Mama, please stop this. Please, let’s go inside. Do cried after his mother had turned into a statue that night. I don’t want food again. Please, let’s go inside, he cried, rubbing the statue. But the statue of his mother stood there staring at him, unable to respond. Darab was just 8 years old when he saw something he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Darab was a small boy with big eyes and a thin body. He lived with his mother and father in a small mud hut in a quiet village. His father had two wives and this always caused problems in their house. Dabau loved his mother very much because she was kind and gentle. She always made sure Dabo ate first, even if she stayed hungry.
But life was not easy for them. One evening, Dabau’s mother was cooking soup for them to eat. The soup was small but very precious because they had nothing else to eat that night. The fire was burning low, and the sweet smell of the soup filled the little hut. Dabau’s stomach made funny sounds and his mother smiled at him.
“Don’t worry, my son,” she said softly, stirring the pot. “Just wait a little and you will eat.” But just as Daraba was dreaming of eating the hot soup, his father’s other wife came into the cooking area. Her name was Lami. She did not like Darab’s mother at all. She always looked for ways to fight with her.
Lami saw the pot of soup and without saying a word, she kicked it so hard that it fell into the fire. The hot soup poured into the ashes and the pot rolled away. Debo’s mother screamed, “Ah, my food. Why did you do that?” Lambie laughed. “Who told you to cook here, foolish woman? Let us see what you and your son will eat tonight.
” Dabau’s small eyes filled with tears. His stomach was empty and now the only food they had was gone. He looked at his mother and saw her eyes were wet too. That night they waited for Darabu’s father to come home. He had gone to the next village market to buy and sell farm produce. Daru tried to keep his eyes open, but hunger was stronger than him.
He laid down on the floor beside his mother and slowly fell asleep. It was almost midnight when Dabbo’s father came back. He was tired and dusty, but he saw the empty pot and the sad look on his wife’s face. “What happened inside the kitchen?” he asked. Dabau’s mother knelt down and told him everything.
She told him how Lami kicked the soup and how she and Dabo went hungry because of her wickedness. Dabau’s father became very angry. He called Lami out into the living room. Lami, come here now. What is this I am hearing? Why did you spoil the food? Lami walked out from her room slowly, her face bold and proud.
And so what? Is she the only wife here? Must she cook in my kitchen? Hasn’t she been told severally to cook her food beside the hut and not my kitchen? The quarrel started small but grew bigger and hotter. Voices rose higher and higher. Dabau woke up from sleep when he heard shouting. He was so hungry, but now he was also afraid.
He crawled to the corner and watched his father and his two wives. Outside the midnight air was heavy and silent. It was the night of the village ritual festival. Every year the village native doctor moved from house to house chanting secret words to fortify the land. No woman, man or child was allowed to come out at that time.
It was a strong taboo. If anyone saw the ritual with their eyes, something terrible would happen. But inside Dau’s house, the fight was hotter than fire. Lami ran into her room and returned with a sharp knife. Her eyes were red and her hands were shaking. “I will kill you tonight,” she shouted and ran towards Dabo’s mother.
Dabo’s father grabbed Lami’s hand and tried to stop her, but Lami was strong and wild. She pushed and kicked until she cut Dabo’s father’s hand with a knife. Blood poured out and he cried in pain and let her go. Dabo’s mother saw this and her heart jumped. She knew Lami would stab her. She did not think twice.
She turned and ran to the door. She pushed it open and ran into the night, forgetting the village taboo. The cold air hit her face, but she did not care. She just wanted to be safe. But just as she took three quick steps, she heard strange singing and drums in the wind. Right in front of her was the village native doctor.
He was covered in red and white chalk carrying a big staff. He was surrounded by smoke and chanting secret words to the gods. The native doctor turned and saw her. He screamed, “Woman, you have broken the sacred law.” Before she could beg or turn back, her legs froze. Her arms stiffened in the air.
Her eyes widened but could not blink. Her whole body turned cold and heavy like iron. Inside the hut, Dabau and his father heard the native doctor’s cry and waited patiently for him to go far away. Dabau’s father ran outside, holding his bleeding hand. Dabau ran after him barefoot. What they saw made their hearts break.
There, in the middle of the footpath, stood Dabau’s mother, no longer a woman, but a hard gray statue. Her mouth was half open as if she wanted to shout for help. Her hands were frozen in the air. The moonlight shone on her stone face. Debo fell to his knees and screamed, “Mama, mama, wake up, please.
” But the statue did not move. It did not speak. It did not breathe. Lami, the co-wife, came out and laughed wickedly. Let her stay like that forever. She has seen what she should not see. Dabau’s father turned and gave her a hot slap. You are evil. May the gods judge you. Early that morning, the villagers slowly gathered, keeping a safe distance because of fear.
Nobody dared touch the statue. They whispered among themselves that Darab’s mother would now stand there forever, watching the path she tried to escape through. Dabau sat by his mother’s stone feet all night, crying and holding her cold toes. He did not understand why the gods were so cruel. He did not understand why his mother, who only wanted to live and feed him, had to become a statue.
He was hungry, tired, and alone. But he refused to move. He wanted to stay beside her, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she would move again and call his name. But the wind only blew softly, and the statue mother stood strong and silent under the morning sun. And this was how little Dabau’s world broke into pieces in just one night because of hunger, hatred, and a terrible village taboo.
After that terrible night, nothing was ever the same for little Darab. His mother could not cook for him. She could not carry him on her back. She could not sing him to sleep. She could not touch his head and say, “My son, all will be well.” But for Dabau, she was still his mother. He could not leave her side. Every day when his father went to the next village to sell yams and palm oil, Dabau would sit by the statue.
He would talk to it as if his mother could hear him. Mama, are you cold? Let me clean your leg. He would pick a small cloth and rub the dust off her hard legs. He would sit on the ground beside her feet and rest his small head on her cold toes. Sometimes he would cry softly. Other times he would just sit quietly and look at her stone eyes, wishing they would blink.
His stepmother, Lambie, did not care at all. She walked past him every day. She fetched water, cooked food for herself and her own children, and laughed loudly with her friends. But she never looked at Dabau. She never asked him to come inside. She never gave him food. When the sun was very hot, Dabau would still sit there sweating and weak, but he did not care.
When rain came, he would not run inside. He would hide under the big tree close to his mother’s statue. He wanted to be near her at all times. Neighbors saw him. Some of them felt pity. Mama Nenna, an old woman who lived close by, would come and lift him up. Ah, my child, come. Come and eat. You will die here if you stay like this.
She would carry him and take him to her hut. She would put warm rice and soup in a small bowl and feed him slowly. Sometimes she would bath him because he smelled like dust and sweat. She would comb his hair and rub oil on his dry skin. Dar did not talk much to them. He would only eat a little, then sneak back to his mother’s feet.
Even if people forced him to sleep inside, he would wake up at night, tiptoe out, and crawl back to the statue. Days turned to weeks. Weeks turned to months. Dabau began to look like a ghost. His eyes were big and empty. His cheeks were thin and dry. His hair was rough like a broom. His clothes were dirty and torn. He looked nothing like the happy boy who once ran to hug his mother when she came back from the farm.
His father noticed that every time he came back from the market, he would stand and watch Dabbo sitting on the ground, pressing his forehead against the statue, he would feel a deep pain in his chest. He would call him, “Dabo, my son.” But Dabo would not answer. One evening, Dabau’s father entered the hut and faced Lami.
He was tired and angry. He had blood on his palm from carrying firewood to sell. He dropped his bag and shouted, “Lammy, are you not a woman? Is Dabau not a child? Why can’t you give him food when I am not here?” Lambie sat on the mat and chewed a piece of dry meat. She looked at him boldly and spat the bone out.
He is not my son. Did I give birth to him? If you like, feed him. If you like, let him die. Dabau’s father was so angry he almost slapped her again, but he held himself. He turned away and sighed deeply. He knew that staying in this house would destroy his only son. That night he did not sleep. He sat by the small fire and watched his son sleeping near the statue again.
He thought about how Dabau’s mother always wanted him to go to school, wear good clothes, and eat good food. But now her only child was turning into a beggar while her stone eyes watched but could not help. Tears filled the man’s eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He made up his mind. The next morning, he called Darabo inside.
He carried him on his lap, something he had not done for a long time. Darab was light like a broomstick. He smelled like dust and smoke. My son,” he said, touching his rough hair. “Do you remember your auntie, my younger sister, in the city?” Dabau nodded slowly. He remembered the tall woman who once brought him a small toy car when he was five. His father smiled sadly.
“You will go and live with her. She will take care of you. You will eat well. You will wear shoes. You will go to school like other boys. Do you want that? Darab did not answer. He looked at his father, then slowly turned his head to look outside at the statue. His father’s heart broke more.
He hugged him tightly and said, “I promise you, mama will be happy if you are happy. She will smile in her heart if you are well cared for. Do this for her.” Darab did not say a word, but when his father put him down, he walked outside and sat by the statue again. He rubbed its leg gently and whispered, “Mama, I will come back for you. I will not forget you.
” His father watched from the doorway, tears filling his eyes again. He knew it would be very hard to take Dabau away from that spot. But he must do it. He must save his son before hunger and sadness killed him too. The next day, he packed a small bag for Dabau, a few old clothes, one pair of slippers, and a small toy that his sister gave him before.
He tied it all in a wrapper. He went to the statue one last time. He knelt before it and said, “Forgive me, my wife. I have failed you. But I will not fail our son again. I promise to come back and pour libation until I find a way to break this curse. He lift up and carried him on his back just like his mother used to do.
Do not fight him. He only held his father’s neck weakly and rested his head on his shoulder. The neighbors came out to watch. Some prayed for him. Some shook their heads sadly. Some blamed Lami. But no one dared say it aloud. Dabau’s stepmother stood at the doorway smiling to herself. She thought she had won. She thought she had sent him away forever.
She did not know that the gods were watching and that evil does not sleep forever. Father and son walked down the dusty village road, past the statue, past the tree, past the curious eyes of the villagers. Dabau turned his head one last time and looked at his mother, standing alone in the morning sun, her stone face turned to the path as if she was still watching over him.
And for the first time, a small tear rolled down the statue’s cheek. Or maybe it was just the morning dew. Nobody could tell. When Dabbo’s father took him to the city, everyone thought things would get better for the poor boy. His father’s younger sister, Auntie Kem, was a kind woman. She had no children of her own, and she promised to care for Dabau like her own son.
Her house in the city was small but beautiful compared to the mud hut in the village. There were chairs with soft cushions, a small television, and the kitchen always smelled of food. She bought him a small bed with a clean bed sheet and a mosquito net so he would not get bitten at night. At first, Dabber was shy. He did not talk much.
He sat in one corner and watched Auntie Kem move around the house. She tried her best to make him smile. She gave him rice with meat, fresh fruit, and sweet biscuits. She even bought him new clothes and shoes for church. But no matter how good life seemed, Dabau could not forget his mother’s statue in the village. Every night before sleeping, he would cry quietly into his pillow.
Sometimes he would wake up and feel the edge of his bed, hoping to touch his mother’s leg like he did in the village, but there was nothing there, only empty air. One day, Auntie Kimmy sat with him on the ver and held his hand. Dabau, my son, please stop crying. Your mother is watching you from heaven now. She wants you to be happy and strong.
Darabau looked up with tears in his big eyes and whispered, “But Auntie, she is not in heaven. She is still standing there alone in the cold.” Auntie Kem did not know what to say. She just hugged him and patted his back until he fell asleep in her arms. Soon, Auntie Kem enrolled Darabo in the small school near their street.
It was not a big school, but it was clean, and the teachers were kind. Dar was very quiet in class. He did not talk or laugh like other children. Sometimes the other boys mocked him because he stared out the window too much. Every day after school, he would walk home alone with his school bag on his back and his shoes dusty with sand. Sometimes he would stop under a tree and close his eyes, imagining he was back in the village, rubbing his mother’s feet.
One sunny afternoon, something happened that Dabau never expected. He was walking home from school slowly. He kicked small stones with his shoe and hummed the lullaby his mother used to sing for him. He was feeling sad and hungry because he did not finish his lunch at school. As he reached the corner of the street near a small fruit stand, he saw a big black SUV parked by the roadside.
It was shiny and looked very expensive. The driver came down and opened the back door. Then Dabau saw her. A beautiful woman stepped out. She wore a bright wrapper and a gold necklace that shone in the sun. She had fine skin and a gentle face. Debo froze on the spot. His eyes grew wide. His mouth opened, but no word came out at first.
His heart jumped like a drum in his chest. “Mama,” he whispered to himself. He dropped his lunchbox and bag on the ground and stared. The woman turned slightly to talk to the fruit seller. Dabbo could see her side face clearly. It was the same face that kissed him good night, the same eyes that looked at him with love, the same soft lips that told him stories.
Without thinking twice, Debo screamed, “Mama!” He ran so fast that he almost fell. He dashed through the small crowd at the fruit stand and hugged the woman tightly from behind. He pressed his face on her back and smiled through tears. Mama. Mama. It’s me, Dabo. Mama, I missed you. You came back for me. The woman stiffened.
She turned quickly and looked down at him. She stepped back a little, surprised. Hey, who are you? What are you doing? Let me go, she said sharply. Do’s smile faded a little, but he held her rapper tighter. Mama, it’s me. Dabau, your son. I knew you would come back for me. I knew you would find me. People at the fruit stand started watching them.
Some whispered and pointed at Debo. The fruit seller paused with her oranges in hand. The woman frowned. She looked carefully at Dabau’s dusty school uniform and his innocent eyes filled with tears. But she did not smile, young boy. Listen to me well, she said slowly. I don’t know you. I am not your mother. Let me go now.
Debo shook his head fast. He tried to hug her again, but she stepped back and raised her hand as if to push him away. Mama, please don’t joke with me. It’s me, Dabau, from the village. I miss you everyday. Please, let’s go home. Papa will be happy to see us. Please. The woman felt people staring. She looked embarrassed and a little angry.
You are disturbing me. Stay away from me. Do you hear me? I don’t know you. She signaled to her driver quickly. The driver came and held Dabau by the shoulder, pulling him gently but firmly away from her. Mama, mama, please don’t leave me again. Dabau cried. His voice cracked. He stretched his hand towards her.
But the woman opened the car door, got inside, and slammed it shut. The driver entered the front seat and started the engine. Dabo’s eyes followed her through the window. He saw her looking straight ahead, not at him. The car moved slowly, then faster, and disappeared down the street.
He stood there alone in the dust and hot sun. His bag and lunchbox was still on the ground. His eyes were wide and empty. He did not feel the tears that rolled down his dirty cheeks. People around started talking. Who is that boy? Is she his mother? Poor child. Maybe he is mad. But Davo did not hear them.
He picked up his bag slowly, still staring down the road where the car disappeared. Mama, it’s me, Dabau,” he whispered softly, as if she could hear him. He turned and began to walk home, dragging his feet through the dust. His shoulders dropped, his head bent low. In his small heart, the wound that was trying to heal broke open again.
He knew what he saw. He knew his mother’s face. But why did she pretend not to know him? or was he going mad? He reached home and sat by the door. He did not touch the food Auntie Kem brought for him. He did not answer her questions. He just hugged his knees and rocked back and forth, whispering, “Mama, mama, mama.
” His small heart was confused. Was he dreaming or was his mother alive but did not want him anymore? Dabo, my dear, come on, eat. You did not eat at school today again. Why are you starving yourself? Dabo did not move. He just hugged his knees tighter and stared at the ground. His eyes looked far away. Auntie Kem touched his shoulder.
My son, please eat. Look at you. You are so thin now. What is it? Talk to me. At first, Dabau kept quiet, but when Auntie Kem asked him again and again, he finally opened his mouth slowly. Auntie, today I saw Mama. Auntie Kemy’s eyes widened. She froze on the spot. What did you say? Dar raised his head a little and looked at her with innocent eyes.
I saw Mama. She came out from a big black car. She looked at me and told me to leave her alone. Auntie Kemy’s hand shook. She almost dropped the plate. She sat down beside Darabo and held his thin arm. Dabau, are you sure? You mean your real mother? Or maybe someone that looks like her? Dabau frowned and a tear rolled down his cheek. It was her.
Same eyes, same face, same smile. But she did not smile at me. She told me to go away. Mama does not want me again. Auntie. Auntie Kemy’s heart started beating fast. She was scared. She remembered how badly Dabo used to sit by the statue in the village. Maybe he had thought about his mother so much that now he was seeing her face in other people.
Maybe he was losing his mind slowly. She forced a small smile and wiped his tear. My son, come eat small rice. You need to eat to be strong, please. She picked the spoon and fed him herself. Dabau opened his mouth slowly and chewed, but he did not taste the rice. His mind was still on that woman who looked at him like a stranger.
That evening, Auntie Kem’s worry grew too heavy in her chest. She took Dabau by the hand and walked to her church. It was a small yellow building on the next street. Inside, some women were praying. She met Pastor Amos, a tall man with a gentle voice. She knelt down and begged him, “Pastor, please help me. My brother’s son is seeing things.
” He said he saw his dead mother in this city. Please pray for him. I don’t want him to run mad. Pastor Amos touched Dabo’s head and prayed long and loud. He prayed that any evil spirit confusing Dabo’s mind should go away. He prayed that the boy should sleep peacefully and forget bad dreams. Dau just stood still with his eyes closed. He wished Pastor Amos could pray and turn the woman back to his mother who loved him.
When they got home, Auntie Kem made hot tea for him and begged him to sleep early. But that night, Daro lay awake on his small bed. He stared at the dark ceiling and whispered, “Mama, I know it was you. Why did you run away from me?” The next day at school, Daro was worse. His teacher, Mr. Lwal, called Auntie Kem after class.
“Madam, please sit down,” he said kindly. “I am worried about your boy. He does not listen when I teach. He does not talk to his classmates. Today, he even walked out of class and sat alone under a tree until break time was over.” Auntie Kem covered her face with her palm and sighed deeply. Sir, I don’t know what to do again.
He keeps saying he saw his mother, but his mother is dead or turned to stone. I don’t know how to make him stop thinking about her. Mr. Lal advised her to take him for counseling or prayers. He also promised to give him special attention in class so he would not feel lonely at home. home that evening. Auntie Kem sat with Dabbo and begged him again, “My son, please forget what you saw. Maybe it was a dream.
Maybe someone looks like mama, but your mother is gone. Let your heart rest.” But Dabau shook his head and fresh tears dropped from his eyes. “Auntie, she ignored me. She left me alone. Why did she pretend not to know me? Why? Auntie Kemmy hugged him tightly. She felt her own tears coming, but she hid them so Dabo would not see.
While Dabau was crying in the city, his father was fighting his own battles back in the village. Every week, Dabau’s father visited native doctors, herbalists, and spiritual men so his wife would be brought back. He sold some of his yams and goats to pay for rituals. One native doctor told him to wake up before the cockro and sprinkle salt water on the statue. He did it many times.
Nothing happened. Another told him to rub red palm oil on the statue’s head every evening while calling his wife’s name. He did it faithfully for one month. Still, the statue did not blink, did not move, did not even shake in the wind. Villagers saw him at night talking to the stone woman and pouring libations. Some mocked him secretly, saying, “He is wasting his time.
” When the gods speak, no man can change it. But Davos’s father did not give up. He loved his wife too much. He could not sleep on his bamboo bed without thinking about her. He could not eat her favorite soup without crying. His other wife, Lami, watched him with wicked eyes. She passed by the statue every morning when fetching water.
She would spit on the ground near the stone feet and hiss loudly, “Foolish woman, remain there forever. Let me see how you will cook food for my husband again.” Sometimes she would stand before the statue with her hands on her waist and laugh, “Ah, my rival, how do you like standing all day and night? Maybe next time you will obey the taboo.
” Some villagers feared that Lambie’s evil mouth might block the spirit from coming back. But no one could stop her because Dabau’s father was already tired and weak from pain and useless rituals. At night, Debo’s father would lie down on his bamboo bed, facing the cold, empty space beside him.
He would whisper to the roof, “My wife, please forgive me. Please come back if you can. Double needs you. I need you. I will not stop trying. I promise you. I regret taking a second wife after you.” in the city. Do still woke up every morning with the same hope in his heart that maybe, just maybe, he would see his mother again.
At school, Dabau was like a ghost. His classmates laughed and played, but Dabau sat alone on a bench, drawing shapes on the sand with a stick. His teacher, Mr. Lal called Auntie Kimmy again and said, “Madam, this boy’s heart is not here. He’s always lost in thoughts.” At home, when Auntie Kimmy gave him food, he just poked it with his spoon and left most of it untouched.
He looked thinner and weaker everyday. One evening, Auntie Kem sat on the sofa, watching Doab sit quietly on the floor. She felt tears in her eyes. She thought to herself, “If this boy continues like this, he may truly have mental issues. What can I do?” Suddenly, she got an idea. She said aloud, “Maybe if he sees the statue again, he will believe that his mother is not alive and stop thinking of her spirit.
” The next weekend, she packed Dabo’s small bag. She told him, “We are going to the village to see papa.” Dabau looked up at her with tired eyes. He did not ask questions. He just nodded slowly. They woke up very early and boarded a bus that took them halfway. Then they climbed on a small motorcycle that carried them through dusty village roads.
Dabau sat in front of the motorcycle man holding the iron bar tight. His heart was beating fast. As soon as they reached the village and the motorcycle stopped near his father’s compound, Debo jumped down before Auntie Kem could hold him. He dropped his bag on the red sand and ran with all his strength. “Mama!” he screamed.
Villagers looked at him as he ran past them, dust flying behind his feet. His father, who was inside the hut, heard the noise and came outside quickly. He saw Dabo running straight to the statue. Dabo reached the statue and fell to his knees. He hugged the cold stone legs tightly and cried out loud, “Mama, mama, I saw you in the city.
Why did you push me away? Why don’t you want me again? Mama, come back to me. I miss you.” A few village women passing by stopped and covered their mouths in pity. Some whispered, “Ah, this poor boy will turn himself into something else if care is not taken.” Auntie Kem came behind him panting. She explained to his father, who stood there with shocked eyes, “Brother,” he said he saw someone who looked exactly like his mother in the city.
Since then he does not eat. He does not sleep. He does not listen at school. He thinks his mother is alive and hates him. Do’s father held his head with both hands. He looked at his son kneeling before the stonewoman and fresh tears filled his eyes. He walked slowly to Dabau and bent down. He lifted the boy gently from the ground and sat down on the sand with him on his lap.
“My son, my Dabau,” he said softly, wiping the tears from his son’s cheeks. “Tell Papa what you saw.” Dabau sniffed and spoke with a cracked voice. “Papa, I saw Mama. She came out of a big black car. She bought fruit by the road. I ran to her. I hugged her, but she told me to leave her alone. She entered her car and went away.
Papa, why did mama do that to me? Dabble’s father felt dizzy for a moment. He looked at the statue’s quiet face, then back at his broken son. He did not know what to say. Was the boy seeing things, or was it truly his wife’s spirit wandering around? He hugged Dabau tighter. My son, don’t worry. Papa will do something about this. You will be fine. I promise you.
That evening, as the sun was setting, Dabau’s father made up his mind. He took Dabau’s hand and led him through a narrow footpath to the native doctor’s shrine at the edge of the village. Auntie Kem followed behind them, praying softly in her heart. The native doctor’s hut smelled of herbs and smoke.
Red and white cloths hung on the mud walls. Cowies and feathers were scattered everywhere. The old native doctor Barbara Eon was sitting on a mat chewing bitter leaves. He looked up and saw Darab and his father. He spat out the leaf and said, “Ah, my son, you have come again. What is it this time? Dabau’s father knelt before him and said with a tired voice, “Baba Echon, my son says he saw his mother in the city.
She talked to him and told him to leave her alone. I fear his mind is troubled. Please help him. I don’t want him to lose his senses.” The native doctor looked at Darabo carefully. He nodded slowly. M it is the spirit of the stone woman that is troubling him. He loves her too much. He sees her in his dreams and even when he is awake, we must stop this spirit from following him.
He stood up and went to a corner of the hut. He picked a small calabash filled with dark oil. He also took a sharp blade and some white chalk. “Bring the boy here,” he commanded. Dabo’s father carried Dabo closer and sat him on a low stool. Dabo looked scared, but he did not cry. He just kept whispering to himself.
The native doctor drew strange marks on Dau’s arms, chest, and back with the white chalk. Then he made small cuts on each mark with the sharp blade. Blood came out in tiny drops. Dabo winced in pain, but did not scream. He stayed strong. The native doctor rubbed the dark oil on the cuts and murmured strange words under his breath.
Auntie Kem stood by the doorway, covering her face. She hated to see Dabo in pain, but she believed it would help him forget. After the ritual, the native doctor washed Dabau’s head with cold water mixed with leaves. He blew some powder into Dabo’s face and said, “It is done. The spirit will no longer trouble him.
He will sleep well now. He will forget. Dabo’s father thanked Baba Ekon with tears in his eyes. He gave him the little money he had left and promised to bring yam and palm oil later. That same evening, Auntie Kem held Dabau’s hand, and they boarded another motorcycle back to the bus stop.
As they rode through the village path, Debo turned his head one last time and looked at the statue standing alone under the big tree. “Mama, don’t forget me,” he whispered softly. “Auntie Kimmy squeezed his hand and said, “My son, you will be fine now. No more seeing spirits. You will be a happy boy again.
” But inside her heart, she prayed silently, “Oh God, please help this child. Let him heal. Let him have peace.” Daros slowly began to change. It was not magic, but little by little, his heart felt lighter. Back in the city, Auntie Kem watched him every day. She prayed in her heart that the ritual would truly work. She cooked his favorite rice and beans.
She sang soft songs for him when he slept. She begged the teacher to be patient with him at school. At first, do still looked sad. But as days turned to weeks, everyone noticed something new. He began to smile again. Just small smiles at first. Then he started playing football with the boys during break time at school.
He answered when Mr. Law asked him questions in class. When other children laughed, Dabau laughed too, even if only for a short while. One evening, Auntie Kem made fried plantain, and Dabau finished everything on his plate. She almost shouted with joy, “My boy, look at you. You have finished your food. God will bless you, my son.
” Dabau looked at her and smiled shily. He was slowly forgetting the heavy sadness. He no longer cried every night for his mother. He no longer sat alone staring at the wall. One day after school, Dabau and three of his friends, Musa, Tund, and Adah, decided to take another way home. Their usual path was straight and short, but they wanted to pass the long road so they could play by the small field on the way.
Musa, let’s race, Double shouted. Musa laughed. I will beat you. Let’s go. They ran like goats, chasing each other, rolling in the grass and laughing until they were covered in dust and sweat. When they got tired, they lay under a tree and made jokes. One by one, the children started going their different ways as they reached their houses.
Soon, only Darabo was left walking alone with his dusty bag on his back and his brown sandals making tiny footprints on the sandy roadside. He was humming a small song to himself when he looked up and saw something that made his heart stop for a moment. Up ahead, a big black SUV, the same shiny car he could never forget, turned slowly from the main road and drove through a big iron gate into a large compound.
Dabau froze where he stood. His heart started beating like a drum again, just like the first time he saw her. Without thinking, he walked slowly towards the compound. He stood outside by the low gate and peeped in. The house was very big, painted white with flowers planted in front.
Two security men were standing by the gate. The black SUV parked under a tree inside the compound. A driver came out first and opened the door at the back. And then she stepped out. The beautiful woman, the same face, the same gentle steps, the same mother he knew in his heart. Do’s small eyes filled with tears. Immediately he pressed his chest with his small hand because he felt a sharp pain inside.
Maybe this time she will know me. Maybe she will hug me. Maybe she will smile at me and say, “My son,” he thought to himself. He waited by the gate, hoping she would see him. But the woman adjusted her handbag and looked straight ahead. She did not even glance at the boy outside the gate. Dabau opened his mouth, but his voice refused to come out at first.
He swallowed hard and called softly, “Mama.” She did not hear. He called louder this time, his voice shaking. Mama. The woman turned sharply, her face changed from calm to cold. She looked at Dabau as if he was just a stray dog by the road. One of the security men walked towards Dabau and asked him, “Hey, boy, what are you doing here? Who are you looking for?” Before Dabau could answer, the woman said loudly, “Remove him from there, and if I see him here again, you will lose your job.” Her words hit Dabo like a slap.
He did not even know how to cry. He just looked at her, his lips shaking. “Mama, it’s me, Dabau, your son,” he whispered. But the woman had already turned her back and walked into the house. She did not even look back one more time. The security man pushed Dabo gently away from the gate. Small boy, go home.
Madam does not want trouble. Darabo felt his knees shaking. He turned and walked away slowly. He did not feel his feet on the ground. He did not hear the cars passing by. He did not see the other children playing by the street. Inside him, something broke again, deeper this time. When he reached home, Auntie Kem was peeling yam in the kitchen.
She looked up and saw him standing by the door, his eyes empty, his bag hanging carelessly from his shoulder. My son, welcome. You are late today. Did you play too much with your friends? Daru did not answer. He just dropped his bag, sat on the floor, and pulled his knees close to his chest.
Auntie Kem washed her hands quickly, and rushed to him. She touched his back softly. “Dabo, talk to me. What happened?” His lips moved, but only one word came out, like a dying breath. “Mama.” Auntie Kem felt her heart fall inside her chest. She knew. She did not even need to ask again. “Oh my god, Dabo, not again,” she whispered.
She hugged him tightly. She could feel him shaking in her arms like a small leaf in the wind. But Debo did not hug her back. He just stared at the wall behind her, his eyes wide and lost, seeing nothing, feeling everything. In the morning, Auntie Kem saw him sitting quietly by the window. He was holding his school bag, but not moving.
She put her hand on his shoulder. My son, what is wrong? You look sick. Are you hiding something from me? Daro did not answer at first. He looked at the floor. His small fingers played with the strap of his bag. Then with a very soft voice he said, “Auntie, I saw Mamar again.” Auntie Kemy’s eyes widened.
She sat down quickly beside him. “Where? When? Dabo, please tell me everything.” Dabau’s lips trembled. “Yesterday, after school, I followed another road with my friends. When I was alone, I saw her again. She came out of the big black car. She entered a big house. She saw me but told the guard to chase me away. Auntie, it was mama. Auntie Kem felt her heart racing.
Her mouth became dry. She looked into Dabau’s innocent eyes and knew he was not lying. Dabau, can you still remember that house? The same gate? The same road? Dabau nodded slowly. Yes, auntie. I know the road. I know the house. She held his hand tightly. Eat your food first. Then you will take me there. Today we must know who that woman is.
She gave him hot yam and egg sauce. Do ate quietly, chewing slowly, but at least he ate everything. After he drank a cup of water, Auntie Kem tied her scarf tight around her head and picked her phone. “Come, my son, lead me there.” Dabau held her hand, and they started walking down the dusty street. Her heart was beating like a drum in her chest.
“Who is this woman that looks exactly like my late brother’s wife?” she asked herself again and again. After about 20 minutes, they reached the same big iron gate. Do stopped and pointed with his small finger. Auntie, this is the place. Auntie Kem looked at the compound. It was beautiful with flowers at the fence and two big mango trees inside.
A black SUV was parked under the tree. She turned to Debo and whispered, “Stay here by the side. Don’t let them see you yet. I will talk to her first.” Darbo nodded and hid behind the wall near the gate. He held the edge of the wall with his small hands, peeping carefully. Auntie Kem stood boldly and knocked on the gate. A tall security guard wearing a blue uniform opened the small gate and looked at her.
Yes, madam. What do you want? Auntie Kimmy cleared her throat and tried to sound confident. Good afternoon, please. I am looking for madam, the madam of this house. I need to talk to her. It’s important. The security guard looked at her up and down, then nodded. Wait here. I will call her. He went inside the compound.
Auntie Kem stood there wiping sweat from her forehead with her scarf. Her heart was beating so fast that she could hear it in her ears. Then she heard soft footsteps. She looked up and there she was, the same woman Dabau described, dressed in a fine wrapper with gold earrings, her face calm but serious. The woman came closer to the gate and looked at Auntie Kem. Yes.
Who are you? What do you want? When Auntie Kem saw her face clearly, she froze. Her eyes widened and her lips shook. She stepped back slowly and shouted, “Jesus! Ah! Jesus Christ! What is this? What am I seeing?” Her knees felt weak. She grabbed the gate for support. The woman behind the gate looked confused and a bit angry.
Madam, what is your problem? Who are you? Auntie Kem could not answer immediately. She turned quickly and called with a shaky voice, “Do now.” Dab ran out from his hiding place and stood beside Auntie Kem. He looked at the woman through the gate with tears already in his eyes. “Mama,” he said softly. The woman’s face changed immediately.
She frowned and shouted at the guard, “What is this nonsense? Remove them from here. I don’t want to see them near my house again. Get out.” Auntie Kem grabbed Dabo’s hand tightly. She felt a cold shiver run through her whole body. Without saying another word, she turned and hurried away with do almost running beside her.
They did not stop until they reached the main road where people were passing and cars were honking. Auntie Kem bent down, breathing hard. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion. Darab. Darab. Oh my god, it is true. I saw her with my own eyes. She whispered again and again. They found a taxi and went home quietly.
Daros sat by the window in the taxi, staring out but not seeing anything. Auntie Kem kept glancing at him, holding his small hand as if she was afraid he would vanish. That night, Auntie Kem could not sleep a wink. She lay on her bed, eyes open, heart pounding. She thought, “How is this possible? How can a woman who turned to stone be walking free in the city? Is it witchcraft or am I dreaming?” Before dawn, she made up her mind.
She picked her small phone and called a trusted relative in the village. She said, “Please tell my brother to come to the city immediately. It is urgent. He must come quick.” 2 days later, Dabbo’s father arrived in the city. His clothes smelled of smoke and herbs from all the native doctors he had been visiting. His eyes were tired and his feet were dusty from travel.
As soon as he entered Auntie Kemy’s house, he hugged Dabau tightly and kissed his forehead. Then he sat down on the wooden chair and looked at Auntie Kem. Sister, what is the problem? You sounded worried on the phone. Is Dabau all right? Auntie Kem looked at Dabau, who was playing with a spoon on the table.
She sighed deeply and said, “Brother, Dabbo was telling the truth. I have seen her with my own eyes. The same woman, your wife. She is alive and living in a big house. She told them to chase us away. Dabau’s father felt as if the ground under him moved. He stood up quickly. What? What did you say? My wife, you saw her? Auntie Kem nodded.
Yes, it was not a ghost. It was her flesh and blood. She spoke. She looked at Dabau and told the guards to chase him away. Brother, I am afraid. What is happening? Darabau’s father dropped back into the chair. His eyes were wide and his hands shook. He looked at Darab, then at Auntie Kem, then at the floor.
Inside his head, a thousand questions were spinning like a whirlwind. That night, Deau’s father could not sleep. He sat on a small wooden stool in Auntie Kemy’s sitting room, staring at the kerosene lamp burning quietly on the table. His heart was heavy. His mind was full. How can my wife be alive? Or is it her ghost or witchcraft or something else? or no, it can’t be possible.
He looked at Dabau, who was lying on a mattress, sleeping peacefully for the first time in many weeks. He looked so innocent and calm. Before dawn, Auntie Kem came out of her room and sat beside him. She said softly, “Brother, we must go back to that house. We cannot keep guessing. We need to hear from her mouth who she really is.
” Dabau’s father nodded slowly. He wiped sweat from his forehead and whispered, “God, help us. How can someone who turned into a statue be alive in the city?” The next morning, they woke up early. Auntie Kem gave Darab a warm bath and combed his hair neatly. She put him in his cleanest clothes, a blue shirt, and brown shorts. She tied her wrapper tight and prayed in her heart for strength.
They left the house together. Do’s father held his son’s small hand tightly as if he was afraid to lose him again. When they reached the big house with the low fence and flowers at the front, two security guards stood by the iron gate holding long sticks. They crossed their sticks to block the gate. Stop there. What are you people looking for again? Madam does not want trouble. One of them barked.
Davo’s father raised his hand slowly. Please tell Madam we are here. Let her come and chase us herself. We cannot leave until we speak with her. The guards hissed. One of them turned to go inside and came back quickly. Madam says, “Wait.” A few minutes later, they heard sounds upstairs. They looked up and saw the beautiful woman standing on the balcony wearing a long yellow gown.
She peeped down and saw Dabau, his father, and Auntie Kem standing there like beggars. She said something to the guards, and they opened the gate slowly. “Madam says you can come in, but be quick,” one of the guards warned. Auntie Kem’s feet felt heavy. Dabau’s father too stared at her with a dropped jaw. She grabbed Dabo’s father’s arm and whispered, “Brother, I am scared.
This woman looks so much like your wife.” They walked slowly into the big compound. The flowers smelled sweet, but no one noticed. Dabo’s small eyes were wide. He was looking everywhere, the big car, the neat garden, the white walls. They followed the guard into the sitting room. It was large with a soft red carpet and leather chairs.
A big picture of the woman in a graduation gown hung on the wall. Then she walked in slowly from the stairs. When Dabbo’s father saw her up close, he dropped his jaw again in shock. He felt as if he was seeing a ghost. He stammerred. “Madam, you look exactly like my wife.” The woman frowned slightly and asked in a calm voice.
“What was her name?” he cleared his throat and said her name softly. The woman’s eyes widened. She looked at Dabbo, then back at the father. Her lips parted slightly. “Is this boy her son?” she asked, pointing at Dabau. They all nodded slowly. Dab’s father whispered, “Yes, this is my son, our son. He has been crying for his mother all these while,” he said and narrated everything in tears.
The woman fell on her knees and wept. She took two steps closer to Dabo. She knelt down, touched his cheek softly, and stared into his eyes. She whispered so only he could hear. Yes. Yes, I am your mother. Dabau’s eyes widened. Auntie Kem and Dabau’s father froze. Dabo did not understand fully, but his small mouth curved into a proud smile.
She stood up quickly, walked to her room upstairs, and came back holding an old brown photo. She sat down and showed it to them. In the picture were two young women smiling and holding each other tightly. They looked exactly the same, like two drops of water. She pointed at the picture with her finger shaking slightly. This was me and my twin sister.
Your wife, we were born the same day, the same hour. I went to study abroad. But when I married a man my parents did not like over there, they disowned me. They told my sister not to talk to me again. After that, she stopped answering my letters. I came back and searched every village I knew, but I did not find her. Her eyes were filled with tears now.
She looked at Dabau’s father with pain in her voice. Is this true? Did they really stop her from answering my letters? Did you know about me? Dabau’s father bowed his head in shame. He spoke slowly. Yes, madam, it is true. She told me she had a twin sister who studied far away, but her parents said she was dead to them because she married outside their wish. She cried many nights for you.
I did not know you were alive and back. I am sorry. I had totally forgotten about you.” The woman covered her face with her palm. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook as she cried softly. She fell on her knees right there on the shiny floor. “Oh, my sister, my sister, I should have found you earlier.
How could I not find you?” Auntie Kimmy knelt beside her and held her shoulders. Madam, please take heart. She loved you deeply. But like my brother said, your people did not want her to have anything to do with you. The woman wiped her tears and looked at Dabau with fresh love in her eyes.
She stretched out her hands. Come here, my son. Dabau walked slowly into her arms. She lifted him up, carried him like a baby, and pressed her cheek to his. “From today, I am your mother. I will love you. I will protect you. Nobody will ever chase you again.” She whispered into his ear. Davo’s face broke into the biggest smile Auntie Kem and his father had seen since his mother turned into a statue.
He laughed, showing all his tiny white teeth. He hugged her neck tight and did not want to let go. She kissed his forehead and said again, “My sister gave birth to you, but now I will take care of you as my own son. You are mine now, my precious Dabau.” Dab’s father sat on the chair, shaking his head slowly. Tears of relief rolled down his cheeks.
Auntie Kem also wiped her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, God. Thank you for this miracle.” Inside the big house, for the first time in many years, Dabau felt warmth in his chest. He felt his mother’s love, and this time, he knew it would never run away.
