Palm lines 2 - Episode 32

 

Tuni called me in the day, to inform me that Ayo proposed. I was so happy about it even if I couldn't express my happiness. 
"I know I shouldn't be telling you because of the situation with Ade but, you're my best friend, if I don't tell you, who else will I tell?" She asked and I smiled. 
"I'm happy for you and you don't have to worry about my mood. Besides I just woke up" 
"Ade is gonna be fine . Just have that faith"
"Yeah. Congratulations to you dear"
"Thanks. I would have been there but, Ayo and I have plans for Bible study tonight. 
"It's ok"
"Why don't you go home and have a rest"
"Mom said the same earlier on but I'm fine, Ade is the one you guys should worry about and not me. I'll be fine"
"Hm. Anyhow sha, take care"
The following day, Ade's friends, his step sisters, workers and customers trooping in to see him but the doctor refused, he employed that they in each of their private time, pray for him.  Visitation were restricted to close family alone. 
The following morning I heard Ade cough in my sleep then I stood up from the two seater couch i slept on, now motioning towards him. 
"Ade?" I called out and he kept quiet. 
I busted into tears again then I sat on a stool holding his hands once again. "Ade please say something, I just want to know if you're fine" I sniffled, "If you're in pain or you want something." I cleaned my tears. 
"I missed you Ade, I miss your smile, I miss your laughter, your jokes, I miss seeing you alive

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

. I know you're not dead but....I don't know. I don't know the hell how I survived those four years without you. It's been five days and it's been torture, I've been having thoughts. Crazy thoughts" I bit my lip, "If only we had s*x and I had your seed in me" I paused in thought.
"Yeah that would have been impossible cause you've always been careful... Way too careful" I laughed.
"But I would have really love to have your child in case something happens to you. Not like I don't have the faith, I'm just" I cried.
"I don't want to live without you. I don't want to build the academy without you. You must be wondering what I meant by academy. Did I mention to you that Tuni prayed and I saw myself teaching arts?" I laughed playing with his fingers.
"It's crazy and I know you'll laugh at me in real life. You're the best thing that ever happened to me Ade. Remember when we met? I never thought for a second that you will be the one I'll end up with. Do you remember that day?" I asked as though he could hear me. 
"It was the first day I saw my period. What you don't know is that I really thought you were hot and sweet from first instance apart from the fact you were so full of yourself. Do you want to know when I started falling in love with you?" I asked, "It wasn't the first day, no, it was the second time we met when you asked me how my period was and I thought you were being arrogant and I asked you if you were trying to embarrass my life" I laughed, "And you laughed. Your laughter has always had this way of making me want you. I don't know how you do it, it makes me really....  wet" I answered and I felt embarrassed as as though I had an audience listening to me.
 "Well after that you asked, what's embarrassing about periods? I live with three girls and I'm the only boy, period is nothing. It's just part of the growth phase. You were so arrogant but I liked it. Then you told me that you helped me look for pad that you didn't know my preference; always ultra or lady care" I laughed and I heard Ade clear his throat.
"I didn't say lady care, I said Doctor brown or always ultra" he answered and I stood up in shock. 
"Oh my God" I hugged him and he groaned. 
"I should call the doctor" I was so excited. "You're awake!" 
"I've been awake since morning. I was just watching you sleep"
"How long have you been listening to me?"
"Right from the beginning. I coughed intentionally" he answered and I laughed. 
"I can't believe you're awake. I should call the doctors"
"Don't! Then they'll want to conduct tests upon test, can we just cherish this moment?"
"Nah, you sound like you'll die any moment, I'll call the doctor"
"I'm not dieing any time soon. I saw death and now I'm back" he answered and I sat on the bed moving my lips towards him. 
"I can't believe you're awake" 
"How long have I been out?" "Seven days now" I answered and he gave a nod while my lips hovered around his.
"You'll be kissing a seven days old stinking lips"
"I really don't care" I answered and we kissed passionately. 
"I missed you" I answered and he struggled to sit up. 
"Don't stress"
"I want to feel comfortable" he answered and I arranged the pillows behind his back. "What happened to me? Of course I remember that I was shot..."
"You were shot in the chest and... you've been unconscious for days"
"And your Mom, how's she? Tasha was gunning for her"
"She's fine. Thanks for saving her life" I appreciated and he smiled.
"And Tasha?"
"She's dead" I answered and he sighed. "Now the world is balanced" he answered and I laughed now kissing him once again. 
"What did you say about being a teacher. I was tempted to stop pretending that moment" he laughed and I chuckled. I knew he was going to laugh about it.
"Something Tuni prayed about and I saw myself teaching arts in Nigeria and I was very happy" I answered and he smiled.
"You've always loved art." "Not as much as I love you" I kissed him and he smiled.
"And you were talking about how you fell in love with me" he chipped in and I rolled my eyes. 
"Yes I was" I answered and he smiled. 
"What happened to calling me Savage?" I asked and he laughed then I bit my lips staring seductively at him. "What?"
"Your laughter" 
"I heard that part too" he wrapped his arms around my waist and I pulled closer to make him more comfortable. 
"How wet are you?" He asked and we both laughed.
"Let's not torture each other cause you won't be doing any heavy lifting till like a month or so"
"You're not exactly heavy"
"You know what I mean Ade, I meant sex! You really took a lot"
"And I can take more"  he added and I rolled my eyes. "Geez Ade!" I tapped him on the belly and he groaned.
"I'm sorry" 
"Just joking" he answered. 
"How's the restaurant going?"
"I haven't been outside that much, I don't even recall how the outside world looks any longer" I answered and he laughed. 
"Everyone misses you"
"I know they will, I mean I'm too awesome" he answered and I chuckled. "You're so full of yourself"
"You know the plan we made before the whole gun shot thing," he paused,  "Huh huh?"
"Get married, have kids, and build up an empire in no particular order" he answered and I gave a nod.
 "In no particular order" I repeated and he smiled. 
"When I get out of this place, I promise to work on it" 
"Sounds like a plan" 
"And you know I've always been careful, way too careful so your dad doesn't kill me, don't expect it any longer. When I'm coming in, I'll start with a beautiful girl"
"I can't wait" I bit my lips and he leaned in for a kiss.

Ade's POV

I woke up and I examined where I was. I was in a hospital , suddenly I remembered being shot by Tasha. I felt sharp pains along my chest region.
I turned sideways then I saw Sharon laying on the couch, I wondered if she was comfortable with the sleeping position then I remembered how comfortable she was sleeping while seated on a chair when Tasha tied us up then I chuckled. 
I thought of ways to wake her  so I coughed. I noticed her stand so I pretended to be asleep. I just wanted to surprise her, when she started spilling sweet things, and the thought came to me, to pretend a while longer. Not until she mixed up something I said years ago.
"I didn't say lady care, I said Doctor brown or always ultra" i corrected and she stood up in shock. The shock on her face was priceless!!
Then we kissed and we dwelled on our plans to have kids. It was my number one priority.
"What else have I missed?"
"Ayo proposed, Tuni's getting married" she announced and I rolled my eyes.
"I thought you said seven days, it feels like I've been gone for months" 
The doctor asked to speak to me alone and Sharon excused us. "I'm glad you're fully conscious" he stated and I smiled.
"How are you Mr Banjo?" 
"I'm fine doctor"
"Any specific pains I should know about?" He asked and I shrugged. "I'll need all utmost sincerity"
"It's a gunshot, wouldn't it be a miracle if I say that I don't feel pains"
"It's even a miracle that you're alive" he answered and I smiled. 
"it's not my time yet" I answered and he smiled. 
Then he went ahead to tell me a list of things I needed to do and it all boiled down to having rest and a lot of it. 
I had visits Tuni, Mom, my Aunt, Richard, from my workers who necessarily had to close up to see me. Mrs Erika came with along with Mr Savage, Tammy and the kids. She had a customer bags and flowers. "Whose funeral is it?" I asked and she laughed. 
"Would have been yours if not for the mercies of God" she answered and I smiled. 
"Thank you Ade" 
"It's nothing really. I owe a lot to the both of you and I'll take a bullet for any member of the family"
"Including me?" Tammy asked and I shook my head. "What about me?" Sera asked and I nodded. 
"Of course I will"
"That's unfair" Tammy answered and I laughed.
 "You don't just have it dear, you earn it. Take that as a life lesson from this guy here. You earn every respect, every godamn thing you do you gotta earn yourself respect"
***
Lara,Eniola and Ishola entered along with Sharon and I sensed a conspiracy.
"What's going on?" I asked and Sharon shrugged.
"I'm supposed to leave you guys alone to speak but I'm here to make sure you're in a good behavior" she poked my nose and I scoffed.
"Seriously Ade" she whispered, "Just listen to them" she advised and I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. 
"What's going on?"
"What's going on is that Dad is dying and the truth is, he's not going to be at peace with himself if he doesn't get your forgiveness and if you don't receive his gift to you" Lara explained and I rolled my eyes.
"I don't need anything from him"
"Please in the name of God. His case is critical now. He's at home, he might be gone tomorrow or the next. All he needs is to hear you say you've forgiven him or you've accepted his proposal." Ishola added and Sharon gave me a look.
"I know you care about him more than you act. Just forgive him already" Sharon finally added and I rolled my eyes.
****
I stayed in the hospital three more days before I was released to go back home. While Mr Savage drove me home, it pricked me for a moment to stop by at Dennis' home and I pleaded for him to help me out.
"How much will you pay me for being your driver?" He asked and I laughed.
"I'm the awesome guy who will still be your son-in-law. That's more than enough"
"You'll still pay the dowry; I hope you're aware of that?" He asked and I smiled then we spoke about the traditional rites I had to fulfill and he spoke about when he married his ex wife.

I found Mom at the house, she had an handkerchief in her hands and he face looked as though she has been crying.
I feared he was already dead.
 "Is he..." I stalled and she shook her head.
"No. He's just worst" she answered and I walked in leaving her with Mr Savage. Then I went into his room where he laid in bed. His eyes were barely opened. 
There was a chair close to the bed so i sat on it. "Hey Dad" I muttered and he immediately opened up his eyes, a weak smile curved across his lips and I bowed my head in shame. 
It felt weird using that after years. "I can die a free man from hearing you say that" he answered and I chuckled. 
 "How are you feeling?" He asked then he coughed. I should be the one asking, I felt within.
"I learnt you weren't feeling too fine and you were" he coughed again and I stood up pouring water from the drawer top into a glass cup. 
"confined to the hospital" he continued and i passed the water to him.
"I don't need it" he rejected the water and I scoffed dropping the glass back.
"Are you here to accept the deal?" 
"No"
"Please Ade. I know I've wronged you but I ask this one thing" His voice suddenly became hoarsy as though he had spittle stuck in his throat.
"Don't you have things you want to do"
"I do actually"
"Like what? Let me hear your plans Ade" he looked at me and I looked away laughing. "Let's call this our last discussion together" 
"You make it sound like you'll die today"
"I feel it already, I'm just holding on till you say yes to my proposal" he pointed to the drawer. 
"Get it for me, it's in the third drawer" he requested and I shook my head.
"Please Ade" he begged and I went over to the drawer, I opened it then I took out the documents.
"Which one"
"You'll see the one with Ade on it" he instructed. I picked it up, dropped the rest then I went back to the seat letting out a low groan because of the slight pain I felt.
"So.. what are your plans?"
"Getting married and having kids, that's the first thing on my plan. I want to build an empire for the love of my life; an art school, and I want to start up an hotel called Crown Prime"
"It has a nice ring to it" he commented and I laughed. "I know, I have plans"
"Let me invest in it then"
"Sir"
"I wanted you to take care of my company but you've chosen your own part which Is okay.

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

. All I ask is for you to take care of your sisters and your mother and help whoever you might need to help in life. I wish I can see you grow more than this but I won't be able to. I wish I can see you have children, see my grandchildren but we don't choose our fate" his words were beginning to sound heavy to my ears.
"Why don't you stop talking and just rest" 
"This time is near, please make it worth a while. Make me a happy man right now son, please accept my gift to you and your family" he begged and I looked around for a pen. If that would stop you from talking and just have a rest. 
I picked up a pen from the top of the drawer and then I signed on it. 
"There you have it signed already" I answered and he smiled. 
"Thank you" he muttered. 
"I should take a picture of you so I can show my kids. I brought out a phone then I sat on the bed taking a quick selfie of him smiling.
I viewed the picture, "Okay I like this one, one more" I took another but his eyes were closed.
"Dad your eyes, there are closed" I looked at him and I noticed they were still closed. He appeared dead, but I wanted to be sure so I put my hands on his nose and there was nothing. 
I shut my eyes and tears poured down.
All efforts to stop the tears proved futile. I went outside the house and everyone's gaze rested on me, Mr Savage Lara, Eniola and Ishola, their husbands and even Mom. 
"I'm so sorry he..." I didn't complete my sentence when Ishola screamed then she leaned on her husband.
"No, no, no, no" she kept on exclaiming and I watched Lara try to be really strong. 
Mom leaned against a wall crying.
Lara moved towards me, "Did you at least sign it in his presence, even if you had to fake it to make him happy"
"I didn't fake it and we spoke. I'm really sorry Lara" I answered and she hugged her. 
"Thank you" she whispered.
"Thank you very much" she pulled back then walked back to hug Mom. 
For a moment I thought, what if God can just grant him a second chance at life. A second chance to make things right. A second time to make everyone of us, correct every one of our mistakes. 

The wonderful journey's about to come to an end