Seeing the seer

Chapter 18

Seeing the seer

They arrived at a rundown building in the neighborhood and stopped in front of a red door. Bayo stepped back, letting Amina take the lead even though he was the one who needed help. Farid stood and followed her like a bodyguard, his face tense and alert.

Amina was about to knock, but Farid stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, his nerves showing. Amina turned to face him, feeling his fingers dig into her skin. She locked eyes with him, then flicked them towards Bayo as if sending him a silent message. Amina gave Bayo a slight frown, wondering, 'Don't you care about anything but your agenda?' Amina couldn't explain what she felt for him, and his indifference made it harder to understand herself. She didn't know why she was more drawn to him than to Farid, whom she had known for a month.

Bayo, however, was oblivious to their exchange. He was more interested in who would open the door and was distracted by a Yoruba bead necklace (ileke) and an aso-oke gele (head tie) on the wall. Bayo's gaze flickered to the Yoruba bead necklace and aso-oke gele adorning the wall. He couldn't help but ponder their significance. 'This aso-oke,' he mused silently, 'a handwoven fabric exclusive to the Yoruba culture.' His eyes lingered on the intricate pattern of the gele. 'The vibrant colors and the intricate knotting,' he thought, 'suggests warmth and hospitality. Yet, there's an underlying uneasiness I can't shake.' Bayo's eyes lingered on the bead necklace (ileke), 'where have I seen this design before, and what does it mean?'

He was still lost in his thoughts when he heard a voice say, "Ẹ ku irole, Adeola," which meant "Good evening, Adeola."

Bayo snapped out of his trance and looked at Amina, his eyes full of suspicion, thinking, 'She knew who she was all along, but she didn't tell me.' Bayo felt a strange sensation in his gut as if something was off. He remembered how they had walked along the street, acting like they belonged there.

But Amina smiled back at him, a trace of nervousness in her expression. She had used a familiar greeting instead of knocking, hoping for a warmer welcome. She didn't know this woman but had heard of her from living nearby.

A moment later, the door opened, and a tall, dark-skinned woman appeared. She scanned Bayo, Amina, and Farid with a shocked expression, her left arm shaking slightly. She held it with her right hand, trying to steady herself.

Adeola was a striking woman of thirty, dressed in a dark blue aso-oke blouse (buba) and a dark red head tie (gele). Bayo knew the dark blue aso-oke symbolized wisdom and confidence, and the red gele indicated spirituality and leadership. Her twinkling gray eyes captivated him, which hinted at something beyond the ordinary. His eyes also fell on her long, shapely legs, which hinted at a hidden passion under the matching skirt. As Bayo's gaze swept over Adeola, he couldn't deny the pull of her presence. Yet, he pushed aside any burgeoning attraction. 'Seducing a high priestess (Iyanifa) of the orishas?' he mused, dismissing the thought with a shake of his head. 'No, that's not why I'm here.' He let out a soft sigh, reminding himself of the complexities he'd encountered in his travels. 'Nothing surprises me anymore,' he thought wearily, his mind drifting to the various encounters he'd faced. 'Women like her,' he reflected, a hint of respect coloring his thoughts, 'could be Babalawos or Iyanifa, the Yoruba diviners.'

Babatunde Adeola traced her roots to the city that was once the capital of the British colony of Nigeria (now Lagos). Adeola came from a long line of Babalawos who could use the 256 Odu of divination. She was a descendant of one of the 16 families that had received the basic 16 signs (Odu) from the orisha Orunmila. But her family had fallen from grace and power over the years, losing their prestige and heritage. Her great-grandfather, a powerful Babalawo in his time, had foreseen his family's decline and the rise of a new generation. He had also predicted the opportunity of a Victorian scholarship and urged his family to send the one who passed his test to study abroad. The family would name the child who passed the test after a year; until then, they would remain nameless. The family tested all the boys of Adeola's generation, but none succeeded. Then, the family tested the girls, and Adeola was the only one with a strong spiritual connection. They named her "Adeola, " meaning "the crown brings joy." She was the one who would restore the glory of their lineage.

Adeola had come to Harvard because of this prophecy, even though it was rare for a woman to be a Babalawo. She wanted to study African traditions and symbolism and learn more about her roots. She also had a personal mission, which she kept secret from everyone. She continued to practice her divination, using her beads and cowries.

Adeola's smile faltered as she greeted the unexpected visitors. Beneath her warm exterior, a ripple of nerves stirred within her. The familiar weight of secrecy settled on her shoulders, a reminder of the delicate balance she maintained. 'Not well accepted in America,' she thought, her gaze flickering momentarily towards the symbols of her heritage adorning the walls. She silently prayed that her clandestine practices would remain hidden, shielded from the scrutiny of those who failed to understand. Her hope for acceptance mingled with the fear of judgment, casting a shadow over her outward hospitality.

Amina watched Bayo with a smirk, mocking herself in her mind, 'So he likes this type of woman,' she thought. She clenched her fist, hoping she was wrong. Amina couldn't deny that the woman before them was attractive, but what about her? She wished Bayo would stay away from her before she cursed him with her powers. She laughed at her fantasy, knowing that she didn't genuinely want him to stay away from her for his sake.

Farid's eyes also lingered on the woman, then moved to Amina. He snorted quietly, thinking, 'It's Amina or nothing.' He didn't care for women from other countries. He felt more comfortable with women from his culture and tradition, which reflected his conservative views.

Amina turned to Farid as if she could read his thoughts. She gave him a brief smile, grateful he was still on her side, unlike the clueless Bayo. She sighed, knowing that the future seemed uncertain and might hurt her, but she had chosen to follow her heart, using Farid as a buffer against any setback.

Adeola observed them with a racing heart. She had seen this scene before in her dreams: The dark brown dreadlocks and the mysterious aura. She didn't know what it meant but felt a storm brewing. She didn't know what kind of adventure or pain awaited her with this man, but she was curious. She had tried to divine the meaning of her dream, but she couldn't. She had dismissed it as a distant possibility. Her eyes shifted to Amina and stayed on her for a while, making Farid narrow his eyes. He didn't like her divination skills. But he was here to protect Amina.

Adeola let go of her trembling arm, which had calmed down. She smiled warmly, "Good evening," she said in her Yoruba accent, "But I don't know you." She spoke in Yoruba, addressing Amina, who had greeted her earlier. She avoided talking to Bayo, as she sensed he was dangerous and unpredictable. She didn't want to face any karmic consequences with him. But she quickly composed herself, taking a deep breath. She told herself, 'Don't be like that, Adeola. Don't judge him by his appearance.' She wanted to believe that the dream and reality were not the same. Amina felt optimistic that things would change despite the constant struggle between her ideals and reality.

"I, um," Amina faltered, her fingers tightening around her fist before she continued, "You may not know me, but I've seen you around..." Her voice trailed off, hoping Adeola would pick up on the implied familiarity. Understanding the challenge of genuinely knowing someone without close interaction, she hesitated, searching for the right words.

Adeola raised an eyebrow in curiosity, contemplating the unlikely encounter. She briefly pondered their reason for being there but pushed aside her curiosity. As her warm smile wavered, a hint of uncertainty flashed in her eyes. Behind her calm demeanor, a subtle inner conflict raged — a struggle between her heritage and the cultural nuances of her new surroundings. She silently reflected on the complexities of her identity, navigating the clash between tradition and modernity. Standing before Bayo, Amina, and Farid, she grappled with the weight of her journey, a silent reminder of the challenges she faced in reconciling her past and present.

"So..." Adeola paused, her gaze shifting between Bayo and Farid before she asked, "What brings you here?" Her eyes widened with genuine interest, though a flicker of apprehension danced beneath the surface. She silently hoped they weren't seeking divination, her mind momentarily consumed by the possibility of attracting unwanted attention. Despite her willingness to share her beliefs, she harbored a cautious fear of encountering malicious individuals.

Amina nodded and gave a reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension. She was glad she had come along. Amina felt her presence could help. She knew Bayo had to explain how he got her address, and time was running out for him.