The Papa you seem to like so much? Tell me. You don't know? There you are! Alright Tinu,listen. I'll tell you. Your Papa has gone out - as usual.


Bàbá tó o fẹ́ràn púpọ̀? Sọfún mi? O ò mọ̀? Ibè lo wà! Ó dáa Tinú, màá sọfún ẹ. Bàbá rẹti jáde bí ó ti ń ṣe.


Leaving us alone. What about that? You like it?


Tí ó ń fi wá sílẹ̀. Ìyẹn ńkọ́? O fẹ́ẹbẹ́ẹ̀?


Labake saw what seemed to be a change of expression on the innocent face of her daughter.


Làbákẹ́ rí nǹkan tó jọ àyípadà nínú ìwòojú ọmọ rè tí ò mọ̀kan yìí.


Tinu had closed her mouth now. She was no longer smiling. No longer babbling


Tinú ti pa ẹnu rẹ̀ dé bayìí. Kò rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́ mọ́, tí kò sì sọ̀rọ̀ wẹ́rẹ́wẹ́rẹ́ mọ́.


"So you understand Tinu?"" Labake continued addressing Tinu, ""So you understand it all?"


"""Àṣé ó tiè yé ọ Tinú?,"" Làbákẹ́ túbọ̀ ń bá Tinú sọ̀rọ̀, ""Àṣé gbogbo rẹ̀ yé ọ?,"


And you are sad about it - just as I am too? Who says you are not sensible!


Inú rẹ kòsì dùn sí i - bí tèmi kò ṣe dùn? Ta ló ní o ò ní làákáàyè!


I have a sensible child for a daughter! I have a clever child for a daughter! O.K.


Mo ní ọmọ onílàákáàyè lọ́mọbìnrin. Mo ní ọmọ tó gbọ́n lọ́mọbìnrin.


Tinu, tell your Papa then to stay more at home and take care of all of us from now on.


Tinú, sọfún bàbá rẹ nígbà náà pé kó máa dúró nílé kí ó sì máa ṣètọ́jú gbogbo wa láti ìsinsìnyí lọ.


Now that you are unhappy about it just like me.


Nísinsìnyìí tí inú rẹ kò dùn sí ibí i tèmi yìí.


Ask Papa to tell you the name of that woman outside who is stealing him from us.


Ní kí bàbá rẹ sọ orúkọ obìnrin tó wà níta yẹn tí ó ń jí bàbá rẹ mọ́ wa lọ́wọ́.


We want to know her name and shout it for the whole world to hear.


A fẹ́ mọ orúko rẹ̀, kí a sì pariwo rẹ̀ fáráyé gbọ́.


Tell your Papa not to be deceived by that woman outside.


Sọfún bàbá rẹ kí ó má jẹ́ kí obìnrin yẹn tàn-án.


She's only after his money.


Owó rẹ̀ nìkan ló ń tẹ̀lé.


You'll tell him?


Ṣé wà á sọfún -un?


You'll deliver my message Tinu? Clever child. Clever clever child. That's right'


"Wàá jíṣẹ́ mi Tinú? Ọmọ tó gbọ́n. Ọmọ tó gbọ́n dáadáa. Ó dáa bẹ́ẹ̀."""


Tinu screeched with laughter and started crawling away.


Tinú fẹ̀rín dún, ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ si írá lọ.


But then, she stopped abruptly and Looked back at her mother once more - as if to ask When will Papa come back? No one knows. Labake seemed to have replied


"Ṣùgbọ́n ó déédé dúró, ó sì wẹ̀yìn wo ìyá rẹ̀ lẹ́ẹ̀kan sí i -bí igbà tó bá fẹ́ bèèrè pé ""nígbà wo ni bàbá máa padà dé?"" Kò sẹ́ni tó mọ̀. Ó jọ ọ́ pé Làbákẹ́ ti fèsì."


"""May be he will arrive at midnight when all of have gone to sleep."""


"""Bóyá á dé ní ọ̀gànjọ́ òru nígbà tí gbogbo wa bá ti sùn."""


Labake was wrong.


Làbákẹ́ ti ṣì í.


Alamu was, infact, already at the gate blaring the horn of the vehicle and hailing on her from inside the car.


Kódà, Àlàmú ti wà lẹ́nu géètì tí ó ń tẹ fèèrè ọkọ̀ tí ó sì ń ké pè é láti inú ọkọ̀.


"""Labake.. Labake.. Excuse me Labake',"


"""Làbákẹ́........ Làbákẹ́.......jọ̀wọ́........ Làbákẹ́."""


It was a Volkswagen Beetle car. By the time Labake came out, the smoke which the car emitted had not properly cleared and it was not immediately possible for her to see who the driver of the jalopy was. After some time. Labake saw that her husband was the man behind the wheels.


Ọkọ̀ ìjàpá bítù ni. Nígbàtí Làbákẹ́ máa jáde síta, èéfín tí ọkọ̀ náà tu jáde kòtí ì parẹ́ tán kò sì ṣeéṣe fún un láti rí ẹni tí awakọ̀ jalopí náà jẹ́. Làbákẹ́ rí i pé ọkọ rẹ̀ ló ń wa ọkọ̀.


She took a few unsure steps forward, then stopped.


Ó gbé ìgbésẹ̀ díẹ̀ tí kò dájú síwájú, ó sì dúró.


Moved a bit then hesitated again. What was Alamu doing inside this strange ramshackle iron cage on four wheels?


Ó sún síwájú díẹ̀ sí i, ótún dúró wòye. Kí ni Àlàmú ń ṣe nínú ọkọ̀ dékumágolo jágbajàgba ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mẹ́rin yìí?


"""Come now, Labake. It's me."""


"""Máa bọ̀, Làbákẹ́ èmi ni"""


"""Yes yes. I know it's you Alamu... But...But."""


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.......bẹ́ẹ̀ ni. Mo mọ̀ pé ìwọ ni Àlàmú ........ṣùgbọ́n.......ṣùgbọ́n."""


Come on Labake. Help give the car a push. A little push.


"""Dákun Làbákẹ́. Bá mi ti ọkọ̀ yìí. Tí díẹ̀ ni."


It needs some pushing else it won't start.


Ó nílò títì, bíbẹ́ẹ̀ kò ní dáhùn.


Just now it stopped.


Ó ṣè è dákú nísinsìnyìí ni.


Maybe something wrong with its contact set.


Bóyá nǹkankan ti ń ṣe kọ́ńtáàti rẹ̀.


Or it may be the battery. Alamu's teeth flashed and he filled with laughter.


Ó sì lè jẹ́ bátììrì. Àlàmú fẹyín, ló bá bú sí ẹ̀rín.


Labake stood rooted to the ground undecided what to do. Her jaw dropped.


Làbákẹ́ dúró fẹsẹ̀ múlẹ̀ láì mọ̀ nǹkantí yóò ṣe. Ẹnu rè si yà á.


I'll put the car in gear two and switch on ignition.


"""Màá gbé e sí jíà kejì, kí n sì ṣí ilé epo rẹ̀."


Then you'll just push.


Ìwọ á kàn tì í.


Now try it.


Óyá gbìyànjú ẹ̀.


"A little push."""


"Títì díẹ̀."""


Labake did not move.


Làbákẹ́ kò mira


Whose car is this Alamu?' she asked, utterly perplexed.


"""Ọkọ̀ ta lèyí Àlàmú?,"" óbéèrè pẹ̀lú ìrújú pátápátá."


"""Our car. Our new car Labake"" replied Alamu, ""I should have let you know earlier. But first, do give ..."""


"""Ọkọ̀ wa. Ọkọ̀ tuntun wa Làbákẹ́,"" Àlàmú dáhùn. ""Mi ò báti jẹ́ kí o mọ̀ tẹ́lẹ̀. Ṣùgbọ́n kọ́kọ́ bá mi t............."""


"""New car!"" Labake shouted back, ""Do you call this a new car? What happened to your Peugeot 504 which you drove out in the morning Alamu?"""


"""Ọkọ̀ tuntun!"" Làbákẹ́ jágbe mọ́ ọn, ""Ìwọ pe èyí ní ọkọtuntun? Kí ló ṣe ọkọ̀ pijó 504 rẹ tí o wà jáde láàárọ̀ yìí Àlàmú?."""


"""Well, engine trouble Labake. The mechanic said its general repair would cost some two thousand naira. This is because the whole engine has to be completely overhauled."""


"""Ẹẹẹn, wàhálà ẹ́ńjíìnì ọkọ̀ Làbákẹ́. Atọ́kọ̀ṣe ní owó àtúnṣe rẹ̀ yóòtó ẹgbẹ̀rún méjì náírà, ìdí ni wí pé gbogbo ẹ́ńjíìnì ni yóò ní lá ti tú palẹ̀."""


Labake listened, unbelieving, unconvinced.


Làbákẹ́ tẹ́tí, láì gbàgbọ́, láì gbọ́kàn lé e.


In the morning of that day, she had heard Alamu give the car engine a hard rev. The engine was as active as that of a new car, fresh from the factory.


Ní òwúrò ọjọ́ náà, ó gbọ́ bí Àlàmú ṣe ń tẹná mọ́ ọkọ náà. Tí ẹ́ńjíìnì rẹ̀ sì dáhùn dáadáa, ẹ́ńjíìnì náà ṣì ń siṣẹ́ bí i ti ọkọ̀ tuntun tí ó ṣẹ̀ jáde láti iléeṣẹ́.


What then could have gone wrong with the car between the time Alamu left the house in the morning and this afternoon?


Kí ló ti yára ṣe ọkọ̀ láàárín ásìkò tí Àlàmú kúrò nílé láàárọ̀ àti ọ̀sán yìí?


"""And now Alamu, Labake pressed on, ""Where is the car? Still with the mechanic?"""


"""Nísinsìnyí Àlàmú,"" Làbákẹ́ tẹ̀síwájú, ""Níbo ni ọkọ̀ náà wà, ṣé lọ́dọ̀ mẹkáníìkì?"""


"""Well. No. Not exactly. Well. You see. The question is, where shall we get all that money to repair it, Labake?"


"""Ẹẹnn. Rárá. Bẹ́ẹ̀ kọ́. Ẹẹn. ṣo rí i. Ibo ni a ti máa rí adúrú owó yẹn láti tún un ṣe?, lo yẹ kí o béère."


"So.. So.. I. sold it to purchase. to purchase this one."""


"Fún ìdí èyí, mo........mo......tà áláti ra.....ra eléyìí."""


"""Beg your pardon Alamu,"" Labake could not believe her ears, ""What is it that you have just said?"


"""Dúró ná, Àlàmú ,"" Làbákẹ́ kò gba etí rẹ̀ gbọ́, ""Kí ni mo gbọ́ tó o wí yẹn?"


you have sold a Peugeot 504 saloon car to purchase this rickety Volkswagen Beetle?


Pé o ta ọkọ̀ pijó 504 láti ra ọkọ̀ ìjàpá bítù tó ti relé yìí?


Do you know it would cost a fortune to maintain this one. Labake asked.


"Ṣé o ò mọ̀ pé owó iyebíye lo máa run sórí eléyìí láti ṣètọ́jú rẹ̀."" Làbákẹ́ béèrè."


She scrutinised her husband from head to toe, greatly bewildered at his seeming lunacy, What type of man was this? How best was this type of man to be described?


Ó wo ọkọ rẹ̀ láwòfín láti orí dé ẹsẹ̀, ìrújú dé bá a lórí wèrètó ṣẹ̀ ń dé sí i, irú ọkùnrin wo nìyí? Báwo ni a ṣe lè ṣàlàyé irú ọkùnrin yìí?


Was this truly her husband? She watched, as if struck by thunder, the spectacle in front of her.


Ṣé ọkọ rẹ̀rè é lóòótọ́? Ó ń wò bíì gbàtí àrá bá sán bá a, ó ń wo idán iwájú rẹ̀.


Alamu got down and pushed the Volkswagen car himself using his right hand to turn its steering from outside. The car screeched and wobbled into the car park.


Àlàmú bọ́ sílẹ̀, ó sì ń ti ọkọ̀ ìjàpá rẹ̀ fún rarẹ̀, ó ń fi ọwọ́ ọ̀tún yí ọwọ́ rẹ̀ láti ìta. Ọkọ̀ náà dún bí òwìwí, ó sì ta gbọ̀n-ọ́n gbọ̀n-ọ́n wọ inú ọgbà ìgbọ́kọ̀sí.


The thick smoke which the car discharged when it jerked to a sudden halt a short while ago had completely cleared. The smoke had gone up into the air melting into the clear afternoon sky.


Eruku kíki tí ọkọ̀ náà tú jáde nígbà tó dúró lójijì láìpẹ́ yìí ti pòórá pátápátá. Eruku náà ti lọ sínú afẹ́fẹ́, óti pò pọ̀ mọ́ òfuru fú ojú ọ̀run ọ̀sán náà.


Alamu coughed, rolled up the windows and went inside the house, cautiously ascending the staircase.


Àlàmú húkọ́, ó yí àwọn fèrèsé ọkọ̀ náà sókè, ó sì wọlé lọ, ó ń gun àtẹ̀gùn ilé lọ lẹ́sọ̀lẹ́sọ̀.


Labake rushed after him and caught up with him in the sitting room. She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and shook him roughly.


Làbákẹ́ kù gìrì tèlé e, ó sì bá a ní yàrá ìgbàlejò. Ó gbá a mú lọ́rùn aṣọ rẹ̀, ó sì mì ín jìgìjìgì.


"""Tell me the meaning of all this! Tell me! is it all about? I want to know! It is now know what exactly is wrong! What is it? You won't leave this place until you tell it all to me Alamu!"


"""Sọ ìtumọ̀ gbogbo eléyìí fún mi! Sọfún mi! Kíni gbogbo rẹ̀ dálé? Mo fẹ́ mọ̀! Ìsìnyí ni mo gbọ́dọ̀ mọ nǹkan tó yíwọ́ gan-an! Kí ni nǹkan náà? O ò ní fi ibí yìí sílẹ̀ àyàfi to bá sọ gbogbo rẹ̀ fún mi Àlàmú!"


"""Nothing Labake. Nothing. Believe me. Nothing."


Kò sí nǹkankan Làbákẹ́. Kò sí. Gbà mí gbọ́. Kò sí.


Did I surprise you in any way? Sorry Sorry.


Ṣé mo yà ẹ́ lẹ́nu lọ́nàkọnà? Pẹ̀lẹ́ pẹ̀lẹ́.


"""Why? why Alamu?"" Labake was confused. She gradually loosened her rough grip and placed her two hands over her husband's shoulders in a manner of surrender."


"""Kílódé? Kí ni Àlàmú?,"" ìpòruru dé bá Làbákẹ́. Ó dẹ ọwọ́ rẹ̀ lọ́rùn ọkọ rẹ̀ díẹ̀díẹ̀, ó sìkó o lé èjìká ọkọ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ìtúúbá."


"""Did you say there is nothing Alamu?"""


"""Ṣé o ní kò sí nǹkan Àlàmú?"""


His tone was suspiciously plain: It was unconvincing. Labake was not sure.


Ìṣọwọ́ sọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ ní ìgboyà tí ó fu ni lára nínú: kò dánilójú tó. Kò sì dá Làbákẹ́ lójú.


"""Alright. Alright,"" she said, 'Ok. Tell me Alamu what finally happened to our fridge and our television. Our ceiling fan. Don't say they are still with your repairs - after three weeks!"


"Ó ní,""Ódáa, ó dáa. Sọfún mi, Àlàmú kí ló padà ṣẹlẹ̀ sí ẹ̀rọ amómitutù àti amóhùn-máwòrán wa. Fáànù alásomájà wa. Má sọfún mi pé wọ́n ṣì wà lọ́dọ̀ àwọn alátùn-ún-ṣe rẹ o -Lẹ́yìn òsè mẹ́ta!"""


"""That's where they are Labake. With the repairers still. You know the em..e. ha ha ha ha - hum hum ha ha ha ha hum hum - ha ha ha ha!..."""


Ibẹ̀ ni wọ́n ṣì wà Làbákẹ́. Lọ́dọ̀ àwọn alátùn-ún-ṣe ṣì ni. Ṣé o mọ̀ pé ẹm.......ẹ......ha ha ha ha.....hun.......hun-ha ha ha ha.....hun hun hun-ha ha ha ha!


Labake curiously looked round the sitting room, then screamed! She'd just discovered that more items were missing!


Làbákẹ́ wo gbogbo yàrá ìgbàlejò rá-rà-rá, o pariwo! Ó sì ṣàkíyèsí pé àwọn nǹkan mìíràn kò sí níbẹ̀ mọ́!


"""Alamu, where is the stereo set?. And, oh my God! the radio?"""


"Àlàmú ,siriyó dà? ""Olúwa mi ò! Rédíò dà?"


Labake did not wait for any reply. She didn't want Alamu to start all over again to tell her tales about electric faults, mechanics, repairers and all what-not.


Làbákẹ́ kò dúró fún èsì kankan mọ́. Kò fẹ́kí Àlàmú bẹ̀rẹ̀ àwọn ìtàn nípa mọ̀nà mọ́ná, alátùn-ún-ṣe àtin ǹkantí kòjọ ọ́ fún un.


She rushed inside her own bedroom and locked herself up. Soon she started gasping, sobbing, and wailing.


Ó sáré wọ yàrá rẹ̀ lọ, ó sì ti ara rẹ̀ mọ́ ibẹ̀. Kíá, ó ti ń mí lókèlókè, ó ń bú sí igbe, ó ń pohùn réré ẹkún.


"""Out! Out of his mind! Oh God! Alamu is out of his mind! Completely out of his mind! Mad! Mad! Alamu has gone mad! No doubt about this. Oh God! Oh, Oh God!"""


"""Ó ti jáde! Ó ti kúrò lókàn rẹ̀! Ọlọ́run ò! Àlàmú kò mọ ohun tó ń ṣe mọ́! Kò mọ ohun tó ń ṣe mọ́ rárá! Wèrè.......wèrè! Àlàmú ti ya wèrè! Kò sí àní-àní nípa èyí. Ọlọ́run ò, Ọlọ́run ò!"


Labake was not alone in her judgment.


Làbákẹ́ nìkan kọ́ ló dájọ́ rẹ̀ báyìí.


In the morning of the following day, the careless talk of the neighbours flickered into her ears, as she caught them walking past the gate of their house no doubt intentionally.


Ní òwúrọ̀ ọjọ́ kejì, ẹjọ́ àwọn alásọbótò àdúgbò dún sí etí rẹ̀bí ó ṣe rí wọn tí wọ́n ń kọjá níwájú géètì ilé wọn. Kò sí àní-àní, wọ́n mọ̀ọ́mọ̀ sọ ọ́ ni.


They had a few words of unsolicited advice for her. Few other hints for her about her husband. And a few exclamations, to identify themselves with her present sorrow, even words of supplication.


Ọ́n ní ìmọ̀ràn díẹ̀ tí kò bèrè fún fún un. Àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ ìtanijí mìí ràn fún un nípa ọkọ rẹ̀. Àti àwọn ọ̀rọ̀ ìyánu díẹ̀, láti fi dá wọn mọ̀ pẹ̀lú ìbànújẹ́ rẹ̀yìí, àti ọ̀rọ̀ àdúrà gan an pàápàá.


They did not face her directly to say it.


Wọ́n kò wò ó lójú tààrà láti sọ ọ́.


They just walked past - pretending to be going somewhere! - They did not even venture to greet her.


Wọ́n kàn ń kọjá lo ni - wọ́n díbọ́n bí ìgbà tí wọ́n bá ń lọ ibìkan! - Wọn kò tiẹ̀ gbìyàn jú àtikí i.


All they did was mumble out what they had in mind - indirectly, facing the empty air to say it.


Ohun tí wọ́n kàn ń ṣe ni títú kẹ̀kẹ́ ọ̀rọ̀ ohun tí wọ́n ní lọ́kàn - láì sọ pàtó, wọ́n á kọ́jú sí òfurufú láti sọ ọ́.


But loud enough for those who had ears to hear.


Ṣùgbọ́n á já geere fún àwọn tó létí láti gbọ́ ọ.


Labake had ears and she listened to the neighbours.


Làbákẹ́ létí, ó sì tẹ́tí sí àwọn ará àdúgbò wọn yìí.


Laughing like the hyena and at such odd times is a sure sign of insanity. Watch out. Watch out.


"""Rírín ẹ̀rín bí ìkokò ní àsìkò tí kòtọ́ jẹ́ àmì aágànná. Fura o. Fura o.."""


"""When the wicked ones of this earth want to ruin somebody, they make him laugh and loose his senses, go out of his mind."


"""Tí àwọn ìkà ayé yìí bá fẹ́ ba ti ènìyàn jẹ́, wọn á mú un rẹ́rìn-ín, wọn á da orí rẹ̀ rú, kò sì ní mọ ohun tí ó ń ṣe mọ́."


"They make him laugh in the day time. They make him laugh at midnight."""


"Wọn á mú un rẹ́rìn-ín lójú mọmọ, wọn á mú un rẹ́rìn-ín lọ́gànjọ́ òru."""


"""We couldn't sleep during the night. We heard it all. Its noise came ringing in our ears."


"""A kò lè sùn lóru. Gbogbo rẹ̀ ni à ń gbọ́. Aruwo rẹ̀ ń dún sí wa létí."


Laughter... Laughter... Laughter... Care must be taken or else..


"Ẹ̀rín... Ẹ̀rín... Ẹ̀rín... Ìṣọ́ra ní láti wà, bíbẹ́ẹ̀ kọ́!..."""


"""Pity. We have nothing but pity... Pity for you woman living with him. Imagines trouble entering your life. At the prime of your life... Pity..."""


"""Àánú. Àwa ò ní nǹkan mìí rànbí kò ṣe àánú.. Àánú fún ìwọ obìnrin tí ò ń bá a gbé. Ro bí wàhálà ṣe ń wọnú ayé rẹ... Àánu..."""


"""You just must do something about it. And quickly too. You have to get out and look for help. You lock yourselves up all day! No problem is solved that way!"""


Ó ní láti se nǹkan si i. Ni kíákíá si ni pẹ̀lú. O ní láti jáde síta kí o wá ìrànlọ́wọ́. Ẹ̀ ń ti ara yín mọ́ ilé fún gbogbo ọjọ́! Kò síì ṣòro tó níyanjú lọ́ nà yẹn!


"""May God help you. May God open your eyes and your ears. May you see yourselves as you are in reality. We have spoken!"""


"""Ọlọ́run á ràn yín lọ́wọ́. Ọlọ́run á ṣí ojú yín àti etí yín. Ẹ ẹ́ lè ríran rí ara yín bí ẹ ṣe wàyìí. Àwa wí!"""


It was a knockout blow for Labake! She'd almost rushed into a wrong conclusion.


Èyí bá Làbákẹ́ níbi burúkú. Ó ti fẹ́rẹ̀ ẹ́ pa ọkàn rẹ̀ pọ̀ sọ́nà kan.


Not taking time to examine and assess the situation of things thinking that there was another woman in Alamu's life!


Láì lo àsìkò láti ṣe àgbéyẹ̀ wòn ǹkan tí ó ń ṣẹlẹ̀, ó ń rò ó pé obìnrin kan wà nínú ayé Àlàmú!


What trifle! The case before her was a far more serious one. She'd seen it all.


Irú àìnírònú wo rè é! Ọ̀rọ̀ tí ó wà níwájú rẹ̀ yìí ta kókó gidi ni. Ó ti rí i tán.


All it had now been corroborated by the neighbours. What more evidence did she need?


Gbogbo rẹ̀ ni àwọn aládùúgbò rẹ̀ ti fẹsẹ̀ múlẹ̀ fún un yìí. Ẹ̀rí mìí ràn wo ni ó tún nílò?


There was a Mental Hospital on the outskirts of the city - towards the eastern horizon - a solitary white-washed building on top of the hill.


Ilé ìwòsàn tí wọ́n ti ń ṣètọ́ jú àwọn alárùn ọpọlọ kán wà ní òpin ìlú - ní ìdojúkọ ìlà-oòrùn - ilé ọlọ́dà funfun lórí òkè.


Just a little way off this building was the cluster of imposing skyscrapers.


Ilé ìwòsàn náà jọ àwọn ilé alákọ̀ọ́kànrun ìtòsí rẹ̀.


Visitors to the city often found themselves gazing instinctively towards that section of the city.


Àwọn àlejò ìlú máa ń wo apá ibẹ̀ ní ìwò àwò-má-leèlọ.


It was beautiful to look at - serene and romantic, a picture of peace and calm to the eyes, viewed from a distance.


Ó rẹ wà láti wò - àwòrán àlàáfíà tí ó ṣe ojú jẹ́jẹ́ ni, bí ènìyàn bá ń wò ó láti ọ̀nà jíjìn.


That area of town was one of the few places Labake visited when she first arrived in the country from England.


Apá ibẹ̀ nínú ìlú ni Làbákẹ́ ṣe àbẹ̀wò sí nígbà tó kọ́kọ́ dé láti ìlú òyìnbó.


She specifically visited the hospital at the invitation of her nurse friend.


Ó dìídì lọ sí ilé ìwòsàn náà láti lọ kí ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ tí ó jẹ́ nọ́ọ̀sì tí ó pè é.


The road that led to the hospital was smoothly tarred. The lawns to the left and right of the road well maintained.


Títì ọlọ́dà tó wà lọ́nà ilé ìwòsàn náà tẹ́jú, ẹ̀gbẹ̀ẹ̀gbẹ́ rẹ̀ lọ́tùn-ún lósì ni wọ́n tọ́jú dáadáa, tó sì mọ́ féfé.


But as the gates swung open on that day, Labake was left in no doubt that she was in the very house of horror.


Ṣùgbọ́n bí wọ́n ṣe ń ṣí géètì lọ́jọ́ náàni Làbákẹ́ ti mọ̀ pé láìsí àní-àní, ilé ẹ̀rù ni òun wọ̀.


A middle-aged man stripped himself naked and ran about the hospital premises screeching with laughter.


Ọkùnrin ọ̀dọ́ kan ni ó já ara rẹ̀ sí ìhòòhò, ó sì ń sá káàkiri ọgbà ilé ìwòsàn náà pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín kèé kèé.


The hospital security men pursued him and finally caught up with him, they tried to force some clothes on him to cover his shame.


Àwọn èṣọ́ ọgbà ilé ìwòsàn náà sáré lé e, wọ́n sì rí i mú, wọ́n gbìyànjú láti wọ aṣọfún un tipátipá láti lè bo ẹ̀sín ara rẹ̀.


The middle-aged man started laughing uproariously - popping out his head like that of mountain lizard.


Ọkùnrin náà tún bẹ̀rẹ̀ ẹ̀rín aláriwo, ó sì ń yọ orí sókè bí i ti aláǹgbá orí àpólà.


"""Let me dance. Leave me to dance,"" he screamed. ""The people are all waiting. Waiting to see me dance."


"Ẹ jẹ́ n jó, ẹ fi mí lẹ̀ kí n jó, ó pariwo. ""Àwọn ènìyàn ti ń dúró, wọ́n ń dúró láti rí ijó mi."


I will dance. And they'll swear they've never seen anybody dance so well before. Leave me! Let me dance for my people! I will dance! He started struggling with the security men.


"Màá jó."" Wọ́n á búra pé wọn ò rí́ enìkankan tó jó jù bayì lọ. Ẹ fi mí lẹ̀! Ẹ jẹ́ n jó fún àwọn èyàn mi! Màá jó! Ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si íjìjàkadì pẹ̀lú àwọn ẹ̀ṣọ́ ọgbà ilé ìwòsàn náà."


"""You will dance."" Labake heard one of the security men retort - with a touch of humour, ""You will dance quite alright man... But don't dance naked... That's what we are saying. Let's dress you up for the great dance! Wait! Wait!"""


"""Wà á jó."" Làbákẹ́ gbọ́ èsì ọ̀kan lára àwọn ẹ̀ṣọ́ náà tì káàánú pé, ""Wà á jó dáa dáa arákùnrin... ṣùgbọ́n má ṣe jó ní hòòhò... Nǹkan tí à ń sọ nìyẹn. Jẹ́ ká múra fún o sílẹ̀ fún ijó ńlá náà. Dúró! Dúró!"


The middle-aged man twisted free once more, and broke off.


Arákùnrin ọ̀dọ́ náà lọ́ra lẹ́ẹ̀kan sí ió sì tu dànù.


Before the men knew what was happening, the man, stark naked, was at the hospital gate, wanting to escape - to his dance arena!


Kí àwọn ẹ̀ṣọ́ náà tó mọ ohun tí ó ń ṣẹlẹ̀, Ọkùnrin náà ti wà lẹ́nu géètì ilé ìwòsàn náà ní ìhòòhò ìbíǹbí, ó fẹ́ sá lọ - sí ibi eré ijó rẹ̀!


Labake had been affected by that incident. She'd never seen anything like that before. Although she'd seen lunatics in strategic places in town - at Mokola centre point, Gege road junction, Dugbe market, Ogunpa motor park and in front of the Scala Cinema.


Ìṣẹ̀lè yìí mú Làbákẹ́ lọ́kàn. Kò rí irú ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀ rí. Bí ó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé ó ti máa ń rí àwọn wèrè ni àwọn ibi tó lórúkọ ní ìlú, ọ̀gángán Mọ́kọ́lá, ìyànà títì Gẹ́gẹ́, ọjà Dùgbẹ̀, ibùdókọ̀ Ògùnpa àti níwájú sinimá Síkálà.


This was the first time she would see one so violent, and go stark-naked, one who spoke fluent English and educated lunatic!


Èyí ni ìgbà àkọ́kọ́ tí ó rí èyí tí ó burú jáì débi jíjá ara rẹ̀ sí ìhòòhò ìbíǹbí, tí èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì sì já geere lẹ́nu rẹ̀, wèrè alákọ̀wé.


Labake's heart started beating fast.


Ọkàn Làbákẹ́ bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í lù kì-kì-kì .


"""This is a Mental Hospital, Labake, Remi her friend, quietly reminded her, ""Not just any ordinary hospital. And you have actually not seen anything yet you know. Our world here is a different world."""


"""Ilé ìwòsàn tí wọ́n ti ń ṣètọ́ jú àwọn alárùn ọpọlọ rè é Làbákẹ́,"" Rẹ̀mí ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ rán an létí níì ṣọ̀rọ̀ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́. ""Kì í ṣe ilé ìwòsàn kan ṣá. O ò sì tíì rín ǹkankan rárá, ayé ọ̀tọ̀ ni a wà níbí́."""


"Labake looked strangely at her friend, ""And these are the type of people you live with Remi?"""


"Làbákẹ́ wo ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ ní ìwò tó ṣàjèjì, ""Irú àwọn tí ẹ sì ń bá gbé rè é Rẹ̀mí?"""


"""Yes Labake. These people need help you know."


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni Làbákẹ́. Àwọn ènìyàn yìí nílò ìrànwọ́ ṣé o mọ̀."


"And we are really helping them. We are trained to help them. Many of them get better, with time, and we discharge them to live, once more, a happy, normal life."""


A sì ń ràn wọ́n lọ́wọ́ gidi. Wọn kò wá láti ràn wọ́n lọ́wọ́ ni. Púpọ̀ nínú wọn sì ti ń gbádùn pẹ̀lú ásìkò, a sì ń dáwọ n sílẹ̀ láti lọ gbé ìgbéayọ̀ lẹ́ẹ̀kan sí i.


Labake's friend, a psychiatric nurse, gave Labake pep talk on signs and symptoms of mental derangement.


Ọ̀rẹ́ Làbákẹ́ nọ́ọ̀sì alárùn ọpọlọ, fún un ní àlàyé ìjìnlẹ̀ lórí àwọn àmì àti àpẹẹrẹ ìdàrúdàpọ̀ ọpọlọ.


At first, the victims would not talk to anybody, they would withdraw into a private world - a world known only to them, that was the period of initiation.


Lákọ̀ọ́kọ́, aláìsàn náà kò ní bá ẹnikẹ́ni sọ̀rọ̀, wọn á kọ́kọ́ yà wọ inú ayé bòókẹ́lẹ́, ayé tí àwọn nìkan mọ̀, ìgbàyẹn ni ásìkò ìgbà-sẹ́gbẹ́ wọn.


After getting properly integrated and assimilated into this strange world, they would, in the next stage begin to talk to the invisible colleagues of their super-sensible world. Laughing with them, sharing jokes with them.


Lẹ́yìn tí wọ́n bá ti darapọ̀ mọ́ ayé abàmì náà, wọn á bẹ̀rẹ̀ ipele mìíràn tí wọn á ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si íbá àwọn ẹgbẹ́ àìrí wọn sọ̀rọ̀ nínú ayé àwọn alánìíjùọpọlọ. Wọn á sì máa bá wọn rẹ́rìn-ín, wọn á dọ́wẹ̀ẹ́kẹ̀ pẹ̀lú wọn.


Later on, in another stage, the third stage, they would grow wild with the earthly men and women who would want to disturb them, who would not allow them to enjoy their new-found freedom.


Lẹ́yìn èyí, ní ipele mìíràn tí ó jẹ́ ipele kẹ́ta ni wọ́n á ti di ẹhà nnà, pẹ̀lú àwọn ará ayé lọ́kùnrin lóbìnrin tí á fẹ́ dàwọ́n láàmú, tí ò ní jẹ́ kí wọ́n gbádùn òmìnira tuntun yìí.


This was the violent stage and here the lunatics would freely use stones, cudgels and their sharp teeth to attack and wound innocent people...


Èyí ni ipele ìjàkadì níbi tí àwọn aláìsàn yìí á ti máa lo òkò, igi àti eyín mímú wọn láti fi dojúkọ àwọn aláìṣẹ, tí wọn á ṣe wọ́n léṣe.


"""These are the various signs and symptoms, Nurse Remi summed up. All these symptoms are present in the various types of mental patients. There are, for instance, the maniac proper ones, the maniac depressives, and the schizophrenics."


"""Èyí ni àwọn àmì àti àpẹẹrẹ oríṣìíríṣìí,"" Nọ́ọ̀sì Rẹ̀mí kádìí ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ nílẹ̀. Gbogbo àwọn àpẹẹrẹ wọ̀nyí wà lára oríṣìírísìí àwọn aláìsàn àrùn ọpọlọ. Àwọn ni, bí àpẹẹrẹ, asínwín gidi, asínwín onírẹ̀lẹ̀ àti asínwín ọlọ́jọ́ pípẹ́."


Labake looked lost. Her friend was now peaking far above her. With bated breath she'd listened.


Làbákẹ́ dàbí i ẹni tí ó sọnù. Ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ ti sọ̀rọ̀ jìnnà jìnnà síbi tó wà. Pẹ̀lú ẹ̀mí ìbẹ̀rù ni ó fi ń tẹ́tí.


That incident at the Mental Hospital now came to her, striking her more forceful than ever before - because of its relevance to the present situation. And she started breathing heavily.


Ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ ilé ìwòsàn alárùn ọpọlọ yẹn tún wá sí ilórí, tí ó wá rántí tipá tipá ju ti tẹ́lẹ̀ lọ - nítorí ìjọra tí ó wà láàárín rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú nǹkan tó ń ṣẹlẹ̀ sí i lọ́wọ́ lọ́wọ́. Ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í mí lókèlókè.


The lunatic Labake saw at the Mental Hospital was of Alamu's age- group.


Wèrè tí Làbákẹ́ rí ní ilé ìwòsàn lọ́jọ́ náà kò lè ju ọjọ́ orí Àlàmú lọ.


He was tall and dark complexion - just like Alamu! Like Alamu he spoke impeccable English.


Ó dúdú, ó sì ga -bí i ti Àlàmú! Ó ń sọ èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì tó yan-ran-n-tí lẹ́nu, bí iti Àlàmú.


People said the man spent many years studying in the country of the white man.


Àwọn ènìyàn sọ pé ọkùnrin náà ti lo àìmọye ọdún nílùú òyìnbó láti kẹ́kọ̀ọ́.


They said he got his mental trouble shortly after he came back to the country. What a strangely unhappy coincidence!


Wọ́n ní ó rí wàhálà àrùn ọpọlọ rẹ̀ ní kété tó dé sí ilé. Irú ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ aburú wo rè é!


Labake reflected again, soberly, over those signs and symptoms her friend described to her.


Làbákẹ́ tún rántí, tìrẹ̀lẹ̀, gbogbo àwọn àmì àti àpẹẹrẹ tí ọ̀rẹ́ rẹ̀ júwèé fún un.


The patient at home was already in that second stage. As she rolled on the bed inside her room, she prayed with hot tears in her eyes that the violent third stage might be avoided for Alamu at all costs.


Aláìsàn tí ó wà nílé ti wà ní ipele kejì yẹn. Bí ó ṣe ń yí lórí ìbùsùn inú yàrá rẹ̀, ó ń gbàdúrà pẹ̀lú omijé gbígbóná pékì ipele kẹ́ta má dé bá Àlàmú ní gbogbo ọ̀nà.


And that would probably mean taking him to the white-washed solitary building on top of the hill for an urgent treatment.


Nítorí ìyẹn á fa kí wọ́n mú u lọ sí ilé ọlọ́dà funfun lórí òkè fún ìtọ́jú kíákíá.


The lapse of time is capable of working wonders on both the mental and the physical being of anyone: Especially a time-lapse that has been loaded with plenty of problems.


Àsìkò lágbára láti dárà lórí ìrísí àti ìròrí ẹnikẹ́ni: Pàápàá jùlọ àsìkò tí ó kún fún ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìsòro.


In the case of Alamu, the trouble-infested time-lapse did not spare his mind and his body.


Ní ti Àlàmú, àsìkò tí ó kún fún ìṣòro yìí kò fi ẹ̀mí àti ara rẹ̀ sílẹ̀.


Within a short span of five months, his skin had become so saggy and so battered that he now looked far older than his age. Days kept ticking like the minute-hand of the clock - all along taking a heavy toll on him.


Láà̀árín àsìkò tí ò pọ̀, oṣù márùn-ún, awọ̀ ara rẹ̀ ti kú, o sì ti bajẹ́ tí ó fi jẹ́ ó dàbí i ẹni tí ó ti dàgbà ju ọjọ́ orí rẹ̀̀ lọ. Ọjọ́ ń yí lọ bí ọwọ aago, wọ́n sì ń darà fún un.


His moustache had become overgrown. The hair stood straight and long over his upper lip - like the uncultivated bush of virgin land.


Irunmú rẹ̀ ti kún àkúnju. Irun ibẹ̀ dúró sọọrọ, ó sì gùn kọjá ètè òkè rẹ̀ bí igbó ilẹ̀ tí wọn kò ì tì dáko lorí rẹ̀ rí.


An almost impenetrable forest of hair had grown on his head, making the head heavy and dense.


Igbó irun kìjikìji tí ò ṣe é wọ̀ ni ó ti hù lorí rẹ̀, tí ó ń jẹ́ kí olórí sì jọ ọ̀dẹ̀.


In the mornings, he would run the comb through the wiry kinks with some effort and his brow would tense up and knit in several wrinkles.


Láràárọ̀, á ti ìyarun bọ igbó kìjikìji orí rẹ̀ pẹ̀lu ìgbìyànjú díẹ̀, òkè ojú rẹ̀ á sì hun jọ.


He had on two or three occasions seen tears gathering in his own eyes as the long comb harrowed painfully across the overgrown bush on his head.


Bí ẹ̀ẹ̀mejì sí ẹ̀ẹ̀mẹ́ta ni omi ojú ṣara jọ sí ojú rẹ̀ bí ìyarun gígùn náà ṣe ń kọjá nínú igbó àkúnjù tó wà lórí rẹ̀̀.


At times. he would avoid, completely, the use of the comb. Just press down the mass of hair with his palm several times, then furry out of the house before Labake would start protesting against 'unkempt hair', scruffy appearance, and the like.


Nígbà mìíràn, kì í lo ìyarun rárá. Á kàn fọwọ́ tẹ igbo irun rẹ̀ mọ́lẹ̀ pẹ̀lú àtẹlẹwọ́, á wá tètè kúrò nínú ilé kí Làbákẹ́ tó máa polongo tako ìmúra rẹ̀ bí i irun tí kò túnṣe, ìrísí tí kò mọ́ tó àti bẹ́ẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ̣.


But now, as he gazed in the mirror, he saw the need for him to be a little more careful with his own appearance.


Ṣùgbọ́n nísinsìnyí, bí ó ṣe ń wo inú dígí, ó rí i pé òun ní láti ṣọ́ra diè sí i nípa ìrísí òun.


A look of deprivation was visible on the face that gazed back at him from inside the mirror. Worriedly, his eyeballs rotated inside the sockets.


Ìwò ẹni tí ìyà jẹ hàn lójú rẹ̀ bí ó ṣe ń wo ara rẹ̀ nínú dígí. Pẹ̀lú àìbalẹ̀ àyà, ẹyin ojú rẹ̀ yípo nínú àkọ̀ rẹ̀̀.


His cheeks had sunk deep. What Alamu saw inside the mirror, actually, was nothing but a caricature of his own former self.


Ẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́ rẹ̀ sì ti pa pó. Ohun tí Àlàmú rí nínú dígí kìí ṣe ohunkóhun bí ko ṣe òjìjí ara rẹ̀ tẹ́lẹ̀ rí.


No wonder people always gazed at him curiously, suspiciously. He remembered the inquisitorial gaze people gave him, as he got down from his Volkswagen, walked across the street, and entered the bank the other day.


Abájọ tí àwọn ènìyàn fi máa ń wò ó tìyanu-tìyanu, tìfuta-tìfura. Ó rántí ìwò ìbéèrè tí àwọn ènìyàn wò ó, nígbà tó bọ́lẹ̀ nínú ọkọ̀ Volkswagen rẹ̀, tí ó sì rìn òpópónà kọjá, tí ó lọ sí ilé ìfowópamọ́ sí lọ́jọ́ yẹn.


They turned their heads several times looking back at him and muttering - and he began to wonder what the problem was.


Wọ́n ń yírí wẹ̀yìn ní àìmọye ìgbà tí wọ́n ń wò ó tí wọ́n sì ń kùn - ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í wò pé kí ló fà á.


He remembered being gazed at that way only when he first arrived in England. In the streets of London, at the shopping centres and in the University Campus, stiff-necked, umbrella-swinging men and women eyed him from the comers of theirs eyes, winked and hissed at him.


Ó rántí pé wọ́n wo òun bẹ́ẹ̀ nígbà ti òun kọ́kọ́ déìlú òyìnbó. Ní òpópónà Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù àti àwọn ilé ìtajà káàkiri nínú ọgbà Yunfásitì, àwọn ọlọ́run yíyi lọ́kùnrin lóbìnrin ń wò ó láti kọ̀rọ̀ ojú wọn, wọn á ṣẹ́jú wọn á sì pòṣé sí i.


Briskly, the people brushed past him without returning his greetings. And whenever he ventured a discussion, they turned strangely from him and moved away as if they'd encountered a human being who had just descended on their part of the earth from another planet!


Kíákíá, àwọn ènìyàn ń kọjá lára rẹ̀ láì dáhùn sí kíkí rẹ̀. Ìgbàkugbà tó bá sì dá sí ọ̀rọ̀ kan, wọn á kọ orí kúrò níbẹ̀, wọn á sì kúrò bí ìgbàtí wọ́n bá ríènìyàn tí ó ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ dé ayé wọn láti ayé mìíràn.


"At times, when he pinned them to a tight comer and threw some friendly questions at them, they answered him with an absent-minded ""yes... yes... yes"" followed by some kind of mischievous chuckle that often made him look stupid."


"Nígbà mìíràn, tó bá káwọn mọ́ kọ̀rọ̀ kan, tí ó sì bèèrè ìbéèrè lọ́wọ́ wọn pẹ̀lú òyàyà, wọn á dá a lóhùn láì fọkàn sí i ""bẹ́ẹ̀ ni......bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.......bẹ́ẹ̀ ni,"" ni wọ́n á fi dáhùn, tíwọn á sì rìn bí adìẹ, tí èyí sì máa ń jẹ́ kí ó jọ òmùgò."


It was after some time that he got to know that the matter really was his peculiar accent; his bearing; his general comportment. It did not take him long, however, to readjust, and very soon, he became a free-mixer with lots and lots of friends among the white people.


Lẹ́yìn ìgbà díẹ̀, ni ó tó mọ̀ pé ìṣọwọ́ sọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ , ìrìnsí àti ìhùwàsí rẹ̀ ni ó fà á. Kò pẹ́ kí ó tótún raṣe, láàárín àsìkò díẹ̀ ó di alábàá ṣepọ̀ pẹ̀lú òpọ̀lọpọ̀ ọ̀rẹ́ láàárín àwọn aláwọ̀ fúnfún .


Here he was now, at home, going through a similar experience among his own people. But now, for a different reason.


Ótún wà nílé báyìí, ó sì ń la irú nǹkan yìí kọjá láàárín àwọn ènìyàn tirẹ̀. ṣùgbọ́n nísinsìnyí, fún ìdímìíràn ni.


They gazed curiously at him. The gaze literally stripped him naked, and pierced him like a poisoned arrow would pierce the human skin.


Wọ́n ń wò ó tìyanu-tìyanu. Wíwò wọn ń faṣọ ya mọ́ ọn lára, ó sì ń gún un bí ìgbà tí ọfà bá wọ ara ènìyàn.


He was at the bank that day to collect his statement of account. He made a deposit some time after he sold his car. He now wanted to know the true position of the account.


Ó wásí ilé ìfowópamọ́ sí lọ́jọ́ náà láti gba ìwé ìṣirò owó rẹ̀. Ó tọ́ju owó ní kété tó ta mọ́tò rẹ̀. Ó wá fẹ́ mọ pàtó iye owó tó wà lórúkọ rẹ̀.


As he took his seat on the sofa, waiting to be attended to, he decided he would just ignore the harassing look of the people.


Bí ó ṣe ń jókòó sórí àga tìmùtìmù tí ó ń dúró de ẹni tó máa dá a lóhùn, ó pinnu láti fojú pa àwọn ìwò burúkú tí àwọn ènìyàn ń wò ó rẹ́.


They had come to transact business. He too had come to transact business. No more, no less.


Òwò ni wọ́n bá wá. Òun náà sìbá òwò wá.


Everybody must mind their own business. Directly opposite him were the bank officials. First cashier - current second cashier - savings; the ledger man; and the account clerks.


Kí oníkálukú kọju mọ́ ohun tó bá wá. Ní ọ̀kánkán rẹ̀ gan an ni àwọn òṣìṣẹ́ ilé ifowópamọ́sí wà, onítọjú owó kinní,onítọjú owó kejì, olùtọ́júìwé ìṣirò owó àti akòwé ìṣirò.


Sitting inside the inner apartment were the Accountant and the Bank Manager and their two typists.


Àwọn tí wọ́n jókòó nínú lóhùn-ún ni àwọn oníṣirò àti alábojútó ilé ìfowópamọ́sí náà àti àwọn atẹ̀wéwọn méjì.


Alamu avoided the Accountant and the Manager. He was quite familiar with them, but this time around, he was in no mood to exchange pleasantries.


Àlàmú yẹra fún oníṣirò àti alábojútó ilé ìfowópamọ́sí náà. Wọ́n mọra dáadáa, ṣùgbọ́n kò sí lára Àlàmú láti kí ènìyàn lásìkò yìí.


They might in the process, start asking him questions about this, about that... questions, for instance, about his place of work and the latest development there.


Wọ́n lè máa fìyẹn bí í ní àwọn ìbéèrè oríṣìírísìí, fún àpẹẹrẹ iṣẹ́ rẹ̀ àti ìlọsíwájú tuntun níbẹ̀.


These are questions he would not want to answer. He was in the bank only for a slight business, and would want to get out of the place as quickly as he could make it.


Kò sì ní fẹ́dáhùn sí irú àwọn ìbéèrè wọ̀nyí. Ó kàn wásí ilé ifowópamọ́ sí yìí fún òwò kékeré ni, á sì fẹ́ jáde ní kíákíá bí ó bá ṣe rọrùn sí.


His attention was directed to the cashier current, who had in front of him a huge pile of new currency notes.


Ojú rẹ̀ lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ olùtọ́jú owó kìíní, tí ó ní òkìtì owótúntún ńlá níwájú rẹ̀.


With the tip of his finger, this cashier flipped expertly through the bundles counting to himself, and shaking his head all along - to attest to the correctness of his arithmetic.


Pẹ̀lú orí ìka ọwọ́ ni olùtọ́jú owó náà fi ń ṣí i láwẹ́láwẹ́ tí ó sì ń kà á síra rẹ̀ tí ó sì ju orí tẹ̀lé kíkà rẹ̀ yìí láti fìdí kíkà rẹ̀ yìí múlẹ̀.


The pile of notes in front of the cashier might be running to several thousands of naira. Perhaps four hundred thousand or even eight hundred thousand.


Òkìtì owó tó wà níwájú rẹ̀ yìí lè tó ẹgbẹẹgbẹ̀rún náírà. Bóyá ogún ọ̀kẹ́ tàbí ogójì ọ̀kẹ́.


This was the government bank - bank of all civil servants, top executives and merchants. So, there should be plenty of money to move around here. here.


Ilé ìfowópamọ́sí ti ìjọba ni eléyìí̀, ilé fowópamọ́sí àwọn òṣìṣẹ́ ìjọba, alábojútó ńláńláàti àwọn oníṣòwò. Fún ìdí èyí, ó yẹ kí owó tí wọ́n ń gbé káàkiri níbí pọ̀.


The pile in front of the cashier, might even be running to a million naira.


Òkìtì owó iwájú onítọjú owó á ti máa wọ mílíọ́nù náírà kan.


That was a pretty big sum enough money to build a decent well furnished mansion, buy a three-seater Mercedes Benz, set up a large business and feed a family of three for a period of ten years.


Owó ńlá gbáà ni èyí, ó tó kọ́ ilé ńlá tí a ṣe lọ́ṣọ̀ọ́ gidi, á ra ọkọ̀ mẹ̀sí ọlọ́yẹ́ oníjokòó mẹ́ta, á wá bẹ̀rẹ̀ òwòńlá, á sì bọ́ ẹbí eléèyàn mẹ́ta fún odidi ọdún mẹ́wàá gbáko.


Alamu's eyes kept turning to the direction of cashier number one, and to that huge pile in front of him. Would this cashier call his tally number and invite him to come and carry the pile away!.


Ojú Àlàmú kò kúrò ní apá ọ̀dọ̀ olùtọ́jú owó kìíníyìí, àti òkìtì owó tó wà níwájú rẹ̀. ṣé olùtọ́jú owóyìí á pè é pé kí ó máa gbé òkìtì owó náà lọ!


That would have been the end of his troubles.


Ìyẹn ò bá tán gbogbo wàhálà rẹ̀.


All his problems would have disappeared there and then. He would have walked into his place of work at Bajoks Company Limited, the following morning and flung his resignation letter in the face of the Personnel Manager of the company, cursing him, swearing oaths at him for all his wickedness and handedness.


Gbogbo ìṣòro rẹ̀ ò bá parẹ lójú ẹsẹ̀. Kò bá wọ iléeṣé Bajoks tí ó ti ń ṣiṣẹ́ lówùúrọ̀ ọjọ́ kejì kí ó sì ju lẹ́tà ìfiṣẹ́sílẹ̀ rẹ̀ fún alábojútó iléeṣẹ́ náà, kí ó ṣépè fún un, kí ó búra gbogbo ìwà ìkà rẹ̀ sí òun àti rírorò tí ó rorò.


He would have been spared, once and all the ordeal of anonymous petitions, stupid queries and master-minded enquiries and probes, all of which were attached to the big job of an Accountant, but now, he was neck-deep in all this official mess.


Kò bá ti bọ́ lẹ́ẹ̀kan lọ́wọ́ gbogbo ìpèlẹ́jọ́ àìmọ̀dí, lẹ́tà ṣàlàyé ara rẹ àti ọ̀fin tótó olùfisùn àti àwọn ìwádìí tí ó so mọ́ iṣẹ́ oníṣirò, ṣùgbọ́n nísinsìnyí, gbogbo wàhálà yìí ti wọ̀ ọ́ lọ́rùn.


"A million naira in his pocket?. ""Come, come take your job back Mr. Personnel Manager! Oga patapata of Bajoks Company Limited! I don't want it anymore! I can employ you right now and pay your salary three years in advance."


Tí mílíọ́ọ̀nù ná írà kan bá wà lápò rẹ̀? Wá gba iṣẹ́ rẹ padà ọ̀gbẹ́ni alábojútó òṣìṣẹ́ iléeṣẹ́ Bajoks! N kò fẹ́ ẹ mọ́! Mo lè gbá ò siṣẹ́ báyìí ki ń sì san àsan-án-lẹ̀ owó oṣù rẹ̀ fún ọdún mẹ́ta.


I'll then be your boss issuing queries to you, setting up probes against you, making you run from pillar to post bringing you down on your knees and finally giving you a letter of termination of appointment!


Màá wá jé ọ̀gá rẹ̀, màá pè ọ́ lẹ́jọ́, màá so wàhálà mọ́ ọ lẹ́sẹ̀, tí ó máa jẹ́ kí ó máa sáré mọ́tò kọlu kẹ̀kẹ́ lórí ìkúnlẹ̀, tí màá sì wá fún o níwẹ̀ẹ́ gbélé ẹ!!


Alamu watched as the fat-necked, pot-bellied rich men of the city hurried in and out of the bank carrying executive handbags packed full with currency notes. And he bit his lips.


Àlàmú ń wo bí àwọn olówó ìlú, ọlọ́rùn kíki àti àwọn oníkùn agbè ṣe ń wọlé-jáde nínú ilé ìfowópamọ́ sí pẹ̀lú àwọn bàágí ìfàlọ́wọ́ ńlá tí ó kún fún owó kọ̀rẹ́ńsì. Ó gé ètè rẹ̀ jẹ.


Here were the city's delicate millionaires and emergency directors of imaginary companies.


Èyí ni àwọn olówó mílíọ́nù-mílíọ́nù ẹlẹgẹ́ àti olùdarí pàjáwìrì fún àwọn iléeṣẹ́ àfọkànrò.


But these people were making the money - quite alright, quite easily, quite comfortably.


Ṣùgbọ́n àwọn ènìyàn yìí ń pawó dáadáa pẹ̀lú ìrọ̀rùn, pẹ̀lú ìfọkànbalẹ̀.


And it had never been recorded that any of them had faced the firing squad.


Kò sì sí lákọsílẹ̀ pé ọ̀kan nínú wọn fẹ̀yìn tọ àgbá.


Here they were now smoking tobacco and laughing hilariously as they carried millions of naira in and out of the bank.


Níbí, wọ́n ń fa tábà, tí wọ́n sì ń rẹ́rìn-ín àrìyá bí wọ́n ṣe ń gbé mílíọ́nù náírà wọlé jáde ilé ìfowópamọ́sí .


People who could not sign their own names but were always thumb-printed!


Àwọn tí ò lè fọwọ́ síwèébí kò ṣe kíwọ́n tẹ̀ka!


These were people who could neither read nor write.


Èyí ni àwọn ènìyàn tí ò lè kọ tàbí kíwọ́n lè ka ìwé.


These were people who could not write the letter 'O' with the bottom of a round bottle!


"Àwọn ènìyànyìí ni wọn kò lè fìdí ìgò kọ ""O."""


One's purpose of education had been defeated! If one would burn the midnight oil and face the wrath of the terrible winter in the white man's land for donkey years, and still come back home to suffer and suffer then book work was sheer waste of time, a real waste of energy.


Wọ́n ti borí ìdífún ìwé kíkà, bí ènìyàn bá jó epo àtùpà òru, tí ó sì fojú winá òtútù burúkú nílẹ̀ aláwọ̀funfunfún àìmọye ọdún, tí ó tún padà wálé wá jìyà -ìfàsìkò ṣòfò gbáà ni ìwé kíkà jẹ́ nígbà yẹn, ìfokun ṣòfò gbáà ni.


The Accounts Clerk beckoned on Alamu, stretched out his hands and handed over to him the small slip inside which he inscribed the balance of his account.


Akọ̀wé ìṣirò owó ti pe Àlàmú , ó sì na wọ́ ìwé pélébé tí ó kọ owó tí ó ṣẹ́kù fún un sí.


It was a debit balance of seventy naira! Alamu's head turned round and round.


Ó jẹ gbèsè àádọ́run náírà! Orí Àlàmú yípo yípo.


He started back-pedalling, feeling his way out of the bank with clumsy, unmeasured footsteps. But, momentarily, he hesitated in front of Cashier Number One and saw that those huge piles of new naira notes were still standing, yet unclaimed. But they were not for him! And he bit his lips.


Ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í fẹ̀yìn rìn padà, lọ sí ọ̀nà ìta pẹ̀lú ìrìn ẹsẹ̀ lílọ́, tí kò wo ibi tí ó ń lọ. ṣùgbón, ó bá ara rẹ̀ níwájú olùtọ́jú owó àkọ́kọ́, ó sìrí ipé òkìtì owó náà kò tí ì kúrò níbẹ̀, wọn kò sì rẹ́ni gbàá. Kì í ṣe tirẹ̀! Ó sì gé ètè rẹ̀ jẹ.


The bank security man - an ex-servicemen of World War Two fame moved closer to Alamu with a questioning look and escorted him out with some disparaging remarks which he muttered under his breath.


Ẹ̀ṣọ́ ilé Ìfowópamọ́sí náà tí ó jẹ́ ajagun fẹ̀yìntì nínú ogun àgbáyé kejì súnmọ́ Àlàmú pẹ̀lú ìwò tó ń ṣè béèrè, ó sìn-ín jáde pẹ̀lú ọ̀rọ̀ àbùkù.


He was newly-appointed as the bank's security man and had apparently not met Alamu before.


Wọ́n ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ gba ẹ̀ṣọ́ yìí siṣẹ́ ní ilé ìfowópamọ́ sí yìí ni, kò sì tí ì bá Àlàmú pàdé rí.


The security man tapped his fingers three times. He observed that people had started looking at him, taking interest in what he was doing. He was glad to be so noticed to be seen doing his job. performing his duty.


Ẹ̀ẹ̀mẹ́ tani ẹ̀ṣọ́ náà tàka. Ó rí i pé àwọn ènìyàn ti ń wo òun, tí ó sì dùn mọ́ ọn, wọ́n rí i pé òun ń ṣiṣẹ́ òun bí iṣẹ́. Inú rẹ̀ dùn pé wọ́n ṣàkíyèsí òun pé òun ń ṣiṣẹ́ òun.


Alamu had rushed inside his car that day, took a bad look at the slip in his hand, and tore it to pieces.


Àlàmú kù gìrì wọnú mọ́tò rẹ̀ lọ́jọ́ náà, tí ó sì wo ìwé pélébé ọwọ́ rẹ̀ níwò burúkú, ó sì fàá ya sí wẹ́wẹ́.


Very soon the bank's authorities would be trailing him for his seventy naira debt.


Kò níí pẹ́ tí àwọn olùṣàkóso ilé ìfowópamọ́sí á máa wáa kiri fún gbèsè àádọ́rin náírà rẹ̀.


He started his car engine and drove like a possessed man through the city's streets, meandering around the blind corners dangerously. A lurid glow of smoke from the car's silencer chased after him .


Ó ṣáná sọ́kọ̀ rẹ̀, ó sì wà ábí ẹni táyé ń ṣe ni àwọn òpópónà ìlú, tí ó sì ń wa ìwàkuwà ní àwọn ọ̀nà kọ̀rọ̀ ìlú torótoró. Èéfín tó pòkudu láti ara agbẹ̀du mọ́tò ń sáré tẹ̀lé e.


That was a day Alamu would never forget...


Ọjọ́ mánigbàgbé ni ọjọ́ yìí jẹ́fún Àlàmú...


Now as he looked at himself in the mirror inside the sitting room, he seemed to understand the day he visited the bank reason for the curious looks from people the other his appearance, his ble appearance! He shook his head sadly out of pity for the battered figure that gazed back at him from inside the mirror - his own figure.


Nísinsìnyí, bí ó ṣe ń wo ara rẹ̀ nínú dígí ní ìyàrá àlejò, òye ìwò ìyanu tí àwọn ènìyàn ń wò ó lọ́jọ́ tí ó lọsí ilé ifowópamọ́sí yé e. Ó mirí pẹ̀lú ìbànújẹ́ àti ìkáàánú fún nǹkan rádaràda tí ó ń rí nínú dígí - Àwòrán ara rẹ̀.


Alamu knew that as long as he left his hair, moustache and beard shaved, people would continue taking him for the eccentric bar-beach prophet preaching salvation, calling sinners to repentance, for the crazy road-side magician shouting abracadabra performing wonders with his wand... Or - God forbid!, for a mental patient, fresh from his escape from the herbalist's lunatic asylum!


Àlàmú mọ̀ pé níwọ̀nìgbà tí òun bá ti fi irun orí, irunmú àti irùngbọ̀n rẹ̀ sílẹ̀ láìfá, àwọn ènìyàn á máa fi òun pe wèrè wòlíì etí òkun tí ó ń wàásù ìgbàlà fún àwọn ẹlẹ́ṣẹ̀, tàbí wèrè onídán lẹ́gbẹ̀ẹ́títì tí ó ń pidán pẹ̀lú ọ̀pá ìpidán rẹ̀.... tàbí ....Ọlọ́run májẹ̀ẹ́! Wèrè tuntun tó ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ já kúrò ní ọgbà ìtọ́jú wèrè babaláwo.


That was why Alamu's mother seeing him now, hesitated when she entered the house. She was in town on a casual visit to Alamu. There used to be no ceremony about Mama's visit.


Èyí ló fà á tí ìyá Àlàmú fi yarí nígbà tó wọ inú ilé. Ìyá náà wá síì gboro láti wá bẹ Àlàmú wò láì rò tẹ́lè. Kò sí nǹkan bààbàrà kankan nípa ìbẹ̀wò màmá.


The old woman would just come into the house unannounced and at a time most convenient to her. Most of the time, however, she often felt satisfied with occasional messages from her son, and would not trouble herself coming to town, That was the reason she'd kept off for such a long time...


Ìyá àgbàlagbà náà á kàn wọ inú ilé wá láìsọ tẹ́lẹ̀ lásìkò tó bá wù ú. Ní ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbà, iṣẹ́ gbogbo ìgbà tíọmọ rẹ̀ ń rán sí i máa ń tẹ́ ẹ lọ́rùn, kò sì ní da ara rẹ̀ láàmú láti wá síì gboro. Ìdí nìyẹn tó fi pẹ́ ẹ tó èyí...


The last time she came to town was Tinu's naming ceremony. She spent five days. Five hectic days.


Ìgbà ìkómọjáde Tinú ni ó ti wá sígboro kẹ́yìn. Ó lo ọ́jọ́ márùn-ún. Ọjọ́ márùn-ún gbáko pẹ̀lú iṣẹ́ àṣelàágùn.


Mama and Labake never saw eye all through. Labake would not allow Mama to feed the new baby, the traditional way. Mama was always contesting that, letting Labake know that she fed her husband that way.


Làbákẹ́ àti màmá kò ríra lójúkojú fún gbogbo àsìkò náà. Làbákẹ́ ò ní jẹ́ kí màmá fún ọmọ tuntun náà lóúnjẹ nílànà ìbílẹ̀. Màmá á wá ṣàròyé, ó wá jẹ́ kí Làbákẹ́ mọ̀ pé bí òun ṣe fún ọkọ rẹ̀ lóúnjẹ nìyẹn.


Labake would not allow Mama to carry the baby for too long. She would remind Mama that they did not purchase the cot for nothing.


Làbákẹ́ kì í jẹ́ kí màmá gbé ọmọ náà pẹ́ jù. Á rán màmá létí pé àwọn kò ra ibùsùn ọmọ dé lásán.


Labake's reluctance to breast-feed the child was one other bone of contention, then her refusal to sing to the child to lull her to sleep.


Ìlọ́ra Làbákẹ́ sí fífún ọmọ lọ́mú tún jẹ́ kókó ìjà mìíràn àti àìlè kọrin láti rẹ ọmọ náà tẹ́.


Mama and Labake took opposite stands in all things. There was nothing they did not contest with each other over Tinu.


Kókó ọ̀rọ̀ ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ ni Làbákẹ́ àti Màmá máa ń dúró lé nínú gbogbo nǹkan. Kò sí nǹkan tí wọn ò jiyàn sí lórí ọ̀rọ̀ Tinú.


And at the end of the fifth day, Mama left for home in annoyance.


Lẹ́yìn ọjọ́ karùn-ún, Màmá bínú lọ ilé.


Here was Mama again on yet another visit. But this time, she was visiting her son for a purpose - a different purpose.


Màmá lótún dé báyìí, fún ìbẹ̀wò mìíràn lọ́tẹ̀ yìí. Ó wá bẹ ọmọ rẹ̀ wò fún ìdí kan ni, ìdí tó yàtọ̀.


She put down her basket and for a brief period, stood gazing at the bearded, bushy-haired man in front of her.


Ó gbé apẹ̀rẹ̀ rẹ̀ sílẹ̀ ó sì dúró fún ìgbà díẹ̀, ó ń wo onírùngbọ̀n àti irun orí kíkún tó wà níwájú rẹ̀.


Alamu stood up from the mirror, tumed round and prostrated before his mother in the traditional way.


Àlàmú dìde kúrò níbi dígí, ó kọjú sẹ́yìn, ó sì dọ̀bálẹ̀ kíìyá rẹ̀gẹ́gẹ́ bí àṣà ṣe sọ.


That was what the old woman always liked. She cherished the customs of her people so much and always wanted her child to respect the customs too - no matter his position or station in life....


Nǹkan tí ìyá àgbà náà máa ń ní fẹ̀ẹ́ sí rè é. Ó pọ́n àṣà àti ìṣe àwọn ènìyàn rẹ̀ lé púpọ̀, tí ó sì máa ń fẹ́ kíọmọ rẹ̀ bọ̀wọ̀ fún àṣà náà - ipòkípò àti ipele tí ì bá à wà láyé...


Whatever amount of extra effort was therefore, to prostrate, Alamu was always ready to spare it for the sake of the old woman - even if that effort was going to strain or break his spinal cord!


Gbogbo ìgbìyànjú tó bá nílò láti dọ̀bálẹ̀ ni Àlàmú máa ń lò nítorí ìyá rẹ̀ - ìgbìyànjú náà ì bá à ṣẹ́ tàbí kán an ní egungun ẹ̀yìn!


For the period he was away in England, he'd been completely out of practice.


Fún gbogbo ìgbà tí ó fi wà nílùú òyìnbó, kò gbìyànjú rẹ̀ rárá.


But ever since his return, his spinal cord together with its muscles had been so reconditioned and now he could prostrate with some ease. Old Mama would want nothing short of it from her only child. Alamu knew this.


Ṣùgbọ́n láti ìgbà tó ti dé ni egungun ẹ̀yìn rẹ̀ ti padà sípò tí ó sì ti lè dọ̀bálẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ìrọ̀rùn. Màmá àgbà kò fẹ́ nǹkan mìíràn rọ́pò èyí lọ́wọ́ ọmọ rẹ̀ kan ṣoṣo. Àlàmú sì mọ èyí.


Alamu. Alamu.. Is that you Alamu?' the old woman asked.


Àlàmú. Àlàmú... ṣé ìwọ rè é Àlàmú ? Obìnrin àgbàlagbà yìí bẹ̀rẹ̀.


"""Yes Mama. We welcome you Mama'."


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni màmá, Ẹ káàbọ̀ màmá.


"""Alamu, what is this that I see over your lip? Moustache? And what is this bush that I see over your chin?. Your head too! What's wrong Alamu?."


"""Àlàmú, Kí ni èyí tí mò ń wò lókè ètè rẹ yìí? Irunmú? Kítún ni igbó tí mò ń rí lágbọ̀n rẹ yìí? Àti orí rẹ náà! Kí ló ṣẹlẹ̀ Àlàmú?"


The way you look Alamu... are you sick? Have you been sick?'


Wo bí o ṣe rí Àlàmú... Ṣé ara rẹ kò yá ni? Ṣé ó ti rẹ̀ ọ́ tipẹ́ ni?


"""No Mama. No sickness. No problem at all. Did you see anything Mama?"


"""Rárá màmá. Kò sáìsàn. Kò síì ṣòro rárá. ṣe ẹ rí nǹkankan ni màmá?"""


"""Did I see anything! Alamu? What a question! You think I don't have eyes to see? As I look at you now I can see many things."


"""Ṣé mo rí nǹkankan! Àlàmú? Ẹ ẹ̀ rí ìbéèrè! Ṣé o lérò pé n kò lójú láti ríran? Bí mo ṣe ń wò ọ́yìí, mo rín ǹkan púpọ̀."


Things you yourself may never see! What are you telling me? What are you asking me? Alamu? Ha. ha. ha.. Alamu?


Àwọn nǹkan tí ìwọ gan an alára lè má ri! Kí lò ń sọfún mi yìí? Kí lò ń bi mí? Àlàmú? Hà.....hà.......hà...Àlàmú?


The old woman dropped her jaw. She clapped her hands and looked her son up and down, unbelieving.


Ẹnu ya ìyá àgbàlàgbà náà, ó pàtẹ́wọ́, ó sì wo ọmọ rẹ̀ látòkè délẹ̀ láìgbàgbọ́.


Her fears had now been confirmed. She'd got a hint of what she would meet in town ever before she left the village. What she felt in the village was a sudden twitch on the nipples of her wrinkled breasts. She felt the twitch for upwards of one week - and she knew something unusual was going to happen, or had been happening to her son in town.


Ìbẹ̀rù rẹ̀ ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wá fẹsẹ̀ múlẹ̀. Ó ti ní ìfura ohun tí yóò bá ní gboro kí ó tó di pé ó kúrò lábúlé. Ohun tí ó fuúlára lábúlé ni ìdéédé já pàtìní orí ọmú rẹ̀ tó ti hunjọ. Ó ṣe é bá yìí fún ọ̀sẹ̀ kan - ó sì mọ̀ pé nǹkan àìròtẹ́lẹ̀ yóò ṣẹlẹ̀ tàbí ó ti ń ṣẹlẹ̀ sọ́mọ rẹ̀ nígboro.


That was the way she felt on the two previous occasions when Alamu had motor accidents on the Lagos - Ibadan Express Way. Her old breasts twitched, threatened to send out milk! Alamu was her only child who sucked those breasts. And God had given her a gift of telepathy with her son through those saggy breasts of hers.


Bí ó ṣe ṣe é rè é níì gbàméjì ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ tí Àlàmú ní ìjàm̀bá ọkọ̀ ní òpópónà márosẹ̀ Èkó sí Ìbàdàn. Ọmú arúgbó yìí já-pàtì, ó ń lérí láti máa sẹ̀! Àlàmú jẹ́ ọmọ rẹ̀ kan ṣoṣo tí ó mu ọyàn náà. Ọlọ́run sì ti fún un lẹ́bùn fífura sọ́rọ̀ ọmọ rẹ̀ láti ara ọmú náà.


Yes indeed, it was the gift of God. Gift from above.


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, ẹ̀bùn tí Ọlọ́run dìídì fún un ni. Ẹ̀bùn àtòkèwá.


A gift for all loving and truly devoted mothers. A mother-and-child bond.


Ẹ̀bùn fún àwọnìyá tó nífẹ̀é, tó sì ní àfọkànsí tòótọ́. Okùn ìyá àti ọmọ.


A mysterious bond, passing all understanding.


Okùn tó jinlẹ̀, tó ju gbogbo òye lọ.


Some mothers had the gift of telepathy through dreams, others through the enigmatic imaginative power of hallucination. Other true mothers would get messages through signs - signs such as the sudden rumbling of the womb inside which they carried their babies for nine months, or such as the quick jerk of the bone of the back over which their babies crawled during infancy.


Ẹ̀bùn ìfura sọ́rọ̀ ọmọ àwọn ìyá mìíràn ni àlá, àwọn mìíràn níagbára àti rí nǹkan. Àwọn abiyamọ tòótọ́ mìíràn máa ń rí àmì - àmìbí i kí íle-ọmọtí wọ́n gbé ọmọ sí fún oṣù mẹ́sàn-án déédé dún, tàbí kí egúngún ẹ̀yìn tí ọmọ wọn ń gùn ní kékeré déédé sọ kúlú.


It was the twitching of the breasts in the case of Alamu's mother.


Jíjá-pà tì ọmú ni ti ìyá Àlàmú.


And when, back in the village, Mama's breasts started twitching ceaselessly for seven whole days, she in apprehension, started packing her buba and iro and a few other necessary items inside the basket in preparation for a visit to her son in town.


Nígbà náà, tí màmá wà lábúlé, ọmú Màmá ń já-pàtìlá ìdáwọ́dúró fún odidi ọjọ́ méje, pẹ̀lú ìbẹ̀rù ni ó fi bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í dí àwọn ìró àti bùbá rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú àwọn ohun èèlòmìíràn tí yóò nílò sínú apẹ̀rẹ̀ níì gbàradì láti lọ bẹ ọmọ rẹ̀ wò ní ìgboro.


It was a long time since she last saw him - now going to a year - and this present lean and gaunt appearance sent instant tears dropping down her wrinkled cheeks.


Ó ti ṣe díẹ̀ tí ó ti rí i - ó ti fẹ́rẹ̀ ẹ́ pé ọdún kan, rírù àti gbígbẹ tí ó rí nínú ìrísí Àlàmú yìí sì jẹ́ kí omijé bọ́ lójú rẹ̀ wàrà-wàrà ní ẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ rẹ̀ tó ti hun jo.


"""Tell me, "" she pressed, ""Tell me Alamu what exactly is wrong.. what the matter is"""


"""Sọ fún mi,"" ó tẹ numọ, ""Àlàmú sọ nǹkan tí ó yíwọ́ ní pàtó fún mi... nǹkan tó ṣẹlẹ̀ gan an."""


"""Nothing Mama, We are all fine. Labake has just gone out with Tiny. They'll soon be back. We are all fine."""


"""Kò sí ǹkankan Màmá, gbogbo wa la wà dáadáa. Làbákẹ́ sẹ̀sẹ̀ jáde pẹ̀lú Tinú. Wọn á tóó dé. A wà dáadáa."""


Alamu opened his mouth wide and started his usual strange loud laughter, It lasted for almost two minutes... non-stop.


Àlàmú la ẹnu rẹ̀ gbàgà, ó sì bú sí ẹ̀rín aláriwo abàmì tí ó máa ń rín. Ó rín in fún ìsẹ́jú méjì... láìdúró.


"""Hum hum - Ha ha ha ha - hum hum - Mama - hum hum - Ha ha ha ha - My Mama - Hum hum..."""


"""Hun hun - ha ha ha ha - hun hun màámi, hun hun - ha ha ha ha - màámi - hun hun..."""


"Alamu's mother crashed to the floor, and burst into a body-racking sob! It was convulsive. It was prolonged. She did not recover from the shock until after some five minutes. When at last she regained consciousness, it was still with the ""why-why-why.. what what-what. and how-how-how"" questions on her lips."


Ìyá Àlàmú wó lulẹ̀, ó sì bú sẹ́kún gidi! Ó gbọ̀n rìrì. Ó tó ìṣẹ́jú márùn-ún kí ara rẹ̀ tó balẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ ìkolù náà. Nígbà tí ara rẹ̀ wálẹ̀ tán, ìbéèrè kí ni - kí ni - kí ni àti báwo ni - báwo ni - báwo ni ló ṣì ń jábọ́ lẹ́nu rẹ̀.


All through the night of that day, Mama's eyes did not close.


Ní gbogbo òru ọjọ́ náà, màmá ò pajú dé.


She engaged her son in conversation for most of the time.


Ẹjọ́ ló ń bá ọmọ rẹ̀ rò ní ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbà.


She asked him questions concerning his food; his manner of feeding; the type of friends he kept; where he slept at night, the way he slept, the attitude of the neighbours to him and most importantly, his relationship with Labake at home.


Ó bèèrè nípa oúnjẹ rẹ̀; ìṣọwọ́ jẹun rẹ̀, irú àwọn ọ̀rẹ́ tí ó ń kó, ibi tí ó ń sùn sí lálẹ́; bí ó ṣe ń sùn; ìṣesí àwọn ará àdúgbòsí i; àti pàápàá jùlọ, Ìbáṣepọ̀ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú Làbákẹ́ nílé.


Alamu's answers were not direct.


Àwọn ìdáhùn Àlàmú kò lọ tààrà.


Just a word or at best a phrase.


Bí ọ̀rọ̀ kan tàbí àpólà gbólóhùn.


He gave them in a manner indicating that he was with Mama only in body.


Ó ńdáhùn pẹ̀lú ìfihàn pé òun wà pẹ̀lú màmá ní tara nìkan.


"But all through their discussion one thing Alamu did not forget to say was: ""No problem Mama... No problem at all,"" He said it several times to his mother ending usually with a loud nervous laughter that left Mama in no doubt that there really was a problem. a big problem."


"Ṣùgbọ́n nínú gbogbo ọ̀rọ̀ wọn, ohun kan tí Àlàmú ò gbàgbé láti sọ ni pé ""Kò sí ìṣòro màmá... Kò síì ṣòro rárá."" Ó sọ ọ́ láì mọye ìgbà fún ìyá rẹ̀ tí ó sì ń fi ẹ̀rín aláriwo kẹ́yìn rẹ̀, tí màmá sì mọ̀ pé láì ṣiyèméjì, ìṣòro wà........ìṣòro ńlá!"


Was this haggard-looking, laughing buffoon really her own son? Her own loving son whom she carried inside her womb for nine months and on her back all through his infancy?


Ṣé èyí tó rí jálajàla, tí ó ńrẹ́rìn-ín wèrè yìí ni ọmọ òun ? Ọmọ rẹ̀ ọ̀wọ́n tí ó gbé sínú fún oṣù mẹ́sàn-án tí ó tún wà lẹ́yìn rẹ̀ nígbà tó wà lọ́mọ ọwọ́?


Was this the child sucked her breasts for three years and over whom she had countless sleepless nights? Had her only son now gone mad? Was this the reason why her breasts twitched and twitched for seven days. twitching because Alamu had started to turn his head?


Ṣé ọmọ tó mu ọmú àyà rẹ̀ fún ọdún mẹ́ta tí kò fi lójú oorun alẹ́ láì mọye ìgbà rè é? Ṣé ọmọ ọkùnrin rẹ̀ ṣoṣo ti wá ya wèrè? Ṣé ìdí tí ọmú rẹ̀ fi ń já pàtì pàtì fún odidi ọjọ́ méje, ó ń já pà tì nítorí orí Àlàmú ti ń yí.


Enemies!... Enemies!... The evil machinations the enemies had started manifesting itself. Mama had been told many years ago, that Alamu's trouble would start as soon as he returned from the white man's country.


Ọ̀tá!... ọ̀tá!......Èròńgbà ibi àwọn ọ̀tá ti ń fara hàn. Màmá ti gbọ́ láti ọdún púpọ̀ sẹ́yìn, pé ìṣòro Àlàmú á bẹ̀rẹ̀ ní kété tí ó bá ti ń ti ìlú Òyìnbó dé.


That was why Mama did everything possible, originally, to stop her son from going abroad.


Ìdí nìyí tí màmá fi gbogbo ipá rẹ̀ láti má jẹ́kí Àlàmú lọ sí òkè-òkun.


The medicine man spoke of her son's enemies. It was her son's destiny to have several enemies. The type of head he brought to the world was the head other people would envy; a brilliant head with a superior brain.


Bàbá oníṣẹ́gun náà ti sọ nípa àwọn ọ̀tá ọmọ rẹ̀. Àyànmọ́ rẹ̀ ni láti ní òpọ̀lọpọ̀ ọ̀tá. Orí tó gbé wáyé jẹ́ irú orí tí àwọn ènìyàn máa ń jowú, orí tí ó mọ̀na tí ó sì ní ọpọlọ tó ga jù.


The type of head many people would want for their children.


Irú orí tí òpọ̀lọpọ̀ ènìyàn ń wáfún ọmọ wọn.


Naturally, therefore, Alamu was going to be the target of envy. His enemies, according to the medicine man, were not going to be in any hurry.


Fún ìdí èyí, dandan ni kí wọ́n jowú ẹ̀. Gẹ́gẹ́ bí oníṣẹ́gun náà ṣe sọ, àwọn ọ̀tá rẹ̀ kò ní kánjú.


They would be waiting to deal with him at the peak of his success in life. They would strike during that crucial time and bring him down using somebody very close to him.


Wọn á máa dúró láti dá sẹ̀ríà fún un bí ó bá ti dé ṣóńṣó àṣeyọrí ní ayé rẹ̀. Wọn á dojú kọ ọ́ lásìkò pàtàkì yẹn, wọn á sì mú un wálẹ̀ láti ara ẹni tí ó súnmọ́ ọn pẹ́kípẹ́kí.


Mama was experienced enough to recognise the diabolical power of the enemies, she knew that the enemies could operate from without and from within.


Màmá ní ìrírí tí ó tó láti lè dá ọwọ́ agbára àwọn ọ̀tá mọ̀, ó mọ̀ pé àwọn ọ̀tá lè ṣiṣẹ́ láti ìta àti lábẹ́lé.


She knew again that, by all sorts of tricks and insinuations, enemies could set son, mother and father against one another, they could lead daughter and parents to pitch battle and rum good friends bitter enemies; they could make wife and husband sit on each other's neck and smiling, lead each other to the gates of hell!


Ótún mọ̀ pé pẹ̀lú ọgbọ́n àrékérekè oríṣìíríṣìí àti èròńgbà ni àwọn ọ̀tá lè fi mú ọmọkùnrin pẹ̀lú ìyá àti bàbá rẹ̀ kọlu ara wọn, wọ́n sì lè mú ọmọbìnrin àti àwọn òbí rẹ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀ ìjà kí wọn ó sì yí ọ̀rẹ́ dáadáa padà sí ọ̀tá búburú; wọ́n lè mú ọkọ àti ìyáwó jókòó lé ara wọn lọ́rùn kí wọn sì máa bá ara wọn fẹyín, kí wọ́n sì darí ara wọn sí ibodè ọ̀run àpáàdì!


Mama reflected and stretched her imagination...


Màmá ronú jinlẹ̀, ó rò ó sọ́tùn-ún sósì...


If there was somebody very close to Alamu, that fellow was Labake. They often slept together and ate from the same plate.


Bí ẹnikẹ́ni bá wà tó súnmọ́ Àlàmú bí iṣan-ọrùn ẹ̀dá náà kò lè ṣẹ̀yìn Làbákẹ́. Òpọ̀lọpọ̀ ìgbà ni wọ́n máa ń sùn papọ̀ tí wọ́n sì máa ń jẹun láti inú àwo kan náà.


They always clung to each other like yam tendrils.


Wọ́n máa ń lẹ̀ típẹ́ típẹ́ mọ́ ara wọn bí ìtàkùn iṣu.


It could as well be the enemies were going to use Labake as an instrument for Alamu's destruction.


Ó lè jẹ́ pé àwọn ọ̀tá fẹ́ lo Làbákẹ́ gẹ́gẹ́ bí ohun èèlò fún ìparun Àlàmú.


Mama got confirmation of this on the second day... thanks to the free mind and the innocent nature of Zenabu, the house maid. Zenabu had been watching the situation at home with suppressed anxiety and fear, not knowing who to tell it to, or how to tell it.


Màmá fi ìdí èyí mụ́lẹ̀ lọ́jọ́ kejì..........ọpẹ́lọpẹ́ẹ ìwà ìtúnúká àti àìlẹ́bi tí a dá mọ́ Sènábù, ọmọ ọ̀dọ̀ wọn. Sènábù ti ń wo ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ tí ó ń lọ nílé pẹ̀lú ifipamọ́ aájò àti ìbẹ̀rù, láìmọ ẹni tí yóò sọfún àti bí ó ṣe máa sọ ọ́.


But now she found in old Mama a confidant, with whom she could operate on the same level and, accordingly. Zenabu let loose her tongue to Mama.


Ṣùgbọ́n ní báyìí, ó rí màmá gẹ́gẹ́ bí olùfọkàntán tí ó lè bá sowọ́ pọ̀ ní ipele kan náà. Nítorí náà ó lanu sọ ọ́ fún Màmá.


She'd caught her madam several times joining her mouth with that of master - both in broad day-light and at night inside their dimly-lit room as she peeped through the key hole...


Ó ti ká mà dáámú lọ́pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìgbà tí ó ń so ẹnu rẹ̀ pọ̀ mọ́ ti ọ̀gá ní ojúmọmọ àti lóru nínú yàrá wọn tí wọ́n tan iná tó pòkudu síbí ó ṣe ń yọjú láti ibi ihò kọ́kọ́rọ́.


In that position, according to Zenabu, her madam was always saying something in whispers to master. And soon, master's eyes would turn red and close up.


Ní ipò yẹn, gẹ́gẹ́ bí Sènábù ṣe sọ, màdáámú máa ń sọ nǹkan kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́ sí ọ̀gá. Bí ó bá sì ṣe díẹ̀, ojú ọ̀gá á pọ́n á sì padé.


Then he would stagger and fall on the bed, feeling dizzy no doubt.


Lẹ́yìn náà, ọ̀gá á ta gbọ̀n-ọ́n gbọ̀n-ọ́n, á sì ṣubú sórí ibùsùn pẹ̀lú òyì láìṣiyèméjì.


And for a long time, master would lic down unconscious - like an epileptic victim.


Fún ìgbà pípẹ́, ọ̀gá á dùbúlẹ̀ láìlérò bí oníwárápá.


Zenabu gave the account to Mama innocently and with tears welling up in her eyes.


Sènábù ṣàlàyé fún màmá pẹ̀lú ọkàn mímó àìlẹ́bí àti omijé lójú rẹ̀.


Labake.... Labake.... What a terrible name for anybody to called by! It tasted sour in the mouth, like bitter leaf, twisting the tongue, soiling the mouth like the stickly mess of saltless okro soup.


Làbákẹ́...... Làbákẹ́......orúkọ tí a fi ń ṣé pè orúkọ! Ó kan lẹ́nu, bí ewúro, ó ń lọ́ ahọ́n, ó ń kó ẹnu ènìyàn bí i ọbẹ̀ ilá tí ò níyọ̀.


Alamu's mother mused in disgust and spat out the bitter-leaf name of her son's wife.


Ìyá Àlàmú dá sọ̀ pẹ̀lú ìrira, ó sì tutọ́ orúkọ ìyàwó ọmọ rẹ̀ kíkorò jáde.


How very much she now hated that name and the person who bore it.


Bí ó ṣe kórira orúko náà báyìí àti ẹni tí ó ń jẹ́ orúkọ náà.


Mama and Labake were clearly not the best of friend.


Óhàn gbangba pé màmá àti Làbákẹ́ kì í ṣe ọ̀rẹ́ gidi rárá.


The two, all along had merely been tolerating and enduring each other.


Àwọn méjèèjì kàn ṣáà ń níì gbàmọ́ra àti ìfaradà fún ara wọn ni.


What else could they have done in the circumstance? Nothing.


Kíni wọ nìbá tí ṣe? Kòsí.


Labaake was the only wife of Mama's only son...


Làbákẹ́ ni ìyàwó kan ṣoṣo fún ọmọ kan ṣoṣo tí màmá ni....


And Mama was the mother of Labake's loving husband... so it had been difficult for anyone of them to launch a direct attack.


Màmá sì ni ìyáfún ọkọ Làbákẹ́ àtàtà... nítorí náà, ó le fún ìkankan nínú wọn láti dojú ìjà kọ ẹnìkejì.


If they did not like each other surely they must be at each other's throat!


Bí wọn kò bá fẹ́ràn ara wọn, dájú dájú wọ́n gbọ́dọ̀ máa dẹ ara wọn!


But, all along, Alamu had been living up to expectation in his role as an umpire.


Ṣùgbọ́n gbogbo ìgbà ni Àlàmú ń ṣe ojúṣe rẹ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bí onídàájọ́.


He very well knew how to satisfy Mama. He knew the way to please his darling.


Ó mọ bí ó ṣe máa tẹ́ màmá lọ́rùn dáadáa. Ó sì mọ bí ó ṣe máa tẹ́ olólùfẹ́ rẹ̀ lọ́rùn.


That was not to say, however, that he had succeeded in striking a perfect balance.


Èyí kò túmò sí pé ó ti ṣa ṣeyọrí nínú títẹ́ àwọn méjèèjì lọ́rụ̀n ní pípé.


For instance, there had been times when his mother would ask him to stop saying. 'my wife and I... my wife and I', all of the time in her presence.


"Fún àpẹẹrẹ, àwọn àsìkò kán wà tíì yá rẹ̀ ní kí ó yéé máa sọ""èmi àti ìyàwó mi....èmi àti ìyàwó mi"" ní gbogbo ìgbà ní ìṣojú wọn."


It was getting on her nerves.


Ó ń bí wọn nínú.


And there were times when Labake would warn Alamu about tying himself too much to his mother's apron strings.


Àwọn ìgbàmìíràn sì wà tí Làbákẹ́ á máa kìlọ̀ fún Àlàmú láti já ara rẹ̀ gbà kúrò ní ọmọọmú.


Occasions such as these were only once in while, thanks to the umpire's vigilance.


Ẹ̀ẹ̀kọ̀ọ̀kan ni irú èyí máa ń wáyé, ọpẹ́lọpẹ́ ìfojúsílẹ̀ onídàájọ́ náà.


But now, it did not seem there was going to be any way of curtailing Mama's outburst.


Ṣùgbọ́n nísinsìnyí, kò jọ wí pé yóò ṣeésẹ láti dín asọ̀ màmá kù.


She'd started fuming... '


Wọ́n ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í sọ̀rọ̀ pẹ̀lú ìbínú...


Now this follish boy, Alamu, would know what I'd been talking about ever since's she told herself,


"""Nísinsìnyí, Àlàmú ọmọ òpònú yìí, á wá mọ nǹkan ti mo ti ń sọlá tii ye ọjọ́ yìí,"" Ó ń so lọ́kàn ara rẹ̀"


"""My wife and I.... My wife and I"" Foolish boy,"


"""Èmi àtìyàwó mi....èmi àtìyàwó mi "" Òpònú ọmọ!"


he would learn to appreciate my stand now that he is falling into her trap'.


Á kọ́ bí yóò ti ṣe mọ rírì ọ̀rọ̀ mi nísinsìnyí tí ó ti ń kó sí páńpẹ́ rẹ̀.


God knew she'd been playing her part like a true mother, taking time to open her son's ears to the realities of life.


Ọlọ́run mọ̀ pé ó ti ń kó ipa rẹ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bí ìyá tòótọ́, tí ó ń gba ásìkò láti ṣí etí ọmọ rẹ̀ sí òótọ́ ayé.


She'd told him to be very careful.


Ó ti sọfún un pé kí ó ṣọ́ra gidi gidi.


She'd told him how dangerous a woman could be


Ó ti sọfún un bí obìnrin ṣe lè léwu sí.


she was a woman herself and she knew everything.


Obìnrin ni òun fúnrarẹ̀, ó sì mọ gbogbo nǹkan.


She knew a woman could at the same time be as destructive as a rattlesnake...


Ó mọ̀ pé obìnrin tún lè mú ìparun wábí i paramọ́lẹ̀.


'Keep your secrets to yourself Alamu. Don't tell it all to your wife', she'd once told him, 'a woman in the knowledge of all your secrets could eventually hand you over to your enemies....


"Ó ti sọ ọ́ fún un rí pé, ""tọ́jú àṣírí rẹ fún ara rẹ Àlàmú. Má sọ gbogbo rẹ̀ fún ìyàwó rẹ, bí obìnrin bá ti ní òye gbogbo àṣírí rẹ, ó lè fà ọ́ lé àwọn ọ̀tá lọ́wọ́....."


And when you are seized, Alamu, she would remove her head-tie, pull at the hair on her head, jump up and weep aloud for the great love she had for you!


Bí ọwọ́ bá sì bà ọ́ Àlàmú, á yọ gèlè orí rẹ̀, á fa irun orí ara rẹ̀, á fò sókè á sì sunkún kíkan kíkan fún ìfẹ́ ńlá tí ó nífún ọ!


Alamu open your ears properly and listen to me...'


"Àlàmú, la etí rẹ dáadáa kí o gbọ́ mi..."""


But, did Alamu listen? Did he ever listen?


Àmọ́, ṣé Àlàmú gbọ́? Ṣé ó gbọ́ rí?


Here was the result of closing ears to the voice of wisdom and experience.


Àbájáde kíkọ etí dídi sí ohùn ọgbọ́n àti ìrírí rè é.


Learning this bitter experience might makes the scales fall from his eyes.


Ẹ̀kọ́ láti inú ìrírí kíkorò yìí lè mú kì ìpẹ́ojú rẹ̀ sí.


Ever since Mama arrived, she'd been avoiding talking to Labake directly, even eating her food.


Láti ìgbà tí màmá ti dé, ó ti ń yẹra láti bá Làbákẹ́ sọ̀rọ̀ tààrà, títí mọ́ oúnjẹ rẹ̀ ní jíjẹ.


She'd been feeding on the eko and the gari she brought from the district.


Ẹ̀kọ àti gaàrí tí ó gbé wá láti ilé ni ó ń jẹ.


With the exception of the period-of-the-day casual greetings and some occasional tip-of-the-tongue remarks to Mama.


Yàtọ̀ sí ti ìkíni àsìkò àti ìbániṣọ̀rọ̀ orí ahọ́n, Làbákẹ́ náà kò kọjá ààyè rẹ̀.


Umpire' had not been as vigilant as before.


"""Onídàájọ́"" náà kò ráyè ṣọ́ wọn bí i ti tẹ́lẹ̀."


His own present problem was enough for him.


Ìṣòro tó bá a lọ́wọ́lọ́wọ́ tó fún un.


He, therefore, had no time to watch the game anymore.


Fún ìdí èyí, kò ní ààyè láti wo ìran náà mọ́.


There were rough kicks and foul play - a lot of blows below the belt!


Ọ̀pọ̀ ìgbákúgbàá àti àṣì gbá ni wọ́n ń gbá pẹ̀lú ìkúùkù abẹ́nú tó rú òfin eré.


As Labake went about the household business, Mama's menacing gaze chased her all about - into, the toilet, into the bedroom, into the kitchen and finally into her bedroom, where Mama's gaze seemed to have pinned her down!


Gbogbo bí Làbákẹ́ ṣe ń siṣẹ́ ilé, màmá ń fi ìwò ìyọnu lé e ká, wọ ilé ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀, wọ balùwẹ̀, wọ ilé ìdáná, àti parí parí ẹ̀, lọ sínú yàrá rẹ̀, níbi tí wíwò màmá dè é mọ́!


And now, Mama jumped up from her seat and raced to Labake's room.


Nísinsìnyí, màmá fò sókè láti orí ìjókòó rẹ̀ ó sì sáré lọ sí yàrá Làbákẹ́.


Soon she was standing face to face with her breathing fire and fury.


Láìpẹ́, ó ti ń dúró lójúkojú pẹ̀lú ẹ, tìrúnú-tìrúnú ni ó fi ń mí.


The time had come to speak up!


Àsìkò ti tó láti lahùn!


Alamu had gone out, this was the right time to talk straight to the mischievous instrument of destruction at home.


Àlàmú ti jáde, àsìkò yìí ni ó dára láti sọ̀rọ̀ sí ohun èèlò ìparun tó wà nílé.


She would deal with her herself - her own way.


Á dá sẹ̀ríà fún un - lọ́nà tirẹ̀.


She was no longer going to keep quiet and watch Alamu's wife destroyed steadily by this agent of the invisible enemies.


Kò ní dạ́kẹ́ máa wò kí ayé Àlàmú bàjẹ́ poo láti ọwọ́ aṣojú àwọn ọ̀tá tí ò farahàn yìí.


'Look at me'! Mama blared out, 'Look at me properly Labake! The cat been let out of the bag!'


"""Wò mí!,"" Màmá sọ̀rọ̀ lójijì, ""wò mí dáadáa Làbákẹ́! Àṣírí ti tú!"""


'What, Mama?'


"""Kíni yẹn, màmá?"""


'Yes. Yes, Labake. It has been let out of the bag - the cat.


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni. Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, Làbákẹ́....ó ti tú - àṣírí."


If you don't know what that means, go back to your father and mother and ask.... Yes:


Bí o kò bá mọ ìtumọ̀ ìyẹn, padà lọ bá ìyá àti bàbá rẹ kí o bèèrè... Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.


The wind has blown and it has exposed the anus of the hen!'


Afẹ́fẹ́ ti fẹ́, a ti rí fùrọ̀ adìyẹ!


'Mama what are you talking about?'


"""Kíni nǹkan tí ẹ̀ ń sọ̀rọ̀ nípa ẹ̀, màmá?"""


'You have become powerless from this moment onward'!


"""Ipárẹ ti pin láti àkókò yìí lọ""!"


'Who Mama? Me? What is this?'


"""Màmá tani? Èmi? Kí leléyìí?"""


'You know it all Labake! Stop pretending! Your wings have been cut this moment!


"""O mọ gbogbo rẹ̀ Làbákẹ́! Yéé díbọ́n! Ìyẹ́ rẹ ti re báyìí!"


Alamu is my only child - maybe you don't know - and nobody can take him from me. Your power is clipped from now on'.


Àlàmú ni ọmọ mi kan ṣoṣo - bí o ò bá sì mọ̀ - kò sí ẹnikẹ́ni tó lè gbà á lọ́wọ́ mi. Agbára rẹ ti tán bá yìí.


Mama had become transformed, she was no longer an ordinary human being.


Màmá ti wá paradà, kì í ṣe ènìyàn lásán mọ́.


Great tissue - thorns crawled out of the face of a ghost of vengeance suddenly let loose.


Iṣan ńlá ńlá farahàn lójú rẹ̀, ó sì jẹ́ kí ó jọ ẹlẹ́mìí èṣù, bí i ti òkú tó fẹ́ gbẹ̀san lójijì.


Labake looked at her mother-in-law, covered her face up with her palms and screamed.


Làbákẹ́ wojú ìyá ọkọ rẹ̀, ó fi àtẹ́lẹwọ́ rẹ̀ bojú ó sì hàn.


But Mama continued.


Ṣùgbọ́n màmá tẹ̀síwájú.


'Labake.... Labake.... Look at me I say now!


Làbákẹ́...... Làbákẹ́.....wojú mi mo wí báyìí!


You no longer can look at my face!


Ìwo ò lè wojú mi mọ́!


See how a guilty mind behaves! I say your power is clipped!


Wo bí ọkàn ẹlẹ́ṣẹ̀ ṣè ń hùwà! Mo ní agbára rẹ ti tán!


The powers of those you are running errands for have also ended, this very minute.


Àgbàra àwọn tí ò ń jíṣẹ́ fún náà ti pin, ní ìṣẹ́jú yìí.


My fore-fathers have not slept in heaven. I thank them. I thank them.


Àwọn bàbá-ńlá mi ò sùn lọ́run. Mo dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ wọn. Mo dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ wọn.


I thank my fore-fathers, they are wide awake.


Mo dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ àwọn bàbá-ńlá mi, wọ́n lajú sílẹ̀.


And now they have intervened. So my son will be saved.'


Ní báyìí, wọ́n sì ti gbèjà mi. Fún ìdí èyí, ọmọ mi á rí ìgbàlà.


'But.... But... But Mama. What is it Mama? Are you angry with me?


"""Ṣùgbọ́n... ṣùgbọ́n... ṣùgbọ́n màmá. Kílódé? Màmá ṣe ẹ̀ ń bínú sí mi ni?"""


'The ancestors are angry with you Labake!


"""Àwọn bàbá ńlá wa ń bínú sí ọ Làbákẹ́!"


My fathers in heaven are angry with you!


Àwọn bàbá mi lọ́run ń bínú sí ọ!


Heaven itself is angry with you for what you are doing to kill my joy. The only thing i live for this world.'


"Òrun gan-an ń bínú si ọ fún nǹkan tí ò ń ṣe láti pa ayọ̀ mi. Nǹkankan ṣoṣo tó jẹ́ n máa gbáyé."""


'Not me! I can't ever kill your joy Mama.'


"""Èmi kọ́! Mi ò lè pa ayọ̀ yín láéláé Màmá."""


'But you can maim my joy - not so?


"""Ṣùgbọ́n o lè pa álára - àbí bẹ́ẹ̀ kọ́?"


I'll strip myself naked before you now and tear you to pieces with my teeth!


Màá já ara mi sí hòòhò níwájú ẹ báyìí, màá sì fi eyín mi ya ẹ́ sí wẹ́wẹ́!


Wait, let me strip myself naked!


Dúró, jẹ́ n já ara mi sí hòòhò!


Mama removed her head tie, removed her buba, took off her slippers, and threw down her wrapper! She held on for a while - breathing heavily....


"""Màmá tú gèlè rẹ̀, ó bọ́ bùbá rẹ̀, ó bọ́ bàtà, ó sì ju ìró rẹ̀ sílẹ̀! Ó dúró díẹ̀ -ó ń mí lókè lókè...'"


"""I will remove this yeri and this agbeko and stand stark naked before you now!"""


"""Màá yọ yèrì àti àgbékọ́ yìí kúrò, màá sì dúró ní hòòhò ìbí ǹ bí níwájú rẹ báyìí."""


It was a taboo for young person to gaze at the naked body of an old woman of Mama's age, whoever dared it was, in fact doomed. Doomed for ever.


Èèwọ sì ni fún ọ̀dọ́ láti wo ara àgbàlàgbà irú ọjọ́ orí màmá yìí, ẹni tí ó bá dán an wò, ìparun á dé bá a. Áparun títí láé.


A dreadful curse on such a fellow, the fellow will never live to old age and would die in unusual and mysterious circumstances.


Ègún burúkú lórí irú ẹni bẹ́ẹ̀. Irú ẹni bẹ́ẹ̀ kò ní tágbà, á sì kú ikú àrà ọ̀tọ̀.


Mama wanted to drive home her point properly before she would strip herself naked.


Màmá fẹ́ fìdí ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ gúnlẹ̀ dáadáa kí ó tó di wí pé á já ara rẹ̀ sí hòòhò.


If it would be necessary, thereafter, to strip stark naked, she would do it.


Bí ó máa nílò, Lẹ́yìn náà láti já ara rẹ̀ sí ìhòòhò, á ṣe é.


"""Look at me properly, Labake.... now you are ashamed and see the guilt all over you. Look..."


"""Wò mí dáadáa, Làbákẹ́... ojú ti ń tì ọ́ báyìí, wo ẹ̀bi ní gbogbo ara ẹ. Wòó..."


Alamu will not die, he will get over the problem.


Àlàmú ò níí kú. Á borí gbogbo ìṣòro náà.


In the name of my fathers whose eyes never close in heaven.


"Lórúkọ àwọn bàbá mi tí ò sùn lọ́run."""


"""""Mama..... Mama.... What problem? Alamu's problem... His problem, however heavy is my problem too... Oh Mama... How can you..."


"""Màmá... Màmá...ìṣòro wo? Ìṣòro Àlàmú ...ìṣòro rẹ̀ bó ti wù kí ó tó jẹ́ ìṣòro tèmi náà...hooo Màmá...... Báwo lẹ ṣe lè......."""


"""So you know that Alamu's problem is heavy?"


Ṣé wí pé ìwọ mọ pé ìsòro Àlàmú wúwo?


So you know the weight of the problem you and your people are giving my son to carry?


Àṣé o mọ ìwọ̀n ìṣòro tí ìwọ àti àwọn ènìyàn rẹ ń fún ọmọ mi láti gbé?


Tell me, how heavy is it? Tell me! I know it is your wish that he be crushed under the heavy weight of this present problem. Look... Look... From this very minute, the heavy load has become yours to carry.


Sọ fún mi báwo ló ṣe wúwo tó? Sọ fún mi! Mo mọ̀ pé ìfẹ́ inú rẹ̀ nipé kí ẹrù ìṣòro wúwo náà pa á. Wòó....wòó... Láti ìṣẹ́jú yìí lọ, ẹrù wúwo náà ti di tìẹ ní gbígbé.


"And i will open these my two eyes to witness how it will crush you... crush you along with those people who set you after my son."""


Màá wá la ojú mi méjèèjì yìí sílẹ̀ láti rí bí ó ṣe máa wó pa ọ́, àti ìwọ àtàwọn tó rán ẹ sí ọmọ mi, á wó pa gbogbo yín.


"""Who Mama? What are you talking about Mama? What is it? Just tell me. Let me know what you are really driving at."""


"""Tani Màmá? Màmá kí lẹ̀ ń sọ̀rọ̀ nípa ẹ? Kí ni nǹkan náà? Ẹ ṣáà sọ ọ́fún mi. Ẹ jẹ́ n mọ pàtó nǹkan tí ẹ̀ ń sọ."""


"""Pretender! Pretender ! you know what i am talking about."


"""Alábòòsí! Alábòòsí! O mọ nǹkan tí mò ń sọ̀rọ̀ nípa rẹ̀."


You know everything. You know what am driving at.


Ó mọ̀ gbogbo rẹ̀. Ó mọ̀ ibi tí mò ń sọ̀rọ̀ lọ.


It is good that you have not completely killed my son before my arrival. It is good.


Ó tiẹ̀ dáa tí o ò tí ì pamí lọ́mọ kí ń tóó dé. Ó dáa.


You have only succeeded in turning his head - putting him out of his mind.


Ó kàn ṣe àṣeyọrí nínú yíyí i lórí - tí kò mọ̀ ohun tó ń ṣe mọ́.


There is an answer to that. His head will be put right again.


Ìdáhùn wá sí ìyẹn. Orí rẹ̀ á tún padà bọ̀ sípò.


"His mind will be restored. And all of you would be put to shame."""


Ọ̀kan rẹ̀ á padà bọ́ sípò. Ojú á sì ti gbogbo yín.


"""All of us? Who? Me? Shame? Do I deserve shame in Alamu's house?"""


"""Gbogbo wá? Tani? Èmi? Ìtìjú? Ṣé ó yẹ kí ojú ti mí nínú ilé Àlàmú?."""


"""More than shame!"" mama shouted back, breathing heavily, ""More than that! If there is anything worse than shame.... That's what you deserve...."


"""Jù bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ!"" Màmá pariwo padà, pẹ̀lú ìmí lókè-lókè, ""Jù bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ! Tí nǹkan míìràn bá sì wà lẹ́yìn ìtìjú..... Nǹkan tí ó tọ́ sí ọ."


I will open my eyes like this to see how all of you would crawl regretfully before Esuniyi - in shame...


Mà á la ojú mi sílẹ̀ báyìí láti rí bí gbogbo yín á ṣe máa rá bàbà tí ẹ̀ ẹ́ máa kábàámọ̀ níwájú Èṣùníyì nínú ìtìjú.


What else can you wish for a woman who poisons the husband's food and drugs him? Tell me!


Kí ni nǹkan míìràn tí ó le fẹ́ fún obìnrin tó ń fi májèlé sí oúnjẹ ọkọ rẹ̀, tí ó ń gbé òògùn fúnun jẹ? Sọ fún mi!


"What do you wish for a women who recites incantations to turn the head of the husband, to make the husband laugh like the hyena all about the house?"""


"Kí ni nǹkan tí o fẹ fún obìnrin tó ń pọfọ̀ láti yí orí ọkọ rẹ̀, láti jẹ́kí ọkọ máa rẹ́rìn-in bí i ìkoòkò káàkiri ilé?."""


"""Heavens""! Labake jumped up in agony. So high her head almost touched the bedroom ceiling. She flopped to the ground and started rolling in tears."


"""Ọ̀run ò!"" Làbákẹ́ fò sókè nínú ìrora. Ní gíga sókè tí orí rẹ̀ fẹ́rẹ̀ kan òkè àjà yàrá náà. Ó ṣubú lulẹ̀ ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í yí nínú omijé."


The end of the road had come! She would start packing immediately.


Òpin ọ̀nà náà ti dé! Á bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí í palẹ̀mọ́ lẹ́sẹ̀kẹ́sẹ̀.


Pack all her things, hire a vehicle and leave Alamu's house - without looking back, without uttering a word of farewell to anybody not even to Alamu himself.


A kó àwọn ẹrù ẹ, á gba ṣáátà ọkọ̀, á sì kúrò nílé Àlàmú, láíwẹ̀yìn, láì lanu dágbére fún ẹnikẹ́ni títí mọ́ Àlàmú gan-an alára.


That was the most honourable thing to do in the circumstance. She'd been pushed to the wall.


Èyí ni nǹkan tó pọ́n ọn lé jù láti ṣe nínú irú ìṣẹ̀lẹ̀ yìí. Wọn ti sún un kan ògiri.


So this was what the old witch had been driving at? This wicked old witch of a mother-in-law!


Àsé ibi tí ìyá àjẹ́ àgbà yìí ń mú ọ̀rọ̀ lọ rè é. Ìyá àjẹ́ àgbà òṣìkà yìí tó pe ara rẹ̀ níyàá ọkọ.


Surely the end of the road had come! The marriage had broken down this very minute! See how easily a marriage could break!


Dájúdájú òpin ọ̀nà náà ti dé! Ìgbéyàwó náà ti wó lulẹ̀ ní ìsẹ́jú yìí! Wò bí ó ṣe rọrùn fún ìgbeyàwó láti túká!


An eccentric husband plus a wicked accusation.


Ọkọ aláágànnáayírí aparọ́mọ́ni takoni.


Then the end of the bond! Didn't somebody once say that the rope of love that holds husband and wife together was tough and strong?


Òpin okùn náàrè é! Ṣè bí wọ́n máa ń sọ pé okùn ìfẹ́ tó so ọkọ àti ìyàwó pọ̀ yió sì le?


Whoever said it, was wrong. Totally wrong. Here was her own rope, a mere fragile straw, snapping and giving way.


Àṣìsọ ni ẹníkẹni tí ó sọ ọ sọ. Àṣìsọ pátápátá ni. Okùn tirẹ̀ rè é, okùn jábútẹ́ lásán tí ó ti ń já.


Another fellow once said that marriage was a besieged castle - with some people struggling to get inside and others struggling to get out. That fellow was correct. Hundred per cent.


Ẹlòmíràn tilẹ̀ tí sọ ọ́ rí pé ìgbeyàwó jẹ́ ilé ogun pẹ̀lú àwọn ènìyàn tí wọn gbìyànjú láti wọlé tí àwọn mìíràn sì ń jìjàkadì láti jáde. Òtítọ́ ni ẹni náà sọ, òtítọ́ gidi ni.


She was going to get out now... Out! Out! Out of an accursed union! Out of a home where everybody had gone mad!


Òun náà máa jáde bá yìí. Jáde! Jáde! Jáde kúrò nínú ìsopọ̀ ègún! Jáde kúrò nínú ilé tí gbogbo èèyàn ti ya wèrè.


Mama was happy at the effect her accusation had created on Labake. That's how it is meant to be, she deserved it - even more.


Inú Màmá dún sí iṣẹ́ tí ìfẹ̀sùnkàn rẹ̀ ti ṣe lára Làbákẹ́. Bí ó ṣe yẹ kí ó ri nìyẹn, ohun ó tọ́ sí Làbáḱe nìyẹn, jù bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ pàápàá.


In fact, that was the beginning of what she would do to her.


Kódà, ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ gbogbo nǹkan tí ó fẹ́ ṣe fún un nìyẹn.


In the mean time, it would be better to forget about Labake and direct all her energy to solving Alamu's problem.


Sùgbọ́n fún ìgbà díẹ̀, á dára kí ó gbàgbé nípa Làbákẹ́, kí ó sì darí gbogbo agbára rẹ̀ sí wíwá ojútùú sí ìṣòro Àlàmú.


Her son needed urgent attention.


Ọmọ rẹ̀ nílò àmújútó kíákíá.


And there should be no further delay.


Ìdúró ò sí, ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ ò sí mọ́.


She knew how the problem was going to be solved. She knew where to go to solve Alamu's mental problem.


Ó mọ bí yóò ṣe yanjú ìṣòro náà. Ó mọ ibi tí ó lè lọ láti wá ojútùú sí ìṣòro aágànná Àlàmú.


Briefly, Mama closed her eyes saw herself inside Esuniyi's lunatic asylum way back home.


Láìfa ọ̀rọ̀ gùn, màmá ti dijú, ó sì rí ara rẹ̀ nínú ọgbà ìtọ́jú wèrè Èṣùníyì lábúlé.


The herbalist's asylum, was situated some five kilometres off Age village in an isolated clearing inside the deep forest. The yard was open and it stretched over some four acres of land, barricaded by high cemented walls topped with broken bottles and wire gauze.


Ọgbà oníṣègùn náà wà níbí i máìĺì márùn-ún sí Abúlé Àgé, tí a dátẹ̀ sínú igbó kìjikìji. Ọgbà náà fẹjú, ó sì wá lórí sarè ilẹ̀ mẹ́rin tí á fi ògiri gíga tí wọn fi sìmẹ́ǹtì rẹ́ yípo rẹ̀, tí wọ́n sì to ìgò àfọ́kù àti wáyà fẹ́léfẹ́lẹ́ sí i.


There was only one small entrance to Esuniyi's asylum and inside it, the herbalist planted the shady odan trees, numbering up to twelve stands.


Ẹnu ọ̀nà kékeré kan ló wọ ọgbà ìtọ́jú wèrè Èṣùníyì yìí, nínú rẹ̀ ni oníṣègùn náà gbin igi ọdán bí i méjìlá tó ṣíji bo ibẹ̀sí.


There were three mud buildings which housed about twenty inmates of the asylum. These inmates were always yelping and letting hell loose on the surrounding villages.


Ilé alámọ̀ mẹ́ta ni ó wà níbẹ̀, tí ọ̀kọ̀ọ̀kan sì gbà tó ogún aláágànàá. Wọ́n máa ń pariwo tí wọ́n sì ń farani àwọn ìlú tó yí wọn ká.


In a quick flash, the picture of Esuniyi, came in hand, and a ferocious look on his face, came to Mama.


Ní kíákíá, àwòrán Èṣùníyì pẹ̀lú ẹgba lọ́wọ́ àti ìwò ìrorò lójú rẹ̀ wá sórí Màmá.


She saw Esuniyi sweating, his eyes bulging and his whip mercilessly circling round the bodies of those stubborn ones who would not obey his instructions.


Ó rí i tí Èṣùníyì ń làágùn, tí ojú rẹ̀ràn tí àtòrì rẹ̀ sì ń dá sẹ̀ríà sí ara àwọn aláìgbọràn tí kò tẹ̀lé àṣẹ rẹ̀.


"""Stop! Stop that noise!"" Mama imagined Esuniyi shouting."


"""Dákẹ́! Dákẹ́ ariwo yẹn!"" Màmá ń rò ó bí Èṣùníyì tí ṣe ń pariwo."


"""Remain standing where you are!"" ""Alright, it is time for food."


"""Dúró sibí tí o wà! Ó dáa, àsìkò oúnjẹ rè é."


And you are all going to take the food sitting down on that wooden bench in the open yard.


Gbogbo yín sì máa gba oúnjẹ náà lórí ìjokòó lórí àga onígi tó wà nínú àgbàlá.


Not standing up like that... You hear me! You! Why are you still standing to eat your food?


"Kì í ṣe lórí ìdúró bá yẹn.... O gbọ́ mi! Ìwọ! Kílódé tí ó ṣì ń dúró jẹun?"""


"Didn't you hear my instruction?"""


"""Ṣé o ò gbọ́ àṣẹ mi ni?"""


Wham! Wham! Wham! Mama imagined Esuniyi's whip circling round the body of two of his patients.


"""Wàmù!Wàmù!Wàmù!"" Màmá ń rò ó bí pàṣán Èṣùníyì ṣe ń dún lára àwọn aláìsàn rẹ̀ méjì."


They quickly sat down on the wooden bench along with the others and continued eating their food, eyeing their master in fear.


Kíá ni wọ́n jókòó lórí àga onígi náà pẹ̀lú àwọn yóòkú wọ́n tí wọ́n sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí jẹ oúnjẹ wọn, tí wọn ń wojú onítọ́ọ̀jú wọn tìbẹ̀rù-tìbẹ̀rù.


Mama opened her eyes briefly and heaved a sigh. In another minute she closed them again - and other images came crowding into her memory....


Láìfa ọ̀rọ̀ gùn, Màmá lajú, ó sì mí àmíkàn. Ní ìṣẹ́jú mìíràn, ó tún pa ojú dé àwọn àwòrán mìíràn tún wá sí orí rẹ̀.......


Evening time in the asylum.... Mama saw, in her mind's eye, Esuniyi shaving the bushy hair of some of his patients.


Ní ọwọ́ ìrọ̀lẹ́ nínú ọgbà ìtọ́jú..... màmá tún fi ojú inú ọkàn rẹ̀ rí Èṣùníyì níbi tí ó ti ń fá irun tó kún bí igbó tó wà lórí aláìsàn rẹ̀.


Mama imagined herself holding Alamu by the handd, leading him to Esuniyi's asylum with tears in her eyes. And Esuniyi rushing out of his house with a whip to meet them.


Màmá rò ó bí òun ṣe fa Àlàmú lọ́wọ́, tí ó sì ń mú u lọ sí ọgbà ìtọ́jú Èṣùníyì pẹ̀lú omijé lójú. Àti bí Èṣúńiyì ṣe ń sáré bọ̀ níta láti pàdé e wọn pẹ̀lú pàsán lọ́wọ́.


In a minute, he was lashing out at Alamu with the long whip, beating him to submission, beating sense into his head to let him know he was in a house, a special house, where he had to conform...


Láàárín ìṣẹ́jú kan, ó ti ń kó o bo Àlàmú, tí ó ń nàá kí ara rẹ̀ lè balẹ̀, tí ó ń na ọgbọ́n sínú orí rẹ̀ kí ó lè mọ̀ pé inú ilé, ilé ọ̀tọ̀ tí ara rẹ̀ ti níláti balẹ̀ ní ó wà....


Next she saw Esuniyi shaving Alamu's own head and then chaining his hands and feet.


Lẹ́yìn èyí, ó tún rí i tí Èṣùníyì fá irun orí Àlàmú tí ó sì fi sẹkẹ́sẹkẹ̀ dè é tọwọ́ tẹsẹ̀.


That was where she would take her son, to get his present problem solved.


Ibẹ̀ ni á mú ọmọ rẹ̀ lọ, láti rí i pé ìṣòro rẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ lọ́wọ́ yìí yanjú.


And she knew too well that the problem would be solved there in a matter of weeks.


Ó sì mọ̀ dáadáa pé ìṣòro náà áníyanjú lááàrín ọ̀sẹ̀ mélòó kan.


Esuniyi was a master of his art. Mama had witnessed how he had solved three of such problems for the villagers....


Èṣúńiyì mọ̀ iṣẹ́ rẹ̀ dunjú. Màmá tirí bí ó ṣe yanjú irú ìṣòro bẹ́ẹ̀ mẹ́ta ní abúlé ....


And how his name was, consequently, on the lips of all the inhabitants of the one hundred and fifty villages of the district...


Àti bí wọ́n ṣe bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í jẹ orúkọ rẹ̀ lẹ́nu láàrin àwọn olùgbé abúlé bí i àádọ̀jọ tí ó wà ní agbègbè náà.....


Yes, Esuniyi cured the man from Kange... The young woman from Akokura, whom he later married...


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, Èṣùníyì wo ọkùnrin ará Kange sàn, àti ọmọbìnrin tí ó wá láti Akókurà tí ó padà fẹ́.......


He restored the violent body from Jooda to normalcy. There were other cases Mama could not immediately remember.


Ó mú ara Jooda tí kò balẹ̀ padà bọ̀ sípò. Àwọn ìwòsàn mìíràn tí Màmá kò lè rántí ní kíákíá.


Esuniyi's aslylum was surrounded by a strange aura.


Àwọn ẹ̀mí àìrí kan ni ó yí ọgbà ìtọ́jú Èṣùníyì ká.


You would see him pounding something inside the morter, grinding something on the stone, chewing, boiling and burning one thing or the other.


Wà á rí i níbi tí ó ti ń gún nǹkankan lódó, à lọ nǹkankan lórí ọlọ, á jẹ́ nǹkan lẹ́nu, á bọ nǹkankan tàbí kí ó jó nǹkan mìíràn.


He would preserve the hair of his patients for medicinal purposes.


Á tọ́jú irun orí àwọn aláìsán rẹ̀ tí ó fáfún ìṣègùn.


Burn part of the hair, mix it with some herb and an oily substance, pour it back on the shaved heads and his patients and start reciting incantation for each one of them...


Á jó lára rẹ̀, á pò ó pọ̀ mọ́ àwọn ewé àti nǹkan ọlọ́ràá kan, á wá dà á padà sí orí àwọn aláìsàn rẹ̀ tí ó ti fá yìí, á wá bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí pọfọ̀ fún wọn lọ́kọ́ọ̀kan....


"That was calling on the invisible power to enter the patients"" heads, cool down their brain and restore normalcy to them."


Èyí tí ó túmọ̀ sí pípe agbára àìrí kan láti wọ orí àwọn aláìsàn náà, kí ó mú ọpọlọ wọn wálẹ̀, kí ó sì mú wọn bọ̀ sípò padà.


In the dead of the night he would chant special incantations against the enemies of his patients. The effect was usually dramatic.


Ní òru ọ̀gànjọ́, á pe àwọn ọfọ̀ ọ̀tọ̀ kan láti tako àwọn ọ̀tá àwọn aláìsàn rẹ̀. Isẹ́ òog̀un yìí sì máa ń dàbí i eré.


One by one the enemies were usually made to suffer for their atrocities. You would see them committing suicide by hanging on the tall araba or the iroko; you would see them plunging head-long into river or crawling on their knees to Esuniyi to beg for forgiveness.


Lọ́kọ̀ọ̀kan ni àwọn ọ̀tá náà máa jìyà ẹ̀sẹ̀ wọn. Wà á rí wọn níbi tí wọn tí pa ara wọn bí i kí wọ́n lọ so ara wọn kọ́ sórí igi ìrókò tàbí kí wọ́n rì sómi tàbí kí wọ́n máa wọ́ pẹ̀lú orúnkún wọn tí wọ́n sì ń tọrọ ìdàríjì lọ́dọ̀ Èṣùníyì.


Mama now looked at Labake, the way one looks at the stinking rubbish inside the rubbish pit and silently cursed her.


Màmá tún wo Làbákẹ́, tìkà-tẹ̀gbin .......


She raised up her head and saw Labake holding her son's hand inside the picture hanging on the wall of the sitting room and smiling. A treacherous smile on the face of a devil!


Ó gbójú sókè, ó sì rí fọ́tò Làbákẹ́ tí ó di ọwọ́ ọmọ rẹ̀ mú tí ó sì rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́ lára ògiri yàrá ìgbàlejò wọn. Ẹ̀rín ìyàngì lójú èṣù.


All through the previous day when Mama confronted Labake, Alamu was not in. He went out to town and did not come back until late in the night when everybody had gone to sleep.


Ní gbogbo ìgbà tí Màmá dojúkọ Làbákẹ́ lánàá, Àlàmú kò sí nílé. Ó lọ sí ìgboro kò sì dé bọ̀rọ̀, ilẹ̀ ti ṣú púpọ̀ nígbà tí ó dé, tí gbogbo ènìyàn sì ti lọ sùn.


Quietly, he had sneaked inside, locked the door on himself and soon was snoring.


Ó yọ́ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́ wolé, ó sì ti ìlẹ̀kùn mọ́ ara rẹ̀, tí ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í hanrun láìpẹ́.


He woke up late in the morning to discover that Mama had thing inside her basket in preparation for the return journey to the district.


Ó pẹ́ láàárọ̀ kí ó tó jí, kí ó sì tó rí i wí pé Màmá ti múra, ó sì ti ń di apẹ̀rẹ̀ rẹ̀ ní ìmúra sílẹ̀ láti padà lọ sí abúlé.


Then he saw also that his breakfast was ready on the table.


Ó sì tún rí i wí pé oúnjẹ òwúrọ̀ rẹ̀ ti wà lórí tábílì.


He looked at his mother for a moment and turned his eyes to the food on the table the next minute. He seemed to be undecided... Well, there was no need for any hurry on the part of Mama.


Ó wo ìyá rẹ̀ díẹ̀, ó sì tún yíjú sí tábìlì ibi tí oúnjẹ wà ó jọ wí pé kò ì tí ì pinnu èyí tó fẹ́ ṣe.... Kò sí ìdí fún un láti kánjú ní ti Màmá.


He could talk to her after food. So, Alamu took his seat at table.


Ó lè bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀ lẹ́yìn oúnjẹ. Fún ìdí èyí, Àlàmú jókòó sídìí tábìlì.


Before Mama ever had the time to raise up her head, the first two spoonfuls of rice had disappeared inside Alamu's tummy!


Kí Màmá tó ráyè gbórí sókè, ṣíbí ìrẹsì méjì ti wọ ikùn rẹ̀.


And when Mama suddenly jumped up from her seat and said,


Nígbà náà ni màmá déédé fò sókè lórí ìjókòó rẹ̀ tí ó ní,


"""Alamu! Alamu! I want to talk to you.... before your meal!... before your meal"" - it was too late!The third spoon of rice was well ion its way down Alamu's throat."


"""Àlàmú! Àlàmú! Mo fẹ́ báọ sọ̀rọ̀.....kí ó tó jẹun!.....kí o tó jẹun!"" - Óti pẹ́ jù, ṣíbí ìrẹsì kẹ́ta ti wà lọ́nà ọ̀fun Àlàmú."


What was left for Mama to do was to move to the table and examine the soup in front of her son.


Nǹkan tí ó kù fún Màmá láti ṣe ni kí ó lọ sídìí tábìlì kí ó sì ṣe àgbéyẹ̀wò ọbẹ̀ tí ó wà níwájú rẹ̀.


Egusi soup... Yes... But with some blackish substance inside it.


Ọbẹ̀ Ẹ̀gúsí.... Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni..... pẹ̀lú àwọn nǹkan dúdúdúdú nínú rẹ̀.


Her keen eyes saw it.


Ojú rẹ̀ mu, ó sì rí i.


The type Zenabu talked about.


Irú àwọn èyí ti Sènábù ń sọ.


Alamu glanced back strangely at his mother.


Àlàmú padà wo ìyá rẹ̀ ní ìwò tó ṣàjèjì.


Why all these fuss over egusi soup?


Kí ni gbogbo ìrọ̀kẹ̀kẹ̀ yìí, lórí ọbẹ̀ ẹ̀gúsí lásán?


"""What is this you are eating Alamu?"""


"""Kí ni èyí tí ò ń jẹ́ yìí Àlàmú?"""


The old woman asked - rather unnecessarily, but nonetheless meaningfully.


Ìyá àgbà náà bèèrè - ìbéèrè tí kò nílò, ṣúgbọ̀n tí ó nítumọ̀ sí i.


"""I mean this?"""


"""Èyí ni mò ń sọ?"""


"""Soup Mama."" Alamu laughed - the usual prolonged, full-throated laugh which two days ago left tears trickling down Mama's cheeks. Mama moaned."


""" Ọbẹ̀ ni Màmá ,"" Àlàmú rẹ́rìn-ín bí ó ti máa ń rín-in, irú èyí tí ó rín níjẹta tí ó fa kí Màmá bú sẹ́kún. Màmá gbin."


"""Alamu... Alamu... Are you sure this is ordinary soup?"""


"""Àlàmú... Àlàmú... ṣé ó dá ọ lójú pé ọbẹ̀ lásán ni èyí?"


"""Yes. Just soup Mama... Good soup. What else?"""


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ni. Ọbẹ̀ ni Màmá... Ọbẹ̀ tó dára. Kí ló kù?,"""


Mama gave the plate of soup a hard, suspicious stare and shook her head.


Màmá wo abọ́ ọbẹ̀ náà ní ìwò tó le, tí ó sì mú ìfura dání.


Yes... That black substance again. She saw it clearly - sprinkled all over the egusi soup...


Bẹ́ẹ̀ni......kiní dúdú yẹn tún ní. Ó rí i dáadáa - tí wọ́n wọ́nọn sórí ọbẹ̀ ègúsí náà...


Was Alamu blind? Surely he has been charmed... Was Alamu's nostrils blocked?


Ṣe ojú Àlàmú fọ́ ni? Dájúdájú wọ́n ti sàsí i...... ṣé ihò imú Àlàmú dí ni?


Mama cast a strange look at her son... Alamu continued to eat the rice and his mouth worked greedily.


Màmá tún wo ọmọ rẹ̀ kòòró... Àlàmú ń bá oúnjẹ rẹ̀ lọ ní jíjẹ, ẹnu rẹ̀ sì ń ṣe wọ̀mùwọ̀mù.


Mama heard the sound of his mouth and felt some pain - some sharp pain - inside her throat.


Màmá ń gbọ́ ohùn ẹnu Àlàmú bí ó ṣe ń dún, ọ̀nà ọ̀fun rẹ̀ sì dùn ún púpọ̀.


Alamu washed his rice down with water and noisily, continued munching on and on....


Àlàmú fi omi ti ìrẹsì rẹ̀ lọ sínú, ó sì tẹ̀síwájú pẹ̀lú oúnjẹ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú dídún ẹnu rẹ̀...


What would he not eat? There was nothing Labake gave him that he would not eat!


Kí ni kò lè jẹ́? Kò sí nǹkan kí nǹkan tí Làbákẹ́ fún un tí kò lè jẹ!


If she prepared a bowl of excreta for him as food, Alamu would take it with relish and satisfaction.


Bí ó bá se abọ́ ìgbọ̀nṣẹ̀ kan fún un bi oúnjẹ, Àlàmú á jẹ ẹ́ pẹ̀lú ìgbádùn àti ìtẹ̀lọ́rùn.


If she gave him animal urine for water, Alamu would accept it and gulp it down his throat thirstily - and even thank her for it!


Bí ó bá gbé ìtọ̀ ẹranko fún un gẹ́gẹ́ bí omi Àlàmú á gbàá, á sì gbé e mì tòùngbẹ tòùngbẹ - á sì tún dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ rẹ̀ fún un.


Who would save him now? None but Esuniyi...


Ta ni yóò wá gbàálà báyìí? Kò sẹ́lòmíràn àfi Èṣúńiyì...


Esuniyi to the rescue! Delay could be dangerous.


Èṣùníyì ló lè gbà á! Ìjáfara léwu.


Alamu might soon take to the streets!


Àlàmú mà lè já sí títì láìpẹ́!


Mama grabbed her basket and stumbled out of the house.


Màmá ki apẹ̀rẹ̀ rẹ̀ mọ́lẹ̀ ó sì sá kúrò nínú ílé.


She knew that in a matter of days she would have to be back in town again to fetch Alamu.


Ó mọ̀ pé láàrin ọjọ́ mélòó kan, òun á ní láti padà wá sí ìgboro láti mú Àlàmú.


There should be no delay at all.


Kò gbọdọ̀ jáfara rárá.


The task before her was a task that must be accomplished - with dispatch.


Iṣẹ́ kíákíá ló wà níwáju rẹ̀.


As the days rolled by, Alamu sank deeper and deeper into own private world. So much so that Labake feared that her husband was soon going to go completely deaf and dumb - these in addition to the already heavy load of problems he was carrying on his shoulder. Some time ago, he had time to say one or two words in response to questions or requests from people, but not any longer.


Bí ọjọ́ ṣe ń gorí ọjọ́, Àlàmú túbọ̀ ń rì sínú ayé àdáwà rẹ̀. Ó pọ̀ tó bẹ́ẹ̀ tí Làbákẹ́ bẹ̀rù pé ọkọ òun á di odi àti adíti, èyí á wá kún ẹrù ìṣòro wúwo tó ti wà léjìká rẹ̀ tẹ́lẹ̀. Nígbà díẹ̀ sẹ́yìn, ó máa ń ráyè láti fèsì pẹ̀lú ọ̀rọ̀ kan tàbí méjì sí ìbèèrè tí wọn bá bi í, ṣùgbọ́n kò rí bẹ́è mọ́.


If anybody hissed now, Alamu no longer took notice; if anybody grumbled Alamu no more listened; if Labake shouted protests over cigarette he was smoking or the beer he was drinking, more frequently now than ever before, Alamu no longer cared.


Bí ẹnìkan bá pòṣé nísìnyí, Àlàmú ò ṣàkíyèsí mọ́; bí ẹnikẹ́ni bá kùn, Àlàmú kò tẹ́tí mọ́; bí Làbákẹ́ bá ń tẹnumọ́ ìkìlọ̀ rẹ̀ lórí sìgá tí ó ń fà tàbí ọtí tí ó ń mu léraléra ju ti tẹ́lẹ̀ lọ, kò kan Àlàmú mọ́.


Wading through the pyramid of files which he kept on top of an old cupboard in his room seemed now to be his main pre-occupation. He would bury his head inside the files for hours and leaf through their pages hastily ans anxiously. Then, pile the files up on the table by his side. Look away and heave a sigh. A few minutes later, he would go back, all over again, to the business of checking and rechecking the files, packing and re-packing them, arranging and re-arranging them. There was no end to it! At times, he would tear off a sheet or two from a particular file, read through it pointing to some sections of it with his forefinger and shaking his head, apparently as he stumbled on something that caught his interest.


Wíwo òkìtì àwọn fáìlì tí ó tọ́jú sókè kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù àtijọ́ kan nínú yàrá rẹ̀ wá di iṣẹ́fún un. A máa wo àwọn ìwé náàfún wákàtí púpọ̀, á sì tún máa ṣí àwọn ìwé náà láwẹ́láwẹ́ pẹ̀lú ìkánjú àti àníyàn. Lẹ́yìn náà á to àwọn ìwé náà jọ léra wọn sórí tábìlì ẹ̀gbẹ́ rẹ̀. Á gbójú kúrò á sì mí kanlẹ̀. Lẹ́yìn ìsẹ́jú díẹ̀, á padà sórí àwótúnwò fáìlì àti àkọtúnkọ pẹ̀lú àtòtúntò fáìlì wọ̀nyí. Kò sí òpin fún èyí! Nígbà mìíràn, á ya ojú ewé kan kúrò nínú ìwé náà, á wá máa ka àwọn ìpín kan pẹ̀lú ìka ìlábẹ̀ rẹ̀, á má a mirí, àgàgà tí ó bá bá nǹkan tí ó wùú pàdé níbẹ̀.


He suddenly had converted his own room into the big office of a self-styled Business Executive. Except that here he was his own Managing Director, his own Accountant, Auditor, Executive Officer, Typist and Messenger! It was another strange turn of events!


Ó ti déédé sọ yárà rẹ̀ di ọ́fíìsí ńlá tí a dáfún ìlò ara rẹ̀. Yàtọ̀ sí pé òun ni adarí pátápátá fún ara rẹ̀, Òun ni asírò owó fún ara rẹ̀, òun tún ni ayẹ̀wé-owó-wò, ọ̀gá pátápátá, àtẹ̀wé àti ìránsẹ́ ọ́fíìsì fún rarẹ̀! Eléyìí tún jẹ́ àyípadà kàyééfì.


Whenever Alamu was not wading through the files, he would be busy sipping his beer, puffing at his cigarette. Now, he no longer vomited, and the cigarette smoke no longer entered into his eyes or made him cough.


Bí Àlàmú kò bá sí nídì́í kí ó máa ṣíwèé lọ ṣíwèé bọ̀, á máa yọ́ ọtí rẹ̀ mu, yóò sì máa fín eruku sìgá rẹ̀. Kìí bì mọ́ báyìí, èéfín sìgá ò kó sí i lójú bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, kò sí mú un húkọ́ mọ́.


But he retained his strange laughter, and the effect of the alcohol was still very much with him. Which was one reason why he used to boast to himself that he could drive his car all through the streets of Ibadan with his eyes closed and following the left-hand lane! He could drink six bottles of acid, all at once to quench his thirst! He could, with only two quick steps, descend the stair cases of a two-storey building and get down to its ground floor without any scratch!


Sùgbọ́n ẹ̀rín àbàmì àláriwo rẹ̀ ṣì wà, isẹ́ ọtí kò sì kúrò lára rẹ̀. Èyí sì jẹ́ ìdí kan tí ó fi máa ń fọ́nnu pé òun lè wa ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ rẹ̀ káàkiri gbogbo òpópónà Ìbàdàn tí òun bá díjú tí òun sì tẹ́lè ọ̀nà apá òsì! Ó lè mu ásíìdì ìgò mẹ́fà lẹ́ẹ̀kan láti pòùngbẹ! Ó lè fi ìgbésẹ̀ méjì bọ́lẹ̀ lórí àkàsọ̀ ilé alájà méjì, kí ò sì délẹ̀ láìfarapa!


How was one going to talk to the deaf? Somebody who was stone deaf? Labake tried it several times and failed.


Báwo ni ènìyàn ṣe fẹ́ bá adití sọ̀rọ̀? Ènìyàn tí etí rẹ̀ ti dí pa? Làbákẹ́ ti gbìyànjú láìmọye ìgbà ó sì ti kùnà.


"""This you must hear Alamu'"


Ó gbọ́dọ̀ gbọ́ èyí Àlàmú'


"""Yea - ha ha ha ha! Hum hum! Ha ha!'"


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni- ha ha ha ! hun hun ! ha! ha!'


"""Something that is very much on my mind ...'"


Nǹkan tí ó ń gbé mi lọ́kàn ...'


"""My! Em em -hum hum hum! - ha ha ha ha!'"


Ẹm ẹm -mi hun hun hun - ha ha ha ha


"""Listen please Alamu ... The other day Mama came ...'"


Àlàmú jọ̀wọ́ tẹ́tí ... Ní ọjọ́ yẹn tí Màmá wá ...'


"""Well - ha ha ha ha - hum hum - ha ha ha ha!"" - then a frozen and far-away look on his face!"


Bẹ́ẹ̀-ha ha ha ha- hun hun - ha ha ha ha!' - Ìwò tí ó dí, tí ó sì jìnnà hàn lójú rẹ̀!


Tears gathered inside Labake's eyes, tears for Alamu, tears for what she suffered at the hands of Alamu's mother. How was Alamu going to know her ordeal? How was he going to know about the way his mother raved and raged? And then, those vicious accusations! Who was now going to vindicate her? She bottled all these up inside her mind. There was nobody to tell it to. Tears for this too ... And they came down in a flood ...


Omijé ṣarajọ sójú Làbákẹ́, omijé fún Àlàmú, omijé fún nǹkan tí ó jẹ́ níyà lọ́wọ́ ìyá Àlàmú. Báwo ni Àlàmú ṣe fẹ́ mọ̀ ohun tí ó là kọjá? Báwo ni yóò ṣe mọ̀ bí ìyá rẹ̀ ṣe sọ̀rọ̀ fitafita pẹ̀lú ìrunú? Àti àwọn ìfẹ̀sùnkàn búburú! Ta ló máa wá gbẹ̀rí rẹ̀ jẹ́? Ó gbé gbogbo èyí sọ́kàn. Kò sẹ́ni tí á bá sọ ọ́. Omijé fún èyí náà ... gọ̀ọ̀rọ̀gọ̀ ni ó sì dà wálẹ̀ bí odò ...


All Alamu cared for now was his files, his cigarettes and his beer. Nothing else.


Gbogbo ohun tí Àlàmú ń rí rò báyìí ò ju àwọn ìwé rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú sìgá àti ọtí rẹ̀. Kò sí nǹkan mìíràn mọ́.


There he was now at the bottle laughing his rib-splitting laughter, feeling really on top of the world!


Ibẹ̀ ló tún wà yìí, nídìí ìgò tí ó ń rín ẹ̀rín àrín kán-ní-hà rẹ̀, tí ó ṣe bí ìgbà tí gbogbo ayé wà ní ìkáwọ́ rẹ̀!