Power of Spirit

Chapter 5: Reincarnation of a Stranger

He wanted to be my teacher, now he was my guide. Nyakeh was my only connection to a group of strangers. Nyakeh told me how the mystery man took him on a boat and told him all about their beloved Ndolagei.

"His name is Lahai, Mr. Lahai." Nyakeh already thought very highly of Mr. Lahai. I could sense they already had secrets. Even now with Nyakeh and Mr. Lahai, new things were being kept from me.

Another ceremony was performed. Mr. Lahai gave Nyakeh a special gift for his services. The people didn't want Nyakeh to leave, but he promised to be back.

Bing!

Nyakeh: Hello dear

Me: HI

Nyakeh: Mr. Lahai told me so much! He said he must like me to tell me so much about their Ndolagei.

Me: What did he say?

Nyakeh: Some years back one of Ndolagei's kinsmen passed. Before he died, he told everyone to remember Ndolagei was trying to find her way home.

Me: So this man was a relative to Mr. Lahai also? What does Ndolagei mean?

Nyakeh: I think so.

Nyakeh: Mother of all.

Me: Nyakeh means???

Nyakeh: Our Father

I didn't know who to believe or who to trust. I went back to the Chief...

"Is this all true?"

"Yep, it's true. You are who they say you are," the Chief didn't hesitate.

"Ndolagei was a very beloved child of this chiefdom. She was going to be very special. One day when Ndolagei was just a little girl, she wandered away from her family. She found herself in the forest. Then two men took her and they vanished. Her disappearance caused many problems for her family. Everyone in the chiefdom blamed the father and family for not protecting Ndolagei. Her village and the chiefdom went into deep despair. Many became poor, many died. The place was never the same. "

He Continued...

"When do you plan on visiting?"

"Oh I have no idea. My plans were to head back to Ghana, not Sierra Leone!" I had other plans. I was making a new career move soon, and sudden international trips were NOT on the agenda.

"If you don't go by September, the old man won't be here. He has to go back to the land of the ancestors. So just be ready for that."

"Yeah, I know. That was part of my dream. Whomever was waiting on me, wouldn't die until I found them. No matter how long it took!"

The Next Day...

I ran out of my office for a better connection. Mr. Lahai had made his way to the city to visit Nyakeh and wanted us to have a video call. I sat in a rusted, black iron chair. The June sun was in front of me. I wanted natural lighting during our first visual meeting. My curiosity never outweighed my vanity. I wanted to look nice!

After answering, it took the video a few seconds to appear. Sitting beside Nyakeh, was Mr. Lahai.

Mr. Lahai was wearing a white collared-shirt underneath a crimson vest. He looked like a wax statue. The beam bouncing off his bald-head made me think of a shiny milk dud. I waved and smiled. I didn't know if he spoke English.

"He speaks English. You people can talk. He once worked as a merchant seaman in Europe!" Nyakeh was visibly enthusiastic. He giggled between every other word, which was nice. Nyakeh had straight teeth and a pleasant smile. The phone was propped up against something, because I could see everyone's hands. Mr. Lahai didn't move. He just sat there. His hands on his lap, looking directly at me. He whispered something to Nyakeh.

"He said, it is you! You've been looking and finally found us!" Nyakeh's excitement was funny. He looked like a young boy waiting to open a present. He couldn't even keep still in his chair. The phone shook every time Nyakeh made a perky jerk towards the camera. His happiness kept knocking against the table.

"Tell him...YES! I HAD THE DREAM FOUR YEARS AGO! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT ALL MEANT, UNTIL NOW!" I caught myself screaming.

"My Dear, he can hear! He understands English!" Nyakeh was now laughing at me.

Mr. Lahai murmured again, then Nyakeh spoke, "You've never been comfortable there. It was to make sure you would always look for something else and come home."

It was like Mr. Lahai could read my mind. Mr. Lahai never took his eyes off of me. He finally smiled and spoke very low.

"When are you coming?" Mr. Lahai spoke directly into the camera. This was the first time he moved. He sat up in his chair, waiting for me to answer.

I'd never thought about going to Sierra Leone. My next trip was planned for Ghana. Mr. Lahai's posture was firm. I could feel his nervousness. I could see his narrow lips moving, but it was only a whisper.

"He said, you must come! You don't have to stay, but you must come at least once." Nyakeh relayed Mr. Lahai's message.

"OK, sure. I'll see about coming next month." The words bolted out my mouth before my brain and my wallet calculated the expense.

Mr. Lahai relaxed in his chair and smiled. Nyakeh, also seemed content with my answer. Tucking his lips into his mouth Nyakeh nodded, "Yeah!"

"OK! Thank you, Nyakeh for calling. Let me go back to work!" I felt heat rising up my spine. The pressure was overwhelming. What did they want this Ndolagei person to do?

"OK! We'll talk soon, Dear!" Nyakeh waved, the phone shook. Mr. Lahai gave a little smile and once again - a statue.

I didn't go back into the building. I sat in that iron chair, looking towards the parking lot. The sun was blazing across the black cement, creating a mirage of rippling water. The weight of it all slumped my shoulders and tears fell on my checkered blouse. I wanted to find myself. I never thought my journey of personal discovery would reincarnate a stranger.