This 'A twist of Fate' is a must read

He looked up and down again. Tears filled his eyes as he looked slowly around him. He couldn’t believe what the old one had just told him for the second time. He was to take a second wife? He’d grown up in the midst of polygamy and all the rivalry, fighting and chaos that came with it. The Yoruba adage that says a polygamous home is a yard full of mad people is very true. Ade knew this first hand.

All his life he’d determined not to EVER, ever fall into polygamy again. He didn’t choose the family he was born into, but he could choose the one he’d create. There was no man more determined than Ade not to venture into polygamy. As far as he was concerned, it was a madness. It meant no peace, among the wives and the children. Ade was determined to be a monogamous man through and through.

But now, Fate, cruel fate had decided that Ade had to take another wife. It was compulsory if he wanted to move forward in life. There was no other way…except the one he’d determined never to tread.

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After Secondary School and Technical College, Ade carefully selected the girl he wanted for a wife. Folashade was pertty, gentle, soft spoken and very humble. She came from a good family and she was in the College of Education when he met her. She had all the qualities Ade desired in a wife, and he was certain he would not want for more. After a courtship of two years, just as she was about to complete her studies at the College of Education, Ade impregnated her to seal the deal. He wouldn’t have her going off to the University without his ring on her finger. As a humble beginner, he knew he was likely to lose her to wealthier men. And that was it, they were married soon afterwards, and she was his forever.

However, seven years and four children later, Ade was still an unaccomplished man. All the businesses with prospects which he’d engaged in flourished for only a while before they collapsed. Even people he’d introduced into businesses were successful while he barely managed to cater for his family. After looking at his situation properly, he decided that his predicament wasn’t ordinary. There was more to it than met the eye.

So Ade went to his hometown. To see his father, a renowned herbalist who’d inherited the trade from his own father. Eweje, he was called, literally meaning, leaves answer. Eweje was skilled in his profession and was known for being truthful and honest. He didn’t use the craft for evil or dishonest purposes.

When Ade explained his predicament to his father, Eweje told him he couldn’t divine his case. As a herbalist, he couldn’t use the spiritual eye to see matters of his own self, and by extention, his children. They’d have to go to another town, and consult his colleague. Booseere was a good and honest herbalist much like himself, and well skilled in the craft.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, they set off for Booseere’s town. When they got to Booseere’s house, Ade was surprised to see that he was an old man, and blind in both eyes. After stating their problem, Booseere got out his divinition tray and beads.

”Young man, your matter is a simple one. The irunmole’s have revealed it all to me. You need no sacrifices or burnt offering. The thing is that, the wife you married, you shouldn’t have married her. Both of you are distant relatives, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but you’re both descandants of the head of the crown. Ori ade is displeased. Didn’t you know this before you married her?”.

In a trembling voice, Ade replied ”baba, Folasade didn’t grow up in our land, she grew up in Ife, and she didn’t know her relatives except her immediate family. We didn’t know we were in any way related. And by the time we went home for our introduction ceremony, she was already pregnant. Besides, we were assured that we’re just distant relatives so it didn’t matter much. Errr, Baba, what can we do to appease ori ade now? Ebo ni, abi eteteu?

”My son, I’ve told you, no n

eed for any sacrifices. But for you to move forward and be successful in life, the simple thing you need to do is marry another wife. That’s the solution to all your problems”

”But, but….” stammered Ade, ”baba, is there no other way, I mean no other solution, there’s nothing else I can do? Baba, I don’t have plans to take a second wife. Please help me…”

“My son, I do not tell lies, or deceive people who come to me for help. Your father is a respected colleague, you’re like a son to me. That is the only solution omo mi. You have to get another wife”

Weak in his heart and burdened in his mind, Ade got up with his father, they thanked Booseere and headed back home.

Eweje shrugged and said “my son, you were there, you heard it with your own two ears, Booseere isn’t one to tell lies, I’m sorry its against your wishes, but there you have it, the solution is for you to marry a second wife”

For the next two weeks, Ade had sleepless nights. He kept thinking and wondering. Two wives! He’d told his eleda that he didn’t want this, yet they said this was the only solution to his problem. Was he to remain monogamous, but as poor as a church mouse? Would he then feed his monogamous family with stones?

Well, he decided he wasn’t going to give in that easily. Alatise lon matise ara e. Surely, there must be another way. Yes, he’ll try again. Perharps, there was something else that could be done ————————————————————

But here he was, in Boseere’s house for the second time. The old man was blind so he had no way of knowing that Ade was Eweje’s son. Yet the man repeated the exact same thing he’d said a fortnight before. Now it was as clear as day to him, he had to marry a second wife.

Why didn’t his eleda want for him what he wanted for himself. Why was Fate making a mockery of his plans? Was it to show her superiority over humans? Why couldn’t we be in total control of our own destinies? Why couldn’t our eleda’s and gods be in agreement with what we wanted for our own selves? Why must their own plans be the one to prevail? Why?

Looking at the ceiling and down at the floor again, Ade wiped his eyes, thanked Boseere and went on his way. His walk was that of a man whose plans had been thwarted. A man who now understood that he didn’t reign supreme over his own life. Fate has a way of conniving with the gods to bend is to their will. It was a lesson Ade had just been taught.

Fatimah is a writer and an aspiring baby girl. Check out her awesome writings on the wanderinglass.com and follow her on Twitter @FlawlessMilo

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