NO GREATER LOVE

chapter 5

after much persuasion, Ewawunmi allowed Toriola to move in with Ajani and his family. after Toriola moved out of the house, strange things started happening. it was so subtle at first that she didn't pay much attention to it but as days turned into weeks, she could no longer ignore the signs.

it went from occasionally sharp headache and dizziness to stomach pains. yet she was said to be medically sound. where then does the pain come from?

she focused all her care and attention on Adeshina and never called once to ask about her son.

few weeks since the start of the unexplainable pains, she started finding a strange bag filled with trash at the gate of the house every morning and evening. it was as if someone was dedicated to turning their house into a dumpsite. if she removed one in the morning, another one would be waiting for her in the evening.

she didn't think it was something serious. just some children playing pranks she thought.

then files started getting missing and she got into trouble at work everyday that it now seemed like bad luck as following her around.

she was lost in thought one certain afternoon and was hit by a car as she tried to cross the road unconsciously. weeks after getting discharged from the hospital, ewawunmi's wound started decaying. she smelt so bad that she could no longer go to work. she couldn't walk anymore and was in deep agony.

she felt as if the heavens had finally answered her prayers when her friend came bearing good news concerning her predicament.

"what!? you mean Toriola is behind my misfortune?" she exclaimed

"yes o my friend. according to the baba, that boy is a money making machine. your pockets will never run dry if you keep him with you. as for all these happening, I think it's because he's no longer in your vicinity. you'll see what I'm taking about when you get him back" shade said breathlessly.

Ewawunmi thought deeply and her eyes glistened angrily as she thought of ways to get her son back.

.

.

.

"uncle Benson " Toriola said politely as he approached Ajani in the living room and sat before him.

"yes dear"

"uncle Benson, I don't want to go back to school " he dropped the bombshell.

"ah! egbami. Toriola where is this coming from? you don't want to go back to school ?" Ajani was shocked.

"that's what I said sir. I don't want to go back"

"but why? if it's because of what happened , you can change school. I'll enroll you in fola and ayo's school then everything will be fine. "

" no uncle Benson, I just don't want to any school for now. that place is a beast, it consumes people a-a-and " he rushed out his words as he was about to start crying.

"calm down boy, calm down. fine , I won't force you to go to school but if you don't go to school what will you do with your life? how old are you? illiteracy is not fun my dear" Ajani persuaded subtly.

Toriola wiped his tears and brought out a flyer from his pocket.

" can I participate in this?" he asked meekly as he handed it to Ajani.

"VOICE OUT? you want to participate in a poetry competition?" Ajani was surprised

what does this boy know about writing poems?

" yes uncle Benson and I don't mean that I won't go to school ever again. I just want to attend school through VOICE OUT. the first position gets a fully sponsored scholarship out of the country up till any level of education. I want that uncle Benson"

Ajani exhaled heavily and stared at the boy who seemed to be more mature than his age.

"Toriola, do you know what you are saying?" he inquired once more and the boy nodded in affirmative.

"alright. we'll go get you registered tomorrow if that is what you want" Ajani gave in.

.

.

.

A week after shade's visit, Ewawunmi borrowed money to all she had and sent it to the herbalist to get the materials he'll need to invoke toriola's spirit and force him back home.

since Ajani has refused to give him up, ewawunmi's plan was to invoke toriola's spirit and make him so uncomfortable until the boy started demanding to be brought back home.

That night was extremely dark with no single star in sight. Toriola sat at his desk scribbling away in his notebook when he started feeling hot inside. it felt as if there was a furnace inside him. he dragged down his cloth uncomfortably bit it did nothing to ease the burning.

he took off his clothes and sprinted to the bathroom to soak himself in the bathtub.

when he couldn't hold it anymore, he let out a scream and started scratching his body desperately.

"Toriola what happened?" Ajani and his wife rushed into the bathroom and met him scratching his body desperately.

"what is it? what happened?" Mrs Benson walked towards him and lifted him out of the tub but screamed and stepped away from him due to how hot he was.

"it hurts, it hurts! " he screamed again. he ran into his room, put on his boxer and singlet hurriedly before sprinting out of the house.

"audu! audu do not open the gate for him!" Ajani yelled as he ran after him