Palm lines - Episode 22

 

David's POV
After finding out Erika was pregnant with my child, I thought avoidance would be better. I was consumed with guilt. 
On Wednesday, after picking up Sharon from school, she requested I take her to see Miss Erika. "We can't" I answered and she requested to know why.
 "Dad I want to see her and I don't care about how you feel about her, I really need to see her"
"Sharon it's more complicated now"
"Complicated? Are you now in love with her?" She asked and I scoffed. "No.. . I.." I stammered. 
"So you really don't want to see her?" She asked and I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
"Not even a tiny bit?" She winked at me and I laughed, "So you're not even curious to see how pregnancy looks on her" she teased.
She finally got to me.  
"It's... okay fine, i'll take you there"
"I knew you want to see her" she entered into the car and I exhaled. I became nervous. 

Sharon knocked severally on Miss Erika's door and no one opened. "Maybe she's not home" I said and she sighed disappointingly. 
She pulled down the door knob and the door opened. Then she walked in, "Miss Erika?" She called out and no one answered. 
Just when I was about entering she warned me to stay back

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

. "It's all girls house, you don't want your eyes to go blind"  she warned and I laughed.
"Yes Mam" I chipped in and she chuckled.
While waiting, I heard Sharon scream, my name. I rushed in, "Sharon!" I called out, I wasn't sure where she was. 
""Dad!" 
I rushed into the room and I saw her above Miss Erika. "I tapped her and she's not waking up!"  Sharon cried and I tapped her on her cheeks, I even pinched her all to no avail. "Miss Erika" I called out and there was no response. 
"Gosh she's burning up" I carried her into the car, Sharon entered and we drove over to the hospital, then I called Dorcas.

"That's how people always die in their sleep" Sharon cried.
"God don't let me Miss Erika die" she prayed, the rest were inaudible.
 I was scared for her and suddenly I became scared for the baby. Then I started to wonder how I would speak to her when she wakes up. 
I was scared of awkward conversations with my level of guilt. I had a lot streaming through my mind. 
The nurses testified to her waking most times and sleeping back, there was a need to constantly check on her because of her pregnancy.
While we were just waiting by the door, when we heard discussion ensue between Doctor Hope and Miss Erika. 
Dorcas, Sharon and I walked in and Hope turned towards us. "Talk about the devil" she added and I wondered what she might have been saying about us.
Sharon rushed to hug her while Dorcas walked towards her. She was very happy.
  I felt weird, I didn't know what to say, my guilt overwhelmed me again. For a moment I was silent
"Thank God for Sharon who decided to visit, I wouldn't have been there and only God knows what would have happened to you" Dorcas appreciated, "Or what would have happened if the door was locked" I  added and it sounded as though i was blaming her.
"It wasn't my fault, I realized I wasn't feeling too well so I just passed out on the bed, i don't remember fainting"
I  blaming her for being careless about her life to showing concern.
"I got worried when you didn't wake up even when I pinched you"  I gave her my reason for being on the prosecuting side and she rolled her eyes. 
 "Are you alright?" I asked and she nodded. 
"Just a little weakness"
"Is the baby alright?" I added and Hope smiled at me. She then suggested series of scan to be done to check the well being of the baby.
We soon returned back to digging at ourselves, bragging, playing and laughing.
 I stared at her belly for while, i felt like holding it my hands, feeling the round shape and the warmth. 
Erika requested for Sharwama despite the Ofe nsala her mom brought from home.
Hope called me into her office just before I left. "Sit" she demanded and I did. "What's up? Is Miss Erika okay?"
"Yes she is" she paused then sighed. 
"What's it with between you two?" She asked and I scoffed, of course I like her, I wasn't sure i would be comfortable with Hope knowing. 
"I don't understand your question" I lied. 
"You two have a strange chemistry going on and I'm not blind" "I told you already Hope, she's a teacher in Sharon's school and Sharon is fond of her. That's why I frequently call her Miss"
"There's something more, I can feel it my guts. Tell me the truth" she demanded. Though I hesitated, I had to tell her the truth, right from the hotel to the other day we met in front of the school and other days. 
"That's all" I concluded playing with a stapler I found on the table. 
"You better drop my stapler before you'll mistakenly take it home" she teased and I laughed. 
"It's funny how fate has been....." I paused, "Fate has been bringing us together"
"David, you're married"
"I know and she's in love with another guy called Feso although they broke up because of the pregnancy"
"You're still married" she answered and I nodded. 
I wish she could stop reminding me. 
"I think you should tell her, I mean Erika, tell her you're the father of her babies" she suggested and I scoffed. "I can't, I can't do it. I don't even see myself...." I stalled.
"Why? Don't you watch movies? if she comes to find out later, she'll hate you and you'll regret it"
"I possibly can't bring myself to tell her. How will she look at me? She might think that I r*ped or something or I took advantage of her"
"But you sef ehn!" She paused, "You for control yourself. You're the most self-controlled person I've ever met, and just when you needed to control your...." She stalled.
"I was self controlled until I met Miss Erika" I answered, "I was really attracted to her. I'm still attracted to her" I smiled.
"She has the sweetest, cutest personality, even when she's angry, she still looks cute" I laughed and Hope snapped her fingers at me. 
"Snap out of it David, you're married"
"I never loved Cynthia"
"You can't dump her still because of Erika"
"I wasn't thinking of it, I just" I leaned back against the chair and I sighed tiredly. "I just wish things could be different"
I soon went out to get Miss Erika her Sharwama, along side snacks and drinks. I also got same for Sharon. 
I found her alone In the room, Sharon was at the other side of the room sleeping on a chair. Miss Erika had her hands glued to her tummy. 
"Are you going to keep touching it?" I complained and she smiled.
"Jealous much?" She asked and I chuckled.  She wasn't wrong, I was jealous, I wanted to have a feel too.
"It's so smooth and to think there's a baby in there" she added with a wide smile. "Babies" I corrected and she rolled her eyes. 
I didn't understand her fears.
"Mr Reiner was right, too much information ruins suspense, I could have waited till that day" "That's a lie, too much information makes you prepared for what would come next. Now you know with two babies comes greater responsibilities"
"That's my fear"
"What are you scared of?"
"What's there not to be scared of? Do you know the pain mothers go through to pull  just a baby out and now I have two  in me. Don't think it's like going to be like going to the toilet to poo"
"Sometimes pooing is difficult, especially those really strong ones that makes you cry in toilet, those ones that when you come out it's like you ate the whole pepper in the world" I paused having an imagery of it.
"Like all the whole pepper you ate ganged up in your anus, for hours you'll be pushing and pushing"
Miss Erika shut her eyes. 
"You're disgusting!"
"Yes I'm disgusting, at least I can boldly tell the world that I poo, sometimes they're really soft and sometimes I'll have to flush thrice before they go"
"Jesus, I also poo too, What's your point Mr Savage? You're going to put me off eating forever"
"My point is, if poo can be that difficult, think of how it will feel bringing a child to the world." I analysed and she smiled. 
"But you're going to be fine." I paused raised four customer bag up then I kept two aside for Sharon. "I hope that's for Sharon" she asked and I nodded.
"Yes"
"You took forever to get this" she collected it from me. "I don't even want it again" she complained and I attempted to collect it from her and she held on tightly to it. 
"You're very happy today"
"I'm using this week to work things out. Mom came here, I just reconciled with my mom, I'm very happy." She answered.
"Have you eaten? You must be hungry"
"I'll get something later"
 She took out a donut taking a bite.
Suddenly she shut her eyes in what seems like pleasure, "this is glorious, this tasted amazing"
"You like it"
"No, I hate it. I just said It's amazing and you're asking me if I like it again" she laughed. "You should have a taste" she suggested then held out the donor so I can take a bite. 
Just when I brought my lips close, she withdrew the donut laughing at me. "I can't believe you fell for that"
"It's as if you're not sick again"
"Okay, take another bite"
"I haven't taken any bite"
"Take one" she requested bringing very close to my lips. . "Fooled me once" I gazed in disbelief.
"I cross my heart."
I had to take a leap of faith
I took a bite and she smiled. "It's really good" I commented and she bit her lower lip. 
"Yes" she cleaned something off my lips. "You have crumbs on.." she paused then cleared her throat. 
"You must be tired, it's evening already and you haven't rested Sharon is still on her uniform. I'm pretty sure she's not comfortable lying down on that chair"
"I know"
"What about work?"
"Lawrence is taking care of it" I answered and she held on to my hands and I gazed steadily at her. For a moment, I felt like kissing those lips again. It took a lot of restraint not to do it.
"Ahem!" I heard and I turned to see the friend from Richard's wedding. "Hey Vera" she waved at her. "Who's he?"
"Sharon's Dad"
"The one who saw you fall down, the annoying ass of a father" she revealed and I glanced at Miss Erika. I saw her mouth open and close but nothing audible came out.
"You're right, we have to go" I woke up Sharon, i took the Sharon's snack and we left in matter of five minutes.

Erika's POV
I shot my eyes in embarrassment after he left. "Why would you say that to him? That made me feel bad"
"Wasn't that what you said, you called him a douche of father"
"That was then, now he's different"
"Hmmm, different? How?"
"He's..." I paused, "I told you about my journey to Benue and how he made my day"
"You also said he was annoying"
"In a good way" I added and Vera folded her hands. "Erika Nwachukwu, you like him"
"What?" I blinked my eyes in disgust. "I don't like him that way. I still love Feso and if he comes running, I'll openly throw my arms to him. Besides this same man we're talking about is married"
"I stood by the door for minutes and you guys didn't even notice me, you were too busy playing love birds. It was as if you were about to kiss him"
"No! I was removing donut crumbs from his lips. I don't like him, he's a father to a girl I'm so fond of, our relationship does not exceed that and it can never" I sighed. 

I spent the night at the hospital with Dorcas. I woke up with Mr. Savage looking at me right in my face. "What are you doing here?" I asked and he smiled.
"No bad breath, maybe a slight" he commented.
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here" he answered sarcastically, "Why will I be here again?" He asked and I sat up scratching my eyes.  I didn't understand why he would be here so early.
"Did you sleep alone?" He asked and I nodded. 
"No with Dorcas, she left very early." "Where's Sharon?"
"She'll follow our neighbor"

Mr Savage didn't leave me alone, he stuck around even till I took my bathe.Continuation
He bought me breakfast too. 
"Mr. Savage, I think you have to go, I mean you have work"
"Why does he look lot you're  chasing me away"
"I'm not" I chuckled, "I know how much you love your job"
"I do love my job but i wanted to see you before I leave for work" he cleared his throat.
"Thanks Mr Savage"
"You don't have to call me Mr. Savage"
"How about Dr. Savage?"
"Call me David" he suggested and I stared at him in surprise.
"Seriously?" He requested and i smiled
"I've always wanted to tell you.... It's awfully uncomfortable when you call me Mister Savage, especially when we're not in the school environment"
"it's actually un professional to call a ward by his name, even if he's your cousin. Just like we call every teachers Miss whatever, even if they're our friends"
A lady interupted our discussion by invitin us to a church programme. 
She gave us handbills before leaving.
"Take it as a special request from me. Please call me David"
"Call me Erika too, since we're being unprofessional" she answered and a lady walked in, she had a blue beret on. She wore it on a white and blue stripe shirt and a grey jean skirt.
"Good morning to the both of you"
"Good morning"
We both answered then we both raised a hand bills up as though on cue
 "We have already" we said together then we both laughed.
"I'm not with the church. I Work for Philomena Essien's orphanage home." she suddenly looked down at my belly.
 "Are you two married?" she asked and i shook my head.
"is he the father of the child"
"Children" i corrected, "And no he's not"
"Where's the father then?" she asked and i looked down, i didn't know the answer to give the strange women.
"Madam you're making her feel uncomfortable"
"Please sir, i didn't mean to make her feel that way but it's a lot better that she feels this way so she can make the right decision. Do you know how many babies have died in the hands of angry and frustrated mothers? How many children we've saved from pit toilets.

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

. If you realize you won't be able to take care of your child with love he is she deserves, you can give the child out, we have ready couples who are ready to take your children in and even pay you well"
"Are you seriously kidding me?" Mr Savage was taking it personal. "You just walk in here to discourage mothers, is that what you do?"
"Sir it's just an advice"
"Advice you say? Troubles come and go, you think they best option for mothers who face troubles along life's way is to give up their children"
"Yes, so their children don't have to suffer, they'll be giving their kids the best life out there"
"And how are you sure the beneficiaries would be nice to the children?" He asked and I saw the woman stammer. 
I knew I had to come in.
"Thank you Ma, I'll think of it"
"Please do Ma, your babies do not have suffer for sins they didn't commit"
"I'll like to take a rest Ma if you don't mind." I added and she nodded. Then she dropped an handbill, please see to it that you think of this thoroughly. Have a nice day"
She added then left the room. 
I was in thought for a while, "All these Christian business men and women, why would you walk around preaching to single mothers to sell their babies. Is that even appropriate?"
I heard him complain and I laughed. "Don't tell me you're actually thinking of it" he added and I shook my head.
"No, I was just thinking of how she paired the shirt with a grey skirt and the blue beret" I answered and he laughed. 
"I better take my leave" he stood up plunging him hands in his pocket. "Someone's leaving me alone"
"Why were you chasing me away then?" 
"Bye Mr Savage" I added and he gave a look. "Sorry,David, " I corrected, "Good bye David" I smiled and he gave a gentle nod rising from the white plastic chair he sat on.
"Later Erika. When you're much more okay, we should hang out sometime" 
"Yeah... Maybe" I answered and just when he was about to leave I called him back. "Can you stay a while more, until someone comes?" I requested and he smiled. 
"I don't mind"