Lineage

Funmi Dada Part 9

Funmi usually go out early in the morning to shop at the open market for fresh vegetables. Today was one of such mornings when a woman she did not know tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

"Good morning I am sorry to bother you but are you the daughter of Mrs. Titilayo Dada, Funmi that is the name, right?"

"Yes I am, you sure knew my mother but I am sorry I don't remember who you are," she replied.

"Oh yes, I knew your mother. We taught in the same school. Your mother would pick you up from school and bring you to our staff room. I am so sorry about your mother's passing. We heard about it. And what about your dad?"

"He died in a car accident when I was about fourteen. My grandaunt raised me," Funmi replied.

Funmi wasn't interested in what this woman had to say. She still had a lot of things to buy before the day got too hot.

"You know you haven't changed. That is why I could recognize you. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am sure it wasn't easy. Your parents were gracious people, especially your mother."

Funmi could see the compassion this woman felt towards her. She did not want to be impolite to her and allowed the conversation to continue. Obviously, the woman had some more things to say.

"Sorry ma, please what is your name?"

"I am Mrs. Jimoh."

"It is nice to meet you, Mrs. Jimoh," said Funmi.

"I am truly sorry, I don't know how to say this, but I think one woman called Iya might have been responsible for your mother's prolong sickness and untimely death, she said.

An uneasy feeling came over Funmi but she kept an expressionless face. She wanted to tell the woman to shut the fuck up and mind her own damn business. She doesn't know shit! Funmi kept her cool as she listened to what this woman had to say. Mrs. Jimoh did not get any response from Funmi continued talking. 

"It was not long after she started visiting this Iya that your mother fell ill. We all thought Iya was a good woman, but apparently, she is a witch. It was at this morning prayers in my church that a woman had a vision saying that God revealed to her that Iya was a witch."

"What are you talking about?" Funmi asked. She had had enough of this crap.

"She might have sucked out your mother's life to prolong hers. Of course, there was great confusion in the church; many members had gone to see Iya for herbal medicine. Please have nothing to do with that Iya woman oh!"

Funmi thanked her and turned around to go back home. Her intuition told her that Iya and her son were in grave danger.

****************

Bankole had been in his room practicing reading braille. His teacher had given him a few to use. His mother and Iya had gone out, they had some errands to run. He heard noises coming from outside; it sounded like a large group of people were outside on the street. None of them entered the compound even though the gates weren't locked. Bankole could see why. Some of them had dark lights.

Someone shouted, "This must be one of the witch's victims!"

"What are these people talking about?" Bankole said under his breath.

Iya was returning when she noticed a crowd of people outside her home. As she got closer, she saw that they praying. She walked as fast as her ninety-two years old feet could take her.

A woman from the crowd seeing Iya yelled, "That is the witch coming!"

Two men grabbed her and brought her to stand before another man who was their leader.