Chapter 7: A Prophetic Dream
1711words
A colourful dream world opened up in front of me, made from the sights and sounds deep in Yoruba myths. I stood on the edge of a hill full of green plants, with the golden light of the sun going down shining over me. Down there, a great river wound through the lively scenery, with its top shimmering like fish scales because so many fishes were jumping and making splashes.
On the other side of the river, a great city was shining far away. It had tall buildings with detailed engravings that showed Yoruba fighters from legends and creatures from myths. I felt very amazed; it made me feel like I belonged to this old and lively culture.
While I was walking to the city that sparkled, the air became heavy with drumming sounds that made a rhythm. It bounced back from the valley like an old heart beating. Then suddenly, the earth under me started to shake and a low roaring noise came up from deep inside it.
I felt a deep fear when I saw a huge snake, with scales that had the colour of bright green gems, appear from the water. The creature's eyes glowed like hot coals in the dimming evening and stared at me so strongly it made shivers run through my back.
The city on the other side of the river looked like it was waving and changing shape, turning into an ugly joke of what it used to be. The buildings that were once great were now falling apart, covered with a lot of dense plants that made it hard to breathe. A sense of despair settled over me, a crushing weight of impending doom.
Next, a voice that sounded old and full of knowledge came from the sky. "Eki Bassey," it said in a loud way, making the air shake with its power. You have to make a decision. You can go down the path where water does not move, which brings rot and ruin, or you can choose the path with the moving river that stands for growth and new beginnings.
Then, the dream broke apart. I woke up taking a sharp breath, my heartbeat pulsing like the drumming sound in the dream. The bedding was moist from perspiration, and a feeling of confusion wrapped around me like a cloak.
The images from the dream stayed with me, clear and disturbing. There was a great river, a huge snake, and mysterious words coming down from the sky – all parts appeared to carry a secret significance like there was some message that needed figuring out.
The next morning, I went to ask for advice from Iya Wura, who is much respected in our place because she knows a lot about wisdom and Yoruba ways. She lives in a small old house that's quiet and calm even though it's surrounded by the busy roads of Lagos city.
While I was telling the dream, Iya Wura paid close attention with her eyes shut, showing no expression on her aged face. After I stopped speaking, she did not say anything for a good while; it felt like she quietly had much knowledge that she did not voice out.
At last, she made her voice heard; it was scratchy yet strong. "This dream you have, Eki Bassey, is a communication from the Orisha," she stated, meaning those mighty spirits in Yoruba belief. The river symbolizes Oshun, who is the deity of fresh water, fertility and creativity. It shows what your design could become, and how strong it is to bring new life into the community.
Her speech echoed inside me, bringing back the first idea of the Moonlight Glow project. Then she pointed to the huge snake that appeared in my dream.
"The snake," she went on, her voice serious, "is like the still water. It is the power of greed and dishonesty that may contaminate our work." She stopped talking for a moment and looked straight into my eyes. "The choice, Eki Bassey, is yours."
A deep quiet fell over the room. The dream showed a clear message – the project might be something that brings good, showing off Lagos' lively energy, or it could turn into something harmful, just another sign of people's greed.
I felt a big struggle inside me. The things Dapo said kept ringing in my head, his dream for the project getting less bright because of the tough truth that came with the group working with us. Could I, a lone architect, overcome the forces arrayed against me?
I made up my mind to find an answer, so I chose to face Dapo again. This time, instead of giving a puzzling message, I planned to present my conditions and the way I see our project – in a manner that echoes Oshun's essence, like a moving river.
While I was flagging down a taxi for travel to Dapo's office, an urgent feeling was beating inside me. Time was going fast and the destiny of our Moonlight Glow project, maybe my career too, depended on what happens next.
As the taxi started moving from the side of the road, my phone made a sound. There was a message about the news - it said "Group Declares Big Alterations to Moonlight Glow Plan." A surge of worry went through my body. My task's importance seemed to come to the forefront very quickly. Might the group of companies be acting to strengthen their power, changing the goal of the project more so it benefits their greed?
I told the taxi driver with a new determination to drive faster because of what my dream and Iya Wura's explanation meant to me. I was ready to protect my vision from being controlled; I would resist strongly.
The big office building of Dapo, with its glass and steel front, stood tall in front of me. It looked very different from the busy and colourful streets of Lagos. I took a deep breath, made my shoulders straight, and walked into the fancy entrance hall.
The woman at the front desk, who seemed not very interested, looked at me fast and then asked why I was there. Even though she did not seem to care much, I spoke with a strong voice and said, "I come to see Dapo Olumide," while my eyes showed that I had made up my mind. This is pressing.
After many calls and my serious face, she finally said she would introduce me. Waiting so long seemed like it took endless time, each clock tick making the nervousness in my belly stronger.
Finally, a voice was heard on the intercom, and it made some noise. It said, "Please bring her inside."
I walked with firm steps into Dapo's office where he stood behind his big desk, and I could not tell what he was feeling from looking at his face. The urgent news notification filled up his computer screen, casting a worrying shade on his face.
"Eki," he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment. "This is surprising." "Why are you here?"
"I spoke with confidence about what will happen next with the Moonlight Glow project," I said, my voice filled with certainty. "Did you get the news update?"
He paused for a little time, looking at the screen and then back to me. "There were... talks," he confessed with a tense voice.
"Discussions?" I repeated, incredulous. "This changes everything, Dapo. This is exactly what I was worried about. The consortium tightened their grip, twisting the project into something unrecognizable."
He let out a deep breath, his hand moving through his hair to show he was frustrated. "It is not so straightforward, Eki. Believe me, I'm fighting for your vision too."
His speech sounded a little desperate, but I still felt very sceptical. "Prove it to me," I said as a challenge. Let me know your proposal. Explain to me the strategy you will use against the consortium so that our project continues to align with its first concept.
Dapo paused for a long time, his face showing many mixed feelings. After that, he took a big breath and moved to a secret cupboard to get out a large file folder.
He said, putting the folder on the desk, "This is my different proposal. It's a strategy to get money for our project without depending on the group of companies so we can have all control over creativity."
My heart was beating fast in my chest when I opened the folder. Inside, there were very detailed plans that showed different ways to get money, programs for involving the community, and a new design which included methods for sustainability — everything matched exactly with what I had imagined.
A glimmer of hope started inside me. Maybe there was a method to move ahead, a route where Dapo and I could work together, bonded by our common goal, and defeat the consortium's strong desire for money.
As I started to look more closely at the proposal, a loud knock on the door broke the quiet. A man wearing a smart suit and with a smile like someone about to catch something walked into my office not even waiting for me to say he could come in.
"Dapo," he declared, his voice dripping with condescension, "we need to talk."
Dapo's jaw was tight, and his eyes showed both anger and resistance. He faced me with a look I could not interpret.
"Eki," he said, his voice low, "this… this complicates things."
Before I had a chance to answer, the man wearing the suit looked at me with scorn and said, "Who is this person?" he demanded, his gaze dismissive.
"This," Dapo spoke clearly, "is Eki Bassey, the person who designs buildings. And she will stay here."
An easy silence filled the room. The future of the Moonlight Glow project, inspired by Oshun's communication, was uncertain and could go either way. I realized while being in the middle that this was only the start of a bigger battle.
