The Accountant

Episode 9

They confided in each other. They shared their secrets and dreams of the future with other. Deji had

rejected his mother’s offer to go the United Kingdom for his degree on the account of not being able to

cope wherever there was no Nike.

One time Deji even dared to bring her to the palace to meet his parent. His mother, not surprisingly, was

most displeased with Deji’s little friend. However, the king thought Nike was one intelligent and

charming girl and encouraged the friendship, and for that reason alone Deji felt even more love for his

father.

‘’So what is the king saying about you studying abroad?’’ She asked stroking her hair. Her eyes showed

interest.

‘’He finally decided I won’t have to go if I don’t want to. I promised him he won’t regret the decision.’’

‘’Wow! Finally. Is he aware you deferred studying in the UK because of me?’’

‘’Yes. He kind of figured it out. He also promised to pay for tuition fee throughout the university since

he’s aware of your mother’s financial condition.’’ Deji narrated.

‘’What! You’ve got to be kidding. Are you for real?’’ she exclaimed in excitement as she jumped down

from the bed.

‘’Of course baby.’’ Deji came down from the bed to hug her.

‘’Iya Onidodo needs to hear this.’’

Releasing her, Deji said, “about that. You can tell your mother about it for sure, but we really need to be

discreet about it. The queen shouldn’t know. My father promised to see to that.’’

‘’Alright. Well noted. My mom can keep a secret to the grave. She always say that.’’

†*

Awele, Nike’s mother, was at the shop where she sells a special type of fried plantain popularly known as

Dodo Ikire when she sighted a familiar face. In fact, it was 17 years ago she last saw that face.

‘’Baba! Baba Tewotegbo!’’ she called out loud.

The man looked around to know who recognized him in a city he just came into two days ago. Then to

his greatest surprise, though he was hardly surprised by anything, he saw Awele.

‘’Awele, is that you?’’ the old man asked to confirm what he was seeing.

‘’Yes, baba. It’s me.’’ She affirmed.

‘’Orunmila O ka re.’’ Tewotegbo praised the god.

She offered the man a seat on the bench inside her shop which he gladly accepted. She then hurriedly

got a schnapp drink for him.

‘’How is my daughter?’’ he asked after gulping a drink.

‘’Very fine, baba. She’s all grown up now.’’

‘’Hope she’s learning the culture of the Ife Ooye?’’ He asked. Ife was also known as Ife Ooye.

‘’Yes Baba. One of the prince is her close friend, in fact.’’

‘’Really? You mean one of the Ooni’s son?’’

‘’Yes Baba.’’

‘’Hmm. Ori ade.’’ The man said softly with a lot of meaning attached to it, which Awele couldn’t fathom

out even if she tried to.

‘’Baba, you know you’re yet to tell me why you told me to come and settle here with my daughter?’’

Awele asked hoping to get an answer this time around.

‘I’m only doing what the gods sent me, Abeke. Just let your daughter stay here a little longer, when the

time comes for you to know, you will.’’ Tewetegbo responded with a tone of finality.