On the agreed day, I came out to meet Nche in his shop. He was already waiting for me before I arrived. After the exchange of pleasantries, we set out for the journey.

“Nche please I want to beg you of one thing. As I have told you in the past. I don’t want to shed blood. If you know that such will be involved, inform me now. I will never forgive you if I later discover that such is involved.”

“Iyk why are you so lily livered. Who told you that everybody that visits native doctor kills? Anyway we are not going for that. All that will be performed is a little ritual to restore your customers and even bring new ones.”

The native doctor was happy to receive us and he started having discussion with Nche.

“How is your business doing now?”
“Business is booming. In fact my challenge is how to attend to my customers. I just opened a
new branch, two times bigger than my present place. That is where my wife is handling.”

“I told you.”

“ It is true Nnayi, you said it. Everything is happening exactly the way you said it. That my stupid neighbor is now in the village tapping palm wine.”

The native doctor laughed.

“Don’t worry. Very soon he will run mad. Just watch out.”

“I am so happy; that is why I have decided to come and appreciate you.”
He handed a bulk of money to the native doctor who examined it, smiled and started blessing him.

It shall be well with you. Our ancestors will continue to guide you.”

“Isee. Thank you Nnayi. Another issue that brought me is this my friend. His name is Ikenna. His enemies have vowed that he will never have peace in his business. I brought him so that you will help him. Please turn his life around the way you did to mine. Ikenna please tell Nnayi what you want him to do for you.”

“Nnayi ndewo. Enemies of my progress have decided not to allow me to rest. Please I want you to reveal the identity of these enemies to me. Another is that I want my business to be restored. I am a mechanic.”

“It’s okay, let me know what our ancestors will say.”

After a while he turned to me, looked at me steadily for a while and said.

“The ancestors said you don’t need to know your enemies. It is not important. You should concentrate on how to get deliverance and the restoration of your business.”

“Nnayi, no problem. I think the restoration of my business is of utmost important to me.”

“Alright. I Will give you a calabash that you will bury at the entrance of your shop. It will be attracting customers to you. You will go there in the night when everybody have gone home and bury it. Nobody will assist you while doing it. Nobody must see you. Another is that no other ear must hear this. If you can diligently follow this instruction, you will surely come back to thank me.”

“Nnayi there is a little challenge. I cannot easily have access to my workshop in the night. Security personnel are guiding there. Even if they allow me in, how will I dig the ground and bury the calabash. They will surely see me.”

“Don’t worry there is another way out. I will give you a charm. You will leave your house around 11:00 PM in the night and go to the nearest junction to your shop drop it there . Clap three times and return to your house. But you have to make sure that you talk to no one while you are going to drop the charm. If someone talks to you, don’t reply. If you ever talk to someone, you are going to offer a big he-goat to the gods.”

“Yes Nnayi.”

Most importantly, nothing should make you turn. Continue moving forward till you drop the charm then you can turn and go back home. If you ever turn back while holding the charm, it will be rendered impotent.”

I agreed and he handed it over to me. I was so happy and felt like carrying Nche on my head . I promised him heaven and earth and he was beaming with smiles all through.

I got home and relaxed in preparation for my journey by 11:00PM. I first came out and survey the environment to ensure that there will be no obstruction. As soon as I certified that there was no one in view, I went inside took the charm, wrapped it in a nylon bag and stepped out. Just few steps out of our compound I heard someone call my name.

“Ikenna!”

I knew that it was my landlord. But I ignored him and hasten my footsteps only for me to collide with another tenant coming back home. I knew it was over. No more escape route. Then I heard the landlord’s voice again.

“Is that not Ikenna?”

“Is me sir. Good evening sir” I greeted still facing my front.

“I hope all is well?”

“ It is well sir. I am have a headache. I want to quickly check if I can see where to get paracetamol.” As I was talking, I was still facing my front, I never turned back.

“It is already late. You can’t see anywhere to buy drugs this night. Please come. I have a card of paracetamol that I can part with.”

I almost slapped myself. I don’t know who told me to mention headache and even paracetamol.

“What kind of temptation is this? Emergency helpers everywhere,” I murmured to myself.

I reluctantly turned back and went to meet my landlord.

Watch out for the next episode