In the morning 1

Ayonadu had gone to the witch doctor to inquire on how to stop the ibitein from marrying the strange man. He had gone before the cock crowed, just as he planned.

Alfred on the other hand have sent an impromptu letters to all his family members to inform them about his daughter's marriage that would take place that evening and he had called for an urgent meeting.

Walking deep in the forest until he arrived at his destination. He knocked on the old rusted gate once and pushed it until it opened. He came upon a old looking cracked door and he knocked once and the door fled open.

Welcome to my humble home Ayonadu the voice said. It was indeed a humble home because with anymore push the house will humbly go down..

Ayonadu stood there for a second and then entered inside to meet the unknown man. In his life if they told he would come here to meet a witch doctor he wouldn't believe but he was here all because of ibitein. But how did this man know his name he thought as he continued to walk inside. The strange house looked better inside compared to the outside.

Ayonadu walked until he came upon a large old broken mirror where his reflection was in a thousand pieces.. just then he saw the witch doctor behind his reflection which made him almost jumped out of his clothes.

"You startled me, the witch doctor said"

Uh? What? Yo- you were the one who

startled me, Ayonadu said looking at him questionably.

Now did I? the witch doctor asked as if oblivious.

Obviously, Ayonadu replied furrowing his eyebrow.

Hmm... accept my apologies, he teased

come sit! you must be tired, he raised his hands for Ayonadu to sit, but Ayonadu gave him a skeptical look. He was confused seeing him hesitate so he gave an evil grin that sent a knowing message to Ayonadu.

"Don't worry I won't bite" the witch doctor said.

Yes that's exactly what witches say before they make a meal from you, he thought. However, though he was a bit scared but he still sat down and the witch doctor followed.

How did you know my name, Ayonadu asked and the witcher grinned.

I've known you for centuries. I have been waiting for you for a long time and you finally came..

What do you mean? Ayonadu chuckled.

"Reincarnation" the witch doctor answered

"Reincarnation?" Ayonadu scoffed. Sadly i don't believe in that..

You were a good friend of mine, the witch doctor said.

This is absurd, Ayonadu responded with a smile playing on his lips. He cleared his throat. You seem to be in need of a friend since you're alone here.

You brat-- the witch doctor warned with a gesture. You spoilt my fun time.

I didn't asked for a fun time--

It's Heba, the witch doctor said.

I'm here for something more important. Ayonadu paused seeing the unconcerned look on the witch doctor's face. Are you sure you're him or not his sidekick? Ayonadu asked.

Heba sighed in disappointment and said, just because i haven't shaved in 645 days makes me different from myself?

That's a question to question, Ayonadu pointed.

So..? Heba responded in a seemly unconcerned look.

Ayonadu sighed in frustration.

Power comes with rudeness but i will let that slide since you're a good looking man, Heba chuckled.

Uh?

Pay before service, he stretched out his arm. Otherwise the next you will come, you might mistake me for something more terrible.

Ayonadu has never been confused in his entire as he was now. He placed his hand in his pocket and drew out a small bag filled with gold coin.

Here keep the remaining, he said.

Of course, it jingle just fine, Heba gave a glittering smile.

So..? Ayonadu questioned

Young people and impatient, he scoffed. I guess that is what got you in the situation.

Uh?

The thing is, in this life she will pay for her sins. And after she has fully reconciled with her past only then she can live a peaceful life, Heba said with a smile playing on his lips.

What? I've never been so confused in my entire life, Ayonadu blurted. I'm totally confused.

Heba sighed. I thought you were smart judging from the way you look.

Looks are deceiving, he exhaled.

Ibitein doesn't know that, does she? Heba chuckled.

How do you know her name? Ayonadu said in surprise.

The woman you want to help? He chuckled

Y- yes.. but still i--

And what am i?

A witch doctor?

Are you asking me what i am? Or you're telling me?

There are so many questions, Ayonadu replied. He sighed and exhaled. What do you mean by " reconciling with her past"

When you hurt someone, you ask for forgiveness and free yourself from the bondage. Only a few people sincerely apologize and forgive. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting.

What does it mean then

You're so dumb! Heba sighed.

And you're the smart one, Ayonadu responded.

And rude, Heba added. He exhaled. Just let nature take it course.

What have you said with 50 gold coin?Ayonadu snapped.

A 100 would do the trick, Heba grinned.

Please tell me, i don't have all the time, Ayonadu begged.

Fine! In a simple word. Ibitein is paying for what ahe had done in the past so let's say her nemesis is hurting her.

So her nemesis is the strange man? The ghost?

Isn't obvious?

But Ibitein is pure of heart, Ayonadu point.

Even after rejecting you?

Are you a stalker or what?

Too many questions! Heba shook his head.

So what should i do? I-- i should stop her from marrying him but she wouldn't listen to me, he sighed

What can you do to fate?

There must be something, i mean anything.. Ayonadu pondered. The-- how do you even know all this?

I am a witch doctor Mr Ayonadu. How many times do i have to remind you!? He sighed in disappointment.

What do you mean, i-- I'm confused. You just revealed to me about my friend's nemesis and y-- No one should ever speak with you! he said in frustration.

Heba chuckled and said, you are one hell of a man. There are so many things lurking in the dark. In this village there are so many day and night creatures.

I know the village is quite dangerous during the festivals. But i never truly believed in all the fictional stories told.. at least not until i saw that strange man disappeared in thin air. He sighed. I had never really believed in anything. Life itself was unfair to me. Maybe, i saw wrong..

What will be will be, fine sir, Heba said smirking.

And that was all the witch doctor said. Ayonadu honestly did not understand a thing he said, he felt like he was duped. It wasn't the 50 gold coin but the fact that the old man spoke in riddles. He sighed as he walked alone in the woods heading back home that morning.

"Reconcile with her past?" He muttered.

[At Alfred's]

You're all welcome to the family meeting Alfred greeted everyone. I summoned all of you to announce my daughter ibitein sudden marriage proposal, he paused and then looked at his wife and continued, this evening. And as he said "this evening" ibitein's Aunty from her father's side, Agatha shouted,

What! this cannot be.. after how many years of waiting for her to find a suitor, i will not accept this.. she said furrowing her brow. Agatha was a hot headed woman, a very stubborn and beautiful woman "people say she was a man in a woman's body", she was really tall and huge.. she was as tall as her brothers.

Agatha calm down it's nothing to shout for.. Christopher said to pacify, but she was taking none of it.

It is.. and I will not accept that proposal she signed heavily, we cannot give our daughter out to a man that cannot wait for her family to prepare first and get to meet him and then decide..

Agatha! Alfred called and she narrowed her eyes at him.

You're not to decide anything and it's not all about your opinion. I called this meeting for us to help in the situation not to worsen it.. besides ibitein is fine with the proposal. All you have to do is be available to give her away.