I

The view that greeted him was stunning: lush green leaves contrasted against dark soil under a clear sky. He took a deep breath, savoring the clean air. As he gulped it down in a hurry, he was reminded that this wasn't the City, the air was cleaner in this region.

His childhood memories played before his eyes, and he was amazed at how vivid they were.

“That's the mango tree Ola and I used to climb to pluck fresh, juicy mangoes," Ade thought, a wistful smile playing across his lips.

Those were wonderful times, filled with the sound of children's laughter and joy. He couldn't remember the last time he was genuinely happy as life had dealt him a hard hand. The journey to his father's house felt like a trip down memory lane and it reminded him of things lost that would never be found.

When he finally arrived at the house, he was pleasantly surprised to see that it was exactly how he remembered it. His father had not yet fixed the gate, believing that their house was open to the spirits and thus needed no gate. His father's room stood in the middle of the compound; regal and proud. It has housed generations of leaders and will continue to do so

To the left was his mother's room, as was customary. It was equal in size to that of his father's. Those were the only large-sized rooms, the rest which were scattered around the compound were smaller, each with its unique charm and character.

As he walked around, he could still hear his mother's voice complaining about the smallest things. The memories of her were still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

“I miss you, Maami. Especially in hard times like this." He whispered softly, his eyes misting over with tears.

Suddenly, he heard a door creaking open, and he hurried back to the front of the house.

“Ba mi, mo ti de," he called out to his father.

But his father just stared at him, his eyes cold and distant, as if he were a complete stranger. Without a word, he turned and walked back into the house, leaving Ade standing there alone. He wasn't surprised by his father's reaction; in fact, he had expected it but it still hurt him deeply. 

II

After being away for 15 long years, Ade had returned home, hoping for a warm welcome from his father. However, Mr Adeboyega Bamidele Akande was a hard man, and the sight of his child didn't soften him. Ade knew that his troubles were just beginning, so he said a silent prayer. He wasn't a man of faith, but his recent turmoil had him searching for a higher power. All he wanted was to wash away his ill luck, and that was why he was back to face his father.

As the evening tide blew through the open window, Ade sat in his small room, deep in thought. He was rehearsing what to say to his father, but he couldn't shake off the familiar and eerie feeling that surrounded him. The room was exactly as he left it years ago, untouched and stagnant. It was a place of pain, a place where his demons resided.

As he looked around the room, he noticed the little crack on the wall, a reminder of one of his fits when he was little. He traced it with his fingers, feeling the roughness and the coldness of the wall. The memories of his past flooded his mind, and he had to fight to keep them at bay. The room was bare, with only a mattress and a small plastic chair in the corner. Everything else had been previously removed so that he wouldn't hurt himself. He knew that sleeping in this room would be a challenge, but since his father wasn't speaking to him, he had no choice.

III

Early the next morning Ade was in front of his father's room seeking his attention.

“Ekaro Ba mi,” he said as he rapt incessantly on the door but no answer was given. He wasn't going to give up, his father might be a stubborn man but so was he. The morning air was cool and refreshing, so Ade decided to go for a stroll around the village. With no destination in mind, he set out. He had walked for a while before it dawned on him that he was taking the familiar route to his favorite spot. It was a clearing where he and his childhood friend, Ola, used to play.

Ola was his only friend before he had to leave the village. They had kept in touch until adulthood came between them. He was too busy for anyone at that time; at least that was the excuse he gave when he tried to reconnect with his friend. But he knew better, he didn't want any attachment to this accursed place. Only he was too late for his friend was on his deathbed and had died the second day after their reconciliation.

Now he was truly alone with no one to care for him. He got to the clearing in no time and proceeded to climb the tree to enjoy her fruits. He was still reminiscing about his dear friend when a voice spoke.

“Ade, Omo Mì, is that you?” the voice said

He looked down from his position to see a frail old woman looking up at him with a gentle smile. He got down immediately and prostrated in respect.

“Ade, you're back. I told your father it was futile to run away from Oyá but he didn't listen. He thought sending you to Lagos was going to fix the problem but you're back right where you're supposed to be."

Ade didn't understand what the old woman was talking about. It was common knowledge to everyone who knew his family that he was forced to leave the village to the big city; Lagos.

“Omo mì, go and talk to your father. Tell him, Akoko ti de; the appointed time is upon us and there's nothing he can do.” She continued 

“Ìwò yóò kọ lálẹ́ òní, a ó sì gba ìró rẹ̀ látọ̀dọ̀ ẹkùn tí yóò fi ránṣẹ́ yìí sí Ọyá; tiwa ti pada.

(The Raven will crow tonight and its sound will be received by the Vulture who will deliver this message to Oyá; our own has returned.)

Ade, tell your father that he can no longer hold onto you. The agreement stands and we are here to collect.”

IV

The old woman's words plagued Ade all day and he couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. He was seated by the door waiting for his father. By nighttime, his father strutted into the compound.

“Ba mi, ekabo," he said but just as he expected, his father paid him no mind.

“Ba mi, you can't ignore me forever. I know I disobeyed you by coming back home but I was left with no choice. My life is a living hell. I have lost all I have. Ba mi, Heaven has shut its doors against me, the Earth has rejected my seeds. It doesn't matter how many times I lay them in the ground, the Earth spits them back.

I am here at your feet, my father. Have mercy on me. I am your only child, Ba mi, ṣãnu fun mi.” Ade held on to his father, crying his heart out and refusing to let go.

The plight of his child pierced his cold heart and for the first time in a long while, Mr Akande broke down in tears.

“Ade, Omo mí." His father cried and pulled him up. Father and son embraced; holding on to each other and washing away 15 years of separation.

That night Mr Akande properly welcomed his son. They ate together and talked late into the night until the whispers took them to sleep.

Ade woke up panting and confused. He felt fear grip his heart and couldn't explain why. He checked the time to see it was 2:45 am. Something was amiss but he didn't know what.

A faint humming sound came from outside and grew louder by the second. He couldn't make out what was being chanted but he could swear it sounded like his name. He decided to check it out so went out of his room. The chant still wasn't clear but he felt an irresistible pull to go towards the sound. 

“Ade! Come back here!" His father shouted

Immediately, the spell was broken and Ade was himself again. He was already out of his father's compound and couldn't explain how he got there. His father dragged him in and locked the doors at once. Ade explained everything to his father; for the past 3 years, he had been feeling an irresistible urge to come home. That was also the beginning of his misfortune.

He also told his father what the old woman had told him the previous day. 

“Ba mi, what does it all mean?”

His father remained silent for a while because what he was about to say was a secret Ade wasn't meant to hear. 

V

“Your mother and I were married for 3 years before we had a child. When she became pregnant we were glad that our shame was going to be erased, only if we knew what misery would befall us. 

Our first child died in your mother's womb; he came out blue with the cord tied around his neck. Your mother was unconsolable; she wept day and night until she became pregnant again. The second child was born; frail and deformed. He lived 6 months before he died.

The third child came almost immediately. To ensure the child's safety, your mother suggested we pray to the gods. I did the necessary rituals yet that child didn't survive past 2 years old. The fourth and fifth suffered the same fate; frail, deformed, and died before they could reach 10 years of age. 

I told your mother the gods didn't want us to have children but she urged me to try one more time. I still remember the night you were born, your mother had labored for hours and when finally came into the world, you were mute. The midwife did all she could but you made no sound. 

Although you were healthy, you didn't behave like a normal child. You never cried, not even when you were hurt. For 12 years, you lay in bed without moving. Your mother and I tried everything but nothing worked. Then one day, the madness came. You threw yourself all around the house, cutting yourself with anything you could find.

This continued for a while until your mother sought a dangerous solution. We went to Ọyá; the mother of nine and the orisha of death and rebirth. We were told you were an abiku; a dead child that keeps revisiting the Earth. Several sacrifices were made to chain your spirit to this world and Ọyá gave you a part of her soul. An agreement was made that night that on your 32nd birthday, you would have to return the goddess's soul. 

Everything became normal after that. The madness was gone and you were a normal child just like we hope. Your mother became ill shortly after and made me promise to send you away and never let you set foot in this village again. We thought we could keep you safe if you stayed away but the gods are stronger than us. 

I went to the goddess today to lay down my life in exchange for yours but I was rejected. Ade, the call you hear is the call of death. You must not answer. Fight it with all your strength. Only if you can resist the call and live past tomorrow can you be saved.

Ade, your life is in your hands. 

VI



Ade remained silent and ruminated over everything his father had said. He was a child of the gods, which would explain why his life had been mystical.

When he arrived in Lagos 15 years ago, he went with nothing but within a year, he had acquired enough wealth. Everything he laid his hands upon, prospered for good. People called him “The Blessed One" until he lost everything in a twinkle of an eye.

In a few hours, he would be 32 years old and according to his father, he could only survive if he resisted the call of death. He spent his day at home as his father was afraid of what might happen.

“How can one resist a god?" He asked his father. This wasn't a physical fight so he couldn't fight against it with a weapon. This was a spiritual fight and he had no clue what could be done. 

His father suggested having him tied up throughout the night while he watched over him. It wasn't the ideal plan but it would have to do. A couple of rituals were performed to ward off spirits. It was believed that if the entrance to a house was desecrated with faces, spirits wouldn't visit such a house.

Ade thought in his heart that they were grasping for straws but for his father's sake, he hoped things would go well.

Night fell and the plan was set in motion. Sleep was unwelcome as Ade and his father remained vigilant; nobody was leaving the room until the next morning.

“Ba mi, whatever happens tonight, I want you to know that it's not your fault.”

His father rebuked him and told him to have faith. Death wasn't going to take him tonight. Ade smiled at his resolve and wished his was as strong. 

He must have slept off because when he opened his eyes, the clock read 2:45 am. The chant could be heard clearly this time and the irresistible urge was back. He tried to call out to his father but his mouth wouldn't obey his commands. His limbs moved without his consent, taking him closer to the sound.

“Ade, omo Ọyá, n bọ si ile bayi” the voice chanted 

He crossed the compound and kept on walking until he got to the threshold of the spirit world.

“Kabo, omo mi" a voice welcomed him

He looked up to see a gigantic vulture on the tree in front of him. Ade screamed for his father but no sound came from him. Somehow he knew that if he could go further, he would never return so he fought the urge but all was in vain. He was received by the Vulture and became lost to the world.

Back at the house was Mr Akande and the lifeless body of his son. He knew the exact moment his son had crossed over to the spirit world. He thought he could save his son by keeping his body tethered to the physical world, but death called that which could not be chained - the soul. The promise was fulfilled that night and the debt was paid. 

Mr Akande mourned his child's death for days and not long after that, death came for him too. While his soul was traveling to the spirit world, the words of his father echoed in his mind,

“Akande, aye ko le pa kadara da, o ko le fa ọwọ aago sẹhin.”

(Life can't stop Destiny, it can only delay it for a while.)