A Visit To The Temple

Títílopé went to the temple with the babaláwo to see how things are done and it was really intriguing. The traditional worshipers are in one accord and do things together in unity. The one that captivates Títílopé's attention is the way the devotees fall under the influence of a deity. It's no different from the way people fall under anointing in Pentecostal churches. She observed with keen interest as activities were performed one after the other until everything came to an end.

"Do you love our service?" asked the babalàwo.

"Of course, yes...I do." Títílopé replied beaming with lots of smile.

"That's cool to hear then."

Títílopé reminisced about the whole day's event while in a public transport vehicle. Her mind went back to when kolanuts were shared among the initiates. She made a move to partake in eating it but was declined.

"You can't eat this, dear." One of the women, Ìyánífá, said gently.

"It might upset your system in a way that will be difficult to control, dear. Don't put me into trouble." the babaláwo chimed in jokingly.

Títílopé could remember watching them wishing badly she could just take a bite....just a bite.

"Well, time will tell." she said finally giving up on it.

"Madam, are you not alighting again?" came the driver's voice disrupting the thoughts of Títílopé.

"Ah! Thank God you brought me back to reality, Sir. I was lost in my thoughts. We've passed the junction I want alight." Títílopé smiled slightly embarrassed and alighted from the cab.

She went straight to bed even when offered food by her dear mother.

"I am okay for now, mum, I will eat later."

No sooner than Títílopé freshened up, a message popped up in her messenger.

"Are you home now?" twas the babalawo

"Yes, Sir, thanks for today." She replied

"Ifá will love to move close to you tomorrow, my darling." He flirted sending a winking emoji.

Títílopé's heart sunk for a minute but a thought came to her head and she brightened up.

"I will be quite busy, Sir. Lots of customers' clothes are with me. I also have lots of wigs to make. Can we reschedule it to next two weeks, Sir? She asked.

" I know you're putting up lots of excuses not to be with me, but I will wait" he replied with a love emoji.

Títílopé smiled with relief and went on discussing other things with him to which he replied cordially.

"Títílopé, a customer wants to see you" her mother called out to her.

"Oh No, Mum, not now! I am tired. The person should come back later."

But her mum won't take a "No" for an answer. Títílopé grudgingly stood up and attended to the customer and later came in with a smile on her face.

"You won't believe what happened, Mum"

"What happened, dear?"

"The woman that left just now wants to learn how to make wigs from me." Títílopé replied.

"Wow. It's late in the night why can't she wait till morning?" her mum asked.

"That was the first question that came to my mind too, mum. But her response made me to laugh uncontrollably, I had to apologize for being so unprofessional but she took no offence."

"She told me that she tinted her hair to pepper folks but the dye reacted badly with her hair, leaving her looking like a house rat that fell in water."

"She untied her scarf and showed me what's left of her hair. What made me laugh hard is the way she kept a straight face all through, mum." Títílopé broke into a wide grin at this point

"She said since it's the corona period, I should train her to make simple but classy wigs to which I obliged. She has lots of time on her hands to learn new things."

"Okay, dear, that's cool to hear." Títílopé's mum simply replied, smiling softly.