THE LEGEND OF DAYO 1: THE EMERGENCE

er than any other member

at had finally managed to leak in. She hummed to herself as

ed along the dark corridor toward the door, she came to a halt suddenly. She sa

gave a pai

ad fallen and started a fire in the room. She quickened her steps and threw the do

f and wondered if she

the wall, and he appeared to be asleep. She looked at him for a

line of the door was just dim now, and she shrugged ruefully, sure

ms quickly. People usually came in for

chen. It would have been her mother preparing breakfast. Her father

er bottles with hot water, and

d hollowly. “T

smile, but he was very worr

miserably. “It is tough this time around

w exactly how much her mother suffered from her terrible arth

minutes later, the store bell chimed, in

e porridge on low heat, but just t

aid. “Long queue in front of the store. Just took

cowled

ake me laugh, Uche,” she sa

om other similar shops around. Sometimes they needed to reduce their price

e, however, she saw that

s indeed

pened up the store and beg

ossip, who first broached a subject that

face, and she was always suggesting remedies for the pimples to N

me up to the counter and paid up. Neji was counting out change in

but Mrs Ibrahim was just st

eji Helen asked. “You look

morning!” Mrs Ibrahim murmur

nd I served you,”

ch horrid huge and messy pimples, and I promised to bring yo

s, not really knowing where t

Mrs Ibrahim,” s

How did you get your face all smooth like this overnight? There is no pimple on your face this morning w

as when it

en inflamed with painful pimples, and she had feared she would have a ter

idn’t feel

elt any pain

touched her face, and explored

ft and as smooth a

observations. She knew just how superstitious these town folks were and knew she had to spring

in an appearance, and he sav

r. “Mrs Ibrahim, a ragamuffin-looking Igbo boy came through the store three days ago with some herbal concoction he claimed could clear pimples

face. “It has worked! It has worked so beautifully!

, but it is all finished now,” Mr Osuolale said with a sad smile. “That boy promised t

h an envious giggle. “Look how beautiful

Neji said listlessly, still unabl

ere only a few left, Neji left the counter, and her face was still pretty much in

as she looked at

been clearer, smoot

f her pimples were g

arding her reflection, and she ran

e stairs again, then through the store a

an abrupt

t was there all

ked hard, twice, and

minute and opened her eyes, and she s

art began

is light was too bright, too powerful and

bling slightly now, and then when she reached o

fingers, she

the room, and he was holding his silver bell aga

for some time as her h

ftly, her face troubled. “W