MB: Simple solutions to complex problems.


MB: Àwọn ọ̀nà àbáyọ tó rọrùn sí àwọn ìṣòro àmúdijú.


Mothers caring for mothers.


Àwọn ìyá tí wọ́n ń ṣe ìtọ́jú fún àwọn ìyá.


It's transformational.


Àyípadà ni.


How women are revolutionizing Rwanda


Bí àwọn obìnrin ṣe ń mú àyípadà bá orílẹ̀-ède Rwanda.


I came back to my home of Rwanda two years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.


Mo padà sí ilé mi ní orílẹ̀-ède Rwanda ní odún méjì lẹ́yin ìṣekúpani ẹlẹ́yàmẹ̀yà ọdún 1994 kojúu Tutsi.


The country was devastated.


Orílẹ̀-èdè náà ti bàjẹ́.


The children I was caring for in the hospitals were dying from treatable conditions, because we didn't have equipment or medicine to save them.


Àwọn ọmọ tí mò ń tọ́jú nílé-ìwòsàn ń kú látara àìsàn tó ṣe é tọ́jú, nítorí a ò ní irinṣẹ́ tàbí òògùn láti dóòla wọn.


I was tempted to pack my bag and run away.


Èyí fẹ́ mú mi kó àpamọ́ mi kí n sì sálọ.


But I debated with myself.


Ṣùgbọ́n mo ṣe àríyànjiyàn pẹ̀lú ara mi.


And because I'm really dedicated to social justice and equity, and there were only five pediatricians in total for millions of children in Rwanda, I decided to stay.


Nítorí mo ní ìfọkànsìn sí ìdájọ́ àwùjọ àti ìdọ́gba, àwọn aṣètọ́jú-ọmọdé márùn-ún ló sí wà fún mílíọ́nù àwọn ọmọdé ní orílẹ̀-ède Rwanda, mo pinnu láti dúró.


But among the people who have motivated my decision to stay, there were some fantastic women of Rwanda, some women who had faced the genocide and survived it.


Ṣùgbọ́n lára àwọn ènìyàn tí wọ́n ṣe kóríyá fún ìpinnu mi láti dúró, àwọn obìnrin takun-takun wà ní orílẹ̀-ède Rwanda, àwọn obìnrin kan tí wọ́n ti kojú ìṣekúpani ẹlẹ́yámẹ̀yà tí wọ́n sì yè é.


They had to overcome unbelievable pain and suffering.


Wọ́n ní láti borí ìnira aláìgbàgbọ́ àti ìyà.


Some of them were raising children conceived through rape.


Àwọn kan nínú wọn ń tọ́mọ tí wọ́n lóyún wọn látara ìfipábánilòpọ̀.


Others were dying slowly with HIV and forgave the perpetrators, who voluntarily infected them using HIV and rape as a weapon.


Àwọn mìíràn ń kú díèdíè pẹ̀lú kòkòro apa sójà ara wọ́n sì tún dáríji àwọn tí wọ́n hu ìwà ìbàjẹ́ náà, tí wọ́n fínú-fẹ́dọ̀ kó ààrùn ràn wọn pẹ̀lu lílo kòkòro apa sójà ara àti ìfipábánilòpọ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bi ohun ìjà.


So, they inspired me.


Nítorí áà, wọ́n ṣe ìwúrí fún mi.


If they can do that, I can stay and try to do my best.


Tí wọ́n bá lè ṣe ìyẹn, mo lè dúró kí n sì gbìyànjú láti sapá tèmi.


Those ladies were really activists of peace and reconciliation.


Àwọn obìnrin wọ̀nyẹn jẹ́ ajà-fẹ́tọ̀ àlááfíà àti ìparí ìjà.


They show us a way to rebuild a country for our children and grandchildren to have, one day, a place they can call home, with pride.


Wọ́n fi ọ̀nà kan hàn wá láti ṣe àtúntò orílẹ̀-èdè fún àwọn ọmọ wa àti àrọ́mọdọ́mọ tó ń bọ̀, lọ́jọ́ kan, ibi tí wọ́n lè pè nílé, pẹ̀lú ìyọ ràn.


And you can ask yourself where this shift of mindset has brought our country.


Ẹ dè lè bi ara yín ibi tí àyípadà èro-ọkàn yìí ti gbé orílẹ̀-ède wa dé.


Today in Rwanda, we have the highest percentage of women in parliament.


Ní orílẹ̀-ède Rwanda lónì, àwa la ní ìdá àwọn obìnrin tó pọ́jù ní ilé-aṣòfin.


Wait till I tell you the percentage -- sixty-one percent.


Ẹ dúró dìgbà tí màá sọ ìda rẹ̀ fún yín -- ìdá mọ́kàn-lé-láàdọ́ta (61%).


In this country, it's 54.


Ní orílẹ̀-èdè yìí, mẹ́rìn-lè-láàdọ́ta (54) ni.


We have reduced child mortality by 75 percent, maternal mortality by 80 percent.


A ti mú àdínkù bá ikú ọmọdé pèlú ìdá márùn-lé-láàdọ́rin (75%), ikú ìyá pẹ̀lú ìdá ọgọ́rin (80%).


In early 2000s, there were nine women who were dying every day around delivery and pregnancy.


Ní ìbèrè àsìko ọdún 2000, àwọn obìnrin mẹ́sàn ni wọ́n ń kú lójoojúmọ́ yíká ìrọbí àti oyún.


Today, it's around two.


Lónì, ó wà láàrín méjì.


It's an unfinished agenda.


Iṣẹ́-àgbéṣe tí ò tíì parí ni.


We still have a long way to go.


Ọ̀na wá ṣì jìn.


Two is still too much.


Méjì ṣì tún pọ̀jù.


But, do I believe that those results are because we had a big number of women in power positions? I do.


Ṣùgbọ́n, ṣé mo gbàgbọ́ wí pé àwọn èsì yìí rí bẹ́ẹ̀ nítorí a ní ìdá àwọn obìnrin tó pọ̀ ní ipò agbára? Mo gbà.


There is -- yes --there is a study in the developing world that shows that if you improve the status of women, you improve the status of the community where they live.


Ó wà -- bẹ́ẹ̀ ni -- ìwádìí kan wà ní àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè tó ṣì ń dágbà sókè tó fi hàn pé tí ẹ bá mú ìyàtọ̀ bá ipò àwọn obìnrin, ẹ ti mú ìy


Up to 47 percent of decrease in child mortality.


Àdínkù tó ń lọ bí ìdá mẹ́tà-dín-láàdọ́ta (47%) nínu ikú ọmọdé.


And even in this country where we are now, it's true.


Kódà ní orílẹ̀-èdè yìí níbi tí a wà báyìí, òótọ́ ni.


So we know that women, when they use their skills in leadership positions, they enhance the entire population they are in charge of.


Nítorí náà a mọ̀ wí pé àwọn obìnrin, tí wọ́n bá lo ìmọ̀ọ́ṣe wọn ní ipò aṣíwájú, wọ́n máa mú àyípadà bá gbogbo ènìyàn tó wà ní ìkápá wọn.


And imagine what would happen if women were at parity with men all over the world.


Ẹ wòye ǹkan tí yóò ṣẹlẹ̀ tí àwọn obìnrin bá wà ní ọgba pẹ̀lú àwọn okùnrin káàkiri gbogbo àgbáyé.


What a huge benefit we could expect.


Ànfàní ńlá wo ni à bá máa retí?


Oh, yeah.


Oh, Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.


Because in general, we have a different style of leadership: more inclusive, more empathetic, more caring for little children.


Tóri ní àpapọ̀, a ní ìṣọwọ́ darí ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀: ọ̀pọ̀ àjùmọ̀ṣe, ọ̀pọ agbára, ọ̀pọ̀ ìtọ́jú fún àwọn ọmọ kékèké.


And this makes the difference.


Èyí sì fa ìyàtọ̀ náà.


Unfortunately, this ideal doesn't exist in the world, and the difference between men and women in leadership positions is too big.


Ó ṣeni láànú, èyí tó tọ́ yìí kò sí ní àgbáyá, ìyàtọ̀ tó dẹ̀ wà láàrín àwọn ọkùnrin àti obìnrin nípò aṣíwájú ti tóbi jù.


Gender inequity is the norm in the majority of professions, even in global health.


Aìsí dédé láàrín okùnrin àti obìnrin ni àṣa nínú ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ isẹ́, kóda nínú ètò ìlera-àgbáyé.


Alamu now enjoys solitude, this solitude provides him the opportunity to send his mind on errands.


Àlàmú ti wá ń gbádùn àdáwà, dídáwà yìí ń fún un ní àǹfààní láti rán ọkàn rẹ̀ níṣẹ́.


It gives him the chance to talk alone, and call on the invisible power from above to come down and solitude gives him the chance to laugh alone to himself.


Ó ń fún un ní ààyè láti dá sọ̀rọ̀, kí ó sì pe àwọn ẹ̀mí àìrí látòkè wá pé kí wọ́n sọ̀kalẹ̀ wá láti wá yanjú àwọn ìṣòrò rẹ̀ fún un áti pàápàá jùlọ, ìdáwà yìí ń fún ní ààyè láti dá ẹ̀rín rín sí ara rẹ̀.


A big laugh for a big problem! - strange as that is.


Ẹ̀rín ńlá fún ìṣòro ńlá! Bí ó ti jẹ́ ìjọlójú.


Whenever his wife disappeared into the corner of the street, in company of the house maid on her way to the market, and Alamu was left alone at home, he would quickly switch off the radio set to ensure perfect silence.


Nígbàkugbà tí ìyàwó rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ọmọ ọ̀dọ̀ wọn bá ti pòórá sí kọ̀ọ̀rọ̀ òpópónà lọ́nà ọjà, tí ó sì ku Àlàmú nìkan sílẹ̀, kíá ni yóò pa ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀mágbèsì, kí gbogbo ilé lè dákẹ́ rọ́rọ́.


The time had come for his lips to tremble in silent whispers.


Àsìkò dé fún ètè rẹ̀ láti máa gbọ̀n rìrì pẹ̀lú ìṣọ̀rọ̀ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́.


'I'll survive it, 'am not - the only man in this - this city, surely - surely I am not.


"""Màá yèé, èmi nìkan kọ́kọ́ ni ọkùnrin ní ìlú yìíyìí, dájú dájú èmi nìkan kọ́."


So - I'll - I'll survive.


Fún ìdí èyí, màá - màá yè é.


All will be - will be well at last- at last - with me.


Ohun gbogbo á - ádára ní ìkẹyìn - ní ìkẹyìn - fún mi.


The time had also come for his mouth to open up for that strange uproarious laughter:


Àsìkò ti tó fún ẹnu rẹ̀ láti bẹ̀rẹ̀ ẹ̀rín aláruwo abàmì rẹ̀:


'Ha ha ha ha - hum hum - ha ha ha ha... Yes, - ha ha ha ... Oh yes - hum hum - ha ha ha ha ...'


"""Ha ha ha ha, hun hun - ha ha ha ha........bẹ́ẹ̀ ni ha ha ha ha ha.....bẹ́ẹ̀ ni o - hun hun ha ha ha ha."""


"Alamu's curious laughter might last for about one minute at times, it would stretch for much longer, almost non-stop


He would open wide his mouth, like the tired hunter's dog and laugh - laugh at himself, laugh at his predicament, and laugh at the wicked world which now lay in front of him as he peeped from the verandah of his three bedroom flat.


"""Yóò la ẹnu rẹ̀ fẹ̀ bí i ti ajá ọde tí ó ti rẹ̀"


He had started laughing that way again now, alone to himself, and his voice reechoed distracting the neighbours.


Ó tún bẹ̀rẹ̀ ẹ̀rín tí ó máa ń rín yẹn, sí ara rẹ̀, gbohùn-gbohùn ilé sì ń gba ohùn rẹ̀, ariwo rẹ̀ yìí sì ń da àwọn aládùúgbò wọn láàmú.


The city sprawled out for miles around Alamu in a dusty mass of corrugated iron roofs - 'broken china in the sun', as the poet would say.


Ìlú náà tàn ká fún ọ̀pọ̀ máìlì yípo Àlàmú nínú ọ̀pọ̀ eruku tí ó jáde lára òrùlé tó ti dógùn-ún.


The air Alamu breathed in was heavy and misty - almost polluted.


Atẹ́gùn tí Àlàmú ń mí wọra wúwo, ó ti pò pọ̀, atẹ́gùn náà ti bàjẹ́.


The ceaseless hooting of car horns came faintly to his ears.


Ariwo à-fọn-ọ̀n-fọn-tán àwọn ọkọ̀ ń dún létí rẹ̀ díẹ̀ díẹ̀.


At some distance, hundreds of motor cars streamed out bumper to bumper in an endless queue on the narrow tarred street.


Láti ọ̀nà jíjin, ọgọọgọ́rùn-ún ọkọ̀ tò lọ rẹrẹ láìlópin ní títì ọlọ́dà tóóró.


No government had fully succeeded in solving this city's notorious problem of traffic jams and 'go-slow'.


Kò sí ìjọba tó ti ṣàṣeyọrí nínú wíwá ojútùú sí ìṣòro ògbólógbòó sún-kẹrẹ-fà-kẹrẹ ọkọ̀.


The city- hall building stood in all its splendor on the peak of the high Mapo Hill. At the far end of the town towards the horizon in the east, was the new Specialist Hospital building and a cluster of skyscrapers which gave lbadan a look of sophistication and modernity; never mind the great slum which marked out the indigenous areas of the city on the western side.


Gbọ̀ngán ìlú dá dúró nínú ọlá ńlá rẹ̀ ní té-ń-té òkè Màpó. Ní òpin ìlú sápá òkèèrè ní ìlà-oòrùn ni ilé-ìwòsàn alámọ̀já tuntun wà, àti ogunlọ́gọ̀ àwọn ilé alákọ̀ọ́kànrun tí ó ń fún ìlú Ìbàdàn ní ìrísí tó jojú ní gbèsè àti èyí tó fi ọ̀làjú hàn; láìro ti agbèègbè àwọn ọmọ onílùú tí kò dùn ún wòtí ó ti wà tipẹ́ ní apá Ìwọ̀-oòrùn ìlú.


The compulsory monthly environmental campaign exercise, mounted by the government, had started taking care of that.


Ètò gbálé-n-gbáta oní kàn-ń-pá, tí ìjọba gùnlé ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í ṣe ìtọ́jú àwọn agbèègbè yẹn.


Its message ringing loud and clear in the ears of the inhabitants of the city:


Ó sì ń kọrin sí etí àwọn olùgbé ìlú pé:


Whoever you are, whatever you are


Ẹnikẹ́ni tó o bá jẹ́, Nǹkan kí nǹkan tó ò bá à jẹ́


Come out and clean your surrounding


Jáde síta kó o wá ṣe ìmọ́tótó agbèègbè rẹ


It's a national call to duty


Ìpè orílẹ̀-èdè ni sí ojúṣe rẹ


All hands should be on deck


Kí gbogbo ọwọ́ má dilẹ̀


To make Ibadan, the cleanest city


Láti sọ ìlú Ìbàdàn, di ìlú tí ó mọ́ jùlọ


In the whole world


Nínú gbogbo àgbáyé


Come out in your thousands


Ẹ jáde ní ẹgbẹẹgbẹ̀rún yín


With diggers, shovels, brooms and baskets


Pèlú jígà, ṣọ́bìrì, ìgbálẹ̀ àti apẹ̀rẹ̀


Open up your car boots


Ẹ sí búùtù ọkọ̀ yín


To receive the city dirt


Láti gba ìdọ̀tí ìlú


Win a prize for Ibadan


Jẹ àmì ẹ̀yẹ fún ìlú Ìbàdàn


A one million naira national prize........


Mílíọ́ọ̀nù náírà kan, Àmì ẹ̀yẹ orílè-èdè.


Alamu turned round, gazing at the animating scenery of the city.


Àlàmú yípo, ó ń wòye ìgbòkègbodò inú ìlú náà.


It was not possible for anybody to conquer Africa's largest city with such an absent-minded, bird's-eye-view gaze.


Kò ṣeéṣe fún ẹnikẹ́ni láti ṣẹ́gun ìwòye ìlú tó tóbi jù níilẹ̀ aláwọ̀dúdú pẹ̀lú àìfọkànsí.


Infact, the more you gazed that way, the less you saw of this sprawling city - city of chances; city of opportunities; city of problems.


Kódà, bí ó ṣe ń wò ó báyìí sí, ni díẹ̀ tí ó rí mọ nínú ìlú tí ó gbílè yìí, ìlú àǹfààní, ìlú wàhálà.


It was some people's luck in this city on seven hill, to make clean, steady money by dint of hard work and God's abundant blessing.


Ó jẹ́ oríire fún àwọn ènìyàn kan nínú ìlú olókè méje yìí, láti pa owó mímọ́ láti ìgbà dé ìgbà nípasẹ̀ iṣẹ́ àṣekára pẹ̀lú ìbùkún yanturu láti ọ̀dọ̀ Ọlọ́run.


Such people had good cars, owned self-contained bungalows in the outskirts of the city, through rather fast means.


Irú àwọn ènìyàn bẹ́ẹ̀ ní ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ tó dára, ilé àdágbé tiwọn ní ìgbèríko ìlú, lọ́nà to yára kíá kíá.


They accumulate wealth under cover of the night when all honest men and women are deep in sleep.


Wọ́n ń kó ọrọ̀ jọ lábẹ́ òru nígbà tí àwọn olódodo lọ́kùnrin lóbìnrin ti sun oorun àsùnwọra.


And before you wake up to say, 'good morning neighbor', this set of people have become what the local musicians call, 'currency controllers', 'delicate millionaires' 'emergency directors' and 'international managers'.


"Kí ó sì tó di wí pé ó jí lówùúrọ̀ láti sọ""Ẹ káàárọ̀ ará ilé,"" àwọn eni tí à ń wí yìí á ti dí nǹkan tí àwọn olórin ìbílẹ̀ wa ń pè ní ""olùdarí owó,"" ""ẹni tó ń ṣàkóso owó ní mílíọ́ọ̀nù mílíọ́ọ̀nù,""""olùdarí òjijì,"" ""alákòóso okòòwò láàrin àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè."""


They become directors with no particular office address! Managers with no specific place of work!


Wọ́n ń di olùdarí láìsí àdírẹ́sì ọ́fíìsì kan pàtó. Olùṣàkóso láìní ibí-iṣẹ́ kan ní pàtó.


But who, nonetheless, erect mansions in strategic places in town and ride.


Àwọn yìí náà ni wọ́n ń kọ́ ilé ńlá ńlá sí àwọn ibi pàtàkì nínú ìlú, tí wọ́n sì ń wá


The most prestigious Mercedes-Benz cars - throwing their great bull_necks on the delicately soft backs seat of the air conditioned Mercedes with damsels of their daughters age group for company!


Ọkọ̀ mẹ̀sí ọlọ́yẹ́ bọ̀gìnnì bọ̀gìnnì, wọ́n á wá ju ọrùn wọn kíki bí i ti abo màlúù sórí àga tìmùtìmù lẹ́yìn ọkọ̀ tí ọyẹ́ wà nínú rẹ̀ ní gidi, pẹ̀lú àwọn omidan tó tó ẹgbẹ́ ọmọ wọn fún fàájì.


But inside this same city are the other forlon people who toil day in day out, with the determination to succeed and make a headway but whose labours end up in dismal failure.


Nínú ìlú yìí kan náà, ni àwọn akúṣẹ̀ẹ́ ènìyàn wà tí wọ́n ń tiraka lọ́sàn-án lóru, pẹ̀lú ìpinnu láti làlùyọ, kí wọ́n ṣaṣeyọrí, ṣùgbọ́n pàbọ́ ni gbogbo ìgbòkè-gbodò wọn ń já sí.


These are the people with shattered dreams; people who hope all the time, against hope.


Èyí ni àwọn ènìyàn tí àlá wọn ò ṣe, àwọn ènìyàn tí wọ́n ní ìrètí ní gbogbo ìgbà, ìrètí tí kò níí ṣe.


Alamu inherited a sizeable proportion of the city's problems - in spite of his education and position.


Ìwọ̀n ńlá ni Àlàmú jogún nínú ìṣòro ìlú yìí, ládúrú ẹ̀kọ́ àti ipò rẹ̀.


Those wonderful opportunities and chances offered by the city to the lucky dwellers had eluded people would say, and the many problems now confronting him seemed to have weighed him down body and soul.


"Àwọn àǹfààní ààyè oríire tí ìlú ń fún àwọn olùgbé rẹ̀ ti fò ó dá. Ní tirẹ̀, ""ọ̀na ti dí,"" gẹ́gẹ́ bíàwọn ènìyàn ṣe máa ń sọ, àwọn ìṣòro púpọ̀ tó ń kojú yìí ti wá já a lulẹ̀ tẹ̀mí tara."


He reflected over the problems and laughed. No option. An echo - the talkative spirit of the air scattered his voice, making it fly, unchecked, in the wings of the wind.


Ó ro àwọn ìṣòro rẹ̀, ó sì rẹ́rìn-ín , kò sí ọ̀nà àbáyọ. Gbohùngbohùn - tó jẹ́ ẹ̀mí ẹjọ́ wẹ́wẹ́ inú atégùn tú ohùn rẹ̀ ká, ó sìgbé ohùn fò pẹ̀lú ìjà.


When lifes's problems come in mere trickles, you could cry.


Bí ìṣòro ayé bá ń wà ní díẹ̀díẹ̀, ó lè pa ènìyàn lẹ́kún.


"That would make sense but when the problems come tumbling down overwhelmingly, it is no use crying anymore; it is better to laugh, in the peoples's own words, the matter would then have been ""more serious than tears""!"


"Èyí ṣì ń mọ́gbọ́n dání ṣùgbọ́n tí ìṣòro bá ti ń gun orí ara wọn láìdáwọ́ dúró, ẹ̀rín ló dára jù láti rín, ní ti àwọn ènìyàn, ""ọ̀rọ̀ náà ti ju igbe lọ!"""


"That was why the ""ha ha ha ha"" sound of Alamu's grotesque laughter now reverberated... But evidently too loud now for his immediate neighbours"" comfort."


"ìdí nìyí tí ariwo ẹ̀rín Àlàmú ""ha ha ha ha"" fi ń pọ̀ sí i... Ṣùgbọ́n ó ti wá ń pọ̀jù fún ìtura àwọn ará àdúgbò rẹ̀."


And so human heads started appearing in twos and threes - at the doorsteps, at the window panes, from behind the walls, and at the balconies of the surrounding houses.


Fún ìdí èyí, àwọn ènìyàn bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í narùn ní méjì-méjì, mẹ́ta-mẹ́ta láti ẹnu ọ̀nà, ojú fèrèsé, láti ẹ̀yìn ògiri àti lá́ti ẹ̀yìnkùlé àwọn ilé tó yí i ká.


They held their chins looking curiously in the direction of Alamu's flat, shaking their heads in pity.


Wọ́n ń fọ́wọ-lẹ́rán wo ògángán ilé Àlàmú, wọ́n sì ń mirí wọn tìkáàánú-tìkáàánú.


"""Why? Why?"" they wondered, ""Why should this happen to this man?"""


"""Èéṣe? Èéṣe? wọ́n ronú.......Èéṣe tí irú èyí fi ń ṣẹlẹ̀ sí arákùnrin yìí."""


"""Who brought this upon him?"""


"""Ta ló kó irú èyí bá a?"""


"""A rich young man with a big car, a man with plenty of money. A man with enough to eat and enough to drink. This world is not easy."""


"""Ọ̀dọ́mọkùnrin tó ní ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ ńlá, tó ní ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ owó. Ọkùnrin tó ń rí oúnjẹ àjẹyó jẹ, tí ó sì ń ní ohun mímu àmuṣẹ́kù. Ilé ayé yìí ò mà rọrùn o."""


But these people could only gaze and assess the situation of things from a distance.


Ṣùgbọ́n òkèèrè ni àwọn ènìyàn yìí ti ń wo bí nǹkan ṣe rí.


They had no direct access to Alamu's house.


Wọn kò ní àǹfààní tààrà sí ilé Àlàmú.


That was a house apart. With typical pseudo-aristocratic air, Alamu kept his neighbours at arm's length. And, don't blame him for that.


Ó jẹ́ ilé tí ó dá dúró lọ́tọ̀, Àlàmú kò fi ojú sílẹ̀ fún àwọn ará àdúgbò rẹ̀, pẹ̀lú ìgbé-ayé olówó ayédèrú tí ó ń gbé, kò fi ààyè ìgbanimọ́ra sílẹ̀ fún wọn rárá. Má dá a lẹ́bí fún èyí.


He was not in the same class with these people.


Kìí ṣe sàwáwù pẹ̀lú àwọn ènìyàn wọ̀nyí rárá.


Socially and intellectually, he knew he was far ahead of them


Ní ti gbígbafẹ́ àti ọgbọ́n orí ni ó mọ̀ pé gbọ̀ọ̀rọ̀-gbọọrọ ni òun fi jù wọ́n lọ.


There was no basis for any intimate association.


Kò sí ìdí fún ìbáṣepọ̀ tímọ́-tímọ́ kankan láàárín wọn.


"Whereas his immediate neighbours were a pack of illiterates, knowing almost next to nothing, Alamu was a ""book man"" who had spent the beteer part of his life in the country of the white man."


Kódà, àwọn ará àdúgbò rẹ̀ yìí jẹ́ aláìmọ̀-ọ́n-kọ, mọ̀-ọ́n-kà, a fẹ́rẹ̀ é lè sọ pẹ́ wọn kò mọ nǹkankan rárá. Àlàmú sì jẹ́ alákọ̀wé tí ó ti lo ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún ayé rẹ̀ ní ìlú òyìnbó.


"Whereas these ""local"" people lived in a mud houses, or cemented brick houses at best."


Ilé alámọ̀ àti onísìmẹ́ǹtì díè díè ni ó dára jù nínú ilé tí àwọn ará oko yìí ń gbé.


Alamu's hired flat stood out - well-painted and adequately electrified.


Ilé tí Àlàmú fi owó gbà yìí dá yàtọ̀, wọ́n kùn ún lọ́dà dáa dáa tí iná mọ̀nàmọ́ná sì wà níbẹ̀.


"Whilst the neighbours had only wooden beds, raffia mats to sleep on, and the cheap transistor radio to listen to, Alamu owned three giant-sized vono beds, a cot for Tinu his young child, a colour television and a four-in-one stereo set from where music used to blare everyday, deafening the poor neighbours"" ears..."


"Bí ó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé bẹ́ẹ̀dì onígi àti ẹní pákítì láti sùn lé, àti rédíò olówó kékeré ni àwọn aládùúgbò rẹ̀ ní, bẹ́ẹ̀di onítìmù-tìmù""fónò"" ńlá mẹ́ta àti ibùsùn Tinú, ẹ̀rọ amóhùn-máwòrán tí ó ń gbé àwòrán jáde àti ẹ̀rọ akọrin mẹ́rin-lọ́kan tí orin ti ń dún gbì-gbì-gbì lójoojúmọ́, tí ó sì ń dí àwọn tálákà àdúgbò létí ni Àlàmú ní."


testimony of his arrival in the world of affluence.


Ẹ̀̀rí dídé sí ìgbé ayé ọlọ́rọ̀.


So, Alamu ought to be happy man. That was the general assessment of the people.


Fún ìdí èyí, aláyọ̀ ènìyàn ni ó yẹ kí Àlàmú jẹ́. Èrò gbogboògbò àwọn ènìyàn sí i rè é.


But Alamu knew his own limitations, he knew he was far from being happy, he alone knew where the shoes pinched, he would not talk to anyone about it, he kept his lip sealed.


Ṣùgbọ́n Àlàmú mọ ìwọ̀n ara rẹ̀, ó mọ̀ pé ìdùnnú jìnnà sí òun, òun nìkan ló sì mọ ibi tí bàtà ti ń ta á lẹ́sẹ̀, kò sì ba ẹnikẹ́ni sọ̀rọ̀ nípa rẹ̀, ófi ètè rẹ̀ métè.


Whenever the neighbours greeted him in the morning, Alamu would wink, grin,nod- or just hiss at them.


Nígbàkugbà tí àwọn ará àdúgbò rẹ̀ bá ń kí i lówùúrọ̀, Àlàmú yóò fi ara dáhùn, bí i kó mi ẹnu, bíi kó ṣẹ́jú tàbí kí ó mirí, tàbí kí ó pòṣé ṣààrà sí wọn.


Briskly he would hurry away on his toes, jump inside his peugoet car, back the car out of the garage, and race off - to God-knows where!


Kíá, ni yóò rìn kúrò, á fò sínú ọkọ pijó rẹ̀, á fi ẹ̀yìn ọkọ̀ jáde láti inú ọgbà ìgbọ́kọ̀sí rẹ̀, á ki erémọ́lẹ̀, sí ọ̀nà ibi tí ó jẹ́ pé ọlọ́run nìkan ló mọ̀!


He got that car after his arrival in the country fromEngland three years ago - shortly after he took up the job of a senior Accountant with Bajoks Company Limited.


Ó ra ọkọ̀ náà lẹ́yìn tí ó ti ìlú Englandi dé sí ilé ní ọdún mẹ́ta sẹ́yìn - lẹ́yìn ìgbà díè tí ó di Aṣírò-ọrọ̀ àgbà ní iléeṣẹ́ Bajoks.


A year later, he got married to Labake - the lady he met and fell in love with in England. Their wedding was lavish and expensive.


Lẹ́yìn ọdún kan ni ó fẹ́ Làbákẹ́, ọmọbìnnrin tí ó pàdé, tí ó sì nífẹ̀ẹ́ sí nílùú England. Ìgbéyàwó wọn jẹ́ èyí tí wọ́n ti ba owó nínú jẹ́.


Immediately after his society wedding, Alamu started noticing a big hole inside his own pocket.


Kété, lẹ́yìn ìgbéyàwó alárinrin rẹ̀ yìí ni Àlàmú bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í ṣàkíyèsí ihò ńlá nínú àpò rẹ̀.


Money would not stay anymore! His pocket had started leaking!


Owó kò dúró níbẹ̀ mọ́! Àpò rẹ̀ ti ń jò!


He would watch helplessly, his hard-earned money streaming away like a running water ofa river into the remote sea.


Á wá máa wò láìrí-ìrànlọ́wọ́, owó tí ó fara ṣiṣẹ́ kárakára fún wá ń ṣàn lọ bí i omi odò tí ó ń ṣàn lọ sí òkun.


The financial commitments had become unbearably heavy, he didn't envisage it would be as heavy as that - debts to the tune of thousands of naira.


Ètò ìnáwó rẹ̀ ti ń kọjá agbára rẹ̀, kò lérò pé ó lè pọ̀ tó ìyẹn - gbèsè ti ń di ẹgbẹẹgbẹ̀rún náírà.


The expenses on his aged mother was one one big hole in the pocket. So also was the maintenance of his car, and the monthly allowance for their house maid.


Iye tó ń ná lórí ìyá rẹ̀ gan an ń kówó lọ, bẹ́ẹ̀náà ni ìtọ́jú ọkọ̀ rẹ̀ àti owó-oṣù ọmọ-ọ̀dọ̀ wọn.


Not to talk of his regular bills: water rate, house rent, electricity bill, income tax, car loan, monthly deduction...


Kí á tó wá sọ owó-omi, owó-ilé, owó iná mọ̀nà-mọ́ná, owó-orí àti ìdápadà ẹ̀yáwó ọkọ̀ rẹ̀.


Alamu's pocket was seriously leaking, month-end, to him, was, consequently, a time to shed cold sweat, a time to frown and knit the eyebrow as he went through his list of expenditure.


Àpò Àlàmú ń jò gidigidi, ìparí oṣù sì ń jẹ́ àsìkò fún un láti làágùn tútù, ó jẹ́ àsìkò fún un láti lejú kí ó sì ranjú bí ó ṣe ń wo ètò ìṣúná owó rẹ̀ lésẹẹsẹ̀.


After taking his salary, Alamu would drive his car life a jet bomber, race home in lightning celerity.


Lẹ́yìn tí ó bá ti gba owó oṣù rẹ̀, á wá wa ọkọ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ rẹ̀ bí i ọkọ̀ òfurufú elékùsọ́, á mú eré lọ ilé bí ẹ timọ̀.


At home he would lock himself up inside the bedroom, pick up his diary and start reading out to himself the relevant comments he had scribbled inside it, from day one of the month, through to the last day.


Nílé, á ti ara rẹ̀mọ́ yàrá, á mú ìwé ìjẹ́rìí-ẹni rẹ̀, á wá bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í ka àwọn ohun tó jẹ mọ́ ọn tí ó kọ sínú rẹ̀, láti ọjọ́ kìn-ín-ní oṣù títí di ọjọ́ tí ó kẹ́yìn.


Every month was similar to the other, the situation was usually the same - with little or no modification.


Gbogbo oṣù ni ó máa ń jọ ara wọn, ohun tó ṣẹlẹ̀ nínú oṣù kọ̀ọ̀kan máa ń jọ ara wọn pẹ̀lú ìyàtọ̀ díẹ̀ tàbí làínì ìyàtọ̀ kankan.


"Today 10th July, landlord threatened to eject me, I owe him three months"" rent."


"""Lónìí, ọjọ kẹwàá oṣù Agẹm̀ọ, onílé mi lérí láti lé mi jáde, mo jẹ ẹ́ ní owó-ilé oṣù mẹ́ta."


He swore oaths at me; called me all sorts of names.


Ó ṣépè fún mi, ó pè mí ní orúkọ oríṣìíríṣìí.


Boasted that he spent a great fortune to put up the buildings, that I should pay up or quit.


"Ó fọ́nnu pé owó iyebíye ni òun fi kọ́ ilé òun, pé kí n san gbèsè mi tàbí kí n kó jáde."""


"Alamu looked up with a sorrow-laden eyes and mused to himself, ""I must pay him up at the end of this month of July, no further scorn should poured on me for this..."""


"Àlàmú wòkè pẹ̀lú ojú tí ó kún fún ìbànújẹ́, ó dá sọ̀rọ̀ pé, ""mo gbọ́dọ̀ san owó rè níparí oṣù Agẹmọyìí, ẹ̀gbín kankan ò tún gbọdọ̀ ta lé mi fún èyí."""


Then, reading to himself from another page of the diary.


Lẹ́yìn náà ni ó tún ṣí ojú ìwé mìíràn nínú ìwé ìjẹ́rìí-ẹni náà.


Labake embarrassed me today 21st July threatened to pack out. Quarrel over house keeping allowance. And little Tinu's food stipend...My resolution?


"""Làbákẹ́ kàn mí lábùkù lónìí, ọjọ́ kọkànlélógún oṣù Agẹmọ, ó lérí láti kó jáde. Owó ìtọ́jú ilé ni ó fàjà. Àti owó oúnjẹ Tinú kékeré..............ìnáw ótúntún?"


"Three hundred naira to be set apart for this every month, beginning from this month of July."""


"Àpò náírà kan-àbọ̀ ni n ó tún máa yà sọ́tọ̀ láti oṣù kéje yìínáà lọ"""


Enough!... Enough!... Alamu would shout to himself. He'd close up the accursed book and fling it furiously against the wall of his bedroom.


Ó tó gẹ́!.......... ó tó gẹ́!.........Àlàmú ké mọ́ ara rẹ̀, á pa ìwé òfònáà dé, á sì jù ú mọ́ ògiri yàrá rẹ̀.


Enough! How was he going to survive it all without the assistance of the invisible power from above? Where was he going to get all the money from? Impossible!


Ó tó gẹ́! Báwo ni n ó ṣe kó èyí já láìsí ìrànlọ́wọ́ agbára àìrí láti òkè wá? Níbo ni n ó ti rí adúrú owónáà? Kòṣeéṣe!


Yes, that was only the month of July. Month in month out, he got the wrong answers to all his additions.


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, oṣù agẹmọ nìkan nìyẹn. Lóṣooṣù, kì í rí ìdáhùn tó tọ́ sí gbogbo ìṣirò rẹ̀.


His two plus two was five! Always five! The two plus two of a crazy mathematician!


Eéji pẹ̀lú Eéji máa ń fún un ní Aárùn-ún ní gbogbo ìgbà. Ìṣirò ayírí onímò ìṣirò.


His four plus three was eight! Always eight!


Mẹ́rin pẹ̀lú mẹ́ta rẹ̀ máa ń fún un ní mẹ́jọ gẹ́gẹ́ bí ìdáhùn sí ìṣirò rẹ̀ nígbà gbogbo.


Before Alamu ever ever had the time to solve all these problems, another problems, another problem of greater magnitude would appear unto him.


Kí Àlàmú tó ráyè láti yanjú àwọn ìṣòro wọ̀nyí ni àwọn mìíràn tí ó le ju èyí yóò tún dé bá a.


The monstrous posture of this new problem made all previous problems looks like a child's play.


Ìrísí ìṣòro apanirun túntún yìí wá jẹ́ kí àwọn ìṣòro àtijọ́ dàbíi erémọdé lójú rẹ̀.


This one pressed him hard to the wall, there was no place to run to anymore.


Eléyìí sún un kan ògiri, kò sí ibi tí ó fẹ́ sá sí mọ́.


And now, he resolved; No more tears! no more tear drops!


Nísinsìnyí, ó tún èrò ara rẹ̀ pa; kò sí igbe mọ́! Kò sí omi ẹkún mọ́!


He was no longer going to sit down and cry like a child, he would keep his new problem to himself - face it squarely, grapple with it like a man, solve it like a man - with courage and will-power-all along laughing over it, no more tears.


Kò ní jókòó máa sunkún bí ọmọdé mọ́, ó máa gbé ìṣòro túntún rẹ̀ sínú - á kọjú mọ́ ọn, á gbá a mú bí i akọni, á yanjú rẹ̀ bí i ọkùnrin - pẹ̀lú ìgboyà àti ìfọkànsí bí ó ṣe ń lọ, á sì máa fi ọ̀rọ̀ òhún ṣẹ̀rín rín, kò sí omijé mọ́.


Alamu turned slowly away now from where he'd been standing gazing absent-mindedly at the city environment and yelling with laughter.


Àlàmú fi sùúrù yí padà kúrò níbí tí ó ti dúró wòye agbèègbè ìlúnáà láìfọkànsí pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín lẹ́nu.


He'd caught sight of his wife from a distance returning from the market with Zenabu the house maid.


Ó ti rí ìyàwó rẹ̀ àti ọmọ-ọ̀dọ̀ wọn Sènábù láti ọ̀kánkán bí wọ́n ṣe ń bọ̀ láti ọjà.


So, he had to withdraw. It is not good to allow Labake to get any hint.


Fún ìdí èyí, ó ní láti dáwọ́dúró, kò ní dáa láti jẹ́ kí Làbákẹ́ mọ nǹkankan rárá.


As a woman, she possessed no strong shock absorbers to resist life's tension and problems.


Gẹ́gẹ́ bí obìnrin, kò ní ọkàn láti kojú ìgbáyàsókè ayé àti ìṣòro.


Labake was sentimental and tender-hearted. She would break down in tears at the magnitude of this present problem. And that would not be good.


Làbákẹ́ kò ní ọkàn. Ó máa bú sẹ́kún ni bí ó bá rí bí ìṣòro tó bá wọn ṣe pọ̀ tó. Èyí kò sì ní daa.


Alamu had promised his wife, right from the day of their wedding, that there would be no cause to make her regret or make her shed tears.


Àlàmú ti ṣe ìlérí fún ìyàwó rẹ̀, láti ọjọ́ ìgbéyàwó, pé kò ní sí ìdí fún un láti kábàámọ̀ tàbí kí ó sunkún.


"It was going to be sunshine and laughter all through. And if there were problems to grapple with, he'd told his wife he was up to the task. He would solve them like a man - a ""true"" man."


Ó ní ìdùnnú ni yóò jẹ́ títí. Tíìṣòro bá sì wà láti kojú, yóò sọ fún ìyàwó rẹ̀ pé òun kájú òṣùnwọ̀n. Á yanjú rẹ̀ bí i ọkùnrin - ọkùnrin gidi.


Alamu went back into the house with a disguised countenance, he picked up a magazine and started leafing through it while waiting for a knock on the door, let Labake come in, let her gaze and gaze, she would never make out anything.


Àlàmú ṣojú fúrúpadà wọ inú ilé, ó mú magasíìnì ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í ṣí i láwẹ́láwẹ́ bí ó ṣe ń dúró de ilẹ̀kùn kíkàn, kí Làbáké wọlé, kí ó wò wò, kò lèè rí nǹkankan mújáde.


With Alamu's head bent over the magazine, those red eyeballs of his would be concealed; those lines of depression and torture across his contenance would never be revealed.


Bí Àlàmú ṣe doríkọlẹ̀ kọjú mọ́ magasíìnì, ojú rẹ̀ pípọ́n kò níí hàn; àmì ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì àti ìjìyà kò níí farahàn.


One thing he would avoid was lapsing into that strange loud laugh.


Ohun kan tí ó yẹra fún ni ẹ̀rín aláriwo abàmì rẹ̀.


It might raise Labeke's suspicion, he would try to be as natural as possible, he would give Labake the normal welcome greetings - but still with his head bent over the magazine in pretence of absolute concentration.


Ó lè mú Làbáké fura, á gbìyànjú láti ṣe bí ó ti yẹ, yóò kí Làbákẹ̀ bí ó ti yẹ - ṣùgbọ́n kò ní í gbé orí sókè kúrò lára ìwé àtìgbàdégbà tí ó ń kà.


Labake entered the house at last, and immediately went into the kitchen to start the business of cooking, she seemed to be in some hurry and had no time for the drooping figure at the corner of the sitting room.


Nígbẹ̀yìn gbẹ́yín, Làbákẹ́ wọlé ó sì wọ inú ilé ìdáná lẹ́sẹ̀kẹsẹ̀ láti bẹ̀rẹ̀ iná dídá, ó jọ wí pé ó ń kánjú, kò sì ráyè ẹni tó kájo sí kọ̀rọ̀ yàrá ìgbafẹ́.


Obviously, she did not want the supper to be late since they did not have a good meal for lunch in the afternoon.


Ó hàn gedengbe pé, kò fẹ́ kí oúnjẹ alẹ́ pẹ́ nítorí pé wọn kò je oúnjẹ gidi kan lọ́sàn-án.


Very soon, Alamu heard her shouting instructions to Zenabu.


Láìpẹ́, Àlàmú ń gbọ́ igbe àṣẹ tí ó ń pa fún Sènábù.


The loud clang of cups and spoons, and the resonant, metallic sound of the aluminium plates reached his ears also- and he heaved a sigh of relief.


Ariwo ṣíbí àti ife pẹ̀lú abọ́ ayọ́ alumí ń dé etí rẹ̀ náà - ó túra ká.


What meal was Labake going to prepare for the evening? A meal that would fit the mood of time no doubt.


Oúnjẹ wo ni Làbákẹ́ máa sè fún alẹ́? Oúnjẹ tó bá àsìkò náà mu ni láìsí àní-àní.


Meal of a hard time. Perhaps eko with vegetables and the cheap frozen fish... Or it could be ordinary boiled plantain sprinkled with salt, pepper and red palm-oil...


Oúnjẹ ìgbà ọwọ́n. Bóyá ẹ̀kọ pẹ̀lú ẹ̀fọ́ àti ẹja òkú-èkó pọ́ọ́kú tútù... tàbí kí ó jẹ́ ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ bíbọ̀ tí wọ́n wọ́n iyọ̀, ata àti epo sí.


Well.. No complaint. Just something, anything - to keep body and soul together.


Kò sí àwáwí, ká ṣá ti rí nǹkan láti so ọkàn àti ara pọ̀.


With the hope that all would be well before Labake would be completely fed up with the situation at home and start noticing the change in the order of things.


Pẹ̀lú ìrètí pé ohun gbogbo á dára kí ó tó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í sú Làbákẹ́, kó sì tó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í ṣàkíyèsí àyípadà gbogbo nǹkan.


The task before Alamu, therefore, was that of finding a quick solution.


Iṣẹ́ tó wà níwájú Àlàmú báyìí ni wíwá ojútùú kíákíá sí ìṣòro wọn.


All through the night, he kept awake - ruminating, these were serious problems.


Ní gbogbo òru, oorun kò kun ojú rẹ̀ -ó ń ṣe àṣàrò, àwọn ìṣòro yìí le gan-an.


Especially that latest one... It would be good if he could solve the problem quickly.


Pàápàá jùlọ èyí tó kẹ́yìn... yóò sì dára tí ó bá lè yanjú ìṣòro náà ní kíá.


After solving it he would proudly call his wife and announce to her.


Lẹ́yìn wíwá ojútùú síi, á wá pe ìyàwó rẹ̀ jókòó pẹ̀lú ìgbéraga láti kéde sí i.


"""Sit down here and listen to me Labake, you didn't know, but there had been problems, I kept the problems away because I know your nature very well."


"""Jókòó síbí kí o tẹ́tí sí mi Làbákẹ́, ìṣòro ti ń wà ṣùgbọ́n o ò mọ̀, mo fi ọ̀rọ̀náà pamọ́ fún ọ nítorí pé mo mọ irú ènìyàn tí o jẹ́."


You'll cry, cry and cry... Feel badly depressed, so I kept it away, but don't worry Labake, the problem has been solved...


Wà á sunkún sunkún sunkún, inú rẹ kò ní ídùn, ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì yóò sì dé bá ọ, ìdí nìyí ti mo fi kó wọn pamọ́ fún ọ, ṣùgbọ́n Làbákẹ́, má bẹ̀rù, ìṣòro náà ti kásẹ̀ ńlẹ̀.


"Praise God!"""


Yin Olúwa lógo!


Meanwhile, he would continue to play the man.


Yóò sì tẹ̀síwájú láti máa ṣe bí ọkùnrin.


Nevermore would he wear his sorrow and muse, so now, Alamu shrugged, parted his lips and opened wide his mouth... Then -


Kò sì ní gbé ìbànújẹ́ tàbí àṣàrò rẹ̀ sójú. Nísinsìnyí, Àlàmú gún èjìká rẹ̀, ó ya ẹnu rẹ̀ gbàgà.........lẹ́yìn náà -


"""Ha ha ha ha - hum hum - Ha ha ha ha... Yea - ha ha ha ha. Yes, yes - hum hum - ha ha ha ha!"""


Ha ha ha ha......hun hun......ha ha ha ha..........Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni............ha ha ha ha, bẹ́ẹ̀ni, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni......hun hun........ha ha ha ha!


That uproarious laughter again! He laughed it loud and long... And its noise could have woken Labake up in her own room, had she not been fast asleep.


Ẹ̀rín aláruwo yẹn tún ni! Ó rẹ́rìn-ín náà gùn. Ariwo rẹ̀ ò bá ti jí Làbákẹ́ dìde nínú yàrá rẹ̀, bí kò bá ṣe pé óti sùn fọnfọn.


How practicable was it going to be. keeping Labake out of the whole situation?


Báwo ni yóò ṣe ṣe é ṣe, láti máa fi gbogbo ọ̀rọ̀ yìí pamọ́ fún Làbákẹ́?


For how long was he going to contain the situation all alone?


Ìgbà wo ni yóò ṣe gbogbo èyí dà?


These were the questions Alamu asked himself again and again.


Èyí ni àwọn ìbéèrè tí Àlàmú ń bí ara rẹ̀ ní àbítúnbí.


"And the answer that came each time was ""not practicable..."" ""not possible..."" Were they not husband and wife, living under the same roof, sharing the same flat?"


"Àwọn ìdáhùn tó ń tẹ̀lé e ni.......""kò ṣe é ṣe........""""kò ṣe é ṣe............""ṣé kì í ṣe ọkọ àti ìyàwó tí ó ń gbé abẹ́ òrùlé kan náà̀ ni wọ́n?"


The more he struggled to hide, the more he revealed himself.


Bí ó ṣe ń tiraka láti fi pamọ́ tó, bẹ́ẹ̀ náà ni ó ń fi ara rẹ̀ hàn tó.


Still he continued to try. No sin in trying really.


Síbẹ̀ síbẹ̀, ó tẹ̀síwájú láti gbìyànjú, kò sí ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ nínú ìgbìyànjú rárá.


Inside his room, he would bury his head under the pillow and talk in whispers to himself.


Nínú yàrá rẹ̀, yóò ti orí ara rẹ̀ bọ abẹ́ ìrọ̀rí rẹ̀, á sì máa sọ̀rọ̀ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́ sí ara rẹ̀.


"He would cover his mouth with his handkerchief and reduce his irresistible laughter to a ""whooping cough,""at the sudden realization that Labake was around!"


Áwá bo ẹnu rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú aṣọ ìnujú, á wá sọ ẹ̀rín àsàsàmò sì rẹ̀ di ikó nígbà tó bá déédé mọ̀ pé Làbákẹ́ ti wà nítòsí!


It was all like the story of the proverbial man who decided to bury himself alive to hide away from people. The mythological man tried it...


Ó ti wá dàbíi ìtàndòwe nípa Ọkùnrin kan tó pinnu láti sin ara rẹ̀ láàyè láti farapamọ́ fún àwọn ènìyàn. Ọkùnrin kan gbìyànjú ẹ̀ wò nínú ìtàn!


And at the end of the exercise, they found out one of his hands was outside the grave, he discovered and pulled out of his grave!


Ní òpin gbogbo rẹ̀, óṣà kíyèsí pé ọwọ́ rẹ̀ kán wà ní ìta, wọ́n ríi, wọ́n sì wọ́ ọ kúrò nínú sàréè rẹ̀.


Against Alamu's wish, he found he was putting Labake in the full picture of things - directly or indirectly.


Tako ìfé-inú Àlàmú, ó rí i pé òun ti ń fi àwòrán nǹkan hàn Làbákẹ́ lọ́nà tààrà àti ẹ̀bùrú.


Everything gave him away - his general behavior towards Labake, his daily conversation with her.


Gbogbo re ló ń fi íhàn - gbogbo Ìhùwàsí rẹ̀ sí Làbákẹ́, gbogbo ìbára-ẹni-sọ̀rọ̀ ojoojúmọ́ wọ̣n.


"""Did you not see the landlord yesterday Alamu?"""


"""Àlàmú, ṣé o rí onílé wa lanáà ?"""


"""Landlord? Where Labake?"""


"""Onílé?, níbo Làbákẹ́"""


"""Stop teasing Alamu. All along, I knew you saw him.You were mere dodging."


"""Yé é mú mi ṣeré Àlàmú. Bí ó ṣe ń lọ, mo mọ̀ pé o rí i. O kàn ń sá pamọ́ ni."


Your legs showed behind the toilet door where you were hiding.


Ẹsẹ̀ rẹ ń hàn lábẹ́ ilẹ̀kùn ilé-ìtọ̀ níbití o ti ń sá pamọ́.


"But lucky you. ""The landlord did not look down"""


Ṣùgbọ́n Ọlọ́run yọ ẹ́, onílé kò wolẹ̀.


"He fixed his gaze up on the ceiling. ""Didn't you say you paid him all his money?"""


Ó tẹjú mọ́ òkè àjà. ṣe bí o ní o ti san gbogbo owó rẹ̀fún un?


"""Well... yea... yea"""


"""Ẹẹẹẹẹnnnn.....Bẹ́ẹ̀ , Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni"""


"""Well yea yea? Why was the man looking so displeased and so angry?"


"""Ẹẹẹẹẹnnnn.....Bẹ́ẹ̀ , Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni? Kílódé tí ojú Ọkùnrin náà ṣe le koko tí ó sì ń tọ́ka àìnínú dídùn sí wa?"""


"He said you should come and see him immediately. I forgot to mention that to you."""


"""Ó ní kí o wá rí òun lẹ́sẹ̀kẹsẹ̀. Mo gbàgbé láti sọfún ẹ"""


"""Hum, hum, Immediately? Hum, hum. I see."""


"""Hùn, hùn ún, lẹ́sẹ̀kẹsẹ̀? Hùn hùn, mo rí i bẹ́ẹ̀."""


Alamu's heart missed a beat.


Àyà Àlàmú já.


But he quickly readjusted - laughing it over - playing the man!


ṣùgbọ́n ó tètètúnraṣe - ó rín ẹ̀rín sí i - ó ń fi Ọkùnrinn náà ṣeré.


"""How did you pay him, Alamu? By cash?"""


"""Báwo ni o ṣe sanwófún un, ṣé kìṣì?"""


"""Yes - yea - ah - ah!"""


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.....Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni.....ah ah"""


"""Yes, yea-ah-ah? Which one now?"""


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni...ah? Èwo níbẹ̀?"""


Alamu laughed again.


Àlàmú túnrẹ́rìn-ín.


Labake fished out from her small handbag a piece of paper, and handed it over to her husband.


Làbákẹ́ yọ ìwé pélébé kan jad́e nínú báàgì ìfàlọ́wọ́ rẹ̀, ó sì mú un fún ọkọ rẹ̀.


"""See this. The cheque you issued to me for the house-keeping allowance."""


"""Wo èyí. Sọ̀wédowó tí o fún mi fún owó ìtọ́jú ilé."""


"""Why give me Labake? Present it to... to.. to the bank."""


"""Kílódé tí ò ń mú un fún mi Làbákẹ́, mú un lọ........lọ sí ilé ifowópamọ́sí."""


"""It has been presented... But now returned. It bounced."""


"""Mo ti mú un lọ... ṣùgbọ́n ó ta padà. Kò sówó níbẹ̀"""


"""Bounced?"" Alamu asked slowly. He took the cheque from Labake muttering, ""I'll see what else can be done."""


"""Ta padà kẹ̀?,"" Àlàmú fi sùúrù béèrè. Ó gba sọ̀wédowó náà lọ́wọ́ rẹ̀, ó ń kálòlò........""mà á wá.......wánǹkan ṣe sí i."


Alamu's landlord's cheque had bounced three times!


Sọ̀wédowó tí Àlàmú fún onílé ti ta padà lẹ́èmẹ́ta!


Labake did not know. He did not tell her. He continued with his laughter.


Làbákẹ́ kò mọ̀. Kò sọfún un. Ó tẹ̀síwájú pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín rẹ̀.


During his course of his conversation with Labake, Alamu had laughed nervously more than five times.


Láàárín ìbára-ẹni-sọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú Làbákẹ́, Àlàmú ti rín ẹ̀rín àjèjì rẹ̀ ju ìgbà márùn-ún lọ.


And he'd noticed how Labake looked uncomfortable at him.


Ó sì ti ń ṣàkíyèsí bí Làbákẹ́ ṣe ń wò ó pẹ̀lú àìbalẹ̀ ọkàn.


For how long, really, was he going to succeed in Keeping Labake out of the whole situation?


Lóòótọ́, títí ìgbà wo ni yóò fi nǹkan pamọ́ fún Làbákẹ́ dà?


The answer came, once more with a note of finality: not for a month more brother!... not even for a week more!...


"Èsì dé, lẹ́ẹ̀kan síi lọ́gán ""Kì í ṣe fún oṣù kan mọ́ brọ̀dá!........kì í ṣe fún ọ̀sẹ̀ kan pàápàá!...."""


There is a thing - an irresistible force - urging him on. Impelling him to loose control over his own action, and pushing him headlong into desperation. Inevitably.


Ohun kan wà tí ó ń tìí, kò jẹ́ kí ó ká páìṣe rẹ̀, ó ń sọ ọ́ di ọ̀dájú láìsí àní-àní.


That was why, a few days later, Alamu found himself breaking new ground...


Ìdí nìyí tó jẹ́ pé lẹ́yìn ọjọ́ mélòó kan, Àlàmú rí ara rẹ̀ tó ń dá àrà túntún...


He held a mug firmly wth his two hands - because it appeared to him that the gentle ripples of the liquid content were soon going to shake the mug off his hands!


Ó gbé ife ọtí si ẹnu rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ẹ̀gbọ̀n rìrì, ó gbá ife ọtínáà mú gírígírí pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ rẹ̀ méjèèjì, nítorí ó jọ wí pé gáà sìinú ọtí náà fẹ́ gbọ̀n ife náà kúrò ní ọwọ́ rẹ̀!


The ripples inside looked to him like the gathering storm inside the deep ocean! A storm inside the mug.


Àwọn gáàsì yìí jọ ìjìinú òkun lójú rẹ̀! Ìjìinú ife!


The storm of a sticky, coloured liquid! And- Oh God! - all these would soon disappear inside his tummy! He shook his head pathetically.


Ìjì ọtíaláwò ọ̀tọ̀ kíkí! Àti pé - Olúwa ò!- gbogbo èyí ni yóò pòórá sínú ikùn rẹ̀! Ómirí rẹ̀ tàánú tàánú.


The strange odour of the beer pierced his nostrils, as he gulped the content down the throat, his eyeballs twinkled excitedly.


Òórùn abàmì ọtí náàdá imú rẹ̀ lu, bí ó ṣe ń gbé e mì, ẹyin ojú rẹ̀ ń mì wóró-wóró tayọ̀ tayọ̀.


His first taste of beer! And what a taste! the bad taste of animal urine in the herbalist concoction!


Bíà àkọ́kọ́ tọ́wò rẹ̀! ìtọ́wò rè é bí i ìtọ́wo ìtọ̀ ẹranko burúkú nínú àsèjẹ bàbáláwo.


Alamu struggled not to allow the liquid content to come back into his mouth in vomit.


Àlàmú tiraka láti má jẹ́ kí ohun ṣíṣàn náà padà wá sí ẹnu rẹ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bí èébì.


He forced it down down the tummy. The worms were no doubt happy inside the bowel and heard the faint chorus of some riotous revel...


Ó fi tipá tipá tì í wọ ìsàlẹ̀ ikùn rẹ̀. Láìsí àní-àní, inú àwọn aràn inú rẹ̀ dùn nínú lọ́hùn-ún...


Perspiration gathered over his brow. His eyes started seeing double.


Òógùn ṣarajọ sí ìpọ̀nrí rẹ̀. Ojúrẹ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í wò bàìbàì.


It made his head swim, he started reeling.


Ójẹ́ kí orí rẹ̀ wú, óbẹ̀rẹ̀ si í pòòyì.


That was the way he wanted it.


Bí ó ṣe fẹ́ kí ó rí rè é.


He wanted to get intoxicated.


Ófẹ́ kí ọtí pa òun dáadáa.


He had been told that the moment the beer sank into his system , his whole body would react.


Wọ́n ti sọ fún un pé nígbà tí ọtí bá wọ àgọ́ ara rẹ̀, gbogbo àgọ́ ara rẹ̀ á dáhùn sí i.


The hair on his head would stand on end; his brain cells would go haywire, the eyelids would begin to close up; and then his whole frame would start turning round and round with the building - in the manner of a spaceship about to be launched into the outer orbit!


Irun orí rẹ̀ ádúró gírígírí, àwọn páà dì ọpọlọ rẹ̀ á wá máa siṣẹ́-kiṣẹ́, ìpéǹpéjú rẹ̀ á máa padé; gbogbo ara rẹ̀ á wá máa yípo tilé tilé bíi ṣẹ́ ọkọ̀ òfurufú tí ó ṣ̀ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ já síta láti fi lọ́lẹ̀.


Yes. That was how Alamu wanted it. He wanted his body - if possible - to be flung into the outer orbit, in an imaginary journey to the super-sensible world.


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni. Bí Àlàmú ṣe fẹ́ kí ó rí rè é. Bíó ṣe é ṣe, ó fẹ́ ju ara rẹ̀ sínú ayé mìíràn, ní ìrìnàjò àfọkànrò sí ayé ọlọ́pọlọ pípé àrà ọ̀tọ̀.


That would make him forget all the worries, all the cares of this material world - at least for some time.


Èyí lè jẹ́ kí ó gbàgbé gbogbo ìdààmú rẹ̀, àti gbogbo ìtọ́jú ayé - bí ó bá tiè jẹ́ fún ìgbà díẹ̀.


The smell of alcohol permeated the air inside the house. It escaped from the window panes in Alamu's room and invaded the sitting room and Labake's bedroom.


Òórùn ọtí borí òórùn inú ilé. Ó ti ojú fèrèsé yàrá Àlàmú w ọinú yàrá ìgbàfẹ wọn, ó sì gba ibẹ̀ wọ yàrá Làbákẹ́.


Labake sniffed it in instinctively, her curiosity was immediately aroused, she tip-toed to her husband's bed room and peeped through the key hole... she nearly collapsed from what she saw, she was merely dreaming.


Làbákẹ́ gbọ́ òórùn yìí, tì fura tì fura ó yọ́ kẹ́lẹ́-kẹ́lẹ́ lọ sí yàrá ọkọ rẹ̀, ó sì yọjú láti ibi ihò kọ́kọ́rọ́................ó fẹ́ ẹ̀ ẹ́ dákú pẹ̀lú ohun tí ó rí, ó ṣebí àlá ni òun ń lá.


She rubbed her eyes several times.


Ó fi ọwọ́ bọ́ ojú rè láìmọye ìgbà.


The sound of the beer bottle knocking on Alamu's mug came out compellingly loud and clear and Labake realized she was not dreaming at all. It was reality. Stark reality.


Ohùn ìgò ọtí tí ó ń kan ife Àlàmú jáde geere-ge, Làbákẹ́ sì rí i pékì í ṣe àlá ni òun ń lá rárá. Òótọ́ ni, òótọ́ pátápátá.


There in front of her was her husband, relaxing in the easy chair and sipping his beer with complete abandon - talking to himself and laughing all along! - an outlandish loud laugh.


Kòrókòró ni ó ń wo ọkọ rẹ̀ tí ó ń gbafẹ́ lórí àgbà-n-tara, ó sì ń mu ọtí rẹ̀ láìbìkítà - ó ń bá ara rẹ̀ sọ̀rọ̀, ó sì ń rín ẹ̀rín, ẹ̀rín àsàsàmọsì.


Labake crashed inside the room:


Làbákẹ́ já wọ yàrá náà:


"""Alamu...Alamu..."" she began, ""what is this that I see in front of you?"


"""Àlàmú.......... Àlàmú,"" óbẹ̀rẹ̀ ọ̀rọ̀, ""Kíni èyí tí mò ń rí ní wájú rẹyìí?"""


Alamu sat up straight, looked at labake with sunken, dreamy eyes and laughed out loud and long - louder than ever before.


Àlàmú jókòó sókè, ó wo Làbákẹ́ pẹ̀lú ojú jíjìn, ó sì rẹ́rìn-ínìyàngí tí ó gùn, tí ó pariwo ju ti tẹ́lè lọ.


"""What ? This? You mean this?"" he asked rather unnecessarily, ""oh that's beer. What else can it be Laba... Labake?"""


"""Kí ni? Èyí? Ṣé èyí ni ò ń sọ?,"" ó béèrè ìbéèrè tí kò wúlò........ooooh! ọtí bíà. Kí lótún fẹ́ jẹ́ Làbá....... Làbákẹ́?"""


He breathed heavily. The casual tone of Alamu's reply completely put Labake off.


Ó mí èémí líle. Èsì àìbìkítà Àlàmú ti mú ọ̀rọ̀ náà sú Làbákẹ́ pátápátá.


"""That's beer Labake,"" he stressed again, ""Haven't you... you eyes to...to see?"" Alamu's impudent remark caught her off-guard."


"""Ọtí nìyẹn Làbákẹ́,"" ó tún fàágùn, ""ṣé o.....o.....kò ní ojú láti ..........láti ríran ni?.....""Èsì àfojúdi Àlàmú bá Làbákẹ́ lójijì."


"""But you've never tasted beer all your life Alamu?"""


"""Ṣùgbọ́n, o ò fẹnu kan ọtí rí láyé rẹ Àlàmú?"


"Yes... And therefore?... so therefore?"" Alamu snapped back, ""you should know... you should know."


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni..........nígbà náà ńkọ́? Ìgbà náà wá ń kọ́?"" Àlàmú fèsì padà, 'ó yẹ kí o mọ̀, ó yẹ kí o mọ̀."


"Laba... Labak... em... I have to start it one day ...And it is today... Today that ... that em...so therefore?...i say so therefore!"""


"Làbá.....Làbák......ẹm... Mo ní láti bẹ̀rẹ ẹ̀ lọ́jọ́ kan.. òní sì ni.........òní tí.......tí ẹm....fún ìdí èyí?........mo ní fún ìdí èyi!"""


He rose to his feet with some effort, held the mug of beer precariously to the lips and gulped the remaining content. He poured out for himself another mug and gulped it. Then some more again that one went down the stomach... and yet another... He looked angrily at the empty bottle of beer in his hand and flung it away.


Ó dìde lórí ẹsẹ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú okun díẹ̀, ó sì di ife ọtí náà mú gírígírí sí ẹnu rẹ̀, ó sì da èyí tó ṣẹ́kù mu. Ótún mu síi..............ó wo kòròfo ìgò ọtí tó wà lọ́wọ́ rẹ̀ tìbínú tì bínú, ó sì jù ú dànù.


He tossed the empty mug across the stool in front of him and yelled with laughter.


Ó ju kòròfo ife kọjá sí orí àpótí iwájú rẹ, ó sì bú sẹ́rìn-ín.


"""What Alamu!"" Labake shouted. Her eyes caught the cigarettes her husband was holding between the two fingers of his left hand."


"Làbákẹ́ pariwo, ""kí rè é Àlàmú!"" Ojú rẹ̀ rí sìgá tí ọkọ rẹ̀ mú sáàárín ìka méjì lọ́wọ́ òsì rẹ̀."


"""You've started smoking too."""


"""O ti ń fa sìgá náà"""


Alamu did not answer. He looked away, lit the cigarette and start puffing at it. He brought together his lips, like a stringed purse, and the smoke he blew out formed an intricate, crisis-cross pattern on its way up the ceiling!


Àlàmú kò dá a lóhùn. Ó gbójú kúrò, ó tanná sí sìgá, ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í fà á. Ópa ètè pọ̀, bí àpamọ́wọ́ onírin, èéfín tí ó ń fẹ́ jáde pẹ̀lú bátànì lọ sí òkè àjà.


"""Alamu?... Alamu? Is that you Alamu? Drinking and smoking?"" Labake asked in disbelief."


"""Àlàmú!...... Àlàmú! Ṣé ìwọ rè é Àlàmú? ọtí àti sìgá?,"" Làbákẹ́ béèrè pẹ̀lú àìgbàgbọ́."


Alamu laughed nervously and took another deep, long puff. His eyes bulged. This time the smoke went into the wrong way and he started coughing...


Àlàmú rẹ́rìn-ín pẹ̀lú àìbalẹ̀ àyà, ó sì tún sìgá rẹ̀ fà pẹ́ dáadáa. Ojú rẹ̀ ràn kankan. Báyìí èéfín sìgá pá a lórí, ó sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ ikọ́.


"""Ex... Excuse me Labake... Hum... you see...you see...em..."""


"""Forí... foríjìmí Làbákẹ́... hùn... ṣo rí i... ṣo rí i... ẹ̀... ǹ..."""


"""see what?"""


"""Rí kíni?"""


"""Look here!... Excuse... Excuse me I say... understand? You should under... understand... o.k...I mean..."""


"""Wobí!... Forí jì mí... orí jì mí ni mo sọ......ó yé....ó yẹ kí ó yé ẹ...ó dáa....mo ní........!"""


"""Understand what Alamu, I can't understand! I'll never understand this!"""


"""Kíni kí ó yé mi, Àlàmú kò lè yé mi! Kò lè yé mi láéláé"""


"Alamu staggered towards Labake. His knees wobbled. He held Labake by the shoulder and shook her violently. Alamu's head had started turning around. He liked it that way. He ""d forgotten all his problems. His problems had been solved now - straight away! No more sorrow!"


Àlàmú ta gíẹ́gíẹ́ sọ́dọ̀ Làbákẹ́. Orúnkún rẹ̀ wọ́lẹ̀. Ó gbá Làbákẹ́ mú léjìká ó sì mì í tagbára tagbára. Orí Àlàmú ti wá ń yí po. Ó fẹ́ràn rẹ̀ báyìí. Ó ti gbàgbé gbogbo ìṣòro rẹ. Ìṣòro rẹ̀ ti yanjú - bayìi! Kò sí ìbànújẹ́ mọ́!


"""Look... look at me properly... properly, woman. No problem... I have no problem... as you see me...yes... no problem for...for Alam...Alamu... in this life..."""


"""Wò... wò mí dáadáa, arábìnrin... Kò sí ìṣòro, mi ò níì ṣòro......bí o ṣe ń wò míyìí......Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni....kò síì ṣòro fún.....fún........Àlàm....... Àlàmú láyé yìí."""


Labake looked at her husband's red eyeballs and screamed... was he going to strike her? Was he going to strangle her? He held her so tight now, he might, in th final analysis, strangle her- no one could tell...


Làbákẹ́ wojú ọkọ rẹ̀ pípọ́n, ó sì pariwo... ṣé yóò lù ú ni? Tàbí yóò fún un lọ́rùn pa? Ó dì í mú pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ líle, nígbẹ̀yìn, ó ṣe é ṣe kí ófún ìyàwó rẹ̀ lọ́rùn pa - kò sẹ́ni lè sọ.


"""Don't...Don't you...you worry...I say! Don't you worry... ol...""woman!"" Alamu stammered."


"""Má...má ṣe da ara rẹ láàmú...mo ní!Má ṣe.........da........ara...........rẹ láàmú......Arúgb....obìnrin,"" Àlàmú ká lòlò."


"""Me? Old woman?"""


"""Èmi? Arúgbó?"""


"""You want...to know me? Me...me? Alamu ...I am...Alamu Olaoye. Yes. You...who... who are you?"


"""Ṣé o fẹ́ mọ̀.........mọ̀ mí? Èmi..........èmi? Àlàmú...............Èmi ni Àlàmú Ọláoyè. Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni. Ìwọ.....ta.......ta....... ni ọ́?"


"But just as an ol"" woman. Terri...terrible ol"" woman. Where?"


Obìnrin arúgbó lásán làsàn. Obìnrin arúgbó ráda.......rádaràda. Níbo?


"Tell me where...did I meet you first... first time...Never met you before! You terri...terrible ol"" woman!"""


"Sọ fún mi, níbo.......ni mo ti pàdé rẹnígbà àkọ́........àkọ́kọ́............N kò pàdé rẹ rí! Ìwọ obìnrin arúgbó rádaràda............."""


Alamu laughed, let go his hands, and grrh - grrh -grrh! - down came the contents of his bowel in a prolonged vomit that left Labake's dress thoroughly drenched and soiled!


Àlàmú rẹ́rìn-ín, ó tú ọwọ́ rẹ̀ kúrò.......ó ṣe gììrì.........gììrì.......gbogbo ohun tó wà nínú agbẹ̀du rẹ̀ pátápátá ni óbì jáde. Ẹ̀wù ọrùn Làbákẹ́ ni óbì sí, ẹ̀wù náàsì rin kínkín.


Then he started coughing... The more he coughed, the more the waste product inside his bowel gushed out through the mouth and nostrils!


Lẹ́yìn náà ni ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í húkọ́, bí ó ṣe húkọ́ yìí ni àwọn èsùn pàǹtí yòókù tí ó wà ní agbẹ̀du rẹ̀ ń jáde láti ẹnu àti ihò imú rẹ̀!


It was a moment Labake would never forget. She did not sleep at all through the night, she thought over what exactly the matter could be with her husband.


Àsìkòyìí jẹ́ àsìkò tí Làbákẹ́ kò lè gbàgbé láéláé. Kò fi ojú kan oorun rárá ní gbogbo òru, ó ń ro ohun náà pàtó tí ó lè máa ṣe ọkọ rẹ̀.


She had heard him talk several times to himself in his sleep, she had heard that strange laughter many times.


Ó ti máa ń gbọ́ tí ọkọ rẹ̀ dá sọ̀rọ̀ lójú oorun láìmọye ìgbà, ó ti gbọ́ ẹ̀rín abàmì tí ọkọ rẹ̀ ń rín níìgbà púpọ̀.


"And now for Alamu, it was ""weed weed and wine... wine wine and weed!"""


Nísinsìnyí, ọ̀rọ̀ Àlàmú ti di igbó igbó fí fààti ọtí mímu.........ọtí mímu àti igbó fífà.


what could make him so desperate? Something obviously was amiss. The truth must be discovered...


Kíni nǹkan tí ó lè sọ ọ́ di ọ̀dájú báyìí? Dájú dájú nǹkankan ń kán. Ó sì gbọ́dọ̀ wádìí òtító...


She set about that in a business-like fashion, following her husband all about the house like a shadow. For many days, she kept azing intently at him, watching his demeanour, watching his comportment.


Ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ èyí ní pẹrẹ, ó ń tẹ̀lé ọkọ rẹ̀ káàkiri inú ilébí i òjìjí. Fún ọjọ́ púpọ̀, ó ń tẹjú mọ́ ọn, ó ń wo ìṣesí rẹ̀.


She followed him to the sitting room and engaged him in conversation, she accompanied him to the car park to wash the car. At the backyard of the house, they were always together - with labake taking note of every word, every utterance her husband made.


Ó tẹ̀lé e lọ sí yàrá ìgbàlejò, ó sì ń bá a tàkùrọ̀sọ, ó tún sìn ín lọ sí ọgbà ìgbọ́kọ̀sí láti bá a fọ ọkọ̀ rẹ̀ ní ẹ̀hìn kùlé ilé wọn, wọ́njọ ń wà papọ̀ - Làbákẹ́ sì ń ṣàkíyèsí gbogbo ọ̀rọ̀ ẹnu rẹ̀.


And whenever Alamu went inside the toilet, Labake too was always around, peeping through the key hole of the toilet, watching.


Nígbàkugbà tí Àlàmú bá wọ ilé ìtọ̀, Làbáké náà ádúró nítòsí, á máa yọjú láti ibi ihò kọ́kọ́rọ́ ilèkùn ilé ìtọ̀.


All she got for her pains were occasional grins and grunts, incoherent phrases and incomplete sentences from her husband.


Gbogbo ohun tí Làbákẹ́ ń rí gbà lọ́wọ́ ọkọ rẹ̀ gẹ́gẹ́ bí èsì sí gbogbo wàhálà rẹ̀ yìí kò ju gbígbin, kíkùn tàbí àkùdè gbólóhùn àti ọ̀rọ̀ júujùu.


Alamu would begin a sentence well then break off absent-mindedly, with a hiss, a moan or laughter.


Àlàmú á bẹ̀rẹ̀ gbólóhùn kan dáadáa, á sì dánudúró lójijì, pẹ̀lú òṣé, kíkùn tàbí ẹ̀rín.


"I will have to be there hum-hum-hum... And when ah-ah-ah get there..."""


"""Mo ní láti wà níbè hùn hùn hùn......tí mo bá ha ha ha ha.........sì dé bẹ̀............"""


"""Yes, I must go there, and em...e... explain the aspect of em...em..."" ""But wait - a little clarification is hum - hum- well... necessary here... I hope to convince em..."


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, mo gbọ́dọ̀ lọ síbẹ̀ kí n ẹm.....ẹ̀ ṣàlàyé ìrísí ẹm.......ẹm........dúró ná, àrídájú kékeré kan hùn...hùn....hùn....hùn ṣe pàtàkì báyìí........mo ní ìrètí láti yíwọn lọ́kàn padà ẹm....."


"This one thing to tell em... o.k. let it remain like... like... until tonight when I... em... em..."""


"Èyí jẹ́ nǹkankan láti sọfúnwọn.....ẹm ẹm......ó dáa.....jẹ́ kí ó wá.....wá.....títí dalẹ́ nígbà tí n......ẹm.....ẹm."""


There was nothing Labake could do to make Alamu complete his sentence. He would gesticulate, nod his head, point a finger, tap the table and that would be the end of that sentence!


Kò sí ohun tí Làbákẹ́ lè ṣe láti jẹ́kí Àlàmú parí gbólóhùn rẹ̀. Bí ó bá ti fi gbogbo ara sọ̀rọ̀ bíi kíkan orí mọ́lẹ̀, kí ó nawọ́, kí ó kan tábìlì, ó ti parí gbólóhùn náà nìyẹn!


But Labake got one fact out of it all, and that was what she now held unto.


Àmọ́, Làbákẹ́ ti rí àrídájú kan mú jáde nínú gbogbo èyí, òhun tí ó sìfúnka mọ́ nìyí.


ALL Alamu's uncompleted sentences had to do with going somewhere to visit somebody to fulfil a promise, to offer an explanation about something to clarify an issue to supply a piece of information...


Gbogbo àkùdè gbólóhùn Àlàmú yìí níí ṣe pẹ̀lú lílọ sí ibìkan láti lọ rí ẹnìkan láti lọ mú ìlérí kan ṣe tàbí láti lọ ṣàlàyé nǹkan tàbí láti wá ojútùú sí ọ̀rọ̀ kan tàbí láti ta wọ́n lólobó nípa nǹkan...


Alamu had opened himself up to suspicion! He had questions to answer!


Àlàmú ti tú ara rẹ̀ fó! Ó ní ìbéèrè láti dáhùn.


Labake remembered only two occasions when she fought Alamu over secret lovers, but that was in London.


Làbákẹ́ rántí ẹ̀ẹ̀méjì péré tí ó ti bá Àlàmú jà nípa olólùfẹ́ ìkọ̀kọ̀, ṣùgbọ́n nígbà tí wọ́n wà ní Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù ni èyí.


First, it was on account of Josephine, the Jamaican professional belly dancer based in London.


Lákọ̀ọ́kọ́, nítorí Josephine ọmọ ìlú Jàmáíkà, tí ó jẹ́ ògbólógbòó afikùnjó nílùú Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù.


Labake had accompanied Alamu to the theatre at Leicester Square in London to watch Josephine perform that day. It was a good show. Graceful Josephine wriggled her shapely hips seductively, to the rhythmof the tom-tom, trumpet and the cymbal - to the admiration of the audience. Alamu was particularly excited.


Làbákẹ́ sin Àlàmú lọ sí tíátà ní gbàgede Luchester láti lọ wòran ijó rẹ̀. Ó jẹ́ ìran tó dùn-ún wò. Josephine jó ijo náàdáadáa tó wú àwọn ènìyàn lórí. Inú Àlàmú dùn yàtọ̀ sí ti àwọn èrò ìwòran yòókù.


Labake looked at Alamu and saw in his eyes a slow burn of passion for Josephine and she had warned him there and then to take his time - to play it cool. Shye had thought that the end of it all - that the matter had been laid to rest.


Làbákẹ́ wo Àlàmú lójú, ó sì rí ìfẹ́ Josephine lójú rẹ̀, ó sì kìlòfún un lójú ẹsẹ̀. Ó sì ti rò ó wí pé Àlàmú ti gbọ́ràn.


But at a latter day, Labake retrieved three of Josephine's pictures from inside the breast pocket of Alamu's coat... Then there was the day Labake caught him alone with Josephine at the park.


Ṣùgbọ́n lẹ́yìn ìgbà náà, Làbákẹ́ rí àwòrán Josephine mẹ́ta nínú àpò àyà aṣọ Àlàmú. Lọjọ́ míì ń Làbákẹ́ ká a ní ọgbà iṣẹ́re pẹ̀lú ọmọbìnrin náà.


For one whole week a cold war raged between Alamu and Labake. But finally, they made up.


Fún ọsẹ kan gbáko, ogun tútù wáyé láàárín Àlàmú pẹ̀lú Làbákẹ́. ṣùgbọ́n wọ́n parí ẹ̀ nígbẹ̀yìn gbẹ́yín.


The next quarrel with Alamu was over Caroline, a law student from Kenya.


Aáwọ̀ mìíràn tó tún wáyé láàárín wọn wáyé nítorí Caroline, akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ ìmọ̀-òfin láti ìlú Kẹ́ńyà.


She caught them at Trafalgar Square in the heart of London, playing with pigeons and taking photographs below the giant Nelson Statue!


Làbákẹ́ káwọn ní gbàgede Trafalgar láàárín gùngùn ìlú Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù, wọ́n ń fi ẹyẹlẹ́ ṣere tíwọ́n sì ń ya àwòrán lábẹ́ ère Nelson ńlá!


She hailed on them from inside the city bus that was taking her across to Albany Street - letting them know they'd been caught.


Ó ké sí wọn láti inú ọkọ̀-akéròìlú tí ó ń gbé e lọ sí òpópónà Albany, ó fẹ́ kí wọ́n mọ̀ pé òun ti ká wọn.


Labake kept her cool until the time she saw both of them again at Hyde Park where they stood arm in arm, listening to the chattering of a public speaker at the Park corner.


Làbákẹ́ kò bá a jà, àfi ìgbà tí ó tún rí àwọn méjèèjì ní ọgbà ìṣeré Hyde, ní bi tí wọ́n ti jọ dúró, tí wọ́n sì fọwọ́ kọ́ ara wọn lọ́rùn, tí wọn sì ń tẹ́tí sí sọ̀rọ̀-sọ̀rọ̀ kan tí ó ń sọ̀rọ̀ ní kọ̀rọ̀ ọgbà ìṣeré náà.


Alamu had told Labake he was going for his lecture at College just at the time she caught him at the famous London Gossip Corner with Caroline. That day, hell was let loose.


Àlàmú sì ti sọ fún Làbákẹ́ wí pé òun ń lọ fún ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ ní kọ́lẹ́ẹ̀jì ní déédé ásìkò yẹn. Ásìkò náàsì ni Làbákẹ́ ká a ní kọ̀rọ̀ ẹjọ́-wẹ́wẹ́ tí ó jẹ́ ìlúmọ̀ọ́ká nílùú Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù pẹlu Caroline. Ní ọjọ́ náà, gbegede gbiná!


And it seems the end of their association had come. But latter, again with the effective intervention of Alamu's friends in London, everything was settled.


Ó sì fẹ́ jọ ọ́ pé òpin ti dé bá ìbáṣepò wọn. ṣùgbọ́n nígbà tó yá, àwọn ọ̀rẹ́ Àlàmú nílùú Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù dá sí ọ̀rọ̀ wọn, gbogbo rẹ̀ sì níì yanjú.


That was England Labake reflected again...


Làbákẹ́ tún sọjí pé ìlú Englandì nìyẹn.........................


"Here in Nigeria there was nobody to supect except perhaps Alamu's secretary. The secretary took her telephone call on two occasions. Her, ""can I help you?"" expression on the phone irritated Labake so much."


"Níhìn-ín orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà, kò sí ẹni tí ó lè fura sí... bóyá akọ̀wé Àlàmú níbi iṣẹ́. Akọ̀wé yìí ti gbé ìpè rẹ̀ lẹ́ẹ̀mejì ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀, ìbéèrè ""kí ni mo lè ṣe fún un yín?"" rẹ̀ lórí aago ìpè rí Làbákẹ́ lára púpọ̀."


She had said it on those two occasion with a care-free, impudent tone, and she didn't quite like it.


Ọmọbìnrin náà ti sọ èyí fún un pẹ̀lú ohùn àfojúdi àti àìbìkítà lẹ́ẹ̀mejì ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ náà, kò sì fẹ́ràn èyí.


"During the second telephone call, Labake wanted to shout back at the lady, ""No! No! stop it! You can't help me! Just give me my husband. Put me through to my husband quickly. And leave us to talk alone. Nothing more. You can't help me lady!"""


"Nígbà ìpè kejì ni Làbákẹ́ fẹ́ jágbe mọ́ ọn ""Rárá Rárá! Dánu Dúró! O ò lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́! Ṣáàfún mi lọ́kọ mi. Gbé aago fún ọkọ mi kíá. Kí o sì fi wá sílẹ̀ kí a dá sọ̀rọ̀. Ó tán. O ò lè ràn mí lọ́wọ́ arábìnrin!"


Labake had called at Alamu's office one day. And that day, his messenger had told her oga was busy inside and did not want to be disturbed. Busy doing what? Labake had wondered.


"Làbákẹ́ tún lọ sí ọ́fíìsì Àlàmú lọ́jọ́ kan. Lọ́jọ́ náà ni ìráńṣẹ́ ọ́fíìsì Àlàmú sọ fún un pé ""ọ̀gá ń ṣiṣẹ́ lọ́wọ́,"" kò sì fẹ́ kí ẹnikẹ́ni dí i lọ́wọ́. Làbákẹ́ ronú, kí ló lè máa ṣe?"


"""Do let him know it's Labake waiting to see him!"""


"""Jẹ́ kí ó mọ̀ pé Làbákẹ́ ni ó fẹ́ rí i!."""


Labake heard some muffled-tone whisperings coming from Alamu's air-conditioned office and blood gushed inside her veins.


Làbákẹ́ gbọ́ ohùn wẹ́rẹ́ - wẹ́rẹ́ tí ó ń jáde láti ọ́fíìsì Àlàmú tí ẹ̀rọ amúlétutù wà........ẹ̀jẹ̀ sì rọ́ wọ inú iṣan rẹ̀.


"""Go and deliver my message to him,"" she said, almost shouting, ""I am Mrs. Alamu Olaoye."" The messenger slipped inside his boss's office and came out in another minute to tell Labake:"


"""Lọ jíṣẹ́ fún un,"" ó sọ̀rọ̀, ó fẹ́rẹ̀ é máa pariwo. ""Èmi ni ìyáàfin Àlàmú Ọláoyè."" Òjíṣẹ́ náà sáré wọlé láti lọ jíṣẹ́, ní ìṣẹ́jú mìíràn, ó jáde láti lọ sọ fún Làbákẹ́ pé;"


"""Madam, oga say make you... make you... em... em... come in,"""


"""Mọ̀mọ́, ọ̀gá ní kí ẹ .........kí ẹ ẹ̀m...ẹ̀m.......wọlé."""


Labake cast one hateful look at the messenger and entered to find Alamu and his secretary in what seemed to her as tete-a-tete. The secretary was taking down some dictation to prepare an important official document. Labake's crimson eyeballs burnt the secretary down to ashes!


Làbákẹ́ fi ojú burúkú wo òjí ṣẹ́ náà, ó sì wọlé, ó rí ọkọ rẹ̀ àti akọ̀wé ní ipò tí ó fu ú lára. Akọ̀wé náà ń ko àwọn àpèkọ kan sílẹ̀, láti ṣètò ìwé àṣírí ọ́fíìsì kan tí ó ṣe pàtàkì. ẹyin ojú Làbákẹ́ pípọ́ n sun akọ̀wé náà di eérú.


And she listened, irritated, as Alamu whispered the instruction which the secretary scribbled down nodding her head and smilling.


Ó sì ń tẹ́tí, pẹ̀lú ìnira bí, Àlàmú ṣe ń sọ àwọn àlàyé tí akọ̀wé náà ń kọ sílẹ̀ ní kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́ tí akọ̀wé náà ń kanrí mọ́lẹ̀, tí ó sì ń rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́.


Well...if there was one woman in Alamu's life it might as well be ths damned secretary.


Nítorí náà, bí ọmọbìnrin kan bá wà nínú ìgbésí ayé Àlàmú, ó lè jẹ́ akọ̀wé olórí burúkú yìí.


Labake subjected herself to mental torture.


Làbákẹ́ jọ̀wọ́ ara rẹ̀ fún ìpòruru ọpọlọ.


She grew weary of the task and wanted to sleep.


Iṣẹ́ náà ti ń sú u, ó sì fẹ́ sùn.


But her head continued aching badly. The heavy snoring inside Alamu's room came frightfully into her ears.


Ṣùgbọ́n orí ń fọ́ ọ gidi. Híhànrun wúwo láti inú yàrá Àlàmú ń jáde wá sí etí rẹ̀ tìbẹ̀rù-tìbẹ̀rù.


It blasted the silence of the night like an open throttled lorry and crashed through Labake's central nervous system like a chainsaw laying waste a forest.


Dídún yìí borí ìdákẹ́ rọ́rọ́ òru bí i ọkọ̀ àjàgbé tí ìjánu rẹ̀ ti ṣí sílẹ̀, ó sì wọ Làbákẹ́ ní akínyẹmí ara bíi ayùn ẹlẹ́gbà tí ó ba igbó jẹ́.


Alamu slept like a king in now, forcing all lesser mortals to stay awake!


Àlàmú sùn falala nígbà tí ó fi tiẹ̀ dí gbogbo ayé lọ́wọ́!


"The solitary voice of the Imam came out loud over the loud-speaker early one morning, summoning all ""servant of God"" to prayer."


Ohùn ìmáàmù já geere lórí ariwo ẹ̀rọ amóhùndúngbẹ̀mù ní kùtùkùtù òwúrò ọjọ́ kan, tí ó ń pe àwọn ẹrú Ọlọ́run láti wá kírun.


"""Children of Ananbi wake up to worship Allah"


"""Ẹ̀yin ọmọ Ànọ́bì ẹ dìde ń lẹ̀ kẹ́ẹ ké pe Allah"


And enter aljon-no


Kí ẹ sì wọ Al-jọ́n-ń-nà


The place of eternal peace and blessedness


Ibi àlàáfíà àti ìbùkùn ayérayé


But you children of Satan, sleep off like logs


Ṣùgbọ́n ẹ̀yin ọmọ àṣètán-ń-nì, ẹ sùn lọbí igi


And be pushed like jaa-non-mo.


Kí a sì tì yín sí Jáà-nọ́n-mọ̀


"The home of tears and everlasting sorrow."""


"Ilé ẹkún àti ìbànújẹ́ ayérayé."""


At that time of the day, only a few people were usually ready to make the supreme effort to rise.


Ní irú àsìk òyìí, àwọn ènìyàn díẹ̀ ni wọn ti máa ń gbaradì láti gbìyànjú àti dìde.


Maybe ten per cent of all the adherents. And reluctantly too, these few would lumber awkwardly towards the various mosques in town - their eyelids still heavy with sleep.


Bóyá ìdá mẹ́wàá nínú ọgọ́rùn-ún àwọn ẹlẹ́sìn náà. Pẹ̀lú ìlọ́ra ni àwọn díẹ̀ wọ̀nyí á fi ìnira wọ́ dé àwọn mọ́ṣáláṣí tí ó wà nílùú - pẹ̀lú ìpéǹpéjú wọn tí ó ṣì wúwo fún oorun.


"The rest of the people - ""logs"" were doomed! Meaning that there would be congestion right from the gates of jaa-non-mo to its innermost part, on the day of reckoning!"


Àwọn ènìyàn yòókù tí wọ́n sùn kalẹ̀bí igi ni ìparun dé bá! Èyí túmọ̀ sí pé ẹnu ibodè Jáà-nọ́n-mọ̀ ni èrò á ti kún fọ́fọ́ títí wọ inú lọ́hùn-ún, lọ́jọ́ ìdájọ́!


"The imam's voice came out loud, piercing the stillness of the cold early morning air. Labake checked the time almost five... Yes five o"" clock."


Ohùn ìmáàmù jáde dáadáa, ó sì gún ìdákẹ́rọ́rọ́ òwúrọ̀ kùtùkùtù tútù. Làbákẹ́ wo aago.........aago márùn-ún ti fẹ́rẹ̀ ẹ́ lù. Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni aago márùn-ún.


That seemed the most appropriate time to talk to Alamu. To ask him a few questions. The best time to give him a thorough curtain lecture.


Ó jọ àsìkò tí ó yẹ láti bá Àlàmú sọ̀rọ̀. Láti bi í ní àwọn ìbéèrè díẹ̀, àsìkò tí ó dára jù láti fún un ní ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ abẹ́lé tó péye.


There was perfect quiet and tranquility everywhere in the house now. The only sound that came to Labake's ears was that of the alarm clock slowly ticking away the seconds.


Ìdákẹ́rọ́rọ́ tí ó péye ṣì wà nínú ilé báyìí. Ohun tí ó sì ń dún sí etí Làbákẹ́ ni ti aago ìdágìrì tí ó ń dún láti rọ́pò ìṣẹ́jú àáyá.


Labake entered Alamu's room without knocking - and got the the greatest shock of her life - Alamu was not around! The room was empty! She hastened to the bathroom and the toilet. There was no trace of her husband!


Làbákẹ́ wọ yàrá Àlàmú láì kan lẹ̀kùn, ó sì rí ohun ìyálenu ìjayà tí ó tóbi jù láyé rẹ̀! Àlàmú kò sí ní ilé! Inú yàrá ṣófo! Ó sáré wọ inú ilé-ìwẹ̀ àti ilé-ìgbẹ́. Kò sí àmì pé ọkọ rẹ̀ wà nítòsí!


The car park was empty Labake stood transfixed for a moment not knowing what else to do...


Ọgbà ìgbọ́kọ̀-sí ti ṣófo. Làbákẹ́ dúró tìyanu-tìyanu fún ìgbà díẹ̀, láìmọ ohun tí ó fẹ́ ṣe...............................


Yesterday night she remembered, she bid her husband good night before going to sleep. Alamu had nodded his head in answer and soon she heard the grating noise of the door lock - then, his snoring...


"Ní alẹ́ àná, ó rántí pé òun kí ọkọ òun pé ""ó dàárò"" kí ó tó lọ sùn. Àlàmú sì kanrí mọ́lẹ̀ ní ìdáhùn tí ó sì gbọ́ dídún bí ó ṣe ń ti ilẹ̀kùn nígbàtí ó ṣe díẹ̀, nígbà tó sì yá, ohùn híhanrun rẹ̀ ló ń gbọ́."


"Now Alamu had gone out without letting her know his destination, his mission. And at suc odd hour of the day gone to some secret lover. ""no doubt! The air was cold and chilly and the pang of jealousy that suddenly gripped Labake now made her desire the company of her husband more than ever before. The urge came to her rather spontaneously."


Nísinsìnyí, Àlàmú ti jáde láì dágbére, kò jẹ́ kí ó mọ èrò ọkàn rẹ̀. Láìsí àní-àní ọ̀dọ̀ olólùfẹ́ ìkọ̀kọ̀ rẹ̀ ni ó lọ ní àsìkò yẹn. Afẹ́fẹ́ òwúrọ̀ náà tutù, ìmí-ẹ̀dùn owú sì mú Làbákẹ́ lójijì tí ó sì wá ń ṣàfẹ́rí ọkọ rẹ̀ ju ti tẹ́lẹ̀ lọ. Ara rẹ̀ ń wà lọ́nà lemọ́lemọ́, láìlè mú u mọ́ra.


She imagined her husband in gthe warm embrace of his secret lover this cold morning, she swallowed some saliva. But that was not the issue now.


Ó ń ro bí ọkọ rẹ̀ ṣe ma máa dì mọ́ olólùfẹ́ ìkọ̀kọ̀ rẹ̀ ní òwúrọ̀ tútù yìí, ó sì gbé itọ́ mì. ṣùgbọ́n kì í ṣe ohun tó ṣe kókó nìyẹn.


Labake went back into her lonely room. Lonely now to her even with little Tinu's presence in the room! She waited patiently. This incident had given Alamu an additional question to answer.


Làbákẹ́ padà sí yàrá rẹ̀ tó dá wà. Ìdáwà yìí pọ̀ tóbẹ́ẹ̀ pẹ̀lú bí Tinú kékeré ṣe wà nínú yàrá! Ódúró pẹ̀lú sùúrù. Ìṣẹ́le yìí ti fi kún àwọn ìbéèrè ti Àlàmú ní láti dáhùn sí.


"Later in the morning that day at about ten o"" clock, Labake heard the sound of Alamu's car. ""Soon Alamu himself was knocking at the door. Anxiously, Labake made for the door and saw that Alamu was not alone. There were two other men in his company. They followed closely behind him as he entered the house."


Nígbà tí ilẹ̀ mọ́ dáadáa lọ́jọ́ náà ni nǹkan bíi aago mẹ́wàá, Làbákẹ́ gbọ́ ohùn ọkọ̀ ayọ́kẹ́lẹ́ Àlàmú . Nígbà tó ṣe díè, Àlàmú fún rarẹ̀ ti ń kan ilẹ̀kùn. Pẹ̀lú ara gbígbọ̀n, Làbákẹ́ lọ sí ẹnu ọ̀nà, ó sì rí i pé Àlàmú nìkan kọ́ ló wà ní bẹ̀. Àwọn Ọkùnrin méjì mìíràn wàpẹ̀lú rẹ̀. Wọ́n ń súnmọ́ ọn típẹ́típẹ́ bí ó ṣe ń wọ inú ilé.


Labake threw a questioning glance at Alamu. Then transferred her puzzled gaze to the two men who accompanied him. The two men shot back their own glances, impudently, at Labake. Labake hated them at once.


Làbákẹ́ wo Àlàmú pẹ̀lú ẹ̀mí ìbéèrè. Lẹ́yìn náà ni ó gbé ojú rẹ̀ kúrò tí ó kọjú sí àwọn Ọkùnrin méjì tí ó sìn ín wọlé pẹ̀lú ìrújú. Àwọn ọkùnrin méjì náà dá wíwò Làbákẹ́ padà pẹ̀lú àfojúdi fún un. Lẹ́sẹ̀ kan náà, ni Làbákẹ́ kórira wọn.


These were the typical men of the city. Men one should be careful of interacting with - hefty, big- chested and heavy-muscled.


Àwọn Ọkùnrin yìí ni ọmọ ìgboro ìlú. Àwọn Ọkùnrin tí ènìyàn gbọ́dọ̀ ṣọ́ra láti máa bá ṣe- wọ́n tóbi, wọ́n fẹ̀ láyà, wọ́n sì ní iṣan.


Yes. The typical city men. The type who sweat hard, pounding furiously at iron rod on the anvils, and energetically fanning embers out at furnaces with the bellows inside their shops - if they were blacksmiths or goldsmiths.


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni. Àwọn ọkùnrin ìgboro ìlú. Irú àwọn tí wọ́n máa ń la òógùn líle nígbà tíwọ́n bá ń gún irin nínú ṣọ́ọ̀bù tí wọ́n bá jẹ́ alágbẹ̀dẹ tàbí alágbẹ̀dẹ wúrà.


The type of men who drive heavy trailers and tankers from Ibadan to Kano and Maiduguri in the far North, with hired harlots for company.


Irú àwọn Ọkùnrin tí wọ́n ń wa ọkọ̀ àjàgbé ẹlẹ́rù wúwo àti táńkà epo-rọ̀bì láti Ìbàdàn sí Kánò àti Màìdúgùríní àríwá jíjìn pẹ̀lú àwọn obìnrin alágbèrè tí wọn á sanwó fún láti sìn wọ́n lọ.


The type who justle their taxi-cabs, bolekaja and danfo buses about the busy streets of the town, blaring their horns ceaselessly, adding to the already chaotic pandemonium of the city, The type who wear dirty tarpaulin overalls at the open mechanic workshops, holding chisels, spanners, bolts, screwdrivers - reeking of brake - fluid and engine-oil.


Irú àwọn ọkùnrin yìí ni wọ́n ń wa ọkọ̀ kabú-kabú, bọ́lẹ̀kájà tàbí dáńfó wọn káàkiri òpópón àtí wọ́n ń dá kún ìṣòro ariwo ìgbòkè-gbodò ìlú, irú àwọn ọkùnrin yìí ni wọ́n ń wọ aṣọ tapolíìnì dídọ̀tí ní gbàdede ṣọ́ọ̀bù àwọn atọ́kọ̀ṣe, wọ́n á wá di àwọn ohun èèlò ìrìn bíi ṣísúùlù, sípánà, bóòtù àti irinṣẹ́ ìtúbóòtù, pẹ̀lú òórùn òróró búréèkì àti ẹ̀rọ ọkọ.


Yes, the type of men who, after the labour of the day, would come out in the evening wearing neat dresses sprinkled with heavy perfume, and who would wriggle hips to the rhythm of fuji music, under the glittering fluorescent lights in the barber's shop or in front of the record stores along city streets - making passes at the city girls who walked past....


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, irú àwọn ọkùnrin tíwọn á múra dáadáa, tíwọn á sì fín òórùn dídùn sára lẹ́yìn tí wọ́n bá ti siṣẹ́ àṣekára ọjọ́ náà tán, wọn á wá máa jùrù sí orin fújì lábẹ́ iná dídán níwájú ṣọ́ọ̀bù onígbàjámọ̀ tàbí níwájú ile-ìtàjà rẹ́ kọ́ọ̀dù lójúòpópón àìgboro - wọ́n á wá dẹnu ìfẹ́ kọ àwọn ọmọbìnrin ìgborotó bá rìn kọjá...............


Typical city men.


Àwọn Ọkùnrin ìgboro ìlú.


These were the type of men who now came into the house with Alamu, two of them.


Irú àwọn ọkùnrin yìí ni ó wọlé wá pẹ̀lú Àlàmú , méjì irúwọn.


Labake eyed her husband's visitors suspiciously.


Làbákẹ́ wo àwọn àlejò ọkọ rẹ̀ yìí tìfura tìfura.


What was Alamu's business with the likes of these people?


Kí ni ìbáṣepò Àlàmú pẹ̀lú irú àwọn ènìyàn yìí?


Was it really safe having just anybody come inside a home like theirs?....


Ṣé kò léwu kí àwọn ènìyàn lásán kan tí wọn kò mọ̀ máa wọ irú ilé bíi tiwọn?


Robbers and rapists were very much around in town these days.


Àwọn ọlọ́ṣà àti àwọn afipábánilòpọ̀ pọ̀ káàkiri ìgboro ní àsìkò yìí.


Newspaper-reports everyday, spoke of the highway men having free days all about town.


Ìjábọ̀ ìwé-ìròyìn ojoojúmọ́, ń sọ̀rọ̀ nípa àwọn oníjàgídí jàgan yìí, tí wọ́n ń ṣe èyí tó wù wọ́n káàkiri ìlú.


"This was the period when men of the underworld would come in broad daylight to the house, help themselves first to the bottles of beer inside your fridge before they would start their ""operation."""


"Àkókò yìí ni àwọn ògbólógbòó ọlọ́ṣà ń wá sí ilé ní ojúmọmọ, wọ̣n á kọ́kọ́ ṣe ara wọn lálejò pẹ̀lú ìgò otí tí ó bá wà nínú ẹ̀rọ amómitutù yín kí ó tó di wí pé wọ́n kò sí ""iṣẹ́"" tíwọ́n wá ṣe."


The period when robbers would snap their fingers asking you to surrender the keys and particulars of your vehicle or face an unpalatable, instant consequence.


Àkókò tí alọkólóhunkígbe á tàka gba kọ́kọ́rọ́ àti ìwé ọkọ̀ rẹ̀ sílẹ̀ tàbí kí o jẹ ìyà ńlá.


The period when you could be asked to empty your pockets and donate your hard - earned cash with the barrel of a gun pricking your ribs dangerously!


Àkókò tí wọ́n lèní kí o kó gbogbo owó àpò rẹ tí o ṣiṣẹ́ kárakára fún sílẹ̀, pẹ̀lú ìbọn tí wọ́n dà kọ ihà rẹ torótoró!


"This was an age when men of the underworld would telephone to announce the date and time of their proposed 'visit', write letters asking you to get prepared to receive them and probably give you the number of ""guests' you were to expect!"


"Èyí ni àsìkò tí àwọn ògbólógbòó ọlọ́ṣà á pè láti kéde ọjọ́ àti àsìkò tí wọ́n ń bọ̀ láti wá ""kí i yín,"" wọ́n á kọ lẹ́tà pé kí o gbaradì láti gba àlejò àwọn, wọ́n sì lè tún sọ iye àlejò tí ẹ ó máa retí!"


The age when robbers faced the firing squad at the Polo Ground beaming with smiles and waving the crowd goodbye, asking the people to cheer up and take good care of themselves!


Àsìkò tí olè ń kojú ìbọn ní gbàgede Pólò tí wọn ó sì máa rẹ́rìn-ín, wọn á ní kí àwọn ènìyàn wọn túraká kí wọ́n sì tọ́jú ara wọn.


The appearance of Alamu's visitors not only embarrassed Labake, it scared her out of her wits.


Kì í ṣe sísú nìkan ni ìrísí àwọn àlejò Àlàmú sú Làbákẹ́, ó bà á lẹ́rù kọjá òye rẹ̀.


"""Good morning, madam'."


"""Ẹ káàárò ìyá"""


"""Good morning, madam' - the two men greeted Labake."


"""Ẹ káàárò ìyá"" - àwọn méjèèjì ńkí Làbákẹ́."


Their eyes anxiously surveyed the sitting room, capturing all items therein with a quick, all-embracing glance.


Ojú wọn ń wò káàkiri inú yàrá ìgbafẹ́ wọn, tí wọ́n sì ń fojú gán-án-ní gbogbo ohun tó wà níbè láàárín ìṣẹ́jú àáyá.


Before Labake had the time to respond, the two men had taken their seats.


Kí ó tó di wí pé Làbákẹ́ ráyè láti dáhùn kíkí wọn, Àwọn Ọkùnrin náà ti mú ìjókòó ní ti wọn.


And Alamu himself had hastily gone inside the bed- room probably to look for something or to fetch something for the men, Labake couldn't really tell.


Àlàmú náà si ti sáré wọ inú yàrá rẹ̀ bóyá láti lọ wá nǹkankan tàbí láti lọ mú nǹkankan fún àwọn ọkùnrin náà, Làbákẹ́ kò lè sọ.


But seeing is believing - and Labake pursued her husband to the bedroom.


Rírí ni gbígbàgbọ́ - Làbákẹ́ sì tẹ̀lé ọkọ rè wọ yàrá.


In a minute, she was standing face to face with him, demanding an explanation.


Láàárín ìṣẹ́jú kan, ó ti wà níwájú ọkọ rẹ̀, ódúró ní ìfojú-rin-jú pẹ̀lú rẹ̀, ó ń retí àlàyé.


"""Who are these people, Alamu? Why are they here? And what is the meaning of all these you are doing?"


"""Ta ni àwọn ẹni yìí Àlàmú ? Kí ni ìdí tíwọ́n fi wà níbí? Kí ni ìtumọ̀ gbogbo èyí tí ò ń ṣe yìí?"


"""Wait... wait Labake... I brought in the two men', Alamu began, in whisper, ""to do some repair work on the ceiling fan, fridge and the television. Nothing more Labake'."


"""Dúró ...dúró Làbákẹ́...mo mú awọn ọkùnrin méjì náà wá,"" Àlàmú bẹ̀rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ọ̀rọ̀ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́, ""láti wá ṣe àtúnṣe fáànù olókè, ẹ̀rọ amómitutù àti ẹ̀rọ amóhùn-màwòrán. Kò sí nǹkan mìíràn Làbákẹ́."""


Labake looked curiously at her husband. Why did he have to talk to her in whispers? Why did he have to rush inside his room that way?


Làbákẹ́ wo ọkọ rẹ̀ tìfura tìfura. Kí ni ìdí tí ó fi ní láti sọ̀rọ̀ kẹ́lẹ́kẹ́lẹ́? Kí ni ìdí tí ó fi ní láti sáré wọ yàrá rẹ̀ báyẹn?


Soon, the two visitors set at work. And one by one they started disconnecting the items. They fiddled with each of the items for some minutes - ten minutes or thereabout.


Kíá, awọn àlejò ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ iṣẹ́. Ní ìkọ̀ọ̀kan, wọ́n bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í tú awọn nǹkan náà sílẹ̀. Wọ́n gbé awọn ohun èèlò yìí wò fún bí i ìṣẹ́jú díẹ̀, ìṣẹ́jú mẹ́wàá tàbí jùbẹ́ẹ̀ lọ.


Eventually, they started carrying the items out of the sitting room.


Nígbẹ̀yìn gbẹ́yín, wọ́n bẹ̀rẹ̀ si í gbé awọn nǹkan wọ̀nyí kúrò nínú yàrá ìgbàlejò.


"""What's the fault with the fridge?"" Labake asked."


"""Kí ló ṣe ẹ̀rọ amómitutù?,"" Làbákẹ́ béèrè"


"A serious fault, Labake."""


"""Nǹkan ńlá,""Àlàmú dá a lóhùn"""


"""What fault Alamu, that I didn't know about?"""


"""Kí ni wàhálà náà Àlàmú, tí n kò mọ̀ nípa rẹ̀?"""


Labake noticed the way the two men exchanged meaningful glances. She'd caught them whispering into one another's ears and nodding heads suspiciously, a short while ago.


Làbákẹ́ ṣàkíyèsí bí àwọn ọkùnrin méjì yẹn ṣe ń fi ojú bá ara wọn sọ̀rọ̀. Ó ti káwọn níbi tí wọ́n ti ń tẹnu bọ ara wọn létí tí wọ́n sì ń kan orí mọ́lẹ̀ lọ́nà tí ó lè fu ènìyàn lára láìpẹ́ yìí.


"""Em... em.... Alamu cleared his throat, ""I discovered the fault yesterday Labake.'"


"""Ẹm...Ẹm...."" Àlàmú tún ọ̀nà ọ̀fun rẹ̀ ṣe, ""Àná ni mo ṣàkíyèsí àárẹ̀ tó dé bá a Làbáké."""


he began - his voice unsure and husky, 'Em... Em... Hu.. As I held unto the fridge searching for cold water, my body suddenly jerked... violently Labake.. Hum.... Hum.... Like holding an electric live wire.


"Ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ohùn rẹ̀ tí kò dánilójú tí ó sì lè, ""Ẹm...Ẹm.....hùn bí mo ṣe di ẹ̀rọ amómitutù náà mú, tí mò ń wá omi tútù, ń ṣe lara mi ṣe gìììrìgì lójijì Làbáké......hùn......hùn bíìgbà tí mo di wáyà agbẹ̀mí mú."


"I nearly got electrocuted yesterday. You'd slept off Labake and I am.... em... didn't want to em... e... e...."" He ended the sentence with nervous laughter..."


"Mo fẹ́rẹ̀ ẹ́ gan pa lánàá. O ti sùn lo Làbákẹ́ mo sì ti......em...em mi ò sì fẹ́ ẹm......ẹ̀m.....ẹ̀."" Ó parí gbólóhùn yìí pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín ìjániláyà."


"""The T.V. has a fault too, Alamu?"""


"""Nǹkan tún ń ṣe ẹ̀rọ amóhùn-máwòrán náà, Àlàmú ?"


"""Yes, Labake. Blurred pictures all the time..."


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni Làbákẹ́. Àwòrán bàìbàì nígbà gbogbo..."


Haven't you seen it before? Also poor voice quality...


ṣe o ò rí i tẹ́lẹ̀ ni? Dídún ẹ̀ náà kò dáa tó...


"And em... e... hu..."""


"Àti pé........ẹ̀m.........ẹ̀m..........ẹ̀........hù"""


"Was it all that bad"""


ṣe bẹ́ lo ṣe buru to


"""Yes... Yes.... Yes... As for the ceiling fan... Em.... Em... There is some fault with its electric motor. Two or three knots are missing on the blades too. And that's why we hear that screeching noise all the time."""


Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni......Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni......Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni......ṣe o o rí ti fáànù alásomájàyẹn... ẹ̀m...ẹ̀m.... Nǹkankan ń ṣe ẹ̀rọ tí ó gbé iná wọ̀ ọ́. Nọ́ọ̀tù méjì mẹ́ta kan náà kò sí lára àwọn ọwọ́ rẹ̀. Ìdí tí a fi ń gbọ́ ariwo han-n-ran han-n-ran nígbà gbogbo nìyẹn'.


Lie! That was one point to argue with Alamu. Labake was ready to contest that with him.


Irọ́ ńlá! Kókó kan rè é láti fà pẹ̀lú Àlàmú . Làbákẹ́ ṣe tán láti bá a jiyàn ìyẹn.


But when she saw the two men outside, loading the items inside a waiting van, she quickly asked.


Ṣùgbọ́n nígbà tí ó rí àwọn ọkùnrin méjì náà níta tí wọ́n ń kó àwọn ẹrù náà sínú ọkọ̀ọ̀ fáànù ńlá, ó tètè bèèrè.


"""And now Alamu, what's happening? Are the men going to carry all the items away?"""


"""Nísinsìnyí Àlàmú , kí ló ń ṣẹlẹ̀? Ṣé àwọn ọkùnrin yìí fẹ́ máa gbé gbogbo àwọn ohun èèlò náà lọ ni?"""


"Yes Labake,"" Alamu snapped, putting on a bold face, ""They have to carry them away - for em... em... the necessary cm... em..."


"""Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, Làbákẹ́,"" Àlàmú tètè dáhùn pẹ̀lú ojú tó ń fi ìgboyà hàn, ""Wọ́n ní láti gbé wọn lọ - fún ẹm...ẹm... àwọn ètò tó... ẹ̀m... ẹ̀m..."


Labake gazed intently at the face of her husband. A steady, penetrating gaze. A search - the- secret-of-my-soul gaze! Alamu blushed, opened his mouth wide like the hyena and laughed. His voice rumbled like thunder, rocking the building almost to its very foundations.


Làbákẹ́ wo ojú ọkọ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú àìgbàgbọ́. Ó tẹjú mọ́ ọn rorooro. Tí ó ń fi wá èrò ọkàn rẹ̀! Ojú ti Àlàmú, ó la ẹnu rẹ̀ gbayawu, bí i ti ìkoòkò, ó sì bú sí ẹ̀rín. Ohùn rẹ̀ rin lẹ̀bí àrá, ó milẹ̀ tìtì fẹ́rẹ̀ ẹ́ dé ìpìlẹ̀ ilé náà.


"""ha ha ha ha - hum hum... Leave them - ha ha ha ha - hum hum..."""


Ha......ha......ha......hun....hun.........fi wọ́n lẹ̀......ha......ha.....hun hun...


Labake wanted to scream. What strange laughter was this? What was the matter? What's all these tall tales for? Screeching noise on the ceiling fan? She'd never heard it Blurred picture on the TV? - She'd never seen it!.


Làbákẹ́ fẹ́ pariwo. Irú ẹ̀rín abàmì wo rè é? Kíló le tóyìí? Kíni gbogbo àwọn ìtàn gígùn yìí wà fún? Ariwo han-n-ra han-n-ran lára fáànù olókè? Kò gbọ́ ọ rí! Àwòrán bàìbàì lórí ẹ̀ró amóhùn-máwòrán? -Kò ríi rí!


Electric shock from the fridge last night? He went to bed before her! So what's all this? Nothing but sheer lunacy.


Gìrì iná lára ẹ̀rọ amómitutù lálẹ́ àná? Ó mà ṣíwájú rẹ̀ sùn! Kíwá ni gbogbo eléyìí? Kò sí ohun mìíràn àfi wèrè pọ́n-ń-bélé.


Labake fought desperately to keep back the tears which had now gathered inside her eyes, blurring her vision.


Làbákẹ́ dìídì tiraka láti dá omi ojú tí ó ti péjọ sí ojú rẹ̀, tí ó ti ń ṣe ìran rẹ̀ bàìbàì padà.


But when the noise of Alamu's fresh outburst of laughter reached her ears from inside Alamu's room again, she allowed the gathering tears to rain down her cheeks in care-free torrents.


Ṣùgbọ́n nígbà tí aruwo ẹ̀rín Àlàmú mìíràn tún dé etí ìgbó rẹ̀ láti yàrá Àlàmú, ó gba omi ojú wọ̀nyí láàyè láti yára ṣàn wá sí ẹ̀rẹ̀kẹ́ rẹ̀ láìdáwọ́dúró.


He'd probably started to furnish the house of the other woman in town. And had deliberately brought in these two men of the city to make perfect this latest trick on her.


Bóyá o ti ń to ilé fún obìnrin mìíràn ní ìgboro. Ó sì tún mọ̀ọ́mọ̀ mú àwọn ọkùnrin ìgboro méjì yìí wá láti wá ṣe àṣepé ìtànjẹ rèf ún Làbákẹ́.


But that grotesque laugh of her husband's. It continued to re-echo in her brain coming to her forcefully again and again like the terrible clang of a thousand bells. Her head itches badly, threatening to split open.


Ṣùgbọ́n ẹ̀rín abanilẹ́rù ọkọ rẹ̀. Ó sì ń dún sí i lọ́pọlọ tí ó sì ń dún síi bíi agogo ẹgbẹ̀rún lẹ́ẹ̀kan náà. Orí bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ífọ́ ọ gidi bíìgbà tó fẹ́ là síméjì.


In the picture hanging on the wall just in front of her in the siting room was Alamu, holding her hand lovingly on their wedding day, a broad happy smile on his face. He looked handsome. The smile was real, natural and sincere.


Nínú àwòrán tíwọ́n gbé kọ́ ògiri níwájú rẹ̀ gan-an ni Àlàmú wà, bí ó ṣe di ọwọ́ rẹ̀ mú tìfẹ́-tìfẹ́ lọ́jọ́ ìgbéyàwó wọn pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín ìdùnnú lójú rẹ̀. Órẹwà púpọ̀. Ẹ̀rín àtọkànwá, ẹ̀rín tòótọ́.


On their first night together after their expensive wedding ceremony, Alamu had shouted to her in joy.


Ní alẹ́ àkọ́kọ́ lẹ́yìn ayẹyẹ ìgbéyàwó olówó iyebíye tíwọ́n ṣe, Àlàmú pariwo síi pẹ̀lú ayọ̀.


"""Labake... Labake... a dream come true! See our dream coming true today! Detractors have failed."


"""Làbákẹ́........ Làbákẹ́.........àlá wa ti ṣẹ! Wo bí àlá wa ti ń ṣẹ lónìí! Ìjákulẹ̀ ti dé bá àwọn pẹ̀gàn-pẹ̀gàn."


"Labake - as you now can see. Henceforth, nobody will ever come between us anymore."""


"Làbáké - ìwọ náà ṣáà rí i. Láti ìsìnyí lọ, ẹnikẹ́ni kò lè wọ àárín wa mọ́."""


That was in obvious reference to those people who held the view that their marriage would never come through - Alamu's old mother inclusive.


Láìsí àní-àní, èyí ń bá àwọn tí wọ́n ní i lọ́kàn pé ìgbéyàwó yìí kò ní wáyé - láì yọ ìyá Àlàmú sílẹ̀.


She had been so sceptical about the success of that union between her son and this little girl from a different ethnic group, this girl who looked so sophisticated and so sharp - like the point of a needle; this girl whose lips never closed - a human talking machine; this girl who read so much - and was consequently, so swollen headed.


Ìyá náà kò fara mọ́ ìbáṣepò ọmọ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú ọmọbìnrin tí ó wá láti ẹ̀yà mìí ràn yìí, ọmọbìnrin tí ó dá ṣáṣá tó sì já fáfá - bí i ẹnu abẹ́rẹ́; ọmọbìnrin ẹlẹ́jọ wẹ́wẹ́ yìí; tí ó kàwé gan-an tí ìgbéraga sì ti gùn.


Alamu's people wanted for their son, a woman whose breasts the baby would be allowed to suck with relish and satisfaction, at all times; a woman whose back the baby would be allowed to mount and beat lovingly with its tiny fingers under the secure grip of the oja and the iro; a woman who herself would be able to sing the traditional lullaby in sonorous voice to send the baby to sound sleep.


Àwọn ẹbí Àlàmú fẹ́ obìnrin tí yóò fún ọmọ lọ́mú lámuyó ní gbogbo ìgbà, obìnrin tí ẹ̀yìn rẹ̀ gba ọ̣mọ̣, tí yóò ró ìró gírígírí tí á sì fún ọ̀já mọ́ ọ̀n; obìnrin tí yóò lè kọ àwọn orin ìrẹmọlẹ́kún pẹ̀lú ohùn dídùn láti lè rẹ ọmọ tẹ́.


But Alamu, their son, had the opposite view and so, went ahead with Labake.


Ṣùgbọ́n Àlàmú ọmọ wọn kò rí i bí wọ́n ṣe ń rí i, ó sì tẹ̀síwá jú nínú ìbáṣepọ̀ rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú Làbákẹ́.


"The allegation that Labake read ""too much book"" was the one that amused him most."


"Ẹ̀sùn pé Làbákẹ́ ti ka ""ìwé tó pòjù"" ló yà á lẹ́nu jù."


Especially when he remembered how Labake had packed up her secretarial practice course in London, complaining that the course was too academic.


Pàápàá, bí ó bá rán tí bí Làbákẹ́ ṣe pa kọ́ọ̀ sìi ṣẹ́ akọ̀wé rẹ̀ tì ní Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù tí ó ṣe àwáwí pé ìwé ti pọ̀jù fún òun láti kà.


He remembered how they had both sat down and settled for a hairdressing and modelling course for Labake. A course which finally fetched her a diploma.


Ó rántí bí wọ́n ṣe dìjọ jókòó fẹnu kò sí i pé kí Làbákẹ́ lọ ṣe kọ́ọ̀sì aṣerun lóge àti oge ṣíṣe níbi tí ó ti jàjà gba ìwé-ẹ̀rí Dípúlómà.


Alamu kept all these details to himself. He did not argue with his people.


Àlàmú fi gbogbo èyí sí inú ara rẹ̀. Kò bá àwọn ènìyàn rẹ̀ jiyàn.


He just went ahead with his own plans.


Ó kàn tẹ̀síwájú pẹ̀lú ohun tó ní lọ́kàn.


"He did not tell them Labake was not a ""book lady', he did not tell them she was only a trained beautician."


Kò sọ fún wọn pé Làbákẹ́ kì í ṣe obìnrin onìwée púpọ̀, kò sọ ọ́fún wọn pé aṣara lọ́sọ̀ọ́ tó kọ́ṣẹ́-mọṣé ni.


Alamu did not tell his people that Labake had made her own small mark in London as a model.


Àlàmú kò sọfún àwọn ènìyàn rẹ̀ pé ó ti gba àmì ti rẹ̀gẹ́gẹ́ bí i aṣaralọ́ṣọ̀ọ́ nílùú Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù.


Nobody saw all those magazine and newspapers where Labake featured as pin-up girl.


Kò sí ẹni tí ó rí gbogbo àwọn magasíinì àti ìwé ìròyìn tí Làbákẹ́ ti fara hàn gẹ́gẹ́ bíi omidan ológe àwòmáleèlọ.


The only person who knew all the details was his bosom friend - Adio - who was then a law student in London.


Ènìyàn kan ṣoṣo tó mọ̀ nípa gbogbo èyí ni Àdìó, ọ̀rẹ́ tímọ́tímọ́ Àlàmú tí ó jẹ́ akẹ́kọ̀ọ́ ìmọ̀-òfin nígbà náà ní Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù.


But indirectly, Alamu's old mother nearly got to know of the professional aspect of Labake's life the day she was looking through Labake's photo album. That was shortly after their marriage.


Díẹ̀ ló kù kí ìyá Àlàmú mọ irú iṣẹ́ tí Làbákẹ́ yàn láàyò láyé rẹ̀, lọ́jọ́ tí ó ń wo àwòrán inú ìwé ìfàwò ránsí rẹ̀ ní kété tí wọ́n ṣe ìgbéyàwó.


"""Hum.., hum.. Is this your wife Alamu?"


Hùn hùn, ṣé ìyàwó rẹ rè é Àlàmú?


Is this Labake? the old woman asked, pointing to the enlarged picture of a lady wearing tight jeans, open-neck blouse, and smiling radiantly.


Ṣé Làbákẹ́ rè é? ìyá àgbà náà ń bèèrè, ó nawó sí àwòrán ọmọbìnrin tí ó wọ ṣòkòtò jíǹsì tó lẹ̀ mọ́ ọn lára típẹ́ típẹ́ pẹ̀lú èwù péńpé tó fàyàá lẹ̀, ó sì rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́.


Alamu looked closer - not for recognition but for admiration. Yes, it was Labake in an elegant posture. The vital statistics of her firm young body showed clearly, alluringly.


Àlàmú wò ó dáadáa, kì í ṣe fún ìdánimọ̀ ṣùgbọ́n fún pípọ́n ẹwà rẹ̀ lé. Bẹ́ẹ̀ ni, Làbákẹ́ ni - pẹ̀lú ìdúró tó wuni. Tí gbogbo ibi tó lápẹẹrẹ lára rẹ̀ gírígírí hàn kedere.


That was Labake's picture which won the first prize in a London magazine competition.


Àwòrán Làbákẹ́ tí ó gba àmì ẹ̀yẹ ipò kìn-ín-ní nínú ìfigagbága magasíìnì Lọ́ńdọ́ọ̀nù nìyẹn.


The picture which adorned the front page Man's World magazine.


"Àwòrán tí wọ́n gbé sí ojú magasíìnì ""Man""s world."""


"The picture which earned Labake two thousand British pounds and resulted in over two hundred letters of adoration from the appreciative readers of ""Man's World' all over England."


"Àwòrán tí ó pa ẹgbẹ̀rún méjì pọ́n-ùn bìrìtì kó sápò Làbákẹ́ tí ó sì yọrí sí lẹ́tà ìbu-ọlá-fún tó lé ní igba láti ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn òǹkàwé magasíìnì ""Man""s world"" tó mọ rírì káàkiri gbogbo Íngílandì."


They wanted her address. They wanted to take her out for lunch, for dinner, to the pictures. They wanted her to visit them, to send her photographs - and so on and so on.


Wọ́n ń fẹ́ àdírẹ́sì. Wọ́n ń fẹ́ gbé e lọ jẹ oúnjẹ ọ̀sán, oúnjẹ alẹ́, láti jọ lọ ya àwòrán. Wọ́n ń fẹ́ gbà á lálejò, wọ́n ń fẹ́ fi àwòrán ráńṣẹ́ sí i àti bẹ́ẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ.


"""Look Alamu,"" Mama had continued, ""your wife does not cover her chest. She exposes her breasts."


"Màmá tẹ̀síwájú pẹ̀lú ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀, ""wò ó Àlàmú, ìyàwó rẹ kì í bo àyà. Ó ń ṣí ọmú rẹ̀ sílẹ̀."


"A woman should not do that. You yourself did not ask your wife to button up her blouse properly...."""


"Kò yẹ kí obìnrin ṣe eléyìí. Ìwọ fún ra à rẹ kò lè sọ fún ìyàwó rẹ kí ó de bọ́tíìnì aṣọ rẹ̀ dáadáa...."""


Mama opened to another page of the album:


Màmá tún ṣí ojú ìwé mìíràn nínú ìwé àwòrán náà:


And now, look, Alamu see your wife exposing her stomach. See the way Labake parts her thighs, the way she stretches out her legs'.


"""Wá wò ó Àlàmú, wo ìyàwó rẹ bí ó ti ṣí ikùn sílẹ̀. Wo bí Làbákẹ́ ṣe yẹ itan, wo bí ó ṣe na ẹsẹ̀."


Mama again opened to another page and mused irritably as her eyes caught other pictures.


Màmá tún ṣí ojú ìwé mìíràn, ó sì pòṣé pẹ̀lú ìrira bí ojú rẹ̀ ṣe ń rí àwọn àwòrán mìíràn.


See another bad one... See your wife rolling on the ground throwing one leg up to the wind.


"""Wo òmíràn tó burú jáì... Wo ìyàwó rẹ bí ó ti ń yí ní ilẹ̀ẹ́lẹ̀ tí ó sì ju ẹsẹ̀ kan sókè."


"See this one... And this one too!"" Mama threw down Labake's album looking sad and displeased."


"""Wo eléyìí,......àti ......eléyìí náà!."" Màmá ju ìwé àwòrán Làbákẹ́ sílẹ̀pẹ̀lú ìbànújẹ́, ó hàn pé eléyìí kọ̀ tẹ́ ẹ lọ́rùn."


Her relationship with Labake was a patch- patch' one.


Ìbáṣepò rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú Làbákẹ́ kò dán mọ́rán rárá.


And each time they met, it was the proverbial hunter Ogungbe meeting the cunning monkey of the savannah forest.


"Ìgbàkigbà tí wọ́n bá pàdé, ọ̀rọ̀ wọn máa ń dà bíi òwe ""Àáyáà ti Ògúngbè,"" ọdẹ ni Ògúngbè, ó gẹ̀gùn sílẹ̀ de àáyá."


The cunning monkey would stand high on his toes and strain his neck to fish out Ogungbe and escape imminent death,


Bí àáyá ti ń bọ̀, ó kóra ro, nítorí pé ó fura pé ewu ń bẹ nítòsí. Ó nàró, ó wò yíká.


But, clever man Ogungbe, on the other hand, would stoop low to the ground, almost kissing the dust, with his gun ready for the final kill.


Ògúngbè tó ń dúró dè é bẹ̀rẹ̀ mọ́lè. Nígbà tí àáyá kò rí nǹkan abàmì, ótún bẹ̀rẹ̀ mọ́lẹ̀. Ògúngbè tí ó ń ṣọ́ ọ náà nàró, ó ń gbaradì láti yìn ín ní bájínátù.


Mama's attitude, by and large, did not seem to worry Labake. It did not bother her - at least initially. She continued patching on with Mama and Alamu was very happy that, there was no confrontation.


Ìhùwàsí àti ìṣesí Màmá kò ṣe Làbákẹ́ ní nǹkan. Kò tiẹ̀ mì ín rárá. Ó ń fara mọ́ gbogbo ìwà màmá, inú Àlàmú sì dùn pé kò sí ìjà kankan.


It was therefore an irony that all of Labake's worries had nothing to do with Mama or any other person. But with the very man who brought her in, for better for worse'.


"Ìyálenu ni pé gbogbo wàhálà Làbákẹ́ kò nínǹkan ṣe pẹ̀lú màmá tàbí ẹlòmìíràn. Bí kò ṣe ọkùnrin tó gbé e wọlé fún ""ìgbà tó dára àti ìgbà tó burú."""


Alamu was doing everything possible to get on her nerves, to embarrass her.


Àlàmú ń ṣe gbogbo ohun tó ṣeéṣe láti bíi nínú, láti dà á láàmú.


It was deliberate. He'd taken to drinking and smoking.


Ó ń mọ̀ọ́mọ̀. Ó ti bẹ̀rẹ̀ si ímu ọtí, ó sì ń fa sìgá.


She could no longer vouch for him. He now moved with all sorts of people - ruffians, people of doubtful character - the typical dubious men of the city.


Kò lè gba ẹ̀rí rẹ̀ jẹ́ mọ́. Oríṣìírísìí àwọn ènìyàn ni ó ti ń bá rìn - àwọn oní jàgídíjàgan, àwọn tíì wọn ṣà ìdáni lójú - irú àwọn ọkùnrin ìgboro.


Alamu confronted her all the time with the scornful, hyena laughter.


Ẹ̀rín ìkoòkò afiniṣẹ̀sín ni Àlàmú máa ń fi dojú kọ ọ́ ní gbogbo ìgbà.


What was laughable about her? Why was he poking fun at her?


Kí ni nǹkan tó ń pa Àlàmú lẹ́rìn-ín nípa rẹ̀? Kí ni ìdí tó ṣe ń fi òun ṣe yẹ̀yẹ́?


What offence had she committed? None that she could think of. So, she would not go to appeal to him or to beg him. On the contrary, she would watch. She would lie in wait for what would be the outcome of his present lunatic action.


Ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wo ni òun dá gan an? Kòsí èyi to wa sọkan rẹ̀. Kí ó tiẹ̀ lọbẹ́ẹ̀ tàbí kí ó pẹ̀tù sí i nínú. Ní ìlòdì sí èyí, á máa wò ó. Ádúró de ohun tí yóò jẹ́ àbájáde ìṣe wèrè tí ó ń ṣe lọ́wọ́.


Her own temper was quick too. She too could be difficult.


Làbákẹ́ náà kìí pẹ́ bínú. Kò níì gbàsára, òun náà sì le.


She could be rebellious. She knew very well how to show the red eye and laugh people to scorn.


Ó lèbínú tàpa sáṣẹ. Ó mọ bí wọ́n ṣe ń fi ojú pípọ́n hàn kí ó sì fi ẹ̀rín ṣẹ̀sín ènìyàn.


If things continued that way between them, she knew what to do, she was not a fool.


Tí nǹkan bá ń tẹ̀síwájú lọ báyìí láàárín wọn, ó mọ nǹkan tó lè ṣe, kì í kúkú ṣe aṣiwèrè.


And Alamu should not blame her for what her own reaction to everything might turn out to be.


Àlàmú kò sì gbọ́dọ̀ dá a lẹ́bi fún ohunkóhun tí yóò jẹ́ àṣẹ̀yìn bọ̀ nǹkan tó ń ṣẹlẹ̀.


At home, Labake was now biding her time, minding her business and making herself happy as much as possible with Tinu and Zenabu.


Nílé, Làbákẹ́ ti wá ń báìgbà yí, ó ń ṣọ́igbá rẹ̀, ó sì ń mú inú ara rẹ̀ dùn pẹ̀lú Tinú àti Sènábù.


These were the two people that kept her company each time Alamu sneaked out to enjoy life in town with his secret lover - the lover whose house he was presently furnishing.


Àwọn yìí ni wọ́n ńdúró tìí nígbàkugbà tí Àlàmú bá ti yọ́ lọ gbádùn ayé níì gboro pẹ̀lú olólùfẹ́ ìkọ̀kọ̀ rẹ̀ - olólùfẹ́ rẹ̀ tí ó ń toléfún lọ́wọ́.


The fridge, the television and the ceiling fan had gone ahead of him. Next it was probably going to be the turn of the chairs, the gas cooker and all those rugs and carpets...


Ẹ̀rọ amómitutù, amóhùn-máwòrán àti fáànù olókè ti ṣáájú rẹ̀ lọ. Bóyá àwọn àga ni yóò kàn, gáàsì ìdáná ti gbogbo rọ́ọ̀gì àti kápẹ́ẹ̀tì..........


Then one day, she would just discover that Alamu himself had gone never to come back home again!


Tó bá yá lọ́jọ́ kan, á wá ṣàkíyèsí pé Àlàmú fúnrare ti lọ, tí kò sí ní padà wá mọ́ láé.


What was her offence really that Alamu now wanted to dash their association on the rocks?


Kí ni ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ rẹ̀ gan-an tí Àlàmú fi wá fẹ́ figi gún àjọṣepọ̀ wọn.


The termination of any legal union should be backed up with very strong reasons in a court of law otherwise the court would throw out the suit and award heavy costs against the plaintiff.


Ìfòpinsí ìgbéyàwó lábẹ́ òfin gbọ́dọ̀ ní àtì lẹ́yìn, ìdí abájọ tí ó mún ádóko ní ilẹ́ ẹjọ́, láì jẹ́ bẹ́ẹ̀ ilé-ẹjọ́ á sọwọ́ ẹjọ́ náà sílẹ̀, wọ́n á díye lé olùfìsun láti san.


She was, in fact, the one who ought to drag Alamu to court for desertion and double-dealing.


Òun gan an ni óyẹkí ó pé Àlàmú lẹ́jọ́fún ìkọ̀sílẹ̀ ìtànjẹ.


And surely such a case would be easy to win.


Láìsí àní-àní, irú ẹjọ́ bẹ́ẹ̀ rọrùn láti borí.


She wouldn't even need any lawyer to help her prosecute such a case.


Kò níí nílò agbẹjọ́rò kankan láti ro irú ẹjọ́ bẹ́ẹ̀.


She would prove it herself, beyond reasonable doubt and Alamu would be found guilty and reprimanded.


Á fi ìdí rẹ̀ múlè, tí kò sì ní í sí iyè méjì nípa rẹ̀. Àlàmú yóò sì jẹ̀bi, wọn á sì bá a wí.


Was Alamu really packing out on her?


Ṣé Àlàmú ń kó kúrọ̀ nílé lóòótọ́ ni?


That would be very strange - like fiction.


Nǹkan abàmì bí i Ìtàn-Àròsọ.


But couldn't he do it?


Ṣùgbọ́n ṣé kò lè ṣe é ni?


Do you trust men? How you deceive yourself!


Ṣé ìwọ gbẹ̀rí ọkùnrin jẹ́ ni? O mà ń tan ara rẹ̀!


Because there is nothing men would not do out of desperation however eccentric such a thing might be.


Nítorí kò sí nǹkan tí ọkùnrin ò lè ṣe láì nááni nígbà tí nǹkan tó tàsé bá ṣẹlẹ̀.


In desperation, a man might refuse to appear in the Registry on his wedding day!


Ọ̀dájú ọkùnrin lẹ̀ kọ̀ láti yọjú sí ibi kóòtù ìgbéyàwó lọ́jọ́ ìgbéyàwó rẹ̀!


He would cancel the wedding celebration without an apology to anybody! Men! A man could, after a drinking spree, lie flat in the middle of the road and ask the on-coming vehicle to accelerate and dispatch him quick!


Áwọ́gi lé ayẹyẹ ìgbéyàwó láì jẹ ẹnikẹ́ni lẹ́bẹ̀! Ọkùnrin! Lẹ́yìn ìgbádùn ọtí, ọkùnrin lè sùn gbalaja sí àárín títì kí ó ní kí ọkọ̀ tí ó ń bọ̀ yára gun orí rẹ̀ kí ó sì rán an lọ sí ọ̀run kíákíá.


"Men Out of desperation, could contract a second legal marriage and keep the first ""till-death-do-us-part"" still very intact!"


"Ọkùnrin pẹ̀lú ìdájú, ó lè ṣe àdéhùn ìgbéyàwó olófin kejì, kí ó ṣì wà nínú ìgbéyàwó ""títí-ikú-óò-fi-yàwá"" àkọ́kọ́ rè!"


He could pack his bag and baggage and steal out of the matrimonial home to sojourn in the secret home of some lover.


Ó lè di ẹrù rẹ̀ kí ó kó kúrò nínú ilé rẹ̀ kí ó lọ ṣe àlejò ní ilé olólùfẹ́ rẹ̀ kan.


There was no stopping the man under the grip of desperation.


Kò sí bí ènìyàn ṣe lè dá ọkùnrin tí ò bá náá ní dúró.


Alamu was a man. He could be desperate, although there was no reason on earth why be should be but things could be so unpredictable in this strange, odd world.


Ọkùnrin ni Àlàmú, ó lè dájú, bí ó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé kò sí ìdí fún un láti ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n nǹkan ò ṣe é gbẹ́kẹ̀lé ní ilé ayé abàmì tí ò gún régé yìí.


Labake kept her cool.


Làbákẹ́ sì ń ṣe jẹ́jẹ́.


Little Tinu crawled to her and stood up holding her knees for support.


Tinú kékeré rá lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ rẹ̀, ó sì dìde di orúnkún ìyá rẹ̀ múfún ìrànlọ́wọ́.


Labake propped the little girl affectionately to herself and gazed into her small twinkling eyes, stroking her nose.


Làbáké fa ọmo náà mọ́ra tìfẹ́-tìfẹ́, ó sì wo inú ojúrẹ̀ ó sì ń fọwọ́ pa á nímú.


Tinu smiled, proudly showing her newly-formed front teeth.


Tinú rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́, ó ń ṣe àfihàn eyín iwáju rẹ̀ túntún.


"""Papa-pa-pa-pa', she babbled."


"""Bàbá-ba-ba-ba,"" ó ń sọ̀rọ̀ wẹ́rẹ́wẹ́rẹ́."


Labake listened amused. It was interesting infact, curious that Tinu's first word on earth would be Papa!


"Làbákẹ́ tẹ́tí tìyanu-tìyanu. Kódà, ó dùn mọ́ ọn, ó yàá lẹ́nu pé ""bàbá"" ni ọ̀rọ̀ àkọ́kọ́ tí Tinú á kọ́kọ́ sọ láyé rẹ̀."


"""Pa-pa-pa-pa... Papa.. Pa-pa-pa,' the little girl screamed again, to Labake's consternation."


"""Bà-bá-bà-bá..........bàbá.......bà-bá-bá,"" ọmọbìnrin kékeré náà pariwo sí ìpayà Làbákẹ́."


"""Who is your Papa, Tinu?"" Labake queried with her steady gaze, 'Do you know your Papa, Tinu?"


"""Ta ni bàbá rẹ Tinú?,"" Làbákẹ́ bèèrè pẹ̀lú ìtẹjúmọ́ rẹ̀. ""Ǹ jẹ́ o mọ bàbá rẹ, Tinú?,"


"Can you crawl to him and smile as you now smile at me and say, ""Papa-Papa."" Look at you!"


"ṣé o lè rákòrò lọbá a kí o sìrẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́bí o ṣe rẹ́rìn-ín músẹ́ sí mi kí o sọ pé ""bàbá-bàbá."" Wò ẹ́!"


"So you like your Papa? And you won't say ""Mama-Ma-ma-ma-Mama! O.K. Tinu, where is your Papa now?"


"Àṣé o lè ní fẹ̀ẹ́ bàbá rẹ? O ò sì ní pé""màmá-mà-mà-mamàmá""! Ódáa Tinú, bàbá rẹ dà bayìí?"