Taduno's Song by Odafe Atogun Page B

their mouths shut about what they had seen.
    *
    Aroli came face to face with TK for the first time since he moved in with Taduno. Actually, it was the first time he had ever seen TK in the flesh, and he was amazed at his magnetic personality. He wore a simple smile; his Afro cut was dark and well kept.
    Aroli greeted TK in a reverent manner, shaking his hand as if to say ‘I’ve always wanted to meet you!’
    TK’s handshake was warm, and it passed a current between them that came from the depth of his being. Several minutes after that handshake, Aroli still felt his touch, and he kept looking at the man and then down at his own hand, wondering if he had touched him with magical light.
    In Taduno’s living room, the three men discussed the development on that street.
    â€˜They all know that TK is here,’ Aroli said, as if TK was not in the room with them.
    â€˜It was a mistake,’ Taduno explained in a tired voice. ‘TK wasn’t aware that they were outside the window. He forgot my warning that they could be watching us.’
    â€˜They thought of reporting it to the secret service man next time he turns up,’ Aroli said. ‘But I talked them out of it.’
    â€˜I think I should leave,’ TK said, rising to his feet.
    â€˜No!’ Aroli said sharply. ‘You don’t have to. You have nowhere to go. I’m hopeful that they will keep their mouths shut. Stay, please. But be more careful next time.’
    â€˜Thank you, Aroli,’ Taduno said, looking away. To think that he had been afraid that Aroli would betray him. He suddenly felt ashamed.
    â€˜Please sit down, TK,’ Aroli implored.
    TK remained standing.
    â€˜Please sit down, TK,’ Taduno added.
    For a moment, TK studied both their faces; then he resumed his seat. ‘I don’t want to bring trouble to folks around here,’ he said quietly.
    â€˜Think about it,’ Aroli said. ‘If they report your presence everyone will get into trouble for sure. They are better off keeping their mouths shut, and that’s what I told them. Concentrate on making beautiful music again and then we’ll take it from there.’
    â€˜How much does he know?’ TK asked Taduno, nodding towards Aroli.
    â€˜He believes my story even though he cannot remember me,’ Taduno explained. ‘He believes that they are the ones who forgot the past and everything about me.’
    TK shook his head. ‘I have never seen so much faith,’ he muttered under his breath.

ELEVEN
    The man from the secret service turned up the following afternoon. From the buzz on the street, Taduno had advance warning, so he told TK to hide in the attic amongst several sturdy shelves where it would be difficult to find him. And then he went to sit in the living room with his guitar, waiting to hear a knock on his door.
    The knock came about an hour after the secret service man arrived on the street, after he had visited all the other houses to ask questions. Taduno went to open the door holding his guitar in one hand. He knew that his fate was no longer in his own hands but in the hands of neighbours who did not remember a thing about him.
    He invited the man in politely. He noted that he was tall and broad-shouldered, with a very quiet demeanour. He offered him a comfortable seat. He offered him cold water in a large mug. He had learned from somewhere that men like him who worked for government were always thirsty and hungry. But he had no food to offer him, andhe dearly wished he had some food in the house, a piece of chicken maybe.
    He waited for the man to drain the contents of the mug, and then he asked him if he wanted more. The man nodded, and he went and got him more water, in a bigger mug. And as the man nursed the mug of water in his hand, Taduno asked, ‘To what do I owe this visit?’
    â€˜You seem like a very nice person,’ the man observed.
    â€˜Thanks for the compliment. By the way,