Palm lines - Episode 10

 

Erika's POV

Mrs Reiner paid me a visit in school during teaching hours . I had to steal a moment to talk to her. She seemed really sad then she let me in on her pains and how Tuni has been making life miserable for her.
"Can't you discipline her?" I asked and she went ahead to tell me that her dad has never agreed to disciplining her.
"You guys have spoilt her now. That's why she's this way."
"I take my own share of the blame but Seyi is the root of all these problem" she paused cleaning her tears. 
"We're separated, Seyi and I" she confessed and I gawked in shock. 
I felt embarrassed about calling her Mr . Reiner, "I'm sorry I still call you Mrs Reiner"
"We're separated not divorced. Tuni hates me because of it, without knowing the real truth behind it"
"If I'm not intruding Ma, what truth?"
"Seyi cheated on me with the maid while we were in Ife for December holiday. It wasn't a first time, I couldn't take it any longer so I threw him out. Tuni doesn't know, all she thinks is that I caused the separation of the whole family cause Seyi took Timi and I took Tuni."
"Timi?"
"My son, I have two children"
"This must be so difficult for you. Tell her the truth"
"She'll hate him, I don't want to bring that upon the poor idiot because I still love him." She cleaned her tears and I sighed. 
A thought crossed my mind on how to rectify the issue. 

***
While walking around during break time, looking for student offenders, I sighted Sharon with Tinu and i wondered what Sharon was doing with her. 
"Sharon"
"Good afternoon Ma" she greeted and Tinu followed suit. 
"You're friends with her?" I pointed at Tinu and she nodded. 
"We spoke to each other on Friday and we've been talking" she answered and I turned towards Tinu again

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. The last thing I wanted was a bad company for Sharon.
"Remember I told you I had a lot I wanted to talk to you about?" She chipped in, of course I did! I haven't had time to listen to her. Then I demanded that Tinu meet me in the staff room.
"Hey" I said to her and I gestured for her to sit opposite me and she did. 
"Miss Erika" a junior student called out to me and I signalled for her to come back later.
"Good afternoon Ma" she greeted again and I nodded.
"Do you have any idea why I called you?" I asked and she shrugged. "Because of Sharon. I saw the way you looked at me"
"Tinu I'm not judging you"
"I'm not going to teach her bad things'
"I know... But your social life, it's not the same with Sharon's. Your anger towards your mother"
"Mom spoke to you?" She asked and I nodded. 
"Why?"
"Cause you're going out of hands and you're in need of discipline" "I don't need discipline I need her to stop being weird"
"Your mother has a gift"
"That chased dad away" 
"Getting angry at her will not solve anything. Take it from me. I'm a teacher, and I'm not a teacher because of anything but experience. You think you've seen annoying or embarrassing, you haven't met my mom" I paused.
"I'm thirty four years old and unmarried. I caught my first flower at a wedding at the age of twenty six, I had expectation to get married. I'm still not" I paused trying to get my point together.
"Do you know the embarrassment I've had to go through from Mom? My little sister is getting married and my other little sister is already married. Mom called me old, mom has said a lot of awful things about me" tears trickled down and I cleaned it.
"Not once have I ever insulted or raise my voice at her" she sniffled, "Not once."
"You know why? Because she's my mom and there's nothing I can do about it, I owe her that respect till death. No matter how annoying she can be" I cleaned my tears again, Tuni blinked and tears trickled down her cheek.
"Deep down...deep, deep down you know she loves you. You know she cares" 
"She's always feeling like she had powers" "She does have a gift and it's amazing. First thing you have to do is first of all appreciate that gift and i believe the rest will flow freely"
"I don't know"
"What happened between her and your Dad, it's not her fault. Don't hold it against her, do you have any idea how she feels about it? Do you?" I asked and she shook her head.

After school ended for the day, I stayed up with Sharon who helped me arrange a book while I marked some notes. She was waiting to receive a call from one of his father's drivers. 
"Hasn't he called yet?" I asked and she shook her head. 
I stretched my phone at her and I demanded she input her Dad's number then I called the number. I called him twice but he didn't pick up. 
He did the third time.
"Whoever you are, I'll call you back, I'm in a meeting" he whispered.
"Don't you dare end my call" I snapped, "Miss Erika?" He asked and I nodded. 
"Yes. Your daughter is still in school"
"I'm in Ghana right now" 
"Aren't you supposed to call on some kind of replacement?" "I did... Two hours ago"
"We've been waiting for the past two hours now"
Sharon finally raised her phone to signal that the driver has finally called. "He has finally called" I cleared my throat and Sharon picked up the call. "Good day" I added.
"I would like to talk to my daughter"
"It's my airtime I'm using not" he immediately hung up then called back through my phone. 
"You could have called back through your daughter's phone"
"Geez, you can complain oh. One minute you're complaining it's your airtime, now it's your phone. I guess the complains will never get old"
"Is that an insult"
"Can you please let me talk to my daughter?" He asked and I stretched the phone to Sharon who was done with the other call. 
"Hey Dad"
"Is that how to properly greet your dad?" I complained, "Sorry, good afternoon Dad" she answered. Mr. Savage must have said something funny for her to have laughed that hard. 
"No she's not" she answered and I wondered what they must have been saying about me. 
"He's outside waiting for me. He had to pick up his daughter" she answered.
"I promise"  she answered literally crossing her fingers. "Bye Dad" she concluded then passed the phone to me.
"What did your father say about me?" I asked and she chuckled.
"The driver is waiting outside. Bye Ma" she added rushing off. 

Sharon's POV
Right from the day, we visited Miss Erika, there was just something between Miss Erika and Dad. It was more like chemistry. Like those movies I watch.
I didn't know if it was my eyes seeing things or if it was true. 
The next day, the driver didn't come to pick me up early so Miss Erika got angry and called Dad, IK called me almost at the same time.
He told me he was outside waiting for me. After I hung up, Miss Erika passed her phone to me; apparently dad wanted to talk to me.
 "Hey Dad" I said and Miss Erika rebuked me for being so casual.
"Good afternoon Dad" i corrected. 
"Can you please tell your Miss Erika to take a chill-pill. Why is she always angry? Why is so uptight?" He asked and I laughed. 
"She's not" I answered.
"You weren't supposed to answer she's not, now she'll know we're talking about her. I'm sorry about IK, I called him two hours ago"
"He's outside waiting for me. He had to pick up his daughter" I answered. "At least he's there already. Promise not to tell Miss Erika whatever we spoke on?" He requested and I nodded. 
"I promise" I replied crossing my fingers just in case I tell on him. 
"What did your father say about me?" Miss Erika asked and I laughed.
"The driver's waiting outside, bye Ma" I answered rushing off.

I woke up with a stomach ache, I almost felt like not going to school that day but I did eventually. I followed Tuni and her mom to school. 

During break time, when I stood up to go out, a guy hug me from behind. "What are you doing?" I asked him and he smiled at me.
"Let's go out first"
The boys and girls in class we're already jeering and encouraging him. I knew he was definitely a dead meat, I was ready to slap him on his face.
When we got outside I stepped on his toe and he jumped up in pain. "What was that for?" I asked facing him.
"Don't turn your butt that way, you have blood on your skirt" he said in pain and I turned my back to see it. "Jesus!" I screamed turning my back at him. 
"What do I do?" I asked him and I heard him scoff. "Dude why are you asking me? You're a girl"
"It's my first time, I don't know what to do" I answered in fear and I saw this worry on his face.
"Don't you have girlfriends?"
"Only Tuni in SS1 A" I answered and he took off his sweater giving it to me. 
"Take it, I'll go call her or get you something"  he answered and I got it from him tieing it across my waist. 
He left shortly but I couldn't wait for him. I was scared, I didn't know what to do. I've never had anyone educate me on it before.
I walked into Miss Erika's office but she wasn't there. Only Miss Oloche, "Good afternoon Ma" I greeted her and she raised her brow in shock. 
"This one that you're greeting me freely, Are you okay?" She asked me and I nodded. I didn't know whether to tell her or not. 
Suddenly I saw Miss Erika walk in with a junior student who had piles of notebook in her hands. She dropped it on Miss Erika's table then left. 
"Sharon dear" she called out but I wasn't smiling. 
"What wrong with you?" She asked, "Same thing I asked her" Miss Oloche chipped in and I laughed.
I turned my back at her then I raised the sweater up for her to see. "Oh... It's just a stain, you could have gone to the toilet or don't you have pads? Is that it?" She asked, "It's my first time" I answered in tears and she hugged me instantly.
"Jeez!" She muttered.
"It's okay" she added, "It's okay dear"
****
 I was taken to the sick bay after I had worn the pad. I was having stomach ache. "Ouch" I groaned, "Pele (Sorry)" Miss Erika sympathized, "It's called menstrual cramps"
"I felt it yesterday"
"I'm just shocked that it's your first time" "I've been waiting for it for a while now. Some girls already had it when they turned eleven and twelve"
"It's a sign that you're growing, it marks womanhood" she stretched her hands at me and I squeeze it softly.
"Maybe it was waiting for me to meet you before coming" I answered and she laughed. 
The bell rang and I knew Miss Erika had to go.
"Just take a rest and maybe by the time school closes, the pain would be over."
"Thank you" i answered. 

Erika's POV
I walked out of the sick bay dialing Mr. Savage's number. "Not now" "When is there ever a good time to call you?" I asked, "Or you need me to send in two days notification or three days notification before I call" I added.
"That's not what I meant"
"What do you mean then?" I scoffed. "You need to be in Nigeria for your daughter" 
"I won't be around till tomorrow"
"Your daughter needs you right now more than ever. She doesn't like her step mother, so it's either you or no one"
"I'll be there in a sec!" I heard him yell. 
"I have to go, they're waiting"
"Sharon finally saw her period for the first time in her life and you don't want to be there for her. Soothe yourself Mr. Savage" I added then ended the call. 
"Urgh!" I grunted tightening my fist. I felt like seeing him to give him a punch.
He tried calling me but I refused picking up his calls. 

***
After school, Feso called me up. He said he was already in front of the school waiting to take me out. Unfortunately I had plans to take Sharon home to maybe talk to her step mother.
"Hey" I said to him and he kissed me on the cheek. 
"Miss Erika!" One of the students shouted and I glared at him. Apparently he was with his parents, a teacher too.
"Don't worry, it will be your turn soon to get married" she said and I laughed. Sharon walked towards us. "Feso meet Sharon, my favorite student right now" I introduced and she waved at him.
"Sharon meet my friend" I stalled looking at Feso
"Boyfriend" she guessed and I nodded laughing.
"It's not professional for teachers to introduce their boyfriends to students" "But it's professional for them to introduce their husbands to them" Sharon retorted and I laughed.
"I like this girl" Feso chipped in and we all chuckled. 
"I want to take Sharon home" I moved closer to him, "It's really important I take her home but it won't change our plans" I whispered to him and he volunteered to drop us off at the house.
I walked into the house with Sharon and I requested an audience with the step mom. "There's no point" Sharon tried convincing me but I was determined to talk to her. 
She's a lady too, she can't be totally thoughtless about this stuff. "Are you Sharon's teacher?" She asked and I shook my head.
"I'm a teacher in the school but not in the same class as her"
"Okay.. so what are you doing here? What has she done this time?" She folded her hands.
"Why are you so quick to assume she has done something wrong?" I asked and she scoffed. "Well... She's my step daughter and I know what she's capable of. She's a trouble maker" "That's because you haven't grown close to her. Sharon is a sweet girl"
"Is that what she makes you think?" She asked and Sharon walked in. "Maybe I would have been nice if you were nice to me too" she charged towards her step mother.
"Sharon, in now!" I ordered stretching my hands and she walked away. 
"Is that your definition of sweet? If you ask me, I'll call her Savage" she answered and I scoffed. "Maybe it's the surname affecting her reasoning"
"I'm not here to talk about that. I came specifically because Sharon is on her period"
"And how is that my business?" She asked and I scoffed.
"Okay... You don't understand the gravity of the situation here Mam. It's her first time"
"What do you request from me then?" "You're her mother"
"Point of correction Madam, step-mother. If I were to have children, I'm pretty sure I won't have one like her." "She needs advise from a woman"
"I'll advise my own children not her. Thank you for wasting your time and my time Miss" She chipped in moving towards the door then she opened up. 
"I have better things to do so..." She stalled and I walked out. 
I finally saw what Sharon was talking about. What a b*tch! I had to restrain myself from slapping her. 
"How can someone be so annoying?" She asked and I tightened my fist, complaining to Feso. "I almost slapped her for a while"
"Seriously?" He asked and I nodded. "She's so not worth it" I sighed. 
"What has that little girl done to her to deserve so much hatred?" I complained and he gazed blankly at me. 
He had no idea what I was saying and I've just spent ten minutes ranting over this issue. "I'm sorry" I apologized, "It's okay" he answered, "If you can make me understand" he added and I smiled.
"It's a long story" I answered and he smiled. 
"Let's talk about us. How was your day?" I asked and he chuckled. "I nailed a deal with one Chief Benson, I'm so happy that I just want to celebrate with you"
"I hope you're not taking me out somewhere really public" I asked and he grinned at me. 
"Now I'm scared. I should just go home and change from all these" I pointed at my clothes, "I know you're supposed to have your rest and all" he paused as we took a turn.
 "Where are you taking to?" I asked then we stopped at a boutique.
"You're having your clothes changed here, the party starts by six. I'm sorry" he apologized and i closed my mouth in surprise.
"You didn't need to"
"Besides it was an also an excuse to see you and be with you"
We walked in and Feso requested that I shopped for clothes as much as I want to. I've never been the selfish kind so I did my shopping as modest and quick as possible.
A lady had my make up done and we were off to the party in Odogwu's construction. "You look amazing" Feso commented after we got there.
"Thanks" I replied and we both chuckled.
"I feel like a lucky man" he muttered bending his arm and I fixed my arm across his. 
We walked into the company into the venue of the party, there was this cocktail feeling like one of those in soap operas, one hosted by really rich personalities.
 Feso was greeted by almost everyone that walked by. I began to wonder if he was loved by everyone or there was something he wasn't telling me. 
"And the CEO walks in late" an elderly woman with her dyed blonde announced and a few workers laughed. 
I turned my back to check if there was anyone else coming. "Hey darling" she moved closer to us kissing Feso on his cheek. 
"Good evening Ma" I greeted and Feso smiled.
I had a lot of questions running through my mind, I wanted to ask him who the woman was and why the hell she referred to him as the CEO.
"Is this the one?" she asked holding me by the arm.
"She's pretty" she continued, " Very pretty" she added.
"I know you must be really confused." Feso held on to my waist, "Erika, meet my mom, Mrs. Patty Odogwu" he introduced and she laughed. 
"Odogwu constructions" it finally made sense why he was called the CEO.
I suddenly grew nervous and also angry he didn't let me in with his secret. On the other hand, I felt like I might screw up once more. 
"Mom, meet the woman that has captured my heart; Erika" he continued and his mother hugged me. "I've always waited for this day. This is Feso's first time of introducing a lady to us. Sweet heart!" She called on another person.
An elderly man, I guess it was his father, walked towards us with a cane in his hands. 
"Good evening Sir" I greeted him quickly. He looked really strict.
"Oh, don't let the face scare you" Mrs Odogwu said and I laugh nervously. "Meet our son's girlfriend Erika. Feso finally brought a girl home, technically he didn't bring her home."
"How are you Erika?" He asked, "I'm fine Sir" I replied. 
"How did you meet my son?" He asked and I saw Feso roll his eyes. "We should talk about the party, Erika, don't you want to eat something?" Mrs.

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

. Odogwu asked and Feso's dad still gaze firmly at me.
"We met at a PTA meeting where I work as a teacher" I smiled. "As a teacher?" He asked and I nodded. 
"Yes Sir, I work as a teacher in University prepartory high school here in Lagos and I don't appreciate when people use that tone to judge me as a teacher. I love my job, I chose this job"
"Erika I love teachers too" Mrs. Odogwu replied and I turned over to Feso. "The last thing I want right now is having your parents think I'm out for you because of a position I never knew you occupied until today"
"Erika" he called out but I interrupted him.
"Why didn't you let me know you were the CEO?" I asked walking away and he followed me. 
"Erika!" He called out to me but I kept on walking. 
"Erika!" I yelled and she finally turned to me. "What?" I asked and he clasped his fingers in plea. "I didn't want to show off at first, I swear to you, it wasn't intentional. That was why I invited you here today; so I could tell you the truth. Erika I'm sorry if I hurt you or if my father has said something insulting"
"Please forgive me" he chipped in and I sighed. 
"I'm not out for your money" "I know" he replied running his hands in my hair then kissed me on the lips and I smiled, kissing him back. 
We went back inside where I apologized to Me. Odogwu about the way I spoke to him. He requested to speak alone with me and my heart thumped in fear. 
Despite Feso's disapproval, I made a decision to have that talk with him.