Written by Glorie Adepoju

FOUR

“Akosua, you are playing with fire! Do you know what you have done?” Nana asked angrily.

“Yes, I did what I thought was best, I have saved my brother, no, my entire generation from being wiped out!!” Akosua shot back, eyes blazing furiously

“At what cost?!!”

“Nana, mepaucho!!! I think this Aguga was overrated! Aguga is bloodthirsty but not merciless! Aguga has at least done this much! Pls, I’m sorry to leave in the middle of this, but I have to prepare Kwesi for the initiation, I’m running out of time.”

The expression of shock on Nana’s face was unmistakable. And was that pity she saw in his eyes?

Determined to stand her ground, she walked away and left him standing there. No man born of a woman could stop her now, no one, not even the annoyingly persistent Nana.

Kwesi secured the red wrapper around his waist. Becoming a priest of the Aguga god was the only guaranteed way to freedom from the illness that was threatening to take his life and wipe out his lineage. Just a few minutes, and the initiation would begin. Every thing necessary had been put in place accordingly, so why couldn’t he seem to shake off this feeling of unease that nibbed at him?

Akosua joined him in the shrine, and the initiation process began. He waited; his gaze bore into the empty calabash set before him.

The lamp at the centre of the shrine suddenly flickered on, a terrifying presence seized the atmosphere, heavy and stifling, a clear indication that Aguga had come. The lamps burned brightly, the red glowing flame swaying rhythmically like a prelude for danger. Kwesi glanced around nervously.

Akosua went inside the inner room. Kwesi could see vaguely through the thin cloth that demarcated the inner room. The low rumble of Aguga’s voice floated through.

“We have both fulfilled our parts of the deal. Now, we need to seal the covenant with blood.” Aguga said

“You can draw some of my blood” Akosua said

There was silence, however it was short lived, as a sound broke it.

What is making that sound?

Why did it sound like an animal gasping for life? Or human?

Why had Akosua suddenly gone dead silent?
Questions whirled in his head.

On its own accord, the empty calabash before him was rapidly filling up with blood, fresh blood. Certain his eyes were playing tricks, he blinked severally until he was sure this was real.

Where was the blood oozing out from?

No. Wrong question.

Whose blood?

Kwesi’s heart beat wildly at the possible answer. Trying in vain to contain his curiosity, he rushed into the inner room. He stopped dead in his tracks the moment he spotted Akosua lying lifeless on the floor. He rushed to her side, with trembling fingers, he touched her cold lifeless body.

“Akos!!!!, Akos!!!!, No!!!” He screamed in pain.

“Why?!” He cried harder.

“She sacrificed her blood to seal the covenant.” Aguga said.

As the full import of Aguga’s words registered, Kwesi felt the rage totally consume him so much that he felt no fear as he faced the terrifying Aguga.

“What stupid covenant!!!!, You killed her!!! You are just a merciless bloodthirsty god. Consider this whole agreement over! I’m no longer interested!!!” He barked.

“You can follow through with your priesthood duties right now, or you dare turn your back on this, and you won’t even live to walk out of this shrine. Don’t be foolish, if you don’t fulfil your own part of the covenant, then your dear sister died in vain. The choice is yours!” Aguga replied furiously.

Kwesi’s burning rage reduced to simmering coals of fire at Aguga’s warning tone. In his mind’s eye, his options mentally dangled before him. A blatant refusal to carry on with the agreement and he might never live to see the next minute after that, and that ultimately meant that his sister had died in vain.

On the other hand, following through with the agreement and his lineage would get the key to freedom from extinction. He made his decision.

“For Akosua’s sake, I’ll do it”

…to be continued…

FIVE

SOME DECADES LATER

“Minister Kofi, honestly even though you are not an ordained Pastor, your knowledge of God and the anointing you carry is quite enviable. You and your wife fought tirelessly to save our marriage.” Mr Boakye said, his attention focused on the cutlery as he dissected the tender beef on his plate, at the same time casting an endearing glance at his wife.

Ama Boadi smiled as she caught a glimpse of the love that shone in the eyes of the couple as they gazed at each other. Just months ago, this same couple couldn’t stand being in the same space, unbelievable. God was indeed a miracle working God.

“I believe we are instruments in God’s hands,” Kofi, replied.

Ama had to agree that God had tremendously used both her and her husband as light in the growing darkness. Regardless, a disturbing thought flashed through her mind.

Life was slowly ebbing out of their spiritual walk with God.

Due to her husband’s blossoming ministry, long hours of counselling and preparations for programs have now become the priority.
She was no better. The time and commitment to her fellowship with God was already being swapped with sustaining her booming business and satisfying her client’s increasing demands.

A balance seemed unachievable.

Yes, morning devotion time could be squeezed out, however half the time was spent trying hard to stay awake.

What happened to the days when they both spent the first hours of their day in deep fellowship with the Father?

What happened to the days that they both woke up at the midnight hour to intercede together?

Gone were the days when they devoted time to studying of the scriptures together.

The way they were both fast adjusting to a spiritual life that was dying slowly was even more alarming and– Mrs Boakye’s voice cut into her thoughts; “Nobody in church, not even Pastor Sam Lawson knew we were at the brink of divorce. You and your wife were the only people who saw past our fake smiles and laughter.”

“You know Pastor is only human, with the size of our church, he can hardly see to every spiritual need.” Ama said,

“Exactly! and we also never said a word.” Mrs Boakye, nudging her husband playfully she added.

“My husband here was too full of himself to admit our problems to Pastor.”

“And your ego was not helping matters either.” Mr Boakye replied eyes dancing and in a teasing tone, they all shared a laugh.
In a more serious tone, he added.

“All our children abroad, they are so glad. They all tried back then to talk us out of divorcing, but it appeared we were so blinded such that we believed divorce was the only solution.”

“Mmmm…a lie of the devil.” Kofi replied shaking his head sadly.

“Once again we are grateful. The alert you received this morning, that is just the beginning.”

“Mr Boakye, you really didn’t have to do that…” Kofi said.

“Yes sir…” Ama seconded and they exchanged glances.

Ama remembered how she had exclaimed when her husband informed her about the money the Boakyes had sent in as a form of their appreciation. The Boakyes had been far too kind and generous,

“Oh, pls allow us. And Mrs Boadi you must give me the recipe for this delicacy, it is simply out of this world.” Mrs Boakye said tasting a spoon of another delicacy.

Ama smiled with pure delight at the well-deserved compliment from Mrs Boakye.

“The best caterer and even cook in town.” Kofi said praising his wife.

“And followed closely by my wife” Mr Boakye added and they all laughed.

Ama and Kofi had been honoured when the Boakyes insisted on dining with them in their humble abode.

The Boakyes were wealthy and highly influential. From the unique table setting, to the tantalising continental dishes. Ama had gone out of her way to host them. Their expressions of pure delight and pleasure was rewarding.

The troubling thoughts of their dwindling fire pushed aside, Ama returned her attention to the couple who had come to dine with them.

…to be continued…

SIX

Pastor Sam Lawson smiled happily as he walked towards his car. He couldn’t wait to see the excitement on his son’s face once he saw the toy. He had been on his way from his office when he remembered he had promised to get his son his favourite toy. Fortunately for him, he had come just about the time the supermarket was closing.

“Maame Ya! No! somebody help!” the frightened and desperate cry of a man filled the near empty parking lot of the supermarket.

Pastor Sam stopped, one of his legs inside his jeep and the other outside the car. He was usually one to strictly avoid poking his nose into other people’s business. He would usually get into his car and be on his way, especially as it was this late at night. Yet he couldn’t seem to walk away from the scream that he had just heard. His height at his advantage, he looked above the jeep to see someone lying on the floor. He couldn’t make out the form in the semi darkness.

He stepped inside the car, the stirring in his spirit made him hesitate to close the door.
His driver glanced at him through the front mirror, wondering at his hesitation. He felt the stirring again, this time it was stronger.

“I’ll be back.” he said to his driver and immediately stepped out of the car. He hurriedly walked towards the direction the scream had come from. He got there, and saw a woman lying lifeless on the floor. A man crying profusely knelt beside the body.

Pastor Sam could feel the spirit of death heavy in the atmosphere. He also knew he carried in him the spirit of life itself. Sensing the prompting like never before, he knelt immediately by the woman, her body as cold as ice. The man was too engulfed in his sorrow to notice Pastor Sam.

“Father I thank you for this precious life. Thank you for restoring her back to life. In the name that is above all other names, in the name of Jesus, woman you are restored back to life now.” Pastor Sam said confidently, his hand on her head,

The atmosphere changed, and he could see the spirit of death fleeing. Instantly, the woman sneezed and then opened her eyes.

The crying man froze, his mouth hanging open, and his eyes wide with shock.

“Thank you, Jesus, thank you Father.” Pastor Sam said joy flooding his heart.

“You are alive! You are alive!” The man screamed hysterically, tears of joy ran down his face, this time as he hugged the woman fiercely. He released her and turned to Pastor Sam immediately.

“Thank you so much, I will be forever indebted to you.” The man said repeatedly, gripping Pastor Sam’s hands tightly. The gratitude shinning through his eyes.

“All the glory belongs to Jesus. Jesus brought her back to life.”

“Jesus did it? But I saw you do it. ”

“I do not have the power to perform such miracle. Jesus used me to raise her back to life.”

“Please tell me about this powerful Jesus.” The man asked his eyes intent.

Pastor Sam spent the next hour sharing the good news with the man and the woman. Pastor Sam felt even more excited as he led them to Christ.

…to be continued…

pEn&pApEr
GLORIEADEPOJU

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