Rebirth of Love: Embracing the Legacy....

Iya Oba sits gracefully in a woven chair near the entrance to my mother's room, cradling the little one. Her face illuminates with joy as she sets eyes on me. I could sense the worry she must have felt for me, causing me to rush towards her, kneeling before her in earnest. "I'm so sorry grandmother, I apologize for my outburst earlier," I humbly said. "It's alright, my child. I would have reacted the same way, if not more", she reply reassuring me. "Would you like to hold her?" Her words were comforting as she entrusted the baby into my arms. Swiftly, I embraced the child, while she rises from her chair. "You remind me so much of your father. Take the child to Iya Abiyẹ later, she will bathe her," she says.

I notice Iya Abiyẹ in the room, engrossed in performing certain rituals, yet my mother's body is nowhere to be seen. Concerned, "Where is she?" Iya Oba seems momentarily absentminded, and then she responds, "Oh... I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Her body needed to be taken to the royal shrine for cleansing rituals, so that she may rest in peace in the afterlife. We should have informed you earlier, and I apologize for that."

"It's alright Iya Oba", I reply settling back into her chair and cradling the baby on my lap. I observe as she make her way back to her room, feeling a pang of remorse for my earlier behaviour, after all it's my fault I wasn't aware of it.

"Behold, Princess, gaze upon those serene eyes," Emiran's voice resonates, drawing near from behind me. "Just like my mother's", i reply looking into her eyes.

Tears stream down my face, tracing rivers of sorrow, like cascading waterfalls born of my anguish. Time warps and distorts, seconds stretching into eternities, as I finally gaze upon the newborn, cradled delicately in my arms, a tiny vessel of life. The realization crashes over me like a relentless wave upon a desolate shore....my mother, my irreplaceable soul, has been reborn within this fragile bundle of joy, a phoenix rising from the ashes of loss.

My heart swells with a poignant mix of emotions....a symphony of joy for the miracle of new life and sorrow for the irrevocable loss that casts its shadow. With trembling hands and eyes full of tears, I caress the her soft skin, my touch tracing the contours of a face that bears a striking resemblance to my mother's, like a mirror reflecting the echoes of the past.

My voice, choked with a melange of emotions, "You are not just a sister, you are my mother reborn, a vessel of my spirit and love", I whisper into the stillness. In that profound moment, the boundaries between life and death blur, and an unbreakable bond is forged, like a bridge connecting disparate worlds.

Through my tears, amidst the tumultuous symphony of emotions, I find solace in the knowledge that my mother lives on, reincarnated within this precious child. And a flicker of hope ignites within me, a flame that illuminates the path ahead, like a beacon cutting through the darkest nights.

As I cradle my mother's reincarnation, I understand that life, with all its pain and joy, continues its relentless march forward. And in the embrace of this miraculous child, I discover the strength to carry on, to honor my mother's memory, and to embrace the legacy of love that has been woven into the very fabric of my own existence, like a tapestry interlaced with golden threads.

"IYEWANDE" I whisper, barely audible. "What?" He asks, I look up and smile. "That's what I want to call her, IYEWANDE." He seems puzzled, "but there are so many other beautiful names. Why this one? Why not IYETUNDE or something even more enchanting?" He says, "I am aware of the other names, but this is what I wish to call her", I responde. "This will be our special bond, reserved just for us. After all, it's just me, and my father will likely give her a more conventional name. But this name will be ours alone."

"Alright, Princess, I should probably go now. But remember, if you ever need me, I can hear you from anywhere in the world. I will gladly be at your service," he assures me as he departs. "Thank you, EMIRAN, for being there for me," I reply. He turns and taps his chest twice with his fist, a gesture that triggers my curiosity once again. "I have to find out the meaning of that," I murmur softly. Now, it's just me and the baby again. What should I say to her? My mind draws a blank....no songs, no lullabies. It's as if my thoughts are paralyzed by the weight of emotions. But then, a soft melody begins to emerge from deep within my soul, like a forgotten tune reborn. With a voice trembling yet filled with love, I sing a song that transcends time and space....a song only meant for her ears, a lullaby that carries the echoes of my mother's voice:

Hush now, my sweet Iyewande,

Rest your head upon my chest.

In this embrace, you'll find solace,

A love that will never rest.

You're the phoenix, rising high,

From ashes of a love so true.

In your eyes, I see my mother,

Her spirit, reborn in you.

Sleep, my darling, sleep so soundly,

Dream of worlds both near and far.

Know that I am here to guide you from,

To shield you from life's every scar.

Though tears may fall, and hearts may ache,

Our love will always light the way.

You're my precious, my shining star,

And in my heart, I'll keep you.....forever.....

As the lullaby fills the room, a sense of peace descends upon us both. Iyewande's eyes slowly closing, her tiny chest rising and falling in a rhythm of tranquility. I hold her close, cherishing the profound connection we share.....a bond that transcends the boundaries of life and death. In that moment, I knew that although my mother's physical form was gone, her spirit lives on, intertwined with the essence of this precious child. And as I gaze at Iyewande's serene face, I vow to protect her, to nurture her, and to ensure that the legacy of love passed down from my mother would continue to thrive in the generations to come.