BEYOND HIS CALLING

CHAPTER 3

                     
     Alabi's earliest memories were of his grandmother.She would tell stories of the orishas,of ancient magic and forgotten lore.
Alabi's imagination would soar and he'd dream of one day weilding such power. After he healed his grandmother at he age of eight he
went on to heal wounded birds as his powers manifested and soon animals from surrounding farms would seek him out. His parents were
amazed but mostly terrified.
       sometimes he would go out of control, as control was a fragile thing ,his emotions would surge and his powers would overflow.
Plants would wither or bloom uncontrollably.His siblings would tease him,calling him 'little orisha'. But Alabi knew he wasnt a god.
He was just....different.
   
     By the time Alabi was 15 he had finished the Bible more than 4 times,more than a hundred books,he was rather smart for someone
who didn't have proper education.


    


   PRESENT DAY

The morning sunlight crept through the lattice,casting a warm glow on Alabi's face.He stirred,feigning normalcy for the sake of
his family.Eight years of confinement had honed his acting skills.
     As the house hold bustled with morning routines,Alabi's mind raced with anticipation.Today was the day he'd reclaim his
freedom,if only for a few hours.

     With a calm demeanor,Alabi bid farewell to his family,watching as they departed for their daily activities.His heart pounded
as he waited for the coast to clear.
   finally,the silence was palpable.Alabi slipped out of the house,his senses heightened.The world outside was both exhilarating and
Daunting.
   He recalled the stream where children once played and before he knew it his feet carried him towards the familiar spot,with his
pace quickening with excitement.As he approached the stream,the gentle waves of the water reasured him so he settled on a rock
drinking in serenity.The warmth of the sun on his skin was a luxury he had forgotten.
    suddenly,his attention was caught by a beautiful girl with beautiful dark hair,she was standing near the stream,throwing stones
into the water.His shyness momentarily paralyzed him,but his curiosity won
  ' she is so beauiful' he said to himself.
   He stood up and approached her with his footsteps annoucing his presence.
'hello' he said with his voice barely above a whisper.
  she looked up and their eyes met for only half a second,'cause he looked away immediately
'hello'
  Alabi hesitated,unsure how to proceed but her laughter breaks the silence
  'i am folashade'
  ' i-i am Alabi'he stuttered ,his cheeks warming.
   Her gaze lingered on his face and her expression softening
  'it is nice to meet you,Alabi'
  His shyness began to dissipate under her gentle demeanor
'what brings you here?'she says
  'uhmm what do yo mean'
'i haven't seen you around before,soo are you new here?'
  'oohhh...no'
  ' hmm i see,so you're from this village'
   'born and bred'

just as she was about to respond a stern looking man approached.
   'it is time' he said with a firm tone
    Folashade's expression changed and she stood up.
'i have to go' she said with her voice tinged with regret.
   Alabi rose beside her,feeling the abrupt departure.
'okay'
  'see you tomorrow?'
Alabi nodded
   'byee' she said with a bright smile as she left

  He watched her and the stern looking man leave and felt unshakeable sense of belonging.He waited a few more hours before heading
back home,he watched children playing beside the stream and couldn't help but think of how his childhood was stolen from him.