Palm lines 2 - Episode 5

 

David's POV

After my heart felt talk with Sharon, I went back into the room. Erika was already awake, "Are you still defeacating?" She asked and I smiled.
"You should never ask a man that" I answered and she laughed. "I'm sorry man, how should I ask?" "Is your stomach still upset with the food? Or something like that" I answered and she chuckled. 
"Should I remind you're not just any man, you're my husband" she answered and I laughed sitting on the bed. 
"Have you gone again?" She insisted and I rolled my eyes. 
"Yeah I did, it was just yellowish watery poo, you know those kind that.."
"Too much information to make me lose appetite for the year" she answered and I chuckled. 
"I just spoke to Sharon, she couldn't sleep; she had a nightmare; Felix turned into a monster in her dream"
"Then that shouldn't be considered as a nightmare, it's a dream that should come true" she answered and I laughed; it was funny how we thought alike.
"Same thing I said"
"I manage to inflict a little guilt in her to apologize to Ade" "Do you think she will?" She asked and I shrugged. 
"We just have to see for ourself"
Erika left in the morning, being a school proprietress. I was left at home to go through my conventional enema process.
I had to stay home to eat before leaving for work. 
"Morning handsome" I heard Tasha say and I turned back to see her in her night robe, it revealed her cleavages.  
I never knew she was  home, I thought she had left with Sharon

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

. "Morning Tasha, I trust you had a good night" I assumed and she smiled. 
"Thanks to your hospitality" she answered biting on her lower lip.
"How was your night?" She asked, "It was nice" I lied, I didn't want to tell her about my discomfort. In fact, i didn't want to prolong the discussion.
"I can imagine, no man is ever bored with a woman by his side. I bet you guys had it all night, with a man like you, I bet I won't give you breathing space" She teased and I laughed nervously. "Well sha... With a wife like Erika, a man will be at peace with himself. She's a blessing"
"I can imagine, you two look in love"
"You can say that again; our love has been amazing and it'll grow more and more"
"A big Amen to that" she answered moving close to me.
"She's lucky to have you" she placed her hands on my chest. 
"Whoa, you still work out?" She asked, "I do ... actually" I felt uncomfortable. 
"Whoa" she bit her lips. 
"I love work outs too, we could work out together, I could use a good work out partner" 
"My wife and I... We do it together"
"She doesn't look in shape, don't get me wrong but... " She stalled, "Sir, you're really hot" she commented and I moved back. 
"Tasha," I paused, "I'm married and I love my wife, you're an attractive woman but.." I paused when I heard her laugh. "Come on Sir, chill. It was just a harmless comment, no one is stealing you from your wife" she answered and I sighed in relief. 
"It's nothing serious"
"Thanks, I thought...." I trailed off and she walked away. I gave a deep sigh of relief when she was out of sight.
Feso stopped by at the office later in the day. "Oga, how are you doing?" I asked and he smiled.
"Recuperating" he answered and I laughed. 
"I have an interview with the press about me taking over from Dad. I'm just hope people won't stop patronizing because I'm an ex-convict"
"That's bullshit, you're an ex-convict with grey hairs, brain and talent. That's all you need to be successful"
"Grey hair?" He chuckled and I smiled. "Sharon said she's going to call you Grandpa"
"I'm sure she didn't put it that way" he countered.
"She's confused on whether to call you Mr. Feso or Uncle Feso"
"And you suggested Grandpa" he guessed and I laughed then he joined in.
"How's She?" He asked and I groaned. 
"I don't know man, she's.. " I paused confused on what answer to give. "She's still different"
"How was your dinner with your future son-in-law?" He asked and I laughed.
"Well .... I found out Sharon's having sex with the guy" "And you're disappointed?" 
"I had high hopes on Ade, I'm just disappointed that they might not be destined to be together"
"That's life for you; things don't always turn out to be what they are. But we can turn it around ourselves, make the right decisions" he paused. 
"Why do I feel like you're speaking in parables?"
I asked and he brought out a ring. "I want to propose to Ify"
"Okay.... But what?"
"I just found out something and I don't know how to tell her" "You have toilet disease from prison?" I asked and he scoffed. "Why would you think that?"
"I believe the real question should be, why won't you?"
"No.. It's not toilet disease. David your crazy." He paused, I was beginning to have more guesses pop into my mind.
 "Cut the suspense Feso; how serious is it?"
"I think Kasi's pregnant" he answered and I opened my mouth in shock.
"Thank God you used the term 'think', I mean she's going to sixteen"
"I overheard her making a call, she caught me and made me promise not to tell her mom. I don't know what to do"

Tuni's POV
We finally called the movie a wrap and I sighed for joy, at least I don't have to endure Remmy's mouth odor any longer.
"Are you free for tonight?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Really Remmy? Again?" I asked and he sighed. 
"I'm sorry Tuni, I'm sorry I didn't make it work the last time but I swear to make it work this time. Just give me a try, a date is all I ask for"
"No... I have plans tonight"
"You're lying"
"What plan?" He asked, "Bible study"
I answered and he scoffed. "Come on, if you don't want to see me, just be truthful about it. You didn't have to lie about it" he snapped leaving and I opened my mouth in shock.
I wasn't even lying.
My phone rang and I looked into my bag. I got a text from my girlfriends who were waiting for me at Ade's restaurant. 
A call immediately came in from Moji; "Babes, what's up na, where you dey?" She asked, "I told you I today was the last day for the shoot na?"
"Well we're waiting at this your hot friend's restaurant, be fast about it and besides you're paying the bill?"
They hung up and I hissed. I still don't know why I roll with them. I rushed off to Crown Prime where I sighted Ade afar off, he had an apron on attending to a customer, he was with one of his workers.
He turned to see me then i waved at him, he only smiled back with a bow. I raised my nose at him because he didn't wave back and he laughed facing the customer. 
"Tuni!!!!" One of my friends yelled and I rushed to the three of them; Moji, Vero and Nene.
They had already bought food already. "Hello Babes" I greeted them.
"How was the shoot?" Moji asked, "It was okay, Remmy asked me out again" "Abeg do and answer this guy nah" she begged and I rolled my eyes. 
"Do you know what I went through the last time? Abeg no just talk that matter again. Let it rest."
"She don vex" Vero answered. 
"Can we drop the matter? Let's talk about something else"
"Okay... Me I wonder why Stacy would claim she's getting married and she hasn't made shopping plans for Aso-ebi. Is she that broke?" Moji asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Are you guys really gossiping Stacy right now?"
"It's not gossip, it's brainstorming. Maybe we can help her out oh. As friends"
I rolled my eyes, "I wonder what you guys say behind me when I'm not around" 
"Haba!" Vero yelled. 
"It's not that oh... It's your blood is hot small today. Let's just chill on the issue, tonight we're going to the new club on my street. I heard there's going to be a lot of music artiste there and it's the big boys club. You know how these stuffs work, we're going to have fun!!" Moji yelled, "And party till we drop" Nene added and I smiled. 
"Oh my God that's...." I paused remembering I had Bible study. 
Suddenly my smile wiped off. "What?" Moji asked, "Ish... I can't come guys I have...." 
"You have what?" They all asked and I rolled my eyes. "Bible study, remember that Pastor guy I'm trying to fuck?" "I haven't see the guy and...." I bit my lips. "If guys see him, just looking at him is enough to get you turned on. I need to test my theory after that... Ma' a japa (I'll escape)"
"Yeah like it's that easy" Vero snapped, and I wondered why she said that. "What do you mean?" 
"If you don't fall in love first" Vero explained and I scoffed.
"With a Pastor? Abeg leave that matter, it's impossible"
"What time does the Bible study end, you can still meet us" Moji suggested and I agreed. "Maybe  8 or so"
"You can meet us there, we'll keep tabs on you. We don't want you to miss out of the fun " "Sounds like a perfect plan" I answered then I sighted Sharon walk in with her uncle Lawrence. I turned over to where Ade was earlier on but he was no longer there. 
"Isn't that your former best friend?" Vero asked and I glared at her. "We're still best of friends" "Somebody cannot play with you" she answered and I removed some money from my bag dropping it on the table.
"That should cover the bills" I snapped. 
"Na vex be that?" Veronica asked and I walked away meeting Sharon. "Sharon" I called out and she smiled at me. 
"Hey" I waved at her and she hugged me. "Uncle Lawrence invited me to have lunch here. He's been bragging about how good the food tastes. I see you also eat here. Wanna have lunch with us or you've had your own lunch?" She asked and I turned over to Uncle Lawrence who knew the restaurant belonged to Ade. 
Sharon on the other hand, obviously didn't know. 
"Good afternoon Sir" i greeted and he smiled. 
"Good afternoon. This one that you're freshing up like this, this your career is really helping you oh" he teased and I laughed. 
We made way to a table, a server walked towards us. "Good afternoon Sir" she greeted. "Should I get you your usual?" She asked and Lawrence nodded. 
"What would you ladies love?" He asked and Sharon raised the menu up. "I'll have fried rice and chicken" she closed it and I suddenly felt uneasy. 
"How about you Miss?" She asked, "I'll have water, thank you."  I answered and Lawrence laughed. 
"Are you watching your weight?" He asked and I chuckled faintly. It wasn't because of any diet; I wasn't comfortable with the fact she's not aware that Ade owns the restaurant.

Sharon's POV

Befire I left to further my study in America, Ade and i dated without dad's knowledge. We didn't want him getting worried and worked up. 

When i found out i would be leaving in a month time to further my education abroad, i was so heart broken and i rejected.
"Dad i've got friends, i have a life here. Let me just, let me just stay and study fine arts here"

"I want the best for you"
"I'm not going anywhere dad. I can't"
"Darling say someting" he said to mom and she shook her head.
"Don't drag me in to this, let her make her own decision"
"I need some air"
"Sharon"
"Dad, i just want some thinking space please" i begged then i strolled over to Ade's aunt's house.
I walked in slowly and Ade creased his forehead the moment he opened the door for me to walk in.
"My baby isn't smiling" he said closing the door.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm not" i answered and he pulled me close to him.
"Who made you angry? Tell me and i'll punch the person silly"
"Dad" i answered and he paused.
"If your Old punch me first" he answered and i laughed.
"What happened this time?" he asked and i rolled my eyes.
"Dad suggested i travel abroad to further my studies." i answered and he kept mute.
"I Can't possibly do that"
"And why?" he asked and i suddenly felt offended, like he wanted me to leave.
"Ade what are you trying to say?"
"What i'm trying to say is, what if going abroad would be the best for you?"
"What about us?" i suddenly bursted into tears.
"I can't possibly leave you and Tinu, i can't"
"I don't want you passing down a lifetime opportunity because of me. Let's face it, you're an amazing artiste and your potential will be better groomed there. It breaks my heart to say this, it really does, but your dad is right"
"You want to accept it?" "I don't but it's necessary. I'll miss you, no doubt but sha we'll talk or video chat and you'll come visit"
"What would happen to us?"
"We'll still be strong cause we're in love with each other. I love you Sharon, i don't know about you"
"I love you too" i confessed and he pulled me more closer. "See! we don't have anything to be scared of" He added and i smiled kissing him on the lips and he kissed me too. Just when my arms roamed his neck he pulled back. It was his weak point.
"Where's your aunt?" i asked, "At work."
"And your cousin?"
"He went out, probably trying to brainwash some girl into thinking he's a good guy" he answered and i walked towards the door. The keys were there so i locked it.
"What are you doing?" he asked and i turned to him taking off my top. I now had just a red bra on with my jean shorts.
"Stop this" he closed his eyes and i dropped them down.
"Stop being ridiculous"
"I... It's.. It's just.." he stammered now looking at my cleavages. 
It felt so good to watch him drool over it. 
Then we kissed and took off his shirt, he was now topless.
"Sharon we can't"
"Why not?"
"I don't know if it's the right time"
"I'll be leaving, i don't want to go without.." i bit my lips.
"Ade i want this, i really do. Tell me you don't too" i answered and he held my waist kissing me on the lips.

The horn from a car behind jerked me out if my thought. I've been stuck in traffic for more than fifteen minutes. I thought  deeply on what I said to Ade and what Dad said about being proud; he wasn't wrong about it though.  I have hidden under this shield convincing myself that it wasn't my fault what happened to us. 
Guilt enveloped me. I drove over to Uncle Lawrence's house. I knocked on the door and Sunshine opened the door. "Oh, hello Sharon" she smiled at me and I smiled back. "I chatted Uncle Lawrence up and he told me he was at home"
"Yeah.... because Jenny wasn't feeling too well."
"Oh... I'm sorry about that. He didn't mention that"
"He doesn't even want his brother to know."
"Where is she?"
"Inside with him" I answered then she invited me in. 
"How have you been dear?" She asked and I smiled. 
"I've been fine"
"And how have Nigeria been treating you? I hope the whether isn't too harsh for your skin" she asked and I laughed. 
"What's funny?"
"It's as if you guys forget I'm Nigerian" "You refused coming back because you were tired"
"Haba Ma, it's not that. I had issues I had to sort"
"Ade issues?" She asked and I blinked my eyes in shock. How come everyone connects the dots to Ade? I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. 
She left me speechless. 
"You were supposed to prove me wrong with an argument, apparently it's true then"
"I guess since I left, I've been the topic on every man and woman's lip" I added and she chuckled. 
"Lawrence cares about you like you're his own daughter; he adores you"
"I didn't say anything or argue because my reasons we're personal, really personal and you won't understand" "Try me" she folded her hands and I scattered my eyes out for Uncle Lawrence. 
"He's with Jenny, he probably won't be out  till..." He paused, "Jenny doesn't want him off her sight. I wonder how he'll go to work today" she answered and I chuckled.
"In between my sex life with Ade and.... My frequent visits to Nigeria. I wanted to make him free; I thought I was holding him back. I thought it would be frustrating for him, having to wait for me before having...." I trailed off. 
"I didn't want to break up with him, I didn't know how to. I couldn't bring myself to do it so i made him promise to have relationships and when I come back; he can have me forever."
"Ade didn't forget the deal; he barely had relationships. But you on the other hand are engaged to be married. When you think of it, it's unfair and it looks like you were the one who needed the escape and not him. Perhaps you couldn't bare the fact that you had to wait to comeover to Nigeria before having sex" 
"That wasn't it"
"I don't doubt you Sharon, I'm just trying to let you know what others might be tempted to think and what Ade might think"
"My first relationship with Felix is the first after Ade; we've only known each other for a year. Why are you all doubtful? You guys look at me like I'm some alien that has been sent to Earth. I don't feel at home, dad looks at me differently; everyone does." I paused in tears. 
"It's sad" I added and she hugged me.
A call from Tasha came in. "Hey" I said cleaning my tears. "What's up?" I asked and I noticed a pause. 
"We're you crying?" She asked I shook my head. "Nah" I lied. 
"What's up?"
"Where are you? Mo just called, she wants us to have breakfast with her towards tomorrow's interview. "Where?"
"I don't know the place but I have an address here. I'll tell your dad to drop me off if he isn't too busy. I'll send you the address" she answered and I nodded.
"I'll see you there" I answered hanging up. 
"That was my manager, i have to go" 
"Without seeing your uncle?" Uncle Lawrence asked and I turned towards him smiling then I walked up to him hugging him.
"I'm sorry I have to go so quick; I have a meeting with..." I trailed off again. "I'm sorry"
"Do you still know your way around town?" He asked and I laughed.
"Where do you want to drive to that I don't  remember even if the road has been transformed?" I bragged and he laughed.
"I'm on my way to work; I just had a call  from your father isn't there  yet.
"You should stop by for lunch, there's this awesome new spot in town. You'll love the food"
"Okay... I'll call you" I answered giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Bye Uncle, Bye Ma" I hugged Sunshine then I zoomed off. 
After the meeting, Uncle Lawrence requested we meet at a restaurant called Crown Prime and we both got there almost at the same time.
"Are you planning to stay for good?" He asked as we walked into the restaurant. 
It wasn't a big one, but the interior showed that the person had a good taste.
"I haven't really decided on what I want here"
"So technically, you're only here for the interview" he assumed and I rolled my eyes. 
"Why are you all so quick to paint me a bad person?" I asked and Lawrence laughed. "I'm not painting you as anything; the accusation against you are way too ...."
"Way too what? At least ask me first. What happened to sharing everything with me?" I asked and he scoffed.
"The last time I checked, someone got engaged without informing anyone in the family; including me" he answered and I paused. He had a point there.
"I'm sorry" I apologized and I heard Tuni's voice. 
 "Sharon" she called out and i smiled at her.
After a preamble greeting, we moved to a table where  we made our orders. I couldn't wait to taste the food from Uncle Lawrence's exaggerated description of how the food tastes.
Lunch was amazing, I had to commend the chef responsible for making the food. It was magical, it's been a while since I tasted something so good. Not since I left Nigeria for good. "Who owns this restaurant? The chefs are so good, I loved every bit of it" I commented and I Tinu sighed. 
"What?" I asked, "It's..." She paused. 
"I can't do this, the owner is"
"A very liberal man, I think you should get his attention and tell him his you feel about his cooking" "His cooking or the chef he employed?" I asked and Uncle Lawrence laughed. "One quick fact about this man is that he cooks his own meals despite the fact he has employees" 
"Wow, he's really humble"
"Trust me, he's humble to the core. He's a great guy" 
"I really wanna meet him, if he'll be available"
"He's always available. Why don't you let him know how you feel about his cooking" he asked and I nodded. Meanwhile Tuni gave Uncle Lawrence a suspicious look. I didn't know why she did "Are you okay?" I asked and she shook her head. 
Uncle Lawrence called a waitress whispering into her ears and she walked away.
"No." Tuni answered.

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

. "I mean Yes, I have a lot on my mind"
"Like?" I asked, "First thing first, Bible study with AY"
"Are you still hung up on that?" I asked and she chuckled. "Tuni now goes to church?" Uncle Lawrence asked and I nodded. 
"She's trying to get a Pastor to fall in love with her"
"I'm not trying to get him to fall in love with me; I just want to prove that all men are scum, they want sex." "Ouch" Uncle Lawrence exclaimed and I laughed. 
"Not all men are scum"
"You were one before you repented. Pastor or not and besides he's a hot guy"
"Someday you'll have to leave this life and choose a stable path, with this mentality, you're not going to meet the right one. Even when he comes, you'll still think he's a scum" 
"Ah han, Senior Man. Bella told me you wanted to see me"  I heard Ade's voice and I immediately turned my back at him. 
"What are you doing here?" I asked and he folded his hands. "I came here with Uncle Lawrence" I turned to Uncle Lawrence then back at him.
Judging from the apron around his waist,  I could tell he worked there. I didn't understand why he would be working here.
I've always expected Ade to work in a firm. "You work here?" I asked and he nodded. For a moment I wondered what must have happened all these years.
"The food tastes amazing and I wanted to to relay it to the boss. If you can get him" 
"Thanks" he answered forcing a smile and a wondered why he replied as though he was the boss then It dawned on me. 
"Wait.... You're the..." I paused looking at Uncle Lawrence and Tuni looked away.