Chapter 2: Family Blood and Hidden Prices

The Bai family na big name for Makurdi as correct traders, but the real story be say we be children of spiritual elders. When new government ban juju and mystical things, Bai family hide, begin do business. Every generation, na only one pikin dem dey train for secret—to continue the family mission and guard our wealth. This time, na me be that person.

Outsiders no dey know say the spiritual matter wey dey our blood pass wetin dem dey see for market. For house, na all-night prayer, ancestor call, incense burn for corner, but as country policy change, everything go underground. My own training hard well—dem even make me drink bitter leaf and sleep for shrine, just to test my spirit.

When I be three, family tell outsiders say I dey sick, need mountain air. Na lie—dem send me go mountain to learn our secret work.

For mountain, I no see town life. Na only me, my master, and sometimes animals. I learn how to read stars, interpret dream, and see wetin ordinary eye no dey see. I suffer, but now I sabi. Na that time shape who I be today.

My master no dey gree make I come down anyhow. This time, he allow me travel, say one big opportunity dey wait me.

Before e gree, my master do special prayer, pour palm oil for ground, say, "Go meet your people—spirit don call you for city." I believe am, so as I dey waka, my heart dey beat with hope and fear.

Three years ago, mama write say my sister don find better husband. So as I land from mountain, I no even reason destiny—I waka go Tobi house straight.

Even as people dey shout for election or fuel wahala, my mind dey one place. Na my sister house. Na there I go get peace. Family first before anything else.

My hand never too strong for the work, but I no fit miss for something as simple as reading children sign for face. I swallow my doubt, smile for my sister.

Inside my chest, I dey tell myself, 'Yinyin, your eye no fit fail you for this one.' Even if the spiritual work hard, I never miss for family reading. Na so my confidence return.

"Okay, I go wait for the good news."

I try smile reach ear, even add wink, make she know say I dey support her.

She rub my hair with love.

"Yinyin, you no dey come down from mountain anyhow. This time, abeg stay with us small."

Her voice soft like song. For our place, that small rub for head mean plenty—na blessing and welcome together.

"No wahala."

I talk am with full chest, because I feel say maybe my presence fit help solve this matter quick. Besides, Abuja life sweet small, no be only mountain breeze person go dey chop.

If I no stay solve this matter, how I go rest for mind leave my sister here?

Inside me, I dey pray say make nothing bad touch my family. For Nigeria, family matter dey carry heavy weight. E better make person fight with stranger than let family wahala linger.