For a while, we stared at each other until probably out of fright, it flapped its wings in the air and flew away into the darkness, screening frighteningly as it flew away. Quickly, I shut the window and secured the locks. I’d suddenly become so frightened, my hands trembled. It was not every time one sees an owl. But to see an owl and dog at the same time, both making awful noises outside one’s house was a bad omen. It gave me a strong strange feeling that something terrible was about to happen.
Really, I don’t believe in superstitions but this night, I had a strong conviction that there was something evil out there. Though I didn’t know what it was, I left the windows and my eyes again fell on Kabir as he lay peacefully on the bed. His handsome features squeezed up in a frown, probably he was dreaming. Anytime I see him, he reminded me of the child I never had, the child I long to have but can never have, because I am as barren as an old hag.
Consequently, Jubril, my ‘husband, decided to marry another wife after many years of unceasing pressure from me and his family.
She gave birth to a baby boy, Kabir; a child I loved so much as if he was mine. I loved him with a passion and I did everything to please him. Many people who did not know believed he was my son because we were always together. His mother, who could not really understand the intimate relationship between her son and I felt very uncomfortable.
Many times, I overheard her tell her friends or relations that I’d cunningly taken her son away from her. On hearing such things, I don’t get annoyed. Instead, I would approach her like a good sister should and explain to her how much I’d wanted a child but couldn’t have one. I tried to tell her how much I loved her child, which does not mean I’m trying to take him from her. She’ll pretend to understand but deep down I knew she wasn’t happy. But there was nothing I could do about this, I just couldn’t stop loving her baby. He was like a son to me.
In the next two days, he would be celebrating his fourth birthday. I’d promised to buy him a big and beautiful colorful football, which was something he’d wanted for a long. He told me in his tiny little voice that he wanted to be a footballer.
Why do you want to be a footballer?” I remember asking him.
“Because I want to appear on television like Yekini”. He said he knew the names of all the football stars on television.
“But can ‘you play like Yekini?” I teased.
“Aha … yes now. In school, I used to play and score many goals”, he ‘replied.
His handsome features broke into smile. He looked every bit like his father. I gathered him in my arms and I gave him a peck.
“Okay, I’ll buy you a ball for your birthday” I told him. –
“A big ball?” He asked, his face eager and questioning.
“Yes, a big beautiful ball”, I replied with a smile.
Since that day, he would come into my room, lay in my arms and remind me of my promise to buy him a big ball.
This night, he had come as usual but he didn’t know when he fell asleep.
Later, his mother came to pick him but I’d told her to let him sleep. By tomorrow, we’d visit the shops at the roundabout together and buy his ball.
That night, I returned to bed but couldn’t sleep. My mind was troubled.
The black dog and owl I’d just seen didn’t make things any better. Silently, I recited a Psalm until I drifted back to sleep.
The next day was a Saturday. I did my laundry in preparation for work the coming week. Later, I prepared to take Kabir across the road to the shops by the roundabout and pick up his ball. If I’d known the tragedy that would befall me, I won’t have stepped an inch outside. But like a blind man, I couldn’t see, am I lacked the power to peep into the future and predict what was to happen. The frightful incident last night should have been a warning signal but I chose to ignore it. As a result, I lost everything and plunged headlong into death. It was tragic.
I left the’ house that day with Kabir tagging closely behind. He was wearing his Jeans shorts with T-shirt and a face cap. He looked really excited and I left him to follow at his own pace. He was enjoying himself. His mother had wanted him to stay home because of his lesson teacher who normally came by 3’o clock but I’d insisted he came along since it would take another hour before his lesson was due.
Reluctantly, his mother had accepted. To disagree was to indirectly tell me that I had no right over her son. Together, we walked down the street until we came to the main road. Across the street, ‘a group of boys played football disinterestedly, I’d given them glance. Briefly, I looked back to make sure Kabir was following behind. Suddenly, I saw the blue ball sail through the air towards our direction. It bounced on the ground, rolled across the road and mid way, it stopped. I ignored it and went on my way. But Kabir did not. Before I realised what he was about to do, it was too late, immediately the ball stopped in the middle of the road, he went for it, not knowing there was an oncoming car speeding fast towards him.
…To Be Continued
