Nikki’s POV

It was the most emotionally draining month of my life and this time I’m not exaggerating.

I see the boy who caused a decline in my mental health and what was remaining of my mental health, he then helps me and my family to run away from my mother who tries to kill me, twice. I find out that I have to go to this special school for Vodun, people with naturally born abilities and I am not going with my brother, but the person who tried to kill me, who is actually my close friend now.

And if that wasn’t enough, I know how to enter the spiritual realm at my will.

You see I told you I wasn’t exaggerating?

Kafui and my dad began making arrangements for me to go to school. They would get so excited that they will begin chattering about their experiences in school. Dad stopped at level 3, because he had to stay home and help care for his father’s farm. Kafui however left at level 5, he was 19 years old, because Nkosi had called him to work. They spoke with me about the history of Wagadu which I found quite ingenious and a bit sad. We didn’t have to go out to buy anything from town, Kafui would just go into his room and bring out all the things I needed and what dad recommended. It was an exhilarating experience. I felt like Mike had been left out and boy was I wrong. We were there when a staff from the post office brought Mike his admission to Bishop Herman College, almost four months early as BECE had not even been written yet.

“I’m sorry I got carried away” Kafui said, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ve heard of Bishop Herman, they’re really good” my dad said, equally grinning.

“I thought that going to a good SHS is not important,” Mike asked “, I mean so far as I am learning from Ifa…”

“Oh yes, it’s not but it’s just something to give you a confidence boost”

“The school you go to gives you a confidence boost?” I asked.

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“Yes!” My dad close to exclaimed “You won’t understand it now but trust us”

We reluctantly did.

When it was time for me to go, I felt myself weighed down with battling emotions. I was obviously excited, I would see a new world and experience so many things, but then I was leaving Mike. As I lay in the dark contemplating convincing Ifa to make Mike come with me, the light suddenly switched on, near blinding me.

“Wake up!” Neil’s excited voice screamed.

“You’ll be late for school!” Mike screamed too, excitement in his eyes.

I was surprised, I thought we were supposed to be sad and depressed.

“Ohhh Nikita!” Mike moaned “You are disturbing yourself! This is no time to be sad and depressed.” Mike grabbed a hand and lifted me off the bed “You are going to the Wagadu. Isn’t it amazing?” when he saw that I was reluctant to smile, he whispered “We will meet, every day, 10pm, deal?”

That made me smile.

After we fooled around for 2 hours, I was dressed, ready and psyched.

A black sedan came in the late morning, gleaming and scattering light in different directions. The driver matched the car, his dark skin gleaming and his bald cut shone like the sun. His suit was well fitting and neat, ironed in all the right places. When he got closer to us he smelled like those strong men’s perfumes.

“Hello” He greeted pleasantly. His voice was lighter than I thought it would be and he had a light British accent. “Neil, how nice it is to meet you again” He nodded to the grownups and then smiled at the kids, showing his even white teeth. “Ready to go?”

“Only the girl will be going” my dad said, laying a hand on my shoulder and squeezing.

“Alright” he said nonchalantly, perhaps knowing not to ask questions. “Where are the bags, that I may pack them?” Neil offered to show him, giving me a chance to say goodbye to my family.

Mike reached out to hug me.

Don’t forget. 10pm every day.

I won’t I promise.

When we broke from the hug, he quickly went to help Neil and the driver so that I won’t see his face.

“We’ll be okay here. You go and learn for all of us alright?” I nodded, Kafui who just watched us came to embrace me.

“Everything will be magical from now on trust me” and then whispering “Keep an eye out for me. There is a lot for us to discuss” He broke away, his face betraying the last statement. I went along with it and smiled back.

“I’ll miss you” my dad said shyly.

“I’ll miss you too dad. I love you” I hugged him the longest.

As Neil and I drove away from the hut in the middle of nowhere, I was greeted with immense sadness and longing. I changed my mind, I wanted to be with them. I looked back but the hut had vanished. In a rush, I lifted my hands to open the door when Neil took my hand and then shook his head. I rested my head against the seat and cried.