Palm lines 2 - Episode 16

 

Happy Monday!!!
 Sorry I didn't post yesterday. 
For those requesting for two episodes per day, here's a very lengthy one; I call it two in one. Lol
Wish you all a lovely day ahead.

Tuni's POV

Joel's call woke me the next day ,he wanted to know how I was faring and if my health had gotten better since he found me on the floor. What he doesn't know is that I was never sick.
"Please be strong for me" he added and I smiled.
"Is it possible to see you today although I'm at work but.. . I won't mind us having lunch or dinner"
"I'll be on set" 
"See you in the evening then" 
 
I took my bathe and for no reason, I drove over to the church. I didn't have any appointment with any one but I found myself there.
I heard sobs coming from the altar, then I sighted a woman rolling on it, singing Yoruba songs of mercy. 
I looked closely and I noticed It was one of the ushers, the oldest usher in the church by looks. The sob got even more loud that I feared the woman might faint or get sick from it.
"Are you okay Ma?" I asked but she completely ignored me. 
It was so annoying that I almost left like leaving but I found myself sitting down on one of the chairs. 
It was almost as though I wasn't acting by will. Suddenly the almost kiss scene from the previous day with Ayo replayed in my head and I rolled my eyes. 
Then I blinked my tears back in.
After a while, she sat close to me, "I'm sorry for ignoring you dear, I didn't want any Interruption" "From what, Crying? I was worried for a moment"
"I didn't want any Interruption cause I was praying to God to send me a helper, a miracle of some sort"
"If he's the God of everything, if what people say about him is true, then he can't be deaf that he can't hear our silent prayers

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

. You don't have to cry"
"Sometimes we have to go extra miles to attract his attention. I'm sorry if I made you worried"
"It's nothing but are you okay?" I asked and she shook her head
"I need God to answer my prayers"
"What prayer?"
"I've been married 11 years without children, not even a miscarriage" "I'm sorry"
"The doctor said my womb can never house a baby but I know God works miracle that even doctors can't comprehend."
"Why? Aren't you medically okay?"
"I had complications as a teenage when I had an abortion done" she answered and I opened my mouth in shock. I didn't know how to react to the revelation.
"My mother had no option because my uncle was responsible for the pregnancy. I was only fourteen." "Screw him!" I snapped, I didn't even care about the fact I was in church.
"I've never said this to anyone, I don't know why I'm revealing my deepest secrets to you" she cried and I gave her my handkerchief to clean her tears.
"I promise not to tell"
"It's okay" she wiped the tears off.
"How about your husband?" I asked and she smiled. "He's been patient but his family are not as patient as he is"
"Why are you here?" She asked and I shrugged, "I honestly have no idea. I just found myself here, like I'm supposed to be here for something" 
"Do you also have issues of your own?"
"I won't call it an issue, I think...I need some kind of clearance" 
"Let's pray together" 
"No" I shook my head.
"Sorry, I don't do all those things. I don't even know how to pray"
"It's easy, you just tell God to teach you how and he'll minister it to you" she answered and I stared at her.
"I'm new to this gospel thing" 
"I know but there's no one that God can't use. I'm always here every time of the day, if you need a prayer partner; I'm readily available" 
"I don't think I'll be needing one for now. Thanks" I answered and she rose up, "I have to start mopping the floor"  she announced and I wondered why.
"Why?"
"Because the floor is sandy"
"You're tired. You just cried and you need rest" 
"It's my responsibility to God" "But he's not doing your bidding, why should you feel responsible for him? Aren't you supposed to be angry" I asked and she chuckled softly. "I do what I do because whether or not God does my bidding, he is still God. He formed us for himself and not ourselves and if he's God, I know he'll surely give me the child I want" she explained and itand it reminded me of my character, even in her dilemma she still held firmly to God like her life depended on it.
"There are a lot you need to understand Sister but if you want to understand those spiritual things, go on your knees and ask God for understanding" she advised before leaving.

Timing called me up afterwards, "Plans changed, Kasi can't gonthrot with telling her mom because Aunt Erika isn't around." He explained and then I heard Kasi's voice.
"At least, if she sends me out, I'll have somewhere to fall back to" she answered and I sighed in relief. At least we won't be telling them yet. 
I had time to prepare myself emotionally and otherwise.
Ade called me up, "Are you going for the wake keep?" He asked, "I was planning on taking a flight" "Super, let's go together" I begged and he agreed.

Erika's POV

It was David's mom burial week; the wake keep was fixed for Thursday. Thelma has been pestering me to come but I couldn't because of school. I had to leave the running of the school in the hands of my head teacher, Grace.
So i decided to leave on Wednesday which was Tuniola's birthday. David wanted us to leave my flight but unknown to him that I had serviced the sienna to take us safely to Benue state.
"Happy birthday Tuni" I called her on phone. I could tell she was blushing.  "Thank you Ma" she answered. 
She sounded so happy. 
"This one that your voice sounds so happy like this, is it money alert that caused this one?" I teased and she laughed. "Or it's the surprise from your siblings?" I asked referring to Sharon and co.
"That and I've been having a lot of unexpected calls and they've made my day"  
"Happy birthday dear, I didn't have time to pick out gifts but I promise to compensate you afterwards"
"You don't have to. The call is more than enough" she answered and I sighed. "Thank God! I was already thinking of what I'll get" I answered and she laughed. 
I gave her my best wishes. Just after I dropped the ball, David called. 
"Morning darling" I greeted, "Morning, are you set?" He asked and I nodded. 
"Yeah, the car is set for us to go" I answered as a cue that we were using the car.
"Car? I thought you guys were taking flights now?"
"Well I had to change my mind, maybe we'll use flight when we're coming back. I already had the Sienna serviced and I called IK up and even with his busy schedule, he volunteered to take us there and he's here already. The children just got back from Tuni's place and we're getting ready to go"
"Erika, it's already past seven. You were supposed to move early, it won't be convenient for the children" he muttered, I knew he was going to complain. 
"Call me stingy and all but I had to save money. We're six oh, I can't leave Tammie here" 
"Huh... about that..." I heard him stall, I rolled my eyes, "Who else is coming?" I asked, it better not be who I'm thinking, I thought within and then I saw Tasha pull her luggage into the sitting room.
"I'm ready to go" she announced taking off the black shades she wore. 
"You invited Tasha? She's not family" 
"That was exactly why i call. I couldn't say no, besides it's a burial; everyone is invited, family or not"
"How did she get your number?" I asked, "Seriously Erika? We live in the same house" He retorted and I rolled my eyes. 
"Okay, okay, I'll call you later" 
IK walked in, "Ma are you ready? Time is going oh" He warned and I gave a gentle nod. 
Soon we were on the road, "Sharon aren't we supposed to be at the airport yet?" Tasha asked and I laughed sarcastically.
"About that...." Sharon paused,  "We're going by road" I answered to her shock. It was a privilege to give that answer.
"What?" She asked and I laughed out loud. I had to turn back to look at her and that face was priceless!
"Okay... Okay" she nodded. 
"Okay... It's part of having an adventure, I mean life's an adventure right?" She asked and I raised my nose in disbelief. 
"Yay!!!" She clapped her hands but the tone didn't sound like someone that was excited.
"So how long will the journey take?"
"Roughly 15 hours or so" Sharon answered, "What!" She asked and I laughed out loud again. 
 "I can't do this? Fifteen hours? That's crazy" 
"It's not too late to turn back, I mean no one forced you to come" I turned my head at her and she shook her head.
"No. No way, it's part of the adventure and I'm willing to do this. And you're right Ma, no one forced me to come. I'm simply here to give Mr Savage the support he needs." She answered and I almost stopped her for a moment there.
When did she suddenly turn into his wife? If she's going there to give him support, what am I going there for?  
I rolled my eyes and I kissed within.
Sam, Joshua and Sera soon slept off almost all through the journey.  We got to the family compound by past nine. 
"Goodness gracious!" Tasha exhaled as she came out of the car. "My legs" she cried. "My sweet legs" 
Sharon woke Sam and Joshua up and  then I carried Sera who was still sleeping.  
Sam and Joshua hugged their father. I was getting tired of answering questions about their father's whereabouts as if I had him kidnapped. Then they started explaining what happened during the journey. Things they barely kept their eyes open to see!
"But my legs hurt though" Joshua complained and I rolled my eyes. 
David folded his hands frowning at me. "Traveling by road makes any man grow stronger. It helps the leg" 
"I will strongly have to disagree with that Ma. My legs and ass hurts, I've never had to seat this long in my life." Tasha complained. 
"Good evening Sir" she added and David smiled. "Good evening dear, welcome to Benue state" 
"Thank you Sir" 
IK started dragging our bags out if the car and David's younger family members began to take our stuffs in. 
"Can someone show us to our rooms?" Tasha interrupted and David showed everyone to their respective rooms.  
Sharon slept in the same room as  Tasha, Tammie and another female relative, my boys and my girl slept over in the children's room.
Of course I had my room with David. 
"He walked into me rubbing my cream on my body, I was in my towel and I saw him smile. "Can I have my husband's attention now? I mean full attention" I requested and he smiled.
"You can have it with extra" he moved closer then he wrapped his arms around my waist and I smiled. 
"Sorry about the road transportation, I know the children are stressed out because of it but it was my own way of cutting prices." 
"Mama ijebu (stingy woman)" he retorted and I laughed. 
"Miss America just kept on complaining, my ears are full of complains" I rolled my eyes and he laughed. 
"I can imagine but I really don't want to talk about anyone right now, even Miss America. All I want to do is focus on my beautiful wife" he answered kissing me on the lips and I understood what he meant so I kissed him back taking off his top and  Sera walked in crying and I glared at her. 
"What happened?" I asked,  "I can't sleep in that room," "But you were already asleep" I almost cried.
"They put a girl's bumbum directly at face. She polluted two times and it's smelling, even in my sleep I smelled it" she held her father's shorts and he laughed.
 "Daddy tell her to wash her belly, it's bad" 
"I'll tell her tomorrow" he answered. 
"Just manage the room" he added and she apparently still felt really sleepy. She just went to the bed and she laid down.
"Sera dear" he called out and I shook my head.
"Don't waste your breathe. She's already asleep, she walked in sleep walking." I analysed and he exhaled. 
"What's wrong with her? It's as if my village people are using her to delay us" he answered and I laughed. 
"She's just ruining our show. It's as if I should fling her away" I confessed and he laughed too. 
I saw Mama David in my dream. She knocked on the door and I opened it, it felt so real. She walked in and then she asked after David. 
I told her David was perfectly fine and she gave me that smile like things were not alright. "How's your marriage" "Mama it's fine, we are fine" 
"Are you sure? Cause David told me otherwise oh" she answered and I wondered what David must have told him. 
"What did he say?" I asked and she went quiet. "Is it sex?"
"It hasn't been long since we had s*x, he shouldn't make it look like it's been months, it's just two weeks. Fine, it's long" "Who brought up issues of s*x now?" She asked, "Or you're feeling guilty for it. Like you should have been here earlier"
"It has to be it" 
"It's not my dear. Do you know how I managed to keep my marriage for more than 45 years?" She asked and I shrugged.
"I was able to make my husband realize that there was nothing sweet out there except me. People thought Pa Tom would marry another but I pinned him down with sweetness. I made him realize that there can't be any other woman that can be like me" 
"How?"
"I kept him at close distance"
"David travels a lot, I can't restrict his movement but I trust him too" 
"It works differently for all men but maybe you two need to spice up your relationship in order to save this marriage" 
"Save this marriage? It's not crumbling down"
"There are other women lurking around." "There's this woman called Tasha, I don't know why I feel like she's going to take David away"
"You and I Erika we're alike, we raised first children that aren't ours and you've done excellently well with Sharon" she smiled, "I didn't let anyone come in between my marriage so will you Erika. Stand firm, that's what marriage is all about. It's not all bread and butter"
I jerked up when David shout "Jesus!" I was so scared. Did he also see his mom in his dream. It was scary!
"Jesus!" I yelled too and David looked at me strangely, "Jesus! What happened?" He asked, "I should be asking you, you shouted Jesus first, I thought there was something you saw" I answered then i sighed in relief.
"I just saw your mom in my dream" i added,  "I didn't even know how to react to it and when you shouted Jesus" 
Sera's temperature influenced the "Jesus chorus". Thelma soon announced that I come out of my room and I fell back in bed. 
"God help me with this people" o felt like I haven't even slept for the night.

I went to the sitting room and I found Dorcas watching documentary on TV. "Good morning everyone" I greeted and they all responded back. 
"Someone looks ugly" Dorcas said and I rolled my eyes. 
"I saw your grandma in my dreams" I answered and she chuckled. "Did you pray afterwards cause I trust you to pray in tongues" 
"I prayed  but it wasn't a horrible dream, she was just warning me to save my marriage" I answered, "Are you sure it's not a self-induced dream out of your fear for that Tasha girl"
"I don't even know what to think. I'm just tired about a lot of things and I'm horny too" 
"Remember I told you to visit him once in a while" 
"I had responsibilities, if he wanted to see me, he would have"
"Don't be unfair Erika, you know very well he was carrying on his shoulders what Lawrence could have done too. Didn't you guys get it on with last night?"
"Sera keeps interrupting. She said the girl placed above her was shooting atomic bombs from her anus and she wasn't ready to die yet so she took cover" I explained and Dorcas laughed.
"If you guys meant it, you could have had on the floor" 
"And if she wakes up and sees us what will I tell her? Sera is a talkative and she's too smart" I complained. "There's this night to make up for lost times. If you can plan well and station Sera where she won't disturb you guys. You can finally have your moment"
"True" I thought of it and she laughed. 
"That's why I love you Dorcas" 
**** 
Thelma and i along with Dorcas, her mom and another women went to the market to purchase ingredients and souvenirs towards the burial and wake keep. When we got back, I got informed that David had taken Sera to the hospital along with Tasha who sprained her ankle from falling off from the stairs. 
To top it all, Cynthia was around too. 
I picked up my phone and I called David, "Where's Sera?" I asked, "We'll soon be on our way, I just wanted a doctor's opinion on her health but what really happened was that Tasha fell off the stairs and she broke her ankle" 
"I thought something serious happened" I sighed in relief. 
"Tasha broke her ankle" he repeated and I understood his point.
"I wasn't talking about Tasha, I meant my daughter. What did the doctor say?"
"We're waiting for test results, although Tasha's undergoing x-ray currently. She thinks she broke  bone" 
"If she had walked carefully"
"It wasn't her fault and it's pretty serious Erika. I feel guilty, maybe she could have stayed back" 
"How bad was it?" I asked, I had no idea why I even bothered asking. I just felt concerned.
"Can you bring my daughter home, I'm worried about her . Have you given her lunch?" 
"Yes I have" he answered and I sighed. 
Just when I got informed of their arrival, I left the yam I was peeling to attend to them then Cynthia walked up to me. 
"Why are you on wrapper?" She asked, "It's the most unattractive thing to do" she commented and I rolled my eyes.
"What are you doing here?" 
"David's mom was formerly my mother-in-law, if I need to remind you again and I respected the woman"
"I greatly doubt that cause you don't respect anyone" 
"If we're talking about respect, you shouldn't even speak sef. I mean I wasn't the one who disrespected someone's marriage vows, you did" 
"I thought we were over this?"
David walked towards me with Tasha in his hands and I frowned. "Where's Sera?" I asked and then I saw Sharon coming with her. 
IK also followed.
"Another lady in the arms of your own husband" Cynthia laughed in mock disdain.
 "Who's she?" She asked and I rolled my eyes. 
"Please don't ask me stupid questions" I snapped.
 David turned towards Cynthia in surprise. 
"What are you doing here?" He asked and she smiled. 
"You guys should really stop asking that question" she answered,  "Good afternoon Ma'am" Tasha groaned and I answered back.  
Then he walked away.
"Who's she?" Cynthia asked, "A family friend who broke her leg, we all know David is nice and generous" 
"Just like he was to you before our marriage broke" 
"Shut up" 
"I'm just telling you to watch out, David has a soft heart, he might as well fall for this family friend" she answered making emphasis on the 'family friend'.

Ade and Tuni arrived by past four in evening while Mom and my siblings arrived by past seven just after the wake keep began.
"I'm sorry once again for your loss my in law" Mom sympathize with David and he smiled.
There were enough food and drinks to feed the whole village.
David's special barbecue stand was everyone's go to place. IK walked up to me smiling with a glass of palmwine in his hand.
 "Good evening Ma" he greeted and I smiled looking at drunk men raise traditional songs while they danced.  
David was talking to Ade too, I noticed Sharon was taken away by one of David's friends son, Aboh.
"Everyday I dey happy say my Oga see beta person like you marry" he added in igbo and I smiled. "Thank you, you can tell that to Cynthia"
"Abeg that one na wife?" He asked in Igbo and I laughed. 
"Thanks for making me feel better"
"I have something to say Ma bit I don't want you to take it like that oh... It's not as if I'm gossiping" he continued in igbo and I guessed he didn't want anyone around to hear. "That woman that was with your husband, the one that talks with her nose, who is she?" He asked, "She's Sharon's friend? What happened?" I asked in igbo and he looked around. 
"My spirit does not go with her oh. As I'm looking at her so, she looks like one husband snatcher."
"What made you think that way? Did anything happen?" 
"Na wetin I feel and see, I no fit explain. I no just trust am, especially as she dey act with Oga David"
"I get your point IK, thanks dear. I really appreciate your advice but I'm not scared cause she's no match for my husband's faithfulness" I answered, I didn't want anyone detecting my fears. 
"But thank you anyways"
"You're welcome Ma" he drank his palm wine before leaving and I noticed David had left. Ade and Tuni look at me strangely then they looked away. 
Something was up, they've been acting strange but I didn't care, the thought of David crossed my mind and I darted my eyes around for him.
"Where's David?"
"He just left, I don't know where" Ade answered and I scoffed. "What are you guys up to?" I asked and Tuni chuckled nervously.
"Why don't you enjoy the burial first" she answered and gazed suspiciously at her. "I guess there's something then. Thanks for coming, it really means a lot to me" I commented and they both smiled with answers. 
"I better go and look for my husband"

David's POV
On Thursday morning, I was woken up by the heat emitting from my daughter's body. She had placed her hands on me and it felt like hot Iron.
"Jesus!" I exclaimed and Erika jerked up shouting 'Jesus' too.
"Jesus! What happened?" I asked, "I should be asking you, you shouted Jesus first, I thought there was something you saw" she answered then she sighed.
"I just saw your mom in my dream" she added I didn't even know how to react to it and when you shouted Jesus" 
"It's Sera's temperature" I answered and she placed her hands on her body. Immediately, there was a knock on the door, "Erika we need you oh" Thelma shouted and Erika fell back in bed. 
"God help me with this people" Erika complained.

****
Erika soon left to the market. My cousins and friends visited and we engaged in political discussion. 
"It's grandma's burial and you're all talking politics" Sharon sat down and My friend Adam's eyes fell on her.
"Good afternoon all" she greeted and everyone answered back"
"Big Sharon" he called out and she smiled.
 "David I told you that I was looking for marriage materials for my son, Aboh" he teased and Sharon laughed nervously. 
"Sharon Savage, beautiful like grandmother. If we don't talk about politics, what's there to talk about?"
"Arts" Sharon answered and a wide range of people in the room rolled their eyes. 
"See! It's people like you men that makes art unappreciated in Nigeria. Government even contribute less to support the art industry"
"Because they find no use for it"
"Have they tried tapping into it?"
"The government do invest in music industries, in movies"
"I'm talking about arts, real arts and culture"
"There have been shows that government host in support of arts, we have festival of art and culture"
"My opinion is those things  are  nothing but a facade, a means for embezzlement of money but government officials. These officials only appreciates painting  only when their faces are on it. America on the other hand is quite different and I greatly wish Nigeria can someday be like that" I compared and they frowned. 
"Im serious, they appreciate the simplest art. I own a art gallery in the states and people troop in to appreciate my work of art, I get other people's art and put them up for exhibition and  most times I put it up for sales"
"Have you tried putting up things in Nigeria to help you just like in America" One of my cousins asked and she shook her head.
"No. I haven't decided if I want to stay or not" she answered unconsciously then she looked at me. Then she shut her eyes.
"Not like I don't want to stay dad but... Tasha's right in some ways. My potentials cannot grow here" I answered and the next thing we heard was a loud cry. 
We all rushed to see Tasha on the floor, by the stairs. She was groaning in pain. 
"What happened?" I knelt before her and she cried.
"I just fell off the stairs" 
"Can you stand?" Sharon asked and she tried standing but she ended up sitting back. 
"Ouch! I think I broke my ankle." She groaned. 
"It hurts like hell" she complained. Then I carried her up, "Get Sera, we're going to the hospital"
"Why Sera?" Sharon asked, "I think she's ill" I answered but Tasha didn't stop crying even till we got to the hospital.
The doctor had Sera tested, then Tasha's left leg was x-rayed for broken bones. From the way she screamed, one would think she broke every bone in her body.
The doctor confirmed it was just a case of a sprained ankle and all that was necessary was done to ease the pain. 
"Sorry I apologized to her and she forced a smile. 
"I haven't even called Erika yet" I smiled and she smiled. "I so much admire you two, how understanding you both are. I mean, you travelled two weeks without sex. We'll except you have someone"
"I don't do that. I've never cheated on my wife" 
"Not once?"
"I love Erika too much"
"I'm pretty sure you guys had it till your full last night" she asked and I hesitated. "Seriously?" "Sera slept over" I answered and Erika called. She seemed worried about Sera and showed little concern about Tasha, I didn't understand why she had this dislike for her.
The test for malaria came out positive. The doctor prescribed drugs and soon we were out of the clinic. 
I saw Erika outside the compound she had a wrapper tied around her waist, apparently someone had informed her that we were back. She was with Cynthia, thoughts crossed through my mind. 
I didn't seem to understand what the hell she was doing here and what they could have been talking about.
"Are you sure you can walk?" I asked Tasha just immediately I packed the car and she shook her head.
 "I don't think so." She answered.
 "Sharon please help me with Sera, let me help Tasha out" 
I opened the door and then I carried Tasha out. She kept on groaning continuously.
Erika folded her hands, her frown was visible.
 "What are you doing here?" I asked Cynthia and she smiled. "You guys should really stop asking that question" she answered,  "Good afternoon Ma'am" Tasha greeted Erika and nshe replied coldly. 
I simply walked away to avoid altercations.

I dropped Tasha on the bed and she groaned again. "I'm sorry about this, maybe you could have stayed back" "Maybe" she bit her lips, "But ay least I have a story to tell... I came to Benue and I sprained my ankle from walking down the stairs" 
She answered and I laughed. 
"I feel bad"
"Don't... It's my fault; I could have been more careful. Thank you for being so caring"
"It's okay, it's something I would have done for anyone, even a stranger"
"You're an amazing person I hope you know that" she asked and I smiled. "This one that you're swelling my head like this" I answered and she laughed. 
"How does the wake keep work?" She asked, "I'm curious"    
"Well.....it's a normal African process, you're an African too, you should know your roots" 
"Well.... Mom and Dad never showed me the way, they just adapted with the American world and it's cultures"
"My opinion still remains that Americans don't have culture. Well back to your question, the wake keep here is just a vigil to honor the dead" "Sounds scary"
"But it's no, it's not, it's usually fun especially when the person dies at an old age. There's usually bon fire, sometimes barbeques, and lots of drinks and songs"
"Sounds fun.... Too bad I'll miss it. I can't go limping"
"You'll sit and watch. It's a time to learn something about your Nigeria." "Would you give me a piggy back?" She asked and I laughed.
 "I should go" I smiled and she pouted her lips in disappointment. "Stay a little more, I really need the company." She placed her palm against mine. "Please" she begged and I shook my head
"Huh.... I'm sorry. I have to go, I have a lot of things to do" I answered and Tammie walked in. Tasha took her hands off and she stood quietly looking at me as if I had done something wrong.
"Did you break any bone?" She asked and Tasha shook her head. "It's just a sprain ankle" 
"And she was shouting as though the whole house fell on her" Tammie laughed. "It's not funny Tammie" I snapped and she stopped instantly.
"Aunty Erika asked me to call you" she added and I went out of the room into our room. Sera was in bed sleeping, "What took you so long? Weren't you supposed to drop her and then meet me"
"We didn't make any arrangements, besides she wanted me to enlighten her on Wake keep in Africa" 
"She could have just googled it" 
"She's in pains and she needed the company" 
"Honey you're not her father neither are you her brother" she snapped and I scoffed,  "Erika please don't do this, please I'm begging you in the name of God." I begged and she scoffed too. 
"I know you don't like her but don't do this, she practically sprained her ankle and your being heartless about it" I explained and she sat on the bed. 
I didn't understand exactly why she was acting jealous. Maybe she didn't trust me enough.
"What did the doctor say about Sera?"she asked, probably to avoid the topic.
"The test for malaria came out positive, maybe the girl who farted on her face sprayed her with parasitic fart" I answered and she laughed. 
"I don't think the kids in that room are safe" I answered and she chuckled and I moved closer to her. 
"She sprained her ankle, it's bad"
"How's she?" She finally asked and I felt relieved at last.
"She'll be fine but the doctor advised her to be confined to resting till she heals" 

Ade and Tuni arrived later in the evening. I was surprised they showed up even Adam's son showed up. I noticed his sudden interest in Sharon when I introduced his father introduced him to Sharon right in front of Ade. 
Unknown to them that Sharon was already engaged. I wondered why she didn't say anything at first, or maybe she was enjoying the attention.
Ade suddenly felt uneasy about Aboh taking her away.
"You look like a princess" he micmicked Aboh and I almost laughed at his jealous display.
"He's just as rude as the father. At least he met me talking to Sharon, he could have respected it. But no, he had to introduce Sharon to his handsome son"
"Sounds like you're angry Adam didn't introduce him to you" I joked and he laughed sarcastically. "He's good looking and you're good looking too" I commented and scoffed.
"He's not my type" 
"Oh I forgot, you love the really fair ones, the one without side burns" I answered and he glared at me. 
"Wait till he finds out she's engaged. I bet he'll be heartbroken, but not as much as I was when I found out" he answered then he sunk into a sad mood. 
My phone rang and I notice it was Tasha so I picked it up, "How's the wake keep?" She asked and I looked around. 
"It's going smoothly." 
"I'm in the mood for some barbecue, can you have someone send it or you can, that's if you don't mind" she begged and I gave it a thought. 
"I'll be there" I answered looking at Ade.
"Is it just me or Benue men are just way too hot?" Tuni walked towards us and I sighed in relief. "Thank God you have a partner. Later guys" I patted Tuni at the back then I walked away.
I walked in and I found Tammy in the room looking through a bag and removing clothes. "Good evening Uncle" she greeted "Good evening dear" I replied then I gave Tasha the newspaper wrap that contained the suya and i dropped the glass of Palm wine on the dresser table.
She unwrapped it then stared repulsively at it. 
"What's this" 
"Barbecue, we call it suya" 
"Why is it wrapped in newspaper?" 
"Because it adds to the taste" Tammy answered, "Exactly" I agreed. "She's joking right?"
"The newspaper is an essential ingredient to every suya stand. If it's not wrapped in newspaper, it can't be called Suya"
"Seriously?" She asked in awe and I laughed. 
"No. It's just an average Nigerian man food superstition" I answered and she laughed.
 "Tammie can you get me help me throw these away?" She raised up some snack packs and Tammie rolled her eyes. 
"I'm having stomachache, my period is about to start and I think i forgot my pad"
"Pretty please" she begged and Tammie finally agreed to throw it away. 
"Can you keep me company? It's boring here" Tasha begged and I shook my head I'm disagreement.
"Another thing you need to be educated about Tasha is the importance and the place of the first male child of the family." 
"I could use a company but no Sharon is out there with her friends and all because of my broken legs, I have to be here" 
"Okay fine, I could stay five more minutes" 
"Yay!!" She clapped her hands.

Read " Dysfunctional " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. "What's this?" She pointed at the palm wine. "It's palm wine, African wine. I just thought you should have a taste" I answered and she took a sip of it. 
The grimace on her face was priceless and I laughed.  
She picked up a meat and she dipped in her mouth. "Not bad" she commented and I smiled. "Since I was born and now that I'm old, I've never tasted a bad Suya" I answered and she chuckled.
"Please join me" she requested and I refused. Then she raised one up at lips. 
"Open up" she demanded and I laughed. 
"I already had mine"
"Well I love being generous" she moved closer and I shook my head.
"Pretty please?" She bit her lower lip and I raised a finger up. "Just once" I answered opening my mouth and she dipped it in before I could close my mouth to chew, she suddenly she kissed me on the lips and I kissed her briefly.
It was only briefly, then I pulled back quickly. I heard the door creak and I noticed the door was opened so I rushed quickly to check if anyone saw us but there was no one there so I went back to her.
 "What was that for?" I asked and she chuckled. "I was just being playful" "Playful with a married man"
"A married man with needs" she placed her fingers in her mouth then she rolled her hair with the other.
"You've been here for weeks and you haven't gotten it yet" "Yesterday" 
"Sera interrupted you guys, you said it to me already and I feel really bad for you cause I so much respect you Sir and I don't know why she has to choose these little things over your needs. I don't blame Erika, she's old and probably inexperienced but I am still much young and I can make you feel good" she promised and I heard that voice in my head telling me to get the hell out of the room and I listened to it.
I bumped into Erika on my way out. She had her hands folded and she stared blankly at me.