Palm lines 2 - Episode 14

 

Ade's POV

"She really did that?" Shirley leaned on me while we watched movies.  "Yes she did." 
"I sensed it. I knew that lady was a b*tch" she answered and I laughed. "Sharon doesn't. Why would she keep such a friend"
"I bet she was the one who made all the decisions in her life" Shirley guessed and I couldn't agree more. 
"I think you should tell her. Let's her know what a b*tch Tasha is" 
"Are you sure it's not going to make me look like a gossip?" 
"It'll make you look like a gossip who cares about the family . I've seen a lot of people in this life and people like Tasha are conniving home and life wrecking b*tch. I won't be surprised if she isn't making moves at seducing Sharon's father"
"No." I shook my head.
"Why?"
"I'm not saying she's not. Even if she is, Mr Savage loves Mrs Erika and it's not his first time dealing with seduction. I'm not worried about him" 
"You're forgetting he's a man and all men reacts unanimously to temptation" 
"I overcame mine"
"Because of Sharon, I'm pretty sure I wasn't the person in your mind when you said no to her."
"Shirley" 
"It's okay. I studied psychology Ade and I know very well it's going to take time but I'm only willing to wait and I'm not angry

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/palm-lines-2

. I think you should let the family know she tried to seduce you. Especially Sharon, she's the gullible one" 
The following morning which was a Wednesday, I went over to  Mr. Savage's house and Mrs Erika opened up. "To what do I owe the visit" 
"Good morning Ma" I smiled, "Good morning dear"  she replied and she let me in. 
"Where's Mr Savage?" I asked and she laughed. 
"What world are you in?" She asked and I felt uncomfortable. "No one tells me anything these days" 
"Well he travelled" she answered, "Business trip?" 
"I wish. He was summoned in the village" 
"She's dead right?" I asked and she nodded looking back. "I've been looking for a way to tell Sharon." "She's definitely going to cry" I answered and she nodded.
"Worst! When I wanted to reveal it to her last night, she said she would be traveling next week to pay her grandmother a visit. Next week's the burial"  she whispered, "At least she'll be paying her a last visit" I answered and she laughed.
"I don't know how I'm going to start, David doesn't want to tell her too. I haven't even said anything to the kids.Thank God you're here."
"Why are you thanking God?"
"Cause you'll help me out." 
"Help you out with what?" Sharon came out in her short silky night gown. "What are you doing here?" She asked then she stifled a yawn and i shrugged. 
"I came to see your Dad" 
"Dad travelled, why are you here to see him?" 
"Ayo I think you should tell her" Mrs Erika suggested and Sharon folded her hands waiting for me to say something.
"Sometimes in our life, we all have fears and we all have sorrows" I paused and Sharon laughed.
"You do know those are lines to an actual song right?" She asked, "Okay cut the suspense, what's going on? Are you getting married already?" She asked and I shook my head.
"No" I answered and she sighed in relief. 
"Not like I don't want you to get married, I didn't want you to get married at the right time, but if you do so now, it might just... What is it you want to tell me?" She scratched her hair.
"Grandma has gone on heaven's errand" I answered and she blinked her eyes then she turned towards her Mom. 
"I'm sorry" she apologized and she ran back in. 
"I knew it!" Mrs Erika covered her face with her palm. "I'll go talk to her" I answered and then I saw Tasha on my way to her room. 
"Can we talk?" She requested and I shook my head.
"I don't have any business with you"
"I'm sorry about last night, I was high on coke" she confessed and I rolled my eyes.
"I'm serious, I have coke issues that I'm personally battling with and I was really horny and I needed to get it off with someone, you're hot and I got your address. Please don't tell Sharon, she'll be really dissapointed. She wants me to be clean and I told her I was but the drugs...." she heaved a sigh and she rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry about what happened, it was really foolish of me and I'm begging you, let's keep this as our little secret, I promise never to bother you again." She stretched her hands and I accepted her hand shake. 
"Thanks" she smiled leaving and I walked into Sharon's room. She knelt down crying intensely.
"If someone hears you crying they'll think you just lost a young relative" I sat on the bed and she raised her head at me. 
"She's 89"
"She's not that old, I wish she stayed that long. If she had stayed long enough for me to visit her. I'm a horrible grand daughter" 
"She wouldn't have recognized you. She was having issues according to your dad. She even called him Pa Oloche. Her ex boyfriend's name" I teased and she laughed. 
"How did you know it was her ex? It might be a distant uncle. Oloche is a very common name"  she answered and I laughed.
"She has fulfilled all righteousness. From all I've heard about her, she's definitely going to have peace at last."
"I didn't visit her. I spent four years away and I didn't even think of her. I'm a horrible daughter, she must be so angry at me" Sharon sat on the bed and I smiled.
"At least you'll pay her a last respect at the burial. Sharon you don't have to feel guilty about this, what has happened has happened. The damage has been done, you don't have to feel bad" I answered and she sobbed. 
"Grandma and I were so close. You know that right? we were so so close." she answered and I hugged her gently patting her back.

Tuni's POV
I went to the club, but I didn't feel good. I felt even more empty. So I went back home, I went into the room and flashbacks of what Ayo said replayed over and over again and I wept like I've never done in my life. 
On Sunday, I made up my mind not to go to church; even when Sharon came over. 
"What's going on?" She asked and I covered the bed sheets over my face.
"I'm not in the mood"
"I'm all dressed up to go and the best you can say is I'm not in the mood. Well I'm the angel that has been sent to force you to church today" she held my legs. 
"Ayo knows I'm trying to seduce him!" I yelled and Sharon sat on the bed. 
"Don't tell me you did something really stupid" she asked and I sat up.
"Let's say the seduction plan turned back to bite me in the ass and he ended up preaching to me. I was so ashame" 
"When did this happen?" She asked, "Friday night, I couldn't even feel myself at the club. I didn't get to post on Instagram. Can you believe he knew all these while and he played me for a fool, making me come for all those programs. I feel like a complete idiot.
"He's smart"
"And he'll go to hell for deception" I cried out, "And you'll also go to hell for seduction" I snapped back.
"At least I've always known I'll go to hell. I'm so angry at myself right now and I'm more angry at him for...." 
"Turning you down"
"I went to a stupid house fellowship, I prayed all those violent die die die! prayers to get into his boxers and just when I was so close, he decided to tell me he knew all along and was using me"
"Did he say it that way?" 
"It sounded that way to me" I laid in bed.
"Let's go! You're an exco in church" I dragged her legs and she groaned. 
"If you don't wanna get your ass up. I'm starting a damn church right here and right now" 
"You're not serious" 
Sharon started clapping in twos then she chorused a popular, "In the morning.. early in the morning" I hated that song!
"Please!" I begged but she continued.
"Okay fine! Fine I'll go. Don't ever sing that song again!" I snapped and she sat on the bed laughing.
"Get your lazy ass up into the bathroom while I wait for you" 

We drove over to the church in her car. We walked in when ministration was just ending. Ife was the one with the microphone. "Thank God we came late" I muttered and Sharon laughed shaking her head.

We took a seat at the back while Pastor Festus walked up to the podium. The microphone made screeching sound and Ayo rose up to  have it corrected. My heart thumped the moment I saw him walk up to the podium to give him another mic, maybe it was partial guilt.
"God is good" he tested the mic and everyone answered "All the time" including Sharon, in exception of me. I was scared of spilling bullsh*t.
"Graced voice that was a lovely one but I know I gave you guys specific topic to work on in the song delivery but.... What can I say? God has the final say. He can move me to change the topic anytime" he smiled. 
"The spirit of God has led to me speak on what I title "Your little works" he paused and I saw Sharon pick up her pen to write. 
It sounded like something straight out from Joyce Meyer collection of inspirational book, I thought within, not like I've ever read any!
"I know it sounds like something right out of an inspirational book but..." I suddenly felt uncomfortable as though he was reading my mind.
"God has inspired me to do this and I don't know who this for. Your little works for God availeth much. What do you for God? What do you feel you should do for him?" 
Just after his sermon, and everyone busted into prayers pleading for grace to work relentlessly for the man upstairs. 
In between the loud prayer, he requestd for silence then he gently walked up a man, spoke to him then also to a lady then he walked up to where I sat. 
"God has a message for you. See me after service " he whispered and 
I gently  nodded after he left then I  rolled my eyes. 
I didn't have plans to wait after service. My initial plan was to leave to definitely avoid Ayo. Now I had to add waiting for the Pastor on my to-do list. 
While I waited at the church waiting room just close to the Pastor's office, I heard a Stacy say, "You didn't tell me you'll be comingand I raised my head in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" She asked and I smiled.
"I should be asking you that. I've been coming for a month now"
"Seriously? You didn't gist me na" "It's not my fault that you've been distant"
"Why won't I be distant when your bestie is back. I sent you congratulatory message on WhatsApp, did you read it, no." she answered and I felt bad.
She sat close to me she turned towards Sharon who was reading a gospel magazine. She obviously didn't hear what Stacy said. 
How lost was she is the article? 
"Hello Sharon" Stacy waved and Sharon smiled at her. "Umm.. do I know you?"
"No. Because Tasha has never posted about me on Instagram. I'm Stacy, the best friend before you got back" She explained and I laughed.
"That wasn't what happened" I tried to explain all to no avail. 
She passed her card to me. "We're here to have it blessed. Bode can be really spiritual you know" she answered and I chuckled. 
I opened it scanning through it.  "It's next month, Moji said I'm rushing it because I'm pregnant" 
"Same Moji that said you're delaying it because of financial constraints" 
"Screw that...." She hesitated. "I'm in church, let me just..." She paused.

I went into Pastor Festus' office. He had blank look on his face then he asked that I sit. "How are you?" He asked and I wondered why he asked. 
"Um... I'm fine Sir. You said you wanted to see me" 
"I did. What do you want to do for God?" He asked and I shrugged. 
"He wants you to preach the word for him" he answered and I laughed. 
"Are you being serious?" I asked and he still wore that blank look. 
"God spoke to you and that was what he told you? He's kidding" 
"God doesn't joke. He means business, he's still in the business of winning souls too if you're worried about being a sinner."
"It can't be"
"Well it's the truth. I heard God clearly and he spoke these words to me" he answered and I remembered when Ayo said the same thing. 
I stood up to leave and he ordered me to have my seat. 
"You don't understand. I'm an actress and I don't have any business with all these gospel crap" 
"I learnt you're acting a gospel movie" 
"How did you find out?"
"From Ayo and some church members" he answered. "Why would you guys talk about me?" "You're a recent topic of interest. Can't you see that God is slowly bringing you to the light to be of use"
"I was never useless"
"I never said you were"
"Sister I want you to do something for God in church" 
"I can't go around evangelizing. I don't know shit about the Bible. Sorry for the language but it's the truth. How can I work for God?"
"Start with something. Use your talent to glorify God"
"I can only act."
"The drama department has been domant for a while now. What do you think about reviving it?" He asked and I gave a deep thought about it.
"Do you agree?" He clasped his hands together and I gave a gentle nod. 
I walked out and i found Ayo speaking to Sharon. I wondered what they were talking about, "Let's go Sharon" I snapped then he held my hands.
"Let's talk"
"I don't want to" 
"Please" he begged, "Just hear him out" Sharon begged and I agreed. 
"You have ten minutes and don't make me regret coming to church today" 
"I'm sorry" he apologized and I scoffed, "For which part, leading me on or making me look stupid?"
"I'm sorry"
"You know what Ayo, I just want to leave my normal life but no. I've just been forced by God to revive the drama group and no I'm not happy with it but I feel like it's the right thing to do and that's why I'm doing it. Can we just live like we don't know each other cause I'm really angry at you and truth be spoken, I don't thinkI have it in me to forgive you cause you could have told me from the start you didn't like me but no! You played me for a fool" tears trickled down my cheeks. 
"I'm really sorry"
"Let's pretend like we never spoke. I don't want troubles from your girlfriend. You two are the same, bunch of pretenders, you're perfect for each other" I snapped leaving him.
 Sharon ran after me. 
Just as I walked out of the church, I saw the guy from the other day while I was jogging. He had that smile on his face but he had no idea that I was in a bad mood. I've been ignoring his calls all along and now I got to meet him again. Was fate playing a trick with me?
"This has to be God" he muttered and I rolled my eyes.  
"Tuni!" Sharon yelled and I turned to her. "What?" I asked and she rolled her eyes. "I've been calling you and acted like you didn't hear me" 
"Cause I sensed what you were going to say already"
"You have the right to be angry but you shouldn't have done it that way. People were staring after you left"
"They have eyes, why shouldn't they?"
"Tuni I know you're angry" 
"He had the guts to speak to me" "He just wanted to apologise to you. "He feels really bad and I think you should hear him out" she advised and i scoffed. 
"Hello" he waved and Sharon finally took notice of him. 
"Hello" she waved back and she gave me the 'Who's this?' look.
"I'm Joel" he waved at me. "Remember you met me the other day. I've been calling but you've been intentionally avoiding it"
"I've been too busy" 
"But here we are, we meet again Tuni. Call it coincidence but I call it fate. God is trying to tell me something and I'm willing to open up my mind to it." He answered and I folded my hands.
"I'm Sharon and I'm lost" Sharon paused and he chuckled.
"I met him while jogging and we exchanged numbers but I've been avoiding his calls" I answered in all honesty and he laughed. 
"It's nice to meet you again Tuni. You're still as ever pretty as you were"
 "Thanks but I'm really not in a good mood now" 
"What happened? We could speak over lunch?" He requested and I shook my head. I wasn't keen on the idea.
"You probably came here for something" 
"I'm a Pastor but I came to see a friend here but I can reschedule" 
"You don't have to"
"I must. This is the only time I have to talk to you. After now, you might just keep on avoiding my calls. Just like Moses said to God, I won't let you go unless you bless me with this one lunch. I hope you don't mind Sharon. Please I promise I won't bite" he begged and Sharon smiled .
"Okay. Just don't hurt my best friend or do anything crazy"
"I haven't even accepted and you just sold me out for free" I complained and she laughed.
"Have fun" She added and I scoffed. 
"See you at home" she winked at me before leaving.
"So what do you say?" He asked, "Lunch or not?"

****
He drove me over to  Cherries eatery along the road and we placed orders for food and drink. "So who is he and how did he hurt you?" He asked and I scoffed.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't help but listen to your conversation with your friend Sharon"
"Is it a choir issue? Someone in the choir accused you of ruining the choir ministration with your horrible voice" he guessed and I scoffed again.
"Do I look like someone with a horrible voice"
"No. But I'll keep on making guesses until you say something" he answered and I chuckles softly.
"How bad was the flat?" He continued and I laughed. "I didn't flat the song"
"Someone else did and they blamed you for it" 
"There was no flat at all" 
"Well I'll keep on coming with guesses until you say something" "Maybe I would if you just shut the fuck up" I snapped and he smiled. 
"I'm all ears"
"It's not about the choir. I don't even belong to a choir group. I'm just a floor member in the church, oh I've just been made welfare president in the youth wing. Which is crazy cause it hasn't been long since I started going to church. This whole church thing is new to me and.... My first aim was to fuck a guy I met the first day I got there" I cleaned my tears.
"People are going to start looking at me, I'm acting silly"
"You're not being silly."
"Have you fucked the guy?" He asked and I laughed. "Are you sure you're a pastor?" I asked and he laughed.
"I've always been told that I'll go to hell" he answered and I laughed again.
"So have you?" He asked and I shook my head. 
"No. He's been playing hard to get and I just realized that he's been using me all along, all along for his selfish reason. Can you believe he said he was trying to win my soul for Christ" 
"He might be right"
"It doesn't change the fact that he used me. I'm so angry at him" 
"Would giving him a punch do? I have a fist for hire" he added and I chuckled. "What do the word of God has to say about this Pastor?" I asked and he smiled. 
"Thou shall forgive him" 
"Are you sure you're a Pastor? Where did you get ordained? Which Bible School did you attend?" I asked laughing and he laughed. 
"At least I got you to laugh. So Miss Reiner, can I get your autograph?" He asked and I wondered how he got to know that I'm an actress.
"My cousin told me about it, I spent my less busy time downloading and watching your movies and I must say Ma'am, I'm a fan" He answered and I smiled. 
He dropped me home, "Can we do this again?" He requested and I smiled. "Sure" 
"And you won't avoid my calls when I call?" He asked and I nodded.
"I promise" 
"Would you like to go on a date with me on Wednesday night?" 
"It's my birthday" i answered and he smiled. 
"Tell me it's not destiny bringing us together" he answered and I bite my lips. "Goodbye" I said entering into the gate. 
Sharon walked in later in the evening. She had this stoic expression on her face. "What happened?" I asked and I hope she wasn't still mourning her grandmother's death.
 "Felix called and we were supposed to meet at his hotel room and while we were talking he kissed me"
"Just like he has been kissing you. What made the it different?"
"He wanted to have sex and I couldn't go through with it" she fell on my bed. 
"Urgh! Some how I couldn't and I had no idea why"
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him  I had to get back home and I dished some bullshit about how indecent it was for African ladies to spend the night away from home especially when they're living under their parents"
 "And he bought it?" 
"Yes." "Your boyfriend is stupid"
"Tuni I'm freaking out here. This is a man I'm engaged to, we'll be married soon and" 
"Maybe you just have to admit you don't like him"
"I do! I like Felix, I really do. I'm just confused" 
"Like your mom was about Feso and your Dad. I think you should talk to her" 
"She'll only advised me to leave Felix because Ade's her best choice" 
"She might not be wrong. Guess what? I just had a brilliant idea," her eyes, "When have you ever had a brilliant idea?" She asked and she threw a pillow at me and I laughed.
"What about meeting my mom?" She asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Brilliant idea huh? How long I've you had that in mind?"
"Since you came"  I answered truthfully and she laughed.
"So you don't want your Mom reading your future but you want her reading mine" 
"I'm scared of the future"
"Who's not scared?" Sharon snapped. 
"She could give you a quick sneak peek, or teasers to tell you it's Ade not Felix" 
"She might even tell you it's Ayo and no one else" she answered and I laughed. 
   "Even God in heaven just laughed at that joke. Joke of the century, I can't be a Pastor's wife"
"Whatever. What if the future says that I'll neither get married to Ade or Felix?" "Then you'lll be single for a very long time Sharon, cause I know you're a loner. Don't fret cause you have a partner, I'll be single for a long time" I answered and she jumped on me pinching me and I laughed. 

****
The following week, we were on set. Movie hasn't begun proper but I was getting to know my cast and my love partner, KC Jones. 
He pulled me close for a video. "This is Tuni Reiners and i on the set of Providence which will be coming live to you on Cinema. Watch out cause it's going to be the bomb"
"A bomb" I repeated and he ended the video. 
My phone rang and an incoming call came in. "Excuse me" I walked away to pick the call, it was my brother.
"What's up?" 
"We're at the clinic" he answered and I my heart skipped in fear. 
"Wait" 
"I would but, Kasi isn't willing to"
"Which hospital are you guys in?" I asked, "One Flourish private hospital along that De'place mall" 
"I'll be there in maybe an hour or so" 
"Please be fast, I'll see how I can stall. I don't even trust the doctor's face" he whispered. 
I had an co-cast interview so I rushed to attend to it just before going to the hospital.
 I found Timi and Kasi sitting at the lobby.  Kasi gave him a look and I guessed she had no idea that I had being summoned. 
"Who else did you tell, mom?" She snapped leaving, "Kasi!" I yelled and she turned back.
"I don't need you to advise me against this"
"I'm not advising you against anything. If your mom finds out, she'll kill me too so. I'm just as anxious to find a solution to this as you are" 
"I just want to do this without feeling like I'm killing a person" 
"Technically we're killing a person; it's going to the third month."
"What's yout point Timi?"
 "Is there any neee going ahead with this abortion thing? I don't mind taking care of this child even if it means that I have to drop out and get a job" 
"No one's dropping out" I yelled and I rolled my eyes and I looked at the person talking about getting a job when he has never hustled in life. 
I began to wonder what job he would run to?
"That's sweet of you Timi but how will I face my family?" 
"We can do it together" he held her hands and I she cried.
"We can do the abortion"
"I don't support it. Kasi, I love you and you might think you're way to young to have this baby but I know you're stronger than this." He held her hands kissing her on the lips and  nurses starting staring.
"I hate to break this up but.. people are starting" I snapped and they pulled away from each other. 
"Are you sure you want this?" She asked and he nodded. "I'll go talk to the doctor" she left and we both sat down at the lobby. 
"Are you sure you want this?" I asked him and he nodded. "What do you think?" "I think..." I paused and my phone rang, it was Ayo so o ignored it. 
"The word of God says in plain English, thou shall not kill" I answered and he looked at me in surprise. 
"I'm shocked you even know what the word of God says" he answered and I nudged him playfully and he laughed.
My phone rang twice and I declined the call. "Who's the unfortunate fellow? You even saved his name as Cam" Timi asked and I laughed.
"One of the camera men that wants some p*ssy" I answered and he laughed. "But you're not giving him are you?"
"No. My p*ssy is domant right now, I'm just waiting for a good guy to come in, I'm done with all these unserious guys" 
"I'm shocked" 
"Yeah" I answered and my phone rang again. It was Ayo this time so I ignored it. "What's taking Kasie so long. Are you sure she's not going through the process" 
"No.

Read " The Picnic " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. She won't, not with that look on her face"
We got interrupted by another call from Ayo and I declined it. "So who's the Ay guy you're avoiding?"  "Some Pastor that I wanted to f*ck but..." 
"It didn't work as planned"
"Yes. He used me so I could get closer to doing church things and for the first time in my life I did it."
"Did you enjoy it?" He asked and I nodded.
"Sometimes" 
"So in order words, you like him  but he doesn't like you" 
"I don't like him"
"You're my sister. I know when you're telling the truth and you always tell the truth, it's your curse" 
"You're right I always do and I'm telling you that I don't like him that way. Maybe I did like him a bit, a tiny bit but now seeing him for who he truly is, a fucking pretender. I don't like him that much"
"There's this fellowship on campus, they send out pretty girls to evangelize and bring bad boys to turn a new leave" "Is that a fellowship or a cult?"
"I'm serious. My point here is the guy was not wrong for coming out that way, he was just being smart. You on the other hand were wrong for trying to seduce an anointed man of God"
"Screw you. You're supposed to be my brother and support me" 
"It is what is it" he answered and I smiled.
"How did you get so mature?" I asked and he scoffed, "Stop asking me that question" he snapped and I saw Kasi walk towards us. 
"Done" shhe answered and I smiled.
"You guys are not telling anyone until after my birthday. I want to have a peaceful birthday, not a drama-filled birthday with Ms Ify and Mrs Erika up my ass, thank you. Let's go" I stood up leaving.