REINCARNATION
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The wedding of Bode and Titilayo was the talk of the town. The weather was also in support of the wedding. It was cool and very friendly. The people of Ajangbadi love this couple very much because they both came from the community and they had been dating for the past twenty years. Their friendship started from primary school. They were both in the same class then. At first, they detest each other so much but after a term; they started interacting with each other gradually. It was initially a childish friendship but as time went on; it began to improve on a daily basis.
After their primary school, they went to different secondary school. Doyin Secondary School and Holy Infant High School respectively. This invariably affected their friendship as they say: "Out of sight; out of love." Both of them had a bad experience in their various school. Bode was always bullied by his seniors whom he always proved stubborn to while Titilayo, on the other hand, was always sent on an errand by her seniors who will give her money to buy things that the money cant afford. When she complained, they will coax her to add her own money. The lifestyle in secondary school was quite different from primary school and very tasking. Funny enough, they never knew what they were both going through.
Their parents decided to change their school when they were always complaining. Coincidentally, they were transferred to the same school: Ideal Comprehensive High School. When they met in the same class; they could not hide their joy. They embraced each happily and shared their experience in their former secondary school. They thanked God for bringing them together.
The friendship of Bode and Titilayo continued in their new secondary school. They like their new school because it was very conducive and the students were very friendly, unlike their former sc, cool.
They were in the same class from Junior to senior secondary. They got used to each other and started dating from JSS 3. They were so engrossed with each other that everyone calls them Romeo and Juliet.
After secondary school, they were admitted into the same university: Lagos State University. Bode studied Mechanical Engineering while Titilayo studied Banking and Finance. Due to the duration of their course; Titilayo graduated before Bode. After they both did their NYSC, that is National Youth Service Commission; they were both employed by different companies. Bode was employed by road construction company while Titilayo was employed by a bank. They were both doing well in their place of work and everything was going rosy for them.
Having worked for some years, they decided to tie the knot. It was everybody wish for them to get married. The wedding was very colourful and elaborate. The couple and their families were delighted to witness such a memorable day.
The couple started living as husband and wife in their new apartment and everything seems going fine for they both understood themselves to the extent that they hardly had argument. They were Living like brother and sister that were orphan. Both of them don't keep friends so they were always at home if they were not in their workplace or church.
Coming back home from work one busy evening, Bode's car collided with a long vehicle. He was seriously injured and was rushed to the hospital but before the doctor could attend to him; he gave up the ghost. It was indeed a great loss.
His wife was engrossed in the preparation of dinner when he rushed in and told her he wanted to have his night meal. They ate together as usual and shared the experience of the day together. After praying together, they both went to the bed to sleep.
Meanwhile, the management of the hospital where Bode died had summoned Bode's elder brother via the contact from Bode's phone that evening but due to the distance and they didn't want to tell what had happened on phone; he promised to come the following day which was weekend. Bode unusually leave home early that day was different and his wife was surprised about his action. Bode elder brother arrived at the hospital very early but to his surprise; he was told the sad news. They showed him his younger brother's corpse and he cried uncontrollably but summoned courage after a while.
He was accompanied by other relation to Bode's house to inform the wife of the bad news. When they entered, she was surprised to see them and she asked them if they met Bode on the way because he just left a while ago. They were so surprised to hear that and they were all short of words.
She asked them of their purpose of visit but they were reluctant to respond to her. After a while, the eldest among them told her that her husband is dead that he died the previous day and the person that just left was his ghost who came to bid her goodbye! She fainted instantly and when she woke up; she insisted on seeing the corpse.
When they got to the hospital; they showed her the corpse. This time she cried profusely and jumped on the floor severally. They took her home and advised her to keep calm that the worst had already happened.
She began to imagined! so that person that ate my food and even made love with me last night was a ghost!
Bode was buried according to custom and tradition. His wife and family members all cried profusely at the funeral. According to custom and tradition, she was to mourn him for three months. which implies that she will be in black cloth throughout the duration.
A year later, Bode was found in another village in the north. He just got a new job and was jubilating because it was a good job. He was offered an apartment and a private car. He was so perfect in all his doings to the extent that no one could ask him of his relation.
Yemi was just newly employed in the same company with Bode. The first day they met; they fall in love with each other. They call it love at first sight. Bode being a perfect gentleman. Won Yemi's heart completely to the extent that they married a month of their friendship and she never cares of Bode's relations, her family insisted before the marriage but Bode gave them an excuse and his wife too covered up for him. They married successful and were both living as husband and wife.
Having lived together for ten years as husband and wife, they had five children: three boys and two girls. Yemi became so uncomfortable without knowing any of Bode's relation. When she informed her best friend about it; she insisted that she must persuade him to take her and her children to his relation.
She quarrelled with Bode severally and when it was getting out of hand, he promised to take her and children to his relation. He insisted they will go the following month. She was very happy about it and was waiting for next month.
They set up to Bode's village as promised by Bode. He went with all his children and wife. They were all dressed in the same attire as a united and peaceful family.
When they were about to get to Bode's family house; Bode pointed his house to Yemi and told her that he wanted to say hi to his childhood friend and will join them in a jiffy. He came down and his wife took charge of the steering and he secretly bid them goodbye.
She came down from the bus with her children happily when she got to Bode's house. She met some of Bode's relation and greeted them according to their tradition. They offered her water and after a while; they asked her purpose of visitation she told them she was the wife of Bode and showed them Bode's children; They were all surprised. They asked her of his pictures and she quickly showed them. This time they became more surprised.
When they were convinced that it was their same Bode that died many years ago; they narrated the story of Bode's death to her, showed her his pictures when he had his first wedding and took her to Bode's grave. She was really confused and out of mind. So, "I have been living with a ghost for more than ten years." she uttered, They tried to calm her down but she was difficult to control. They advised her to keep calm and continue with her life with her children. They promised to support her in all her endeavours. She cried in real tears saying she had been fooled by love!
