15/09/2024
THE FOUR EYED GIRL
Episode 4
Preye's mum looked up imploringly at the man who had come to her daughter's rescue,
"Who are you, sir?"
He smiled broadly. He's quite a tall man, with an outlandish and dignified appearance, dressed like an Hausa merchant, bronze skinned and possessing an astute nature. His guinea brocade dansiki attire shimmered as it caught the reflection of the sun.
"My name is Bashir and I'm on my way to Lagos mainland right now. We can possibly meet up some other time so I could help take you to the place where all of your daughter's problems will be sorted out."
He spoke good English and Preye's mum couldn't help but agree he had acquired standard western education.
"So, how do I meet up with you?"
She prodded further. He answered,
"Just let me have your phone number, and I'll give you a call tomorrow or next."
The woman nodded, called out her number which he saved on his mobile phone.
Smiling again, he curtsied and hurried away. Tari, Preye's mother gazed at him as he made a beeline for a bend at the end of the street until she lost sight of him. She picked up Preye's hand and proceeded home.
Tari wouldn't let Preye attend school the next morning. She felt the urge to resolve this q***r development with the much needed urgency. After the rest of her kids had left for school, she tidied up the apartment and sat down waiting for Bashir's call. Someone knocked on the door at that Instant. It was her neighbour. Both women exchanged greetings and the caller indicated the reason for her visit.
"Madam,"
She addressed Tari who kept looking at her keenly while her visitor continued talking.
"Having gone over everything you told me about Preye, I prayed over it and God gave me a revelation. I hope this is not going to offend you?"
She had a countenance of uncertainty. Tari shrugged and shook her head.
"Don't worry, go ahead with what you have to say."
Her neighbour cleared her throat,
"This is hard to swallow but the revelation I had implied that Preye is possessed with marine spirits."
This didn't sound strange to Tari because she had haphazard such guess as well. Silence enveloped the atmosphere for an uncomfortable moment. Her neighbour had thought Tari would have screamed and vehemently oppose what she had told her. But judging from the proceeding playing out before her, the reverse was the case. Tari sighed, obviously short of words.
"Thanks for your concern regarding this matter. So, what's the next step?"
"She should go for deliverance."
Neighbour answered.
"Who would do be conducting the session?"
Tari inquired.
"The deliverance team in my church."
"I have no problem with that. All I want is for my daughter to be free from this embarrassment."
They got to the church, while the prayer warriors made ready all the paraphernalia for the excercise. Preye was made to kneel down in the middle of the circle the prayer team had formed. One of them brought out a whip. Tari's eyes widened in horror as she asked incredulously.
"What are you trying to do?"
The man holding the whip replied,
"It's not painful. This will drive out the evil spirit-"
"Not on your life! I won't let you use that on my daughter neither will I permit you to lay a finger on her!"
Scowling, Tari glowered at him to dare her.
Preye smile with mischief.
"Mum, allow him to use the cane."
Preye gave her mum a steady gaze that seemed to transfix her mum. Tari had the feeling she was being controlled by forces beyond her power. The prayer warrior welding the whip smiled triumphantly. The prayers began, he raised the whip and it landed on Preye. Funnily, it was the man himself who let out a scream. His members looked askance at him. But they continued the prayers regardless as he reeled from the pains he received from the cane. He flogged Preye yet again, it dawned on him he was inflicting pains upon himself. Ironically, he began caning himself uncontrollably, not even Preye. Unfortunately, he couldn't stop flogging himself this time around. His hand seemed more like a zombie that has lost control. He kept yelling and started running around the church frantically. The other prayer partners took to their heels and fled from the vicinity. Preye roared in laughter and fell on the floor of the church, her mother laughed hard too until tears ran down her cheeks.
"Mum, these are fake Christians."
Preye said amidst subsiding mirth.
"I can't agree less with you."
Her mum acquiesced.
To be continued...
Written by Nonye Ekwomadu
You think you can write? Bring it on.