Palm lines - Episode 11

 

Erika's POV
Mr. Odogwu took us away from Feso and his mom. "If this is about the way I spoke to you earlier on, Sir I already apologized"
"Its okay dear" he smiled at me. I was surprised, since he acted so strict earlier on. He didn't even look like the kind to smile. 
"My mom was a teacher" he began then chuckled. "She thought English studies that year . She was a force to reckon with, very sweet woman" he smiled.
"She wanted us to be teachers too but none of us wanted it. Children would always do the opposite of what the parents want. I thought I could change it after I built Odogwu constructions. I wanted my children in line with my vision"
"That's unfair Sir"
"It's the iron fist that makes the vision"
"What if they have other vision?" "My daughter had another; fashion. So her mom shipped her to America and guess what? She's married now to the same gender" he explained and I gawked in shock.
"Feso hasn't told you right?" he asked and I nodded.
"Maybe he's embarrassed, but if I had used the same pressure i used on Feso, I would have gotten better results" he argued and I shook my head.
"Teachers would always have disapproving and debating notion of everything i say" "If you're considering today's world, Sir.... It's not proper to make choices for their kids"
"Would you be happy if your daughter gets married to a fellow woman like you?" He asked and I shook my head.
"No sir"
"See! I don't hate your work as a teacher

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

. I was just worried that you would settle with Feso even with all his baggages"
"Baggages?" I asked and he turned towards me. 
"Your boyfriend hasn't been saying much has he?" He asked I shook my head.
"I like you Erika, I like your spirit. You remind me of my mother and I love a good challenge and I think someone like you would be best for my son."
"Thank you Sir"
"I look forward to having dinner with you one of these days"
"Thank you Sir"

Feso's POV
I watched Dad talk to Erika. I was impatient. All I wanted to do was to go there and stop whatever evil he might be perpetuating.
"Calm down Feso" mom said to me and I shook my head. 
"How can you tell me to calm down when my father is definitely trying to destroy all I've been building" I answered and Mom held my hands.
"He's not going to say anything bad"
"How do you know?" I asked and she smiled at me. 
"Because I know. Now shake off those nerves and be happy"

**"
We left shortly after the celebration because I had to take Erika home before it became too late. "What did you discuss with Dad?" I asked and she turned towards me.
"All I can say right now is that it was enlightening"
"How?"
"Whenever I talk to you on the phone Feso, I tell you about my family about my likes and dislikes. I realized, I don't know much about you and you haven't been too open either. Feso I want to know all about you"
"Some other day, it's late"
"Take me home" she demanded and started the car. "Your home, I want to know all" she added and I nodded. 
"Okay"
We got home twenty minutes later. "Who is Feso Odogwu?" She asked as she walked into the sitting room and I locked the door. 
"Your boyfriend" i answered and she laughed.
"Apart from the obvious" she sat on a chair and I joined her.
"What's it you want to know?" I asked.
"How many siblings do you have?" She asked and I sighed. "Three siblings, I, Osi and Ashley. What did dad say?"
"I want to hear from the horses mouth"
"I studied civil engineering abroad, I came back to Nigeria where I worked under dad cause i ... Couldn't get out if his control but my siblings did"
"I heard Ashley's married"
"To a woman" I completed with a scoff. 
"Osi is studying medicine abroad. What Dad doesn't know is that he's actually pursuing music"
"Your dad would have a heart attack if he find out" she said and I chuckled. "So you're the good son" she asked and I stretched a finger at her begging her to wait some seconds while I rushed into the room to get my drugs. 
I dropped it on the table, took my seat while she examined them. "They're anti-deppresants" he answered. 
"Yeah...and no I'm not crazy and neither I'm I normal in this military regime. That's my own share, every day I'm angry at myself, I'm angry because I never got to make my own decision" I replied in tears.
"Hey" she pulled close to me pressing her palm on my cheeks. "Years of being under dad and I've been taking the drugs to control my anger"
"It's okay. As long as you're controlling, it means you're stronger, it means you have an edge over it. It's not more powerful than you are" she answered and tears poured down and she cleaned them off. 
"We can work on this" she smiled and we stared at each other for a while then she pulled her lips close to mine and I pulled her closer kissing her. 
My left hand caressed her cheek while my right hand gripped her by the waist, pulling her against me.
She mounted on me, not once did we break the kiss. I jacked her up and my hands still roamed her waist. I wasn't sure if she wanted this.
I needed to test it so I grabbed her ass and she groaned unbuttoning my shirt.
I decided to take my shot pulling down her zippers and she withdrew. 

Erika's POV
I withdrew the moment he pulled down the zippers of my gown. I realized the situation was going out of hands. The sound of my zippers was a wake up call.
"I'm sorry" I apologized.
"No. I should be the one I apologizing" he answered and I sighed shutting my eyes. 
I realized I was holding on to something; my pregnancy. "I really want to do this" I explained. "Me too" he answered and I laughed. 
"Badly" I added and he laughed.
"Me too, badly" he answered and then I realized he was already hard underneath me.  I laughed at the scenario.
"I have this celibacy routine I've had since I gave my life to Christ. I'm sorry"
"It's okay" he answered kissing me on the lips. "I can get used to this" I answered, I was referring to his hard on underneath me and he laughed then I kissed him back.
Right there I made a decision of getting rid of the baby whether I like it or not, whether religion agrees with it or not.

Feso woke me up early, I didn't have anything to wear to school so I wore one of the clothes he bought the previous day.
He then volunteered to drop me off school. Immediately I stepped out of his car, I sighted Mr. Savage with Sharon. I saw Sharon whisper something to him and he laughed.
"Good morning Miss Erika" Sharon smiled, "Good morning Sharon, good morning Mr Savage" I greeted then my gaze fell on Sharon.
"What did you say to your dad when you saw me?" I asked and she shrugged.
"She said something about your boyfriend" Mr. Savage nodded his head towards the position where Feso parked. 
"Dad thanks a lot for ratting me out" Sharon retorted leaving the both of us.
"I was going to ask you how your night was but I guess there's no point asking" he gave this corrupt smile and I scoffed.
"Seriously?"
"What? We're two adults"
"Someone woke up early? What happened? Did you take a four o'clock flight to Nigeria"
"I arrived before six yesterday" "Lies!" I snapped and he kept quiet. "Seriously? What happened to you're too busy to leave" I twitched two of my fingers to make more emphasis on it.
"I didn't put it that way"
"Well it sounded that way to me"
"My daughter's health is important to me"
"I thought before now, business was more important" I snapped and he scoffed. "You know very well that it hasn't always been about business but I'm going to let you win anyway"
"I didn't know we were playing games?" I asked leaving, "Have a nice day Mr. Savage" I chipped in with emphasis on the 'Mr. Savage' and then I heard him chuckle.
I stopped immediately I heard that chuckle. I felt like something was wrong.
"You know, when normal people buy new clothes, they usually remove the tag" he took off the tag sticking out from the gown and I shut my eyes in embarrassment. 
"Have a nice day too, Miss Erika" he answered with so much emphasis on the 'Miss Erika'. Even with more emphasis that I made.

David's POV
I felt guilty after Miss Erika ended the call. I tried calling her severally but she didn't pick up. I knew I had to go back to Nigeria.
I drove into the compound to the sound of Sharon and Cynthia argument. "I'm not your mother Sharon and I don't even want to have a daughter like you"
"As though you could have one"
"I beg your pardon?" She asked, "Yes you heard me right, the reason you can't have kids is because you don't have any in your womb"
I opened the door to Cynthia slapping Sharon. Sharon's palm was glued to her face. "She caused it" Cynthia pointed at Sharon after realizing I saw the slap.
"You can do all, I repeat do all, don't slap my daughter. I've never liked such method of discipline" I snapped, "Baby" Cynthia called out and I dragged Sharon into the room.
"Why would you say that to her? She's your mom"
"Step mom, that was what she said to Miss Erika when she came here earlier on"
"Miss Erika came here?" My lips curved into a smile then I cleared my throat. "Yes she did."
"She clearly told Miss Erika that she isn't my mother" "What you said about her not giving birth was wrong"
"But it's the truth" she paused, "Or are you the one at fault?" She asked and I laughed. I found it funny she asked.
"We're not here to talk about me. You're the woman of the moment and your step mom deserves an apology for being older than you" 
"I did get a slap for it"
"True" he answered and I chuckled. "Maybe it's your period hormones acting up"  I answered and my daughter's face contorted in grimace. 
"I don't want to have this discussion with a man"
"I'm not just a man, I'm the man that gave birth to you or would you prefer to have this discussion with Uncle Lawrence"
"No" she answered and I chuckled.
"Mom should have been in a better position to talk to me. Miss Erika is helping me out to with the basic" "When you're on your period" I began and Sharon shook her head.
"Don't embarrass me Dad"
"I downloaded a whole lot of you tube videos online. There's nothing you can't find on you tube" I continued and she laughed.
"It's just three days of blood discharge. Your mom's cycle was three days except you want to count those spotting which usually last two days or so. Cynthia's own is four days of heavy flow" I confessed and Sharon feigned vomiting on the floor. 
"Too much information. You disgust me Dad" She stood up walking towards the door.
"It varies in women Sha" 
"I have to change now, leave my room" she requested.
"My little girl is all grown up" I placed my palm against her cheeks. "There's nothing embarrassing about periods, it's the start of womanhood"
"A guy found me out"
"That's embarrassing" I answered and she closed her eyes in embarrassment.  "What happened to there's nothing embarrassing about periods?" She asked and I laughed.
"Good night Daddy" she sounded off and i walked out of the room.
"Thanks" she chipped in and deep down, I felt fulfilled. I didn't regret coming back from Ghana.
I walked into my room, Cynthia was dressed in a red transparent lingerie or as she usually calls it,  her 'apology lingerie'. "Hey love" she laid in bed tapping on it so I can join her. 
"I'm naked," she bit her lips, of course I could see it!
 "Come get me"
"No" I answered and she rolled her eyes.
"Nice try but no" I stood firmly.
"Urgh!" She rolled her eyes.
"Such a turn off" she hissed and I laughed. "Let's talk about Sharon" I demanded and she shook her head, "Not tonight baby" she walked towards me kissing me on the lips. 
"Not tonight too"
"Why are you doing this to me?" She asked trying to play the victim. "Cynthia I married you so you could be Sharon's mother"
"You say it like it was some kind of contract" 
"What's so hard in being her mother?" 
"She's sturbborn, she doesn't want to see things the way I do. Baby, she doesn't eat my food" she busted into tears. She calls me barren"
"I heard that"
"Do you know how many she has called me barren?" She asked and wiped her tears off. 
"Just try... For me. I want peace in this house, I want to always come home to a peaceful home not quarrels and squabbles every damn time" 
"I'm sorry I slapped Sharon, baby I'm really sorry" she apologized kissing me on the lips. "How was Ghana?" She asked unbuttoning my shirt.

Sharon's POV
I walked into the class, twenty minutes before Assembly. The guy who gave me the sweater was in class. I didn't even know his name.
"Hey" I moved close to him and he smiled.
"Hey to you too" he answered. He was with a pile of books. "Take your sweater" I stretched it to him and he sniffed it.
"It's clean" I felt insulted.
"Smells nice too. Nice perfume" he commented and I smiled.
"How's your period." He asked and I scoffed. I didn't see myself continuing such ridiculous conversation.
"Are you trying to embarrass my life?" I asked and he laughed. "What's embarrassing about periods?" He asked.
"It's not a conversation either"
"I live with three girls and I'm the only boy, period is nothing. It's just part of the growth phase" he answered. "Besides I was looking for you yesterday, someone finally gave me pads, I didn't know your preference; doctor Brown or always ultra"
"I never had a preference"
"My sister usually complain of itchiness when she uses.." "We're not having this discussion." I interrupted, "I just wanted to give you the sweaters and tell you thank you for yesterday"
"You're welcome" he smiled. 
"I hope you're aware of Miss Agnes's English assignment?" He asked and I shook my head. "I was at the sick bay"
He passed a book to me. "You can skip assembly" "What if I get caught and disciplined?" 
"Not when you're in the sick bay nursing a menstrual cramp" he answered.
Brilliant idea! I thought to myself. Then I looked at the name on the book. 
"Who's Ade Banjo?" I asked and he smiled. 
"This handsome fellow before you" he answered and this forced a chuckle out of my lips. "I'll submit the whole assignment after assembly, Miss Agnes doesn't play with her deadline"

I went according to plan and I did the assignment at the sick bay,  under the pretense of menstrual pain. I submitted his assignment and mine.
I felt relieved.
Third period, after I stood up to submit my impromptu test script, Ade walked beside me. "I guess I might just have to give my sweater to you to keep" he whispered placing it above my shoulder.
"It is bad?" I asked and he shook his head.
"Just a tiny dot" he replied going back to his seat while I raised my hands up going out of the class.
I went to the toilet where I realized my pad had shifted a bit from it's previous position. 
 Another embarrassing period day! 
After the close of school hours, Ade walked towards me with this smile on his face. I didn't even know if he was mocking me or not.
I felt embarrassed. 
"I'll give you your sweaters tommorow" I promised,
"You can keep it" he added, "Thanks for helping me out yesterday and today too and with the assignment." I appreciated and he smiled. 
"You're welcome Savage"
"Call me Sharon"
"I prefer Savage" he argued and I felt almost agitated.
"Whatever. Bye" I said and he smiled. Tinu was waiting for me so I walked up to her and she gave me a look. "What?" I asked and she shrugged.
"Ade" she called out.
"You know him?"
"Is there anyone I don't know in this damn school? Ade Banjo senior student repeating the same class because of his step father"
"Seriously?"
"It's either he drops out or he repeats until he gets good results in his exam. After all na the man they pay him fees" 
I thought I was the only one with the bad step-parent. 
"Miss Erika is right after all. His situation was worst than mine.
"Why does he smile?" I asked and Tuni shrugged. 
"Should he be crying before?" She asked and I turned back feeling sorry for him.

 David's POV
Lawrence walked into the office, he had a white shirt tucked into a navy blue shirt.
"Hello dear brother" he called out and i smiled.
"Brothers who call their brothers 'My dear brother' usually end up backstabbing their so called dear brothers. Look it up," i assumed and he laughed.
"Abeg make we hear word" he snapped. 
"Why are you dressed like you're going for choir practice?" I asked and he faked a laughter. He knew it was a dig at him.
"You seem like you're in a good mood" he answered and I sniggered.
"Aren't I ever in a good mood?" I asked and he shook his head.
"Not when you're complaining about Sharon" he answered and I chuckled.

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

. "Things are getting better with me and Sharon"
"What about Cynthia?" He asked and I shook my head. "Cynthia slapped her yesterday" 
"Seriously? You need to straighten things up. It's like you're married to two wives" he analysed and I laughed. That was the perfect analogy for it. 
"Sharon has finally seen her period" I announced and Lawrence smiled. "Now I'm the one missing out of her life, when did this happen?"
"Yesterday. Miss Erika stopped by yesterday to talk to" 
"Miss Erika?" He asked In shock, "Sharon's Miss Erika?" He asked, "So you've heard of her?"
"Sharon loves that lady" he added and I laughed remembering what had happened earlier in the morning.  "What?" Lawrence asked curious about why I laughed.
"Nothing" I replied still laughing this time I hit the table. 
"If only she knows" I added and Lawrence went out of the door, "Someone get a rope your boss is going mad!" He announced then walked in and I threw a tennis ball at him and he dodged.
"Who's going mad?" My eldest sister  walked in and I smiled. "Am i seeing double or Sister Grace just walked in?" I asked and Lawrence blinked his eyes. 
"I think it's an illusion, let's give her time she'll disappear soon" Lawrence answered and Aunty Grace dragged his ears and he groaned in pain. 
"She's real" he answered and Aunty Grace left his ears. 
"You might be thirty eight years old Lawrence, I'm still 12 years older" she answered, "And I can still spank the both of you" she added.
"Yes Ma" I answered and she laughed. 
"How are you both doing?" She asked and I smiled. "We're fine" "How's Sharon?" She added looking at Lawrence.
"Sharon is fine" I answered, "I didn't ask you, I was asking the father" she teased and I shut my eyes laughing. "I get your point but I'm repentant now, Sharon and I have been having great times"
"I'll have to confirm from Sharon first" she replied and I raised my hands in surrender. "What brought you to Lagos?" I asked and there was a long pause.
"Our father is dead" she announced. The expression on my face and  Lawrence's face changed instantly.