Lineage

Bankole Ajayi Part 1

If you weren't born and raised in Africa, especially West Africa, then you might not appreciate the belief in the supernatural and the fears thereof. Cultures and traditions were built on the beliefs and fears of spirit beings. Till today her people still believe in the supernatural and feared those who have powers to control the supernatural. Nothing is ever seen as ordinary or naturally occurring - failure, poverty, sickness (physical, or psychological), and even death. It is the belief that there are certain persons with powers to inflict these evils on others. They pray constantly for deliverance from evil supernatural occurrences in their lives. This is their reality, the reality of an average person in West Africa. Only a fool will not acknowledge the powers that be.

"Ajayi Bankole O!" the teacher yelled as she did the morning roll call. It took a few seconds before Bankole responded. His mind was far away; he was thinking about his former school.

"Ajayi Bankole O!" she yelled again.

"Present ma!" he replied, startled from his daydreaming.

This was his first week in the new school, and he had made no new friends. Mama (that's what he calls his mother) told him to "lie low" and observe. Bankole, a very smart eight-year-old, understood what his mother meant by lying low - he must let no one know how intelligent he was, don't answer questions in class unless it adds to his grades. He must never show his test or report sheets to anyone. Mama would often say that not everyone is happy about your success, and envious people can do great evil. He was in Primary Four! His mother was considering his taking the common entrance exams into secondary school this year and that didn't bother him,  he knew he would do well. The fact that she thinks someone might be envious of him often made him laugh because he is just a kid; who will be envious of him doing well at school? 

Mrs. Ajayi, a single mother, lost her husband not long after Bankole was born. She is a police officer and just got deployed to a new local government area. She needed the change, she felt trapped at her former station. Ever since her husband died, her boss had been making advances at her. First, they were subtle compliments here and there, but with time they became more direct, more aggressive, and more physical. It took years, but finally, her transfer came through. A new beginning for her and her son. They had moved into the house that her parents had built for her before they died.

Three days into his first week in school he noticed a group of students that never interact with the other children and though they were fewer, they were the dominant group. Their group leader was a girl called Lydia, who is also in his class. Lydia and her group comprised three boys and four girls from Primary Four and Five. They were a mean bunch. They could take over any of the playground equipment and the other students would just back off. It is a fairly new private school with only about 128 students and an average of 25 students per class. His mother chose this school because it was close to their home. And so there was Lydia and her crew and then there was the 'Others'. The 'Others' call Lydia and her crew 'Ogbanje' which can be translated as 'weirdos'. Bankole joined the 'Others' and avoided Lydia and members of her group. With Lydia and her crew, the rule on the playground is 'let them have it!'

It was just another day at school, break time the 'Others' were just playing around in their different small groups. One of those small groups was Bankole and his 'new' friends on the swing. Suddenly Lydia and her crew were standing by the swing. He was ready to confront Lydia after all they got their first. His playing partner had already moved away when their class teacher, Mrs Coker, seeing what was happening and stepped forward to stop her. Usually, teachers let Lydia have her way, but Mrs Coker being a new teacher and will have none of it. She rebuked Lydia and told her to wait her turn or ask nicely. Lydia looked up at her with scorn on her face and then she looked towards Bankole and walking away, but Mrs Coker pulled her back. She told Lydia that she was being rude and it was not good behaviour. There was an odd silence as some students on the playground gathered around Mrs Coker to watch how the event would unfold, while a few of her colleagues shocked by her action did nothing. The headmaster approaches Mrs Coker and told her to let Lydia go. Mrs Coker opened her month to object, but the headmaster insisted, pulling Lydia away. Then the bell rang, break-time was over.

The following Monday at school, students were talking about how over the weekend Mrs Coker almost died and had lost the pregnancy. She had been four months pregnant with her first child. Some children of members of staff confirmed the tale of Mrs Coker. Rumour had it it was Lydia who was responsible. It was a spiritual attack. They said that Mrs Coker had told one teacher who visited her she had a dream and in it, Lydia was kicking her stomach. In the dream Mrs Coker had begged her, screaming, but Lydia wouldn't stop. She jumped up from the bed to find bloodstains on her bed. Her husband rushed her to the hospital; the doctor did all he could to save the pregnancy, but it was too late. She lost the baby and almost lost her life too. Bankole told his mother the entire story, and she warned him to stay away from Lydia. She could be a witch.  How can a 9-year-old be a witch? Bankole wondered to himself.

Examinations were over, and although students came to school, they played most of the day. Mrs Coker was back to work for the examination. Her demure had changed. Mrs Coker, now withdrawn and always sad, a far cry from her bubbly self. Mama explained the loss of a child to a mother, any woman who loses her baby would be sad for many days or even months. Bankole noticed that Mrs Coker avoided Lydia and during the morning roll call she would call Lydia's name softly. Most times Lydia just ignored her.

On one of those play days Bankole was chilling in the classroom rather than playing outside he was reading a book when suddenly he heard shouting from the back of the class. It was a member of Lydia's group Tinuke; she was crying and yelling at the same time. Bankole could not make out what she was saying, all he heard was 'You promised!' and suddenly she pushed Lydia, who fell to the floor and ran out. Lydia just got up, dusted herself, and acted as if nothing happened except look at Bankole who quickly turned to face his book. The next day Tinuke was not in school, the class was told that she had taken seriously ill, chickenpox they say.

On the last day of school, she came to pick up her report sheet. She said nothing to no one, but everyone could see the scares all over her body, scars left behind by 'chickenpox'. Bankole topped his class, taking the first position with an average of 94% didn't show or tell anyone his results. Bankole was walking out of the school gate when Lydia unexpectedly appeared, stopped him, and demanded to see his report sheet. He couldn't explain why he feared Lydia more than his mother, who had warned him not to show anyone his results. He simply gave her the report. She took a quick look then returning it and smiled

"See you around, kiddo!" she said. He won't ever tell his mother.

It's the Christmas holiday. All the decorations were up. Most days Bankole stayed at home alone. Not that he minded, he is always busy reading a novel or watching TV. Mama also liked to read and watch TV too when she is not at work. But it is Christmas day and mama will not be going to work and they had no plan of  staying at home today. Mama had promised they will go to the amusement park.

"Go get ready, kiddo!" his mother yelled as she got ready in her bedroom

Kiddo! It reminded him of Lydia, he had completely forgotten about her. But today is Christmas day, and he is going out with his Mama. He would not call himself a mummy's boy, but he cannot help but be close to her. He loved to see his Mama happy, and today she is happy. They went to church and then to their favourite restaurant. Bankole had fried rice and chicken with a bottle of soft drink. He was so happy and he could see that his mother was happy. It has been a while since he saw her this happy.

"I love you, Mama," he told her taking her hand.

"I love you, my son," she replied, bending down to give him a tight hug, and a kiss on his forehead.

Off they were to the amusement park they went. Christmas day was a good day. He did not mind that she would be on duty for the New Year's day celebration, this Christmas was just perfect.