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MUSTARD III – Ch. 21 | KT OLLA

BANJI got a summon from home in the week following. Someone went from Ede to tell him his brother had died.

Well, Dekomi Morrow had been in and out of clinic from time to time. And this far, his sickness had been well managed.

But then his body seemed to have had enough of pain. So one day he rested this body, and passed.

It was a painful loss for his family and for the children of Moro their father.

Now Banji sat in the living room of Moro’s large house – the family compound-house.

He’d returned in the week before, after he heard the news. It was a new week as the middle-aged one joined in mourning.

Neighbours had come and gone, townsmen showing up daily; then, within a week their numbers had dropped...

And it was this house left alone.

Now Bamiji got ready to travel back to work, so the family sat together one last time. This time, it was to discuss future.

Now at that meeting, the school teacher was asked to take in the widowed one.

He was asked to take Bepo, Dekomi’s widow, as wife.

‘Well, you know, your brother left us all; but he definitely leaves his void with this young woman.

‘We’re mourning, true – but this woman will pine for Dekomi more.

‘He will miss the man who made her woman... you know what we mean, Mister!

‘Look, her calabash is halved now... let’s say it that way. And just you can cover her stuff—

‘So, make her yours!’

Those words were the strangest things to fall on the educated ears there. For they repulsed him quite a lot.

‘What are you... What are you all saying? Are you joking now, or what?’

‘It is the custom,’ came the rebuff. ‘Her husband is dead and you need to cover for him now!’

Bamiji laughed. ‘You must not mean that! I mean, you really must not!’

‘That is it,’ answered another. ‘And that is what you must do!’

The man laughed. ‘D ’you think here’s the same fellow that left town?

‘How backward d’ you think I must’ve grown... to return to mourn my late brother, and you folks think you can talk!

‘Wait, why am I even having this conversation? Council, or whatever you call this – let us be clear now:

‘I am not taking anyone as my wife. There is definitely no way I’m doing that – and I hope we are clear on that!

‘But then, the kids... I will take care of them!’

‘Now listen again!’ He stopped, then picked: ‘My brother’s widow’s never goin’ be mine!’

He spat that in English.

Then he spelled it native tongue, and wrapped up: ‘Now that is it!’

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