“Miss him indeed. I don't understand why my husband chose to organize a funeral for him, just to waste money for nothing.”
Now, mama and her mate were through with the children and had joined the group. Then, Emma advised, “My daughter, I know how you feel. You have the best husband in the world. If he can forgive your father and decided to wipe any stigma that he had brought upon you and your siblings, I think you should be grateful for that.”
Now, Ada saw reason with her husband and cheered up. She looked at him and appreciated for the first time by giving him a hug.
“Thank you, hubby. I appreciate.”
“You are welcome, my dear. I know it not easy.”
Nevertheless, the youngsters were all over the compound, climbing trees and plucking fruits. The maid, who had been lonely in the midst of adults, felt free and guided them on their escapades.
“Madam, the driver wished to leave. Where do I keep the goods?” Their driver asked. Then, Ada turned to her mother and requested, “Which room are you occupying, mama? We will share with you. It's just for a few days.”
Currently, the ball was in Uncle Emma's court, and he had to play it, “I have the keys to the houses in your father's compound. The money bag gave me the permission to use it for this period.”
At this moment, Ada's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she exclaimed, “He must be a good man.” Then, she looked at her husband and inquired, “Hubby, do you consent to that?” Callum looked at Uncle Emma and asked, “I hope there won't be any challenge?”
“Not at all, he gave me his words.”
“That is all right by me,” Callum agreed. The driver offloaded the goods and carefully arranged them at their new apartment. Meanwhile, the youths were still in a joyous mood when a mystery occurred. A python crawled majestically into the compound and coiled at the front of the main house.
“What does it want?” Obidiya yelled with indignation. Nevertheless, nothing changed the fact that what a child could not see even if he or she climbs the tallest tree, an elder can see it from his seated position. Emma had fought the traditionalists, but that day, he was awestruck. The python could not just crawl into his compound just like that. There must be a reason, and he had to be calm to get the reason.
“Obidiya, calm down. It is not harmful.”
Now, Callum, who was not a native of that community, pulled his nervous wife closer and held her tightly, while they looked on.
“What does it want in my compound? It will scare the children,” Obidiya pointed out
“The children are not close by.”
Just like a dream, the Chief Priest appeared, looking agitated. From his look, one could see that he had been running.
“I greet you, Mr. Aaron,” the Chief priest greeted.
“Welcome, Chief Priest,” he responded, putting aside every sentiment.
“I apologize for the intrusion. We came to welcome our grandchildren. Tell them to feel free in their maternal home, and the gods of our land are happy to receive them,” the Chief Priest said, and turned to walk away. To their mystification, the python uncoiled and crawled after him. This time, Callum did not wait for his in-law's approval to do what is necessary.
“I greet you, Chief Priest. This is from the children, and it is for your cola nuts.”
The Chief Priest, was shocked when Callum handed a bundle of twenty thousand Naira notes to him. To his surprise, the stingy Emma supported.
“I can see that you are in a haste, and we may not have the time to break the cola nut. Permit me to monetize it.”
He pulled out five thousand Naira from his knickers, which were covered by a wrapper and handed it to him. Now, the Chief Priest was smiling from ear to ear and appreciated, “Thank you, Mr. Aaron. Thank you, our in-law.”
“Consider it as nothing,” they responded. Then, the Chief Priest left with his python and twenty-five thousand Naira richer. Then, Callum recalled the discussion he had with Emma a few months back. 'We have to forgive because, this is our children's maternal home. Nothing changes that, despite their grandfather's lifestyle.'
After the Chief Priest left, the awestruck team looked at one another. Then, Obidiya exclaimed, “This is mysterious!”
“I have not seen this before,” mama concurred.
“How did they know that the children are around?” Ada asked in trepidation.
“It is only the gods of the land who can answer the question,” he husband remarked. Then, he turned to Uncle Emma for double assurance and he got one.
“The children, as well as everyone, is safe.
At the Money Bag's Compound.
After they recovered from the shock of the reception given to their children by the gods of the land, they escorted Ada to her new apartment.
“Wow! This is beautiful. The owner must be educated,” she emphasized.
“You are right. I was surprised to see this kind of building in such an environment,” Callum concurred. Ada arranged their things in the room and was cautious so that she would not spoil anything in the house. Nevertheless, the youngsters had run around in the nearby bush and were tired and dirty. They returned home with the maid, who was tired too, and she took them to their grandmother's room.
“I want to take my bath,” Joe pointed out. “Come with me,” their grandmother declared. She took them to the new apartment, and they were thrilled.
“Be careful lest you spoil anything. The owner of the house may not be happy if you do that,” Ada emphasized, and took them to their different rooms while mama watched in silence.
“The maid will bring your dinner over,” mama announced.
“No, mama. We will come over and eat. I want to avoid littering the house.”
“It is okay, if that is what you want.”
She walked her mother back to Emma's house and returned quickly to monitor the activities of the youngsters lest they damage anything. Nonetheless, they were as free as the air.