THE NIGHT DEAL
Episode Six
_At Baba Patigi’s shrine, Babaloja and Pakegan sat as Baba Patigi mysteriously came out from a pot of fire. Babaloja and Pakegan were scared._
*BABA PATIGI*: The skull of Ajanaku is not a child’s play thing. I, Baba Patigi is more than seven mountains. I have conquered the forest of Adamose so that whatever I do can no longer be queried. Babaloja, I have spoken to the spirits and they are ready to make your market grow. Tonight, they will visit your market. They will establish their presence there. No matter how terrible the impact they leave is, such must be brought here before tomorrow night so that we can finish the process. That will be the first step into receiving their help. And when you are coming tomorrow night, bring gifts for me.
*BABALOJA*: Baba, you are still asking for gifts? Look, the last time I ate was two days ago. Nobody is plying our market and there is nothing…
*BABA PATlGI*: Wait, is it tomorrow yet? You go and do all I have said.
_A fire broke out in the market over the night. One of Babaloja’s sons and Pakegan‘s daughter were the ones burnt in the fire. Lamidi was trying to organize for the burial of the bodies when Pakegan and Babaloja came to meet him where he was talking to the grave diggers._
*LAMIDI*: Babaloja, Pakegan, why did you come here? I already told you I can handle this. Please I know you loved these children but let me help you.
*PAKEGAN*: Ore, thank you very much. We know you are a true friend. However, this is what we want to do. Those boys you asked to dig should stop. We are taking the bodies to Baba Patigi, he needs to…
*BABALOJA*: We are taking their bodies to Baba Patigi, that’s all.
*LAMIDI*: Babaloja, Pategan, don’t tell me, you both went to meet that man? Ah! Why? Why do you have to do this? _(Just then, Agbowo came to deliver a message for Babaloja)_
*AGBOWO*: Babaloja, sorry to disturb you. There is a situation. About forty traders that normally would not come to our market are here today. I told them today is not a day for business as we are mourning but they said they will stay to mourn. In fact, they already paid tributes and are saying they will sleep over. In the past five years of staying in this market, I have never seen such a large crowd. It is only a pity that today of all days is when they chose to come. Sir, should I insist they come back another time?
*BABALOJA*: Why would you do that? Is this not what we are expecting?
*LAMIDI*: Babaloja, what you were expecting? Is there something I should understand?
*PAKEGAN*: What he is saying is that, is it not people that makes up a market? Why should we send them away…
*Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3, ESV.*
Episode Seven
_Later that night at Baba Patigi‘s Shrine, Babaloja and Pakegan came to meet Baba Patigi._
*BABALOJA*: Baba, you did not tell us something terrible like this would happen.
*BABA PATIGI*: Hmmm, is that all that happened? Is there no good report after all?
*PAKEGAN*: Baba, there is actually a good report. It is just that we were not prepared for the bad news. We saw your hand. In fact, we brought more than gifts for you.
*BABA PATIGI*: Well, when you count the blessings that comes with it, the lost of your children will not be a big deal. You can always marry again now that wealth has come your way. By the way, I also have a gift for you. _(Stretches out his hands into the atmosphere and meat appeared.)_ Listen and listen carefully, this food is a covenant food between you, your lineage and the spirit. Now eat! _(Babaoja and Pakegan ate!)_
*BABALOJA*: _(As he was chewing)_ Baba patigi, please what kind of meat are we eating? Or is it...?
*BABA PATIGI*: Yes it is! It was prepared by the spirits from the remains of the impact. Look, you have eaten with the gods, you can no longer be harmed by the gods. The only thing is you will be servicing this covenant every three months. The gods will visit the market and take their share. You are now a night dealer with the gods. You will take the remains then go and bury it in all the roads leading to the market.
…
_The next morning, Lamidi came to Babaloja._
*LAMIDI*: Babaloja, what have you gotten yourself into? I saw you coming out of Baba Patigi’s shrine. Ah! You can still stop this shady affair you have with him.
*BABALOJA*: Lamidi, you are rude and if not for our past relationship I would have punished you. However, please leave this market for me. I don’t want to ever see you in this market again.
*LAMIDI*: I came to actually tell you I am leaving. I have a fear that you have gotten yourself into a dirty mess and I can't just stand and watch it all unfold. I will go and seek for answers from the white preachers.
*BABALOJA*: Good! Be gone…
*The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:4-6, ESV.*
_Continue reading in Episode Eight._
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