Chapter 11: Juju Woman’s Plan

My cold eye pain Ifedayo.

E grab my hand, like person wey dey beg.

"Ngozi, no worry—I no go let you suffer."

"Na for you I arrange this compound, far from main house."

"If you no like the maids, I go send all of dem away."

"We go dey live like before—raise chicken and duck, plant garden."

"Ngozi, you no know—the time I spend with you na the best for my life!"

Na the first time I hear Ifedayo talk this kind plenty.

E say e no ever like Zainab.

To marry her na just to do wetin family want, no be for him own self.

E say na me be the light for him life.

E say e like book, but no like exam, no even want be government person.

Wetin e envy pass na the simple couple wey dey for village.

Wake with sun, sleep for night, dey live life wey dey fresh like new poem every day.

Zainab na the reality wey e must accept.

I be the dream wey e want.

Scholars get mouth o.

No wonder dem talk say scholar tongue sharp pass knife.

No be only to kill, e fit break person heart.

If to say I dey my papa house, na to use all juju insects drive am comot, but for this Ife mansion, na patience and brain go save me. My heart dey heavy like yam for dry season, but my pride still dey shine. Na only God know wetin juju woman go do next. I close my fist round the silver. Juju woman no dey cry—she dey plan.