Palm lines 2 - Episode 7

 

Ayo's POV
I held her hands by the road side after we had talked about his brother and his dilemma. "Ab*rtion is not an option" 
"Should i remind you that she's young? I introduced my family to her family. They'll blame me and i knew about their relationship. I could have stopped it, I'm a horrible sister"
"You're not wrong about that" i answered and she chuckled . "I think you should tell the mom"
"Not when we'll be conducting a secret ab*rtion procedure. I'm not going to lie or pretend to you, I'm being serious, we'll get the ab*rtion done. Timi's too young to be a dad" 
"Abstinence is the best"
"I'll agree with that for the first time" she answered and I chuckled, she joined in too. I saw members walk by, they had judgy looks on their faces. I guess their expression was towards Tinu.
"Good night Pastor" one of them yelled and I waved at them. 
"When can I see you again?" She asked and I chuckled knowing exactly what she meant. "I have counseling tomorrow" 
"Tomorrow's not a good day"
"There's this house fellowship on Friday, I can get your number give you the address." I gave her my phone to type her number on it.
"Sounds perfect" she jumped to the idea as though it was a real invitation to my house. She typed her number with so much joy. 
 "Thanks for speaking with me" she smiled, "You're welcome

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

. Let's pray" I stretched my hands out to her and she looked at it as though I had stains on it. 
Then she brought her hands close and I held it softly then I closed my eyes. "Lord Jesus, we're nothing without you and also we can't do anything without you. Sister Tinu needs you in her life and I ask that you deliver her, speak to her and let her know the right decisions to make. Amen"
"Amen" she answered then i opened my eyes to see.
"I was expecting a more violent prayer" she teased and I laughed. "Good night" I answered and she nodded. 
"Good night" she answered now entering into her car and I turned back to see Charity glaring at me. Her hands were folded and I knew she was definitely going to complain.
"Did they just end the service? It took longer than expected" I asked and she looked away. 
"Michelle was slow with the announcements that why" she answered then she looked at me. "What were you doing with her? And why did you run after her?"
"Is that now a bad thing? She felt bad and" 
"Let her feel bad maybe she'll repent of her sins, you shouldn't run after her. It looked somehow, what if you were the one preaching?"
"Can you listen to yourself?" I snapped and she scoffed. 
"Why were you holding hands with her? I saw you two exchange numbers too"  She asked and I walked away. "Ayo!" She called out but I ignored her. 
"Ayo!" 

****
Mom came to my house the following day. I had just come back from work. "What happened between you and Ife?" She asked after we've exchanged pleasantries. 
I kept mute, I didn't have an answer for her.
"It's a fresh relationship, you shouldn't make her cry" 
"Did you ask her what she did?" "It's just a little jealousy, women are like that sometimes. You can't blame her, I mean, you were with that daughter of Jezebel"
"She has a name, its called Tuni"
"I'm not Interested in knowing her name, I came here to settle whatever quarrel you had with Ife. Call her up and talk to her, make her know you're not angry at her"
"It's okay. I'll call her up" 

****
On Friday, my thirty five years old eldest sister travelled back to Nigeria, all the way from Canada. She's a a daughter dad had when her was barely eighteen years before he gave his Life to Christ.
 After the day's job, I had to go over to the house to see her and attend the house fellowship meeting scheduled for the day.
"You came at the right time" Mom said to her she smiled. "Why?"
"We have house fellowship today and Sister  Rose has been asking after you for weeks now" 
I saw her roll her eyes. "If I knew the house fellowship was this Friday, I wouldn't have come" "Jane!" Mom cautioned and I laughed. 
I missed her craziness.
"Let me go and taste the food for salt" Mom left and I smiled. 
"I've missed you"
"Same here bro, same here" she smiled holding my hands.
"How long will you be staying?" I asked and she chuckle, "Two weeks." She answered and I moved over to where she sat, I had a lot i wanted to ask her, a lot of things I needed her opinion on.
"I heard you're dating Ife" she chipped in almost disappointingly. 
"You sound like you're not happy about it" 
"Not like I'm not happy, I feel like it's not your decision. I know you and Ife have gone way back but..." 
"You're right. Mom thinks.."
"Will mom be the one to marry her? Ife is sweet and all but we both know she's uptight and annoying. She's like one of those Christian moms that won't make their kids wear trousers"
"It was also my decision. I need to get married, I'm starting to feel the need of going back home to a family, to my children. I have my own house and I don't stay in it because of how lonely it feels" 
"Can't you find someone else?" She asked ans I wondered who else would be appealing for Mom and Dad.

While Mom made dinner for everyone to eat after the house fellowship, I was included in the cooking. I looked at my phone once again, since I was expecting a call from Tuni. 
"Are you expecting a call?" Big sis asked and I gave a gentle nod. 
The phone rang instantly and I picked it up. "Hey, are you there?" I asked, "I'm at the door, should I knock?" She asked and I laughed. 
"No, push the door down" I answered and she laughed too. That was the obvious thing to do! 
I opened it to my shock. She was dressed in a short straight gown that showed her cleavages. "Uh...." I paused, "Hello there" she hung up and I kept the phone in my pocket. 
"I came early" she clapped her hands and I nodded. 
"I knew mom wasn't going to agree with the dress but I no idea how to tell her. 
"Come in!" 

Tuni's POV
I woke up on Wednesday to find seven missed calls from my manager. "Jesus!" I yelled. "I didn't even hear it ring" I added.
Then i remember putting it on silent mode the previous day. "Shit!" I picked up the phone to call him but he didn't pick then I heard the door bell ring.
I walked out of the room to the sitting room only to see Dennis ;mom had already opened the door for him. 
Now it finally made sense why he didn't pick up. "I left you several missed calls" "Sorry. My phone nuas been on silent since last night" 
"Why?"
"Church" I answered and he suddenly had this confused look on his face. "When did you start going to church?" 
"Beats me too" Mom answered and I scoffed. 
"Was was the call about?" 
"Bunmi Daniels called. She wants you playing a lead role in her new movie" he answered and I covered my lips with my palm in shock. 
"Are you serious?" I asked and he gave me that usual look like 'When have I ever joked about anything'. He wasn't wrong to give me the look.  Dennis was all but a joker, meeting him was the best thing I ever did for myself.
I jumped up happily then I hugged him then he pulled back.  "You were strongly recommended and she's willing to give you a try but..." She added and I didn't like the sound of it. 
"What?"
"It's a gospel movie and though it's not within your genres but you're one of the actress that take different roles so I know you can do it" 
"I can do it" I sighed in worry. 
"You have a competitor for the role." He paused and I wondered  who
 "Chiamanda Brooks" he answered and I folded my arms in fear but I wasn't going to let it show anyways. 
"You have a meeting with Bunmi Daniels by 10" he announced and I suddenly grew nervous. 
****
I saw Chiamanda go out of a fancy diner with some friends after I parked my car at the parking lot. I walked in and I saw Bunmi Daniels holding a cup and sipping from it. "Good morning Ma" I greeted then I took my seat.
"I'm sorry for coming late" I apologized but she didn't mind. "It's a honor to finally meet you Mam" I stretched my hands and she shook it.
"I heard of your reliability and punctuality on set" she commented and I scoffed trying to be modest. Of course I've always been punctual, and I try to give my best to every single thing I do.
"There are days I disappoint, especially on days when I can beat the traffic to come before you. I'm sorry, I got the information late, although it's not an excuse for coming late" 
"You weren't even late. You came just in time. Stop feeling guilty dear. We're all in this same Lagos oh, the traffic gets worst by the day." she tapped my hands and I chuckled. 
"Dennis called me and he told me that i might likely be a lead in your new movie" 
"It's titled Providence. The lead is going to be playing a really emotional and religious part." "I'm not religious" I answered. 
"It doesn't mean I can't act religious." I sighed. 
"Mom never really took us to church so, I'm not used to that lifestyle, I only just started going to church because I'm trying to get a Pastor to like me and go to bed with me so I can prove that all Pastors are phonies" i pause then I scoffed. 
"I don't every know why I'm telling you this, I think I might just have blown my every chance of getting the role. I'm not a liar, I'm not comfortable with lies."
"You're an excellent actress and you could have acted your way out of this but you didn't"
"Chiamanda is an excellent actress, she'll be perfect for the role" "Maybe another role, not on my set. I just spoke to her, she came in 9:14 for a meeting scheduled an hour before yours and she barely apologized. She even had the nerves to come with friends who interrupted every meaningful discussion we could have had. Worst if it all" she flipped her hair then lets out a tired sigh.
"She left before the meeting ended because she had a flight to catch up with. I don't want any actresses that will make my production difficult and long. Welcome on board Tuni Reiner, you're the lead for the role" she announced and I screamed in joy and people started to stare. 
"I'm sorry" I apologized covering my mouth then I hugged her. 
"Thank you Ma. I promise not to disappoint you"  I added and she rose up putting on her glasses the she called the attention of the waitress. 

Sharon's POV
I woke up early, went into the bathroom to take my bathe. Then I walked out with a towel wrapped around my chest.
Ade walked in and I screamed. "Seriously?" He asked and I sighed. "I thought it was someone else, doesn't Richard come to visit you?" 
"Richard now has a child he hustles for" "Since when?"
"He's three years old now. The little boy is a Slayer just like his father" he answered and I laughed.  "Aren't you going to leave so I can change up" 
"In your dreams! If you think I'll leave, you'll be waiting for a long time cause I have to prepare for work and it's my room" "At least a minute"
"What haven't I seen before?" He asked and I shut my eyes laughing. "You're a dick" "You fell in love with that characteristics remember?"
"I wonder who lied to you" I retorted and he chuckled. 
"You might wanna change into something fresh" he brought out a white shirt from his wardrobe stretching it out to me.
"You didn't have to" 
"Okay" he pulled back and I dragged it from him. 
Ade laughed moving into the bathroom. "I can't believe Richard's a Dad. How did it happen?"
"He didn't use a condom" he answered from the room and I laughed. 
"We never used one"
"True. He poured in, I've always been careful. Your Dad would have killed me" I heard him laugh then I heard the shower pour.
"Where's the mom?" I asked while putting on the shirt then I wore the shorts trousers I had on the previous day. 
"Huh?" He asked and I moved closer to the bathroom.  "I didn't get that?" He added.
"The mom" 
"Oh Richard's ex? She bailed. She left the boy at the clinic. If not for my Aunt who showed up to save the day. He's raising him alone, he's doing pretty well than I thought he would" he explained and I sighed. 
Richard has always being a womanizer, I didn't think he would have children till he turns forty. "That's sweet. Don't tell him I said that" I answered and Ade laughed. 
"How's Mom?" I asked and there was a long pause. 
"I know I've missed a lot" i added and he scoffed.
"She's fine, she's left her husband and now they somewhere in Lagos still pretending to be married. She couldn't endure him any longer" he answered walking out naked and I shut my eyes. 
"She said he was becoming more annoying and the more she stayed, the more irritated she felt about his money so she left."
"Why would you come out naked?"
"You took the only towel I had" he answered and I grunted. "Can I open my eyes now?" I asked, "Yes" he answered and I opened it; he was still naked. 
"Ade!" I whined and he laughed.
"You can open it now" 
"Okay" I opened my eyes a bit to make sure the coast was clear. This time we had a towell wrapped across his waist.
"You're impossible! You know that?" I picked up my bag and phone, good day to you Ade"
"You too" he answered laughing as I walked out of the room shutting my eyes in lust. 
I didn't understand why I was feeling that way. "You're getting married" I reminded myself. Maybe it was a bad idea sleeping over, I thought within. 

My phone rang outside his compound, it was Felix so I picked up the call. "Where are you? He asked, "I'm at home" I lied.
"I'm at your house and your mom said you're not at home. You didn't spend the night at home because you were at Ade's house." He explained and I shut my eyes again. 
"I knew where you were I was expecting you to tell me. What did you have to say for yourself Sharon?" He asked and I kept quiet. 
"Yeah I thought so" he snapped hanging up. 
I tried calling him back but he refused picking my calls. 
I went back home and I saw Tasha give me a familiar look. It was one of those looks that came with query. "Felix came" 
"I know he called me and I stupidly told him I was home" 
"I'm sure he must be so angry right now" "He is. He's been refusing to pick my calls" "You shouldn't have gone"
"Well i did. I needed to make peace" I answered and she rolled her eyes. "You'll still leave, why do you care who you make peace with?" She snapped and I hissed.
"Tasha you don't understand anything" 
"Make me cause ever since we got to this country, you've changed. What's it any this country that makes you so soft?" 
"Maybe she's trying to find herself" Mom answered from behind and I smiled at her. "Good morning Mom" I greeted.
"Good morning to you too" she greeted then ansk and djdnd ran past us she wanted to get her toy from her brothers. 
"Give me my doll" "Aren't you too big to play with dolls?" Sam asked, "Aren't you too big to let me chase after you?" She snapped back and I laughed. Mom laughed too. 
 "Go and take your bathe and stop fooling around guys!" Mom yelled and I laughed.  "It's almost time for school and I'm supposed to wait for you. If you guys are not ready before I leave. You'll have to go with your Dad" 
"Super, Dad will stop at ice cream store before we get to school" Joshua answered and  tapped him. 
"On second thought, I'll wait, go and take your bathe" she ordered and they ran away. 
"Your father is spoiling them" Mom complained then she turned towards Tasha. 
"Good morning to you" Tasha greeted, "Good morning" she answered. 
"Prepare for the Interview on Saturday, Mo would like to meet by the family for rehearsals" 
"Why would we need to rehearse whatever we say?" Mom snapped and Tasha turned towards me.  "Because that's how it's done, Sharon explain things to your mom" 
"I'm not rehearsing anything with anyone" 
"Mom" 
"The only rehearsals i attend are choir rehearsals. If the interviewer isn't going to interview us without rehearsing it, she can go to hell with her interview" she added and I bowed my head. 
I knew there was no going back from it. "Mom if we can just talk" "Sweetheart I'm not going to be talking based on prepared script. If they're want to know about my family, let them find the natural way" she raised and Tasha groaned. 
"What's going on?" Dad stepped out in a white native dress and Tasha walked up to him speaking inaudibly to him then she left. 
Just as Dad walked up to us, I saw mom give him a stern look and he laughed. "I was about to say I'm  hungry" he added and Mom chuckled.  
"Breakfast is at the dinning" mom answered and he cleared his throat. "How's Ade?" He asked, i wondered why he did. 
"Um... I'm sorry I couldn't come home because it was late and Ade suggested I stayed back" 
"That's a perfect example of a gentleman, don't you agree Dear?"she asked, "He reminds me of someone"
"Who?" "One handsome man that stole someone's heart years ago" 
"Will Smith?" Mom asked and he chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'm pretty sure you knew I was talking about myself" he answered and mom laughed.
"I pray you someday meet that gentlemam who's worth it"! He added and I scoffed. "I'm engaged" 
"You can call off the relationship" 
"Dad, don't push" I warned and he chuckled hafly giving gentle nods taking his hands off mom. I noticed her mood changed too. 
****
Later in the day, I drove over to the hotel Felix lounged in, went to the room then I gently knocked on it. "Who's it?" He asked and I cleared my throat. 
"It's me Sharon" I answered, "What are you doing here?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. 
"What other reason? I came to apologize" I answered, and this was followed by silence. 
"Felix?" I called out and he finally opened the door and I walked in. "I'm sorry" I apologized closing the door and he shook his head.
"You just slept over at your ex's house. What's lpgivalt about that?" "It was late"
"And he decided to play gentleman" 
"Why are you being jealous? Nothing happened" 
"How am I sure?" He asked and I moved closer. "I give you my word" "Do you still like him?" He asked and I scoffed.
"Felix I said yes to you already and I'm not going back. It's Felix and Sharon till death do us part. What's your fear?" 
"That you might fall back in love with him" he answered and I laughed nervously. "That's impossible, I love you" 
"Let's leave after the interview. Go back and continue our lives, I'll feel safer" he answered and I agreed. 

Tuni called me up afterwards, wanted to meet her at Crown prime and I rushed over. "What's up?" I asked, I sa her eating potato fries" "So you're eating without me" I teased and she smiled. 
"I'm hungry" 
"And you're eating potato fries" "Just feasting on appetizers, .My Eba is on the way" she answered and I saw Ade holding up a tray towards us. 
"I can't believe I have a restaurant and I'm the one serving you" he complained and Tuni laughed. "Complain all you want Ade, it's your job to make the customer happy and I'm one" she grabbed the tray smiling. 
"That egusi smells good" she commented.
"Just remember to pay the bill sha" he answered and I laughed. "When have I ever not pay your bills?" She snapped and I chuckled looking at the soup. 
"Oh my God this looks" I washed my hands then i dipped it into the soup taking out the 'Pomo" in it. Just like old times. 
Tuni opened her mouth in shock. "If you don't respect the fact we're in public, at least respect the fact you spent time in America" she retorted and I laughed chewing the Pomo then I covered my mouth when I noticed Ade stare. 
"What do you want?" 
"I'm not really hungry, I'll be fine with water.Thank you" I washed my hands again and he nodded leaving the table. 
"Okay, what's going on between you two?" Tuni asked and I shrugged. "Like?"
"The stare. If I remember correctly, Ade was angry at you on tuesday and now he's giving you that stare" "What stare" 
"That stare like you just saw him naked like that stare he gives you when you guys do naughty things" she guessed and I laughed. 
"Okay. We didn't do anything naughty. I went over to his house to apologize for being bitchy ever since I came and I spent the night and we kinda kissed and I kind of saw him naked too" I answered and she laughed. 
"I knew it!"
"What are you witholding? Spill! Did you see him naked while you were both kissing or was it after the kiss"
"Jesus Tuni! Nothing happened, it was a mistake. He slept in the sitting room and I used his room. Don't you get it? I'm getting married soon" 
"Whatever." 
"Are you going to eat or not?" I asked and she laughed. 
"I will" 
"What's your emmergency? 
"Yes. I had a meeting with Bunmi sksken" 
"Oh my God! Seriously?" 
"Yes she wants me to play a role in her new movie" "Like a supporting role?" I asked and she gave me that "Seriously" look. 
"Remember that role you played where you only came out once to hug a married man" Are laughed. 
"Screw you!" Tuni laughed and I joined in. 
"That movie was a block buster but no one knew you existed" he added. "She wants me playing the lead role" "Oh my God! Seriously?" I opened my mouth in awe. Then I stood moving to her back to press a hug against her. 
"I'm so proud of you"
"Are you sure she didn't say read role, like you're to be reading at every scene." "Would it kill you to be happy for me?" Tuni asked, "I've always known you'll go far" I added and she leaned against me. 
"Thank you"
"Well..." Ade stalled and Tuni glared at him. 
"Your opinion is not needed, I know you're going to say something horrible" She snapped and he laughed. 
"Maybe he's trying to prove that he's funny oh" I answered and Tuni laughed. "Maybe oh. Say a word and I'll out pepper in your eyes"
Suddenly I saw him wave at a fair woman by the door then he excused himself to meet her. 
"Are you going to eat or not?" I asked and she washed her hands. "I've missed you so much" Tuni confessed dipping her hands in her 
My eyes suddenly found its focus on Ade who was now laughing with this strange woman. 

"Who's that woman with Ade?" I asked and she smiled. "That's Shirley" "You mean Sikira" I joked since people usually change names they don't like to foreign names. 
"No. Her real name is Shirley, don't you see how see looks like those Instagram girls with filters, except in her case she doesn't need filters. Even with my bad mouth, I have to admit she's really pretty" she confessed and I took my seat looking back at her. 
"She's really pretty"
"She's a photographer. She was born and brought up in the state. She just moved from New Jersey to her father's land.

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

. Her Dad is a Nigerian, a Yoruba man, very popular senator like that. She came during his burial and ever since she hasn't left"
"Whoa you're better than Google" I commented and she laughed. "Well one thing Google will leave out is that she's heads over heels in love with Ade who's head over heels in love with you. Call it a stupid love triangle, or rectangle since you're getting married soon. Life's one hell of a bitch" 
"Yeah..." I agreed. 
"The day you spoke rudely to him during Feso's get together, they kissed" 
"Oh... That's fine. I think Ade should move on and she's pretty" I answered, I wasn't even comfortable with the reply. Suddenly I saw Ade walked towards us with this Shirley girl.
"Hi girls" she waved at us and Tuni waved back, so did I.  
"Meet Shirley, a friend of mine" Ade cleared his throat, "Shirley, here's Sharon and.." 
"I know Tuni already" she gazed at me. 
"It's nice to finally meet you in person  Sharon. The famous Sharon Ade talks about" she added and I looked at Ade, I was completely speechless. 
She stretched her hands and I shook it. "You too, it's nice meeting you too" "Can I join you guys?" She added and I nodded. 
"Sure" I agreed and she sat on the chair. 
"I'll bring it your usual order"  Ade left and I began to wonder how long she has been in Nigeria for her to have a usual order. 
"It's finally nice to meet the girl who broke Ade's heart in pieces" she added and I cleared my throat. I was suddenly feeling hot, guilt pricked me again.