Chapter 5

B ack at home, Folake's mother was still in her sister's house racking her brain on how best to return to her husband's house as advised by some good friends. Shame and pride would not allow her to simply go back. However, she also did not want Folake to know about it so that she could concentrate on her studies.

On one of their visiting days, Grace decided to visit Folake at school. When she arrived, Folake's school daughter welcomed her carefully. She then went and called Folake. As Folake approached, she peered at her mother's eyes and saw her packing out of their house. She became worried. Folake ran to her, knelt down and held her hands tightly.

"Mama, how are you? How is papa? What of the lady he came back with?" she asked her rapidly and breathlessly.

Grace managed with great effort to control herself and to calm Folake's nerves. "Everybody is fine. The lady is still there. See what your father asked me to give you," she said and brought out some provisions, but Folake was rather more interested in knowing the truth about her family.

"Mama, all is not well. Don't tell me papa has driven you out of the house," she inquired and Grace almost lost control again. She, however, managed again to control herself, convincing her daughter that all was well.

"We are fine, Folake. So, how are you coping?"

"As you can see, I'm fine. I am only worried about you people," Folake replied.

"No, it should be the other way around. We should worry about you instead. Just take very good care of yourself and make us proud. Remember to be careful because of the dream you had," Grace advised.

"I am on top of the situation," Folake asured her, "Trust me."

"Okay, if you say so," Grace said, relaxing somewhat.

leliserd bas vibigs Some of Folake's friends came to greet Grace, and she gave them fruits. When it was time, they saw her to the gate and she went home.

Grace went back to her sister's house with red eyes. She wept all the way home for lying to Folake. She hardly told lies and even if she did, not to her beloved daughter.

"Mama Folake, what is the problem? Why are your eyes red like that? How is Folake?" Bimbo asked in quick succession.

"Folake is fine. It's just that she seems to know about my condition. She kept on asking me disturbing question," she replied in tears.

" Why wouldn't she know when she had seen everything in her dream? I just hope that you go back to your husband's house before the students come home on vocation," Bimbo advised.

"I hope so too but how do I go back to that house after being humiliated? My pride is at stake. And that husband snatcher, Asoh or whatever she calls herself, will laugh at me," Grace said bitterly.

"It's your house and that is where you belong. Do not forget that a similar incident happened to me, resulting in why I'm still single till date, and of course, you know what I'm passing through as a result. So, you better learn from my experience. In any case, from what you told me, the girl has not started making a nuisance of herself. You were rash in your first action and that incurred your husband's wrath and everybody is blaming you. I advise that you go home and bid time. She will make a mistake. They always do. And you will be justified when you strike," Bimbo advised.

"God, please help me out of this situation. My daughter will not stand it if she discovers I am no longer with her father," Grace prayed and went inside to map out strategies on how to go back to her husband's house.

On the other end, Mr. Alabi already battled with his conscience for laying his hands on his wife. He regretted his actions and wished to bring her back, but some men who witnessed what happened encourage him not to make the move,

"Don't even think of going to look for her unless you want to make her the man of the house when she returns," advised Timothy.

"I blame myself for laying my hands on her. What I had never done before," Mr. Alabi regretted.

"But this is the only language women understand at times. If you want to bring her back, then get ready to fight because she will never allow this innocent lady to remain in this house. If she comes back on her own, she would be loyal and respectful to both of you," Timothy concluded and went to his house, leaving a distraught Alabi more confused than he had been.

Asoh was eavesdropping on them and heard everything they discussed clearly. When Timothy left, she came and sat beside Mr. Alabi.

"I heard all you discussed with your friend and I must confess that you were wrong. Go and look for your wife. If she returns and insists that I leave, no problem. Every woman would feel the same way. Bring her back and let God's will be done," she counseled maturely.

Mr. Alabi looked at her and nodded in assent to her suggestion.

"Thank you my dear. I pray she accepts you as a member of this family."

"I pray so too," she said, and Mr.Alabi hugged her innocently. Immediately he hugged her, Folake saw it in her dream and woke up from her sleep.

"What have I just seen? No! no!!no!!! This cannot happen." Before she knew what was happening, tears had already welled up in her eyes.

"I knew all was not well but mama would not tell me the truth...." She was still in thought when a student came in and diverted her attention with school activities.

Folake began to lose weight as a result of too much thinking. She was always alone and was always moody. Everybody avoided her except Benny and her school daughter who loved and cared for her very much. She continued to disturb Folake on what was bothering her until Folake told her.

"It's like my father has finally thrown my mother out and is living with that lady," she confided in Benny.

"What? How do you know?" Benny asked

"I saw him, hugging the girl while I was taking my nap. Though it was not clear, I know something is obviously somewhere," Folake replied. wrong

"I thought your mum said they were fine," Benny inquired.

"Yes she said so but that might just be to calm my curiosity. I am confused. The Man of God is coming on Monday and I am yet to decide on the right step to take to stop these impending troubles on me or anybody else. God, please get me out of this," she cried.

Benny did not know what to say or do again. She just kept quiet, shaking her head in pity for what Folake was going through. After a while Folake nodded her head and smiled.

"I think I know what to do," she said, smiling.

"Really? That sounds good. So what is it you intend on doing?" Benny asked.

"Like I told you earlier, in that dream I went out to sing because Esther was not in school that day. So this time around, I will make sure she is in school to sing," Folake answered

"How do you intend to achieve that? Will you go and force her to come to school if she is not supposed to be in school that day? Benny asked..

"Why wouldn't she want to be in school? She was absent in school the day the Man of God came because she committed an offence and was given two weeks suspension and it fell within that period that the Man of God

came," Folake replied.tagn "Really?" Benny asked and adjusted her seat.

"Yes. So, I have to stop her from doing that thing that led to her suspension. For instance, if I had removed that stone, that junior student wouldn't have hit her toe on it and the injury would have been averted," Folake expatiated.

"It's true o! Which means you can use physical means to stop the misfortunes unless when the ogbanje comes into plays," Benny said.

"Yes though I still need divine wisdom and strength to overcome them," Folake said. "Of course God will always be there with

you. Don't you know he might be the one who has sent you on this mission to save the students? This is not ordinary!" Benny stated clearly.

Just then, Folake closed her eyes a while, she opened it and stood up. and after

"Benny, there is not much time left. Esther is about to fight a student which would lead to her suspension. I must stop her now!" she said and left Benny there. Benny ran after her.

"Wait for me!" Benny shouted as she ran after her fast moving friend.