The next day, in the morning, I dialed Mbagwu and we spoke about some things that bothered me.
“I really do not want to go to the dinner invitation,” I said.
“You have to go,” she replied.
“But why? If I go I’m afraid something bad is going to happen to Juliana. She will call me hobbit and I won’t like it and something bad would happen to her just like Adeyemi."
“Look, if you don’t go, something worse would happen to you. These people would come to you, and you mustn’t give up the chance of meeting them. If you don’t… if you don’t…”
“If I don’t what? Say what’s on your mind, please!”
“Someone close to you would die! That’s how it works. You must meet them, and they must be tested. If they haven’t changed their insulting and anger aggravating ways then they’d meet similar fate as your past victims.”
“I can’t let that happen. Uziel, mum, dad? No. I will go to Juliana’s dinner invitation this evening.”
“Good, Chuks, very good. That reminds me, have you heard of the banshee?”
“Banshee? No. What’s that?”
“Okay, it’s Irish folklore, of a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death. I did some research and I found that it’s the most accurate description of your case. You’ve arisen the banshee, and she’s very rootless in her exploits. She will warn, and you will kill.”
“What?” I screamed, “Mbagwu, you’re not making sense!”
“Look, Chuks! She doesn’t kill, she only warns, she has chosen you.”
“Chosen me, how?”
“Somehow she’s related to you, biologically. And her spirit witnessed your days of peril. Now, with her prowess, she’d lure your spirit to act, to take revenge. Chuks, you’d have to ask your parents about close relatives that are late, or family members. Can you do that?”
“Yes… yes, I can.”
“Good, and one more thing, she’s around you. She follows you, even right now.”
“Jesus! Mbagwu, if it’s a joke stop it o.”
“It’s no joke, Chuks, that’s why I told you that you’re connected to her. She was there for Malam Habdul and she was also there for Adeyemi, but you weren’t paying attention. She must have warned, but you weren’t paying attention.”
“Warned, how exactly?”
“Okay, there are many ways she warns, actually, but legend has it that her usual MO is wailing. She wails and that’s how she warns. You have to listen, Chuks, she’d be around, maybe tonight, and if Adeleke is going to exhibit you to her friend as she said on phone yesterday, I’m very sure the banshee will wail again.”
“Mbagwu.”
“Yes?”
“You have to come with me, please, I don’t think I can go to this thing alone.”
“No worries, Chuks, I’d come with. But be ready, for any eventuality.”
After hearing of the banshee, I was considerable scared in my own apartment. I called Uziel and told him I was coming over. I didn’t tell him about the recent development though.
“Chuks baba, mehn, how have you been now?”
“Mehn, never better, never better.”
“Hope say you don clear your mind o, no more death talk…”
“Since now, shey na today person dey die for my front?”
I lied. Of course I lied. Being with Uziel was respite for me; I was away from home and the possibility of any so called banshee worrying my mind. ‘How could I believe her?’ I thought, ‘Banshee… ridiculous idea. I’m a Law graduate and not an apprentice in a tarot shop.’ Uziel and I talked further, and for the duration it felt like normal, the normal I was accustomed to before the crazy episodes. Talking to Uziel was what anyone in my shoes would have needed.
Twilight beckoned and I remembered Mbagwu’s warning, ‘Someone close to you will…’ I couldn’t relive the thought. I dialled her once more on my way back home and she was almost ready. I got home, freshened up, and was ready in no time.
On passing through the university gate I was understandably overwhelmed; I never thought I’d set eyes on the buildings anymore. I had as much reasons to dread the elements of the school as I had to be grateful. Well, some days were university-like, while other days I attracted questions like, “Excuse me, are you an undergraduate in this school?” I guess my size made me appear more as a secondary school student. As if I hadn’t had my fair share in secondary school already. I encountered Professor Emem along the way, and it was a memorable reunion.
We arrived at Julianah’s Kitchen. It looked well kempt; glassy outdoors, tidy tables, and hygienic surroundings. In my time, the university restaurants were nothing to write home about. We entered.
“My hobbit!” Julianah screamed and hugged.
“Longest time. Ah! see, you have brought your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my—“
“Sit jare,” she interrupted, “You’re right on time, the fried rice is sizzling hot and watch out for my legume salad. My girl, Grace, is putting the finishing touches, she’s a memorable cook. It is magic what we do here, you should see the morning crowd that stampede into my kitchen… Grace! Get the juice. Ah, my hobbit, make yourselves at home o. My friend now, Khemzy, that I told you about, she’d be here soon.”
Khemzy came in a few minutes later and Julinah introduced us gleefully. On seeing me, Khemzy couldn’t hide the laugh that smirked about her face. She was as surprised as she was mischievous. I overheard her whisper to Julianah at the counter.
“Julee Julee, you’re right o. He’s such a short man.”
That’s when I saw her, or what was supposed to be the banshee. She was adorned in white and her hair fluttered as though she was on the seashore, even her seeming white gown breezed back and forth. Her eyes were fixated on me and she smiled. I quickly tapped Mbagwu.
“Do you see any woman there?” I pointed.
“Woman? There’s nobody there.”
That’s when I heard it. The banshee wailed, and it was very loud.
(to be continued...)