, we have assumed that because he is a man he would not be hurting or worried. He is just in a lonely dark world of his own and Manuwa will need to give him some counseling.”
“You think they have eaten him, don’t you?”
“Eaten him?”
“You know wha
t I am talking about. They have almost used him for ritual sacrifice. If they couldn’t use the girl, they got his semen and they will use it to make money. He will keep drying out as they make money from him, then one day he will just fade away.” Tinu burst into tears as finally her silent fear rose to the fore and Ife saw what had been happening. Compassion rose in Ife as she held her friend in a warm embrace trying as best as she could to comfort her.
It took a while but Ife promised to ask Babamogba if there was any reason to suspect such a thing, but Ife tried as much as she could to comfort her friend.
Later after Tinu had left, Ife wondered. She needed this thing about ritual sacrifices and money making out of human beings resolved for her. Can a human being be used to make money? Why was there ever a need for ritual sacrifice?
Babatunde shook his head at her in surprise when she asked him about it later that night. “Let us look at it this way, princess. We incarnate here as human seeds using the animal body we were permitted to use to experience and as we garner experiences we change the cloaks we get. Sometimes as you know and experience, some of us have evolved to such a level that we can experience worlds simultaneously either when we are awake—like you for instance—or when we sleep. I understand that Western medicine men have been able to analyze what we do and call it astral travelling while the Eastern ones already know much more than we do about conscious astral travelling. Now this is just conjecture on my part, but I have tried to make sense of some of these experiences. The power of Olodumare, the First born, is so supreme above all thoughts and the highest imagination. That is why we say he carries the truth about Justice. However, his ASHE is a gift he has given to those beings that are spiritual. They have been given the power to wield, make forms and sometimes consciously re-arrange threads by which most of us have descended into matter here. I think witches and certain categories of warped herbalists have come across the potential opportunities and prey on those who have allowed their immediate spiritual circumstance to lie fallow. I read somewhere that when an area has been cleaned out, the spirit that lives in that area has the responsibility to ensure that the area is kept clean. That is the bit I understand myself and I have shared with you.” Babatunde gave her a small smile and teased that actually he ought to be the one asking her that type of question as being female she was more likely to understand it better.
Numen! Page 14
