Palm lines 2 - Episode 24

 

Tuni's POV
I had a television interview with the cast of Providence so I couldn't make it for compound cleaning but I stopped by at the church after the interview. 
There was no one around except the oldest usher, Sister Rose.
"Sister Tuni" Sister Rose called out and I smiled at her. 
"You're late for the clean up"
"Yeah I was really busy. I'm sorry" I apologized.
"Is Ayo around?" I asked and she shook her head . "Pastor Ayo left for work" she answered and I rolled my eyes. What a waste of effort! I thought within.
"Ehya sorry. I hope it's not that important" 
"I'll see him some other time" 
"Better" she answered and I smiled. "Thank you" I said to her and she immediately had this confused look on her face. She was obviously wondering what I was thanking her for.
"For what?" She asked and I chuckled.
"You're right. God listens and when you call on him, he teaches you and also guides you, he really does and it's amazing" I answered and she chuckled. "Is that why you're thanking me?" She asked and I smiled.
"You're one of the people that has managed to make me understand things in Christianity" "And may God open your eyes the more" she prayed and I stretched my hands at her. 
"Let's pray" I requested and then she held my hands then I prayed as being led by the spirit of God.

I went back home to rest and then I went over to Ayo's house In the evening. I knocked the door severally and he opened up the third time.
"Good evening" I smiled at him and he laughed. 
"What are you doing here?" He asked and I turned back observing to see if there were familiar faces around.
 "I know you have the whole appearance of evil principle but can I come in?" I asked, "I'm sorry, please come in" he invited me in.
"I was just shocked to see you" he closed the door and I then the aroma of jollof rice suddenly hit my nose.
"Are you cooking?" I asked and he nodded. 
"Yeah.

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. a bachelor has to do what he can do" he answered and I laughed. "It smells nice," "Thanks" he answered and then I apologized for not coming for compound cleaning. 
"I watched a preview of the interview, I understand your reasons" He answered.
 "I don't mean to come off as rude or anything, but what are you doing here? I'm pretty sure it's not to come and apologize for staying back" He asked and I sighed.
"Okay Ayo. Apparently it's been predetermined by God for me to be a Pastor's wife. I learnt that from Sharon and it's a confusing story cause mom foresaw the whole thing and I've been fasting because I wanted some kind of revelation from God about who I'm destined to be with. Joel broke it off with me today, he just called and just then i realized it's been you all along and I've been blind" I answered and he chuckled. 
"I'm guilty for being blind too" he answered and I smiled. 
"I never considered the possibility of being with you, you were a seductress. I never knew God had bigger plans"
"I guess never thought of the possibility of being with a Pastor's wife or being filled holy ghost and now .." I moved close to him and he smiled, "And now?" He asked and I chuckled. 
"I guess I just have to embrace it" I answered and then we kissed then he stopped. 
"Tuni, I'm not going to compromise my faith, no s*x"
"I wasn't thinking about it" I answered and he laughed. "And you better start thinking of a pet name for me. I think I'll prefer something other than my name" I suggested and he nodded.
"I'll think of something"  he answered then we kissed for a very long time. "And your mom?" I asked and he laughed.
"She'll definitely freak out but I don't care, I've made my choice" he answered and then i perceived the smell of something burning. "Your food!" I yelled and he pulled back.
"Wanna stay for dinner?" He asked and I nodded. 
"Sure"

Erika's POV

Sam fell ill so i had to take him to the hospital, I knew I had suspend going to school that day. Sam has Wesley immunity than  Joshua. I went alongside Tammie who I noticed was feeling under the weather too.
After the check up, the car broke down and I called a mechanic to fix it so we back to the waiting room.
Tammie leaned on a chair, she was obviously feeling weak while Sam slept on my lap.
"Are you sure you're not pregnant?" I teased and she shook her head.
"I don't have a boyfriend" she answered, "Apparently, no one can stand me" 
"Well.. true but I think if you stay with us for a year, your life will be different" I commented and she smiled. 
"Is that a comment?" She asked and I scoffed. "Is this Sharon's step mom that I'm seeing?" A familiar voice said and I turned towards the person. 
Just who I thought it was, Mummy Wemmy.
I almost rolled my eyes and I unconsciously glanced at the chiffon top and black jean trousers I wore then I sighed in relief before I'm being made an object of gossip.
"Mummy Wemmy, long time" 
"I think longest time is appropriate here." She answered then she sat besides me. "You're not looking bad at all oh" 
"You're not looking bad either" I answered and she smiled.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, "Sam and my niece fell ill and so i decided to bring them here"
"Ehya,  your last born shea?"
"No. My twin, the last child is a girl" 
"Ehya, Pele. That's how all these children are, they gets sick now and then. Don't worry, when you get to our level of parenthood, you'll be more relaxed. That's how it is for young mothers" she answered and that almost felt like an insult, and it was  quite annoying cause the lady before me cannot be older than me for more than three years. Just because she gave birth early.
"I have to apologise about your husband, I'm so sorry about the situation" I started a topic that should scared her.
  "What situation?"
"I heard he lost his job and you guys left the estate because you couldn't pay the rent anymore" 
"That's just rumors" she cleared her throat.
"People can spread rumours ehn, we are fine. Just that he needed to take care of some things and we had to leave the estate" she cleared her throat again.
"You know what Erika, it's a coincidence we met judging from the fact that I saw your husband days ago" 
"Oh" 
"I saw him at Brooks Estate with a lady"
"My husband has a lot female client"
"This one does not look like a client oh. Hmm, see ehn, Erika these men cannot be trusted today. They go after everything in with back and front" 
"Not my husband" 
"Be dulling yourself there"
"I say my friend that lives in one house like that, said that your husband rented the lower apartment for that lady. I saw the girl with my two naked eyes, she wore a robe. I'm sure they must have gone four rounds or more from the way he was sweating when he came out. That was when i shook my head and I said men! They cannot be trusted, I do monthly HIV test oh, even if they're pastors, they still go after anything In skirts"
"I'm pretty sure you must have misunderstood the situation with his clients. David doesn't sleep with clients" I answered and she laughed.
"This girl that I'm talking about, she's somehow slim, she's beautiful. Her complexion is like someone that hasn't suffer in her life. She has all this slay queen look, her hair is black, I don't know if it's human hair or weavon" she described and the description fits Tasha. 
I panicked within but I wasn't going to give myself away to this gossip so I laughed. "Oh, it's Tasha" 
"You know her?"
"Yes. She's like a distant family member oh, she was leaving with us and then we had to find her a place to stay. You know how humanitarian David can get"
"Oh." She paused clearly ashame. 
"I thought that.." she slapped her palms against each other. 
"As a good person and a Deaconess that I am. Cause all these men ehn, you'll see yourself having STI and you'll wonder where it came from." 
"I understand and I appreciate you telling me" I added and she walked away. 
I shut my eyes then i turned towards Tammie. "Why will David rent a house for Tasha?" I asked, "No. It can't be, I refuse to believe it, he's not cheating on me is he?" I asked and Tammie looked away. 
"You knew?" I asked and she looked down.
"Answer me!" I yelled and passersby stopped and stared at me. 
She pouted her lips as though to cry. "I don't want to ruin another marriage because my big mouth. I've been practicing self control. I can't afford to" 
"Tammie if you don't tell me what you know this Instant, I'll slap you silly"
"They kissed. At his mother's burial, they kissed and some nights ago he woke up while she was already awake and I've seen him enter her room but I don't know what happened in the room." She cried and I scoffed.
"All these have been happening under my own roof and you couldn't even let me know !"
"I witheld myself from crying. 
"Maybe you should speak to him" 
****
 After David arrived home, I got ready to interrogate him.
"Good evening darling"he moved his lips closer to mine and I dodged.
"What did I do this time?"
"When were you going to tell me you rented an apartment for your dear Tasha?" I asked and he shrugged.
"I didn't think it was important. I did it from my heart, I didn't want to leave her stranded"
"And do you think I'll be so stupid to believe that lie?" I snapped, "Erika what has come over you?"
"What has come over me is the fact that you had the guts to violate our matrimonial home and our wedding vows" I exclaimed.
"I don't understand"
"How's your side chick Tasha? Did you stop by at her house before coming home? David you're shameless"
"Erika there's nothing going on between Tasha and I"
"And the kiss? Or will you deny that too"
"How did you...." He trailed off, "Tammie?" 
"And the countless times you've both had s*x in this house, under my nose. You both played me"
"Erika that's not true, there's nothing going on between Tasha and I" 
"And the kiss" 
"It was a mistake" 
"And why didn't you tell me?" "Cause I was scared you'll overeact" 
"Don't I have every right to overeact? For crying out loud, I just found out my husband's cheating on me not just from Tammie but from our previous neighbor! David i was so embarrassed that and I had to cover up for you! Mummy Wemmy told me and I had to tell her Tasha was a family member in order to save our face!"
"I swear to you Erika, there's nothing going on between Tasha and I. The kiss was a one time thing. Fine she kissed me some other time but I didn't kiss her back because I love you Erika. I love you and I'll never do anything to hurt you" 
"David you just did! You expect me to believe you had nothing to do with her; what then were you doing visiting her? Do you love her?" I paused, "I mean all those while you supported her staying at the house. Was it because you liked her?"
"No!'
"You like the fact she's slim and hot and I'm neither slim or hot" I cried, "No!" He answered shaking his head, "Erika just give me a chance to explain. I wanted her to leave after the kiss but she threatened to tell you about it and I was scared. She wanted to have s*x with me but I didn't agree. The only reason I went back to her house was to set things straight" 
"And it didn't occur to you tell me?" I asked and he covered his face.
"I wanted to but...Lawrence said"
"Lawrence is an idiot! Fine he's your brother and he has changed but we all know even if he cheats right now he has a twisted way to convince himself that he didn't. I can't believe you listened to him!"
"Darling I'm sorry. I swear I regret it" 
"I can't trust you now David, I still feel you like her"
"I love you Erika" he placed his hands against my cheeks, "Just hear me out. I'll explain it from how it all started" 
"Did you find her attractive?" I asked and he hesitated. "Don't lie to me"
"Initially I did. She made flirty remarks, she was full of life and vigour and your on and off period of s*x ever since we had Sera was becoming out of hands" 
"You could have said something" 
"I was being understanding. You're always tired and you didn't want to have s*x when you're not in the mood. It was annoying but I understood cause I love you. It wasn't until mom's burial you finally shocked ne and when you did, I just didn't want to ruin things"
"Is it about the s*x for you?"
"It's not Erika, we go days without having s*x and it's not even because of my business trips"
"Would you have said anything to me at all?" I asked, "Sincerely? No." He answered and I rolled my eyes.
"Can you go somewhere where I don't have to wake up to see you?" I asked and he scoffed. "Where?"
"Anywhere! Just leave! I don't want to see you"
"I'll start at the guest room"
"You know what I mean"
"What will you tell the kids when they ask?" "I'll tell them you went for a business trip or you travelled or you died"
"Won't they get scared when I come visiting?" He asked trying to be funny but I wasn't in the mood to laugh over his jokes. 
I opened the wardrobe then I pulled out his luggage. "Seriously Erika"
"I'm serious. I don't want to see you right now" 
"This luggage doesn't contain my good clothes" he answered and I rolled my eyes. "I need to cry right now and you're stopping me" I cleaned my tears with my hands and he moved closer,
"Erika I'm sorry. I don't want to see you cry. Even if you do, cry on my shoulder"
" Urgh! David I just need to be alone, I need to think and hear myself think and you're in my way" 
"I don't want to leave"
"Soothe yourself then, I'll leave with the children" "And what will you tell them" 
"We're going for an early holiday in Mom's house" I faked a smile and he held the luggage. 
"I'll leave" he answered. 
"Just know that I didn't mean to hurt you and I won't trade what we've had for Tasha." He moved his lips close to me and I pointed my fingers at him. 
"Kiss me and I'll slap you." I threatened, "I was going in for a peck" He answered then he went back to the luggage.
 "Good night dear" he chipped in then he walked out and I busted into tears. 
"Screw you Tasha, screw you" I sat on the floor.
Sharon walked in a while later, then she sat close to me. "I just saw Dad" she paused, "I shouldn't have let Tasha stay, it's my fault" she blamed and I scoffed in between my tears. 
"Tasha is going to get it good from me. I swear" she shut her eyes then she leaned on my shoulder.
"Dad probably didn't mean to" "I don't want to hear anything about your father right now, I just want to be on my own" 
"I'm really sorry Mom"
"I am too" I answered then I stood up and i laid in bed.

David's POV

I walked out of the room almost in tears. I blinked my tears in when I saw Sharon come out of her own room. "Business trip?" She asked and I shook my head. 
"What did you do to make her angry?" She asked and I shrugged. 
"Let's say I deserve it" 
"I'll speak to Mom"
"She found out Tasha and I kissed" I answered and Sharon stare at me in shock, I wasn't sure if it was shock it disappointment. "When did this happen?" She asked, "At the burial" I answered and she gave me a familiar look.
"No! Nothing happened! Just the kiss and I also rented a home for Tasha because she threatened me. Your mom found out now she thinks she's my lover" 
"It's all my fault for inviting her over"
"I won't say it isn't but I did indulged it" I answered. "Let me say goodbye to the kids first" I added.
"Good night Dad" she answered and I kissed her on her forehead. "Yeah goodnight dear" I replied walking into Sera's room. 
She wasn't asleep yet. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?" I asked and she sat up looking at the luggage in my hand.
"Where are you going to?"
"A business trip but I'll stop by once in a while" 
"You don't stop by once in a while when you go for business trips" she answered and I laughed at how smart she had grown.
"This one's different"
"Are you and Mom fighting again?" She asked and I instantly felt awful. I almost cursed her for being so smart to notice the slightest things.
"No. Everything's fine" I kissed her on the forehead. 
"Good night Daddy" 
"Good night beautiful" I answered before going off to say my goodbye to Sam and Joshua.
I slept over at one of the company's houses, I couldn't have s good night sleep.
I called Erika the following morning but she didn't pick up so I sent her a text message, "I'm sorry and I love you. Have a nice day" I typed then i pressed send.
****
Tammie walked in afterwards, she had  her hand bag in her hands along with a file.

Read " Hotel Palava " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. "Good morning Sir" 
"Good morning" I answered and I saw her exhale.
"That came from Mr Brown, he um..he.." She stuttered and I wondered why she was acting nervous; probably because she told Erika about Tasha and i. "I just want to hand in my resignation. I know you were trying to help me and all. My big mouth just keep screwing things up"
"You saw Tasha and I kiss that day" 
"Yes and other days" "What other days? We kissed once and there was nothing afterwards" "Seriously? But you  wake every night and I just assumed"
"Why would you make such assumption?"
"Because all men are the same" she answered and I wondered why she said that. 
"I always come across cheating husbands and it's the same pattern." 
"I wasn't cheating"
"I'm sorry for telling her, I just couldn't hide it when she started threatening me" she answered and I gently nodded.
"I understand"
"I called a friend of mine and she said I could stay over at her place till I get settled"
"Don't be silly"
"I don't want to screw things up than I already have"
"Tammie, you don't have to resign, neither do you have to leave the house. My house is forever opened up to you and you're now apart of the family" I added and she smiled.
"How about you and Aunt Erika?"
"We'll sort it out definitely"
"Thank you Sir" she bowed out of the office.

Lawrence came into my office after Tammie left, "Remember the deal I wanted to close with Senator Tunji. Already settled mehn" he smiled and I returned it with a frown.
"Okay what's up with the garlic mood?"
"Erika found out about Tasha and now I've  been kicked out of the  house" I explained and he plunged his hands into his pocket.
"Your wife sure has the anger of Zeus" he answered and I scoffed. 
"Remind me never to listen to you again" I snapped and he looked up. "I was trying to save your marriage" 
"Now it's need of saving and I'm out of ideas" 
"I might have an idea" 
"Save it Lawrence, I'll do this my way this time" "You don vex?" He asked and I hissed inaudibly. "I'm sure it's just Erika's normal momentarily anger outburst"
"She sent me packing Lawrence, she's angry" I answered and he exhaled. "Omo this one might take two weeks" 
"I hope not" I argued, "I really didn't mean for it to happen. With the house I rented for her and all, it now looks suspicious like I'm sleeping with her" "But you're not. I'll speak to Erika" 
"Are you sure that's a good idea? she's pretty mad at you" 
"Don't tell me you involved me in the conversation" he asked and I laughed unconsciously.
"Erika will definitely stake me on this one" he sat down in thought. 
"I'm sorry bro" he apologized but it didn't make me feel any better.