Pa Solo;


April 17, 2025 / ODUSOLA AYOMIKUN




                            Pa Solo

                                   (Mystery)

          It happened three weeks ago on one of suchlikerainy nights that week. By Saturday morning, it was obvious to everyone that he'd most definitely died, maybe from the cold of the previous night. His body was cold, a bewildering sight for an early morning gaze. The morning breeze was cool and the air still chilly for it had rained all through the night.
          The events of the previous day unfolding and mysteries of the previous night roamed through the minds of many. A day which did beat expectations, beginning with the early rising of the radiant sun setting in activities of the day. Children were expected to be up and getting ready for school, the farmers were already on ways en route their farms and market women would soon be on shores expecting to be patronized by the roaming crowds.
          The Muslim prayer call rang through the town at some minutes past mid day. Devotees soon begin trooping in their numbers towards the town's central mosque. It was a special day of prayers for the faith and they were dressed in their respective religious and cultural attires. The day was going like the norms and then the unforeseen began.
           At first it seemed quite an uneven chance of raining. Judging the clouds some minutes after six you'll say the sky looked calm like the edges of a motionless stream, with the radiant yellow sun grinning at its peak. For an outsider the conclusion would be what a beautiful sky at such an unorthodox hour.
          The rain began some minutes past seven. It began actually with full force, a torrential downpour capable of drenching a dried log within a few minutes. The sudden unannounced fall of the rain left no calmness in its tracks sending both young and old in a chase for shelter or at the least a covering from the now heavy rain which continued all through the night.
           Kojo was the first to break the news 'Pa Solo is dead!' he'd screamed as he ran out of the house. Which took no further than the next thirty minutes for all the town to be gathered at his residence. 
'It is true o' someone exclaimed 
'But how!" Someone else symphatised 
          The whole village was held in shock, a messenger had been sent to invite the village doctor. Even though that seemed unnecessary because he's body was already cold and it seemed he'd been dead a couple of hours. The doctor's affirmation of his death felt like the bomb which just a few needed to let out the shocken realization of the death of the Great Missionary.
         Pa Solomon popularly regarded by all as Pa Solo; was a Christian missionary who had resided in the village for over a decade. The coming of Pa Solo into the village had brought light and salvation to many perishing souls. He'd taught the gospel of peace and began the first Christian congregation in the village before establishing the village church where the people worshiped on Sundays and Wednesdays. 
        The discovery of Pa Solo's dead body was done by Kojo, the village drunkard whom till date got everyone asking what quest he had embarked upon going to the old evangelist's house. The doctor had confirmed the death was caused by a heart attack. Pa Solo couldn't have been killed everyone thought but the question remains what was Kojo up to.
       By evening Pa Solo's burial and final rite were conducted, the laying to rest couldn't be postponed further as regards the tradition of the people moreso for Pa Solo had no other relatives he'd introduced them to. They'd never seen or heard anyone come visiting since he came into the village. By night fall, his casket had already been soiled. It was indeed the least of events anyone expected for such peaceful morning but they all were consoled cause as Pa Solo would say; 'he who dies in faith perishes not but sleeps peacefully in the bossom of his saviour'.








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