Palm lines - Episode 7

Palm lines

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Erika's POV
Feso drove me back home while I navigated his way through. I was still ashame about the way i embarrass him.
"Thank you for the date" I said, "And I'm sorry once again" I added quickly.
"It's okay"
"It's not okay!" I cried.
"I'm such a screw up, good night" I walked out slamming the door of his car.
"Erika!" He called out and I walked into the gate closing it. 
I knocked and Dorcas opened up and I angrily walked into the house. "How was the date and why are you so angry?" 
"It was horrible!" 
"Did he do something wrong?" She asked and I shook my head In tears . "He was perfect, I puked all over the table and plate in front of how many God-damn people!"  I answered walking into my room then I locked it. 
I threw my wig away then I fell flat on the bed. 
Feso tried calling me severally so i switched off my phone to avoid calls from any other person.
I didn't want any disturbances from anyone, especially Vera.

I woke up the following morning feeling nauseated so I vomitted in the toilet. Memories of the previous night came rushing like wind. 
"Erika you're cursed" I muttered cleaning my lip. 
My mouth tasted like crap so I had to brush it then I went into the kitchen to get something to eat

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. Dorcas and Kechi were in the sitting room cleaning up.
I fried potatoes just the way I liked it, very brown and crispy.
Dorcas walked in with a familiar look on her face; that look that accompanies something i might not like, as though she was apologizing in advance.
"You have a guest" she announced then Feso walked in. 
"Jesus!" I screamed while covering my face in the most silly way. 
"Thank you ladies" he said and I dropped my hands.
We were left alone.
I was without my wig, only my scanty plait, Kechi made for me. I looked like a villager. I brushed my fingers through my hair feeling a bit ashame. 
"What are you doing here?" I asked and I bet he almost scoffed at how stupid my question sounded. Of course he came because of me!
"You could have called me"
"I tried calling your number, It's been switched off since last night" he answered and I cussed under my breath why I had to switch the damn phone off.
If my phone had been on i would have been aware of his arrival. 
"I'm sorry, I just feel so uncomfortable with this hair"
"It's not bad, you still look beautiful" he commented and my heart literally sank. 
I glanced at my fried potatoes then I invited him to eat. He politely refused since he would be going to work soon.
Suddenly I grew curious. I wanted to know what he does for a living.
"Where do you work?" I asked and he smiled.
"I'm a civil engineer in Odogwu construction"
"That's nice" I replied. I wasn't too familiar with the company but I believe I've heard about it once or twice.
There was a brief awkward silence, I didn't know what for but i felt like it had something to do with what happened the previous night. 
"Erika" he called out and I knew I had to be on the defensive. I was too embarrassed to talk about what happened.
"Feso, I really don't want to talk about last night. I'm sorry I yelled at you"
"You were right, last night was embarrassing and I was only trying to be a gentleman. It was very embarrassing" he emphasized and I almost made myself disappear.
"Why are you here then? Yesterday was a cue to escape from me. What are you still doing here?" I asked and he chuckled.
"Well I'm not someone you can rid of so easily" he answered and I began to wonder why he said that. "I came here because I forgot to do something last night and I really will not forgive myself if I don't"
"What?" I asked and he pressed his lips against mine and I kissed him back. I can't remember the last time I kissed a guy or the last time a kiss felt so damn good. 
My hands roamed round his arms, while he wrapped his strong arm around my waist when I heard Kechi scream, "Finally oh!!!" 
Jesus! Why does Kechi have to embarrass someone that way. 
She walked in and Dorcas tried holding her back. "Why are you acting this way?" She asked and I laughed nervously.
Feso didn't seem to like it the intrusion.
"Have some dignity!" Dorcas yelled and Feso laughed. 
"I better be on my way" he answered looking into my eyes. 
"Bye" he kissed me on the lips again. He said his good bye to the girls then walked out of the kitchen.
I stood there motionless. I didn't know if it was real or I was stucked in a "You just got pranked" TV show. 
"Is this for real" I asked the girls and Kechi jumped for joy.
"It's so f*cking real!!" She screamed.

After my Saturday laundry, I went over to the clinic to pay a visit to Vera. She was super excited about the news.
More excited than I was. 
"I think we should toast to this, we should get wine, even if it's not alcohol. Let's just celebrate this. This is the good news. I'm trying to picture your mom's face when she finds out about this"
"I'm not telling anyone"
"Why?"
"What if it doesn't work out?" I asked, "What if I screw up?" "Stop all this mentality and negativity, it won't help you"
"This is coming from someone who intentionally became a single mom to skip relationship drama" I snapped and she grinned.
"Touché" Vera answered and I chuckled. 
"Let's go out to eat something, the bill will be on you" She added and I waved my hands in disagreement. 
I didn't know if I would like to eat from any restaurant after what happened the previous night. 
"No" I answered.
"Why?"
"I don't have the appetite, I'm scared I might puke again" I answered.
"Puke again? It was just one bad date, get over it!" Vera yelled. "You probably did that because you were scared"
"Or the food was bad. I vomited this morning, almost as though"
"You're pregnant" Vera concluded and my eyes widened in shock. That was far from what I wanted to say. 
"I wanted to say as though the cook used white Maggi in cooking the food" I clarified but she still gazed in disbelief. 
"I wasn't going to say that I'm pregnant."
"You might be"
I laughed nervously. 
"Don't be ridiculous, I can't be pregnant"
"Have you seen your period yet?" "I'm still expecting" I replied trying to hold to the tiny hope I had of not being pregnant.
"What are the odds that you can't be pregnant?" She asked, "Erika you had s*x, unprotected s*x" she continued and I shook my head.
"He might have been protected" "Protected my ass!" 
"Why would he sleep with me without using a condom?"
"You didn't even take precaution too"
"Vera can we not talk about this? I'm not pregnant, I can't be pregnant" I replied almost panicking. 
"You're taking a test even I have to force you"
"But"
"No buts Erika, you're taking the test and you're lucky your best friend is a doctor"
Vera conducted a pregnancy blood test. I was to come back foy results on Monday. I ended up having an awful weekend as I impatiently waited for the test result.

 

Sharon Savage
When it was just mom, dad and I, things were a lot livelier. I was only eight years old when I lost her.
She died giving birth to what could have been my baby brother. 
It was the most painful days of my life. Dad tried all in his power to make me happy, to make me forget. 
He was hurt too. Even when he tried to hide it. Together we promised to pull through. That was the father I used to know; not until his job became so demanding and he became too busy for me. 
I still loved him in respective of it. 
I understood his reasons for coming late at night, his reasons for staying away from home. Severally dad has been chastened for leaving me in the care of baby sitters. 
I guess that was why they presented to him another wife to marry. After years of having him to myself.
They called her the "Perfect woman" 
Cynthia was far from being perfect! A snake in the green grass. When Dad told me about her and the arranged marriage, I didn't like the idea but I welcomed it.
Weeks after the wedding, Cynthia changed. I was twelve and hungry. I walked up to her to let her know the situation but my so called step Mommy asked me to make my own meal.
I reported to her several times to dad but she would deny ever making abusive utterances to me. Dad started choosing her side and I became rebellious. 
Cynthia and i became enemies living in one compartment. I hated Dad too for being so blind!
I've always felt like no one understood I feel, not until I met Miss Erika and I learnt a few life lessons from her. 
A single encounter with her changed me. 
She reminded me of mom, her bravery, witholding so much like when mom couldn't have kids after having me. 
 Her social and life wasn't affected, no one knew she usually cry herself to bed until she took in. Two years now and Cynthia hasn't been able to give birth, most times I'm tempted to think she's just barren or it's just infertility problem from Dad.

PTA meeting day approached faster than I expected, it was meant to be held the following day. I call Uncle Lawrence to remind him about it, I assumed dad would be busy. He promised he would represent me. 
"You should let your father know too" He suggested and I rolled my eyes. 
"What's the point? His meetings are more important than I am"
"Don't say that, your father loves you" "The netwok is breaking, i can barely hear you"
"Of course you can" Uncle answered in disbelief. He knew I was lying about the network.
"Love you Uncle" I chipped in hanging up.
I've always hated the "Your dad loves you" talk. It's all bullshit and lies to me. Dad is a selfish man who loves his job more than me.
The next morning, dad was no where to be found. There was no one to take me to school. I called dad to find out where he was. He told me he was stuck in an important meeting with some of his investors.
"Who's going to take me to school now?" I complained, "I will, I just wanted to hand this document to.." before he could complete his sentence, I ended the call. 
Then I called Uncle Lawrence to come pick me but he claimed he was busy too.
I heard a lady's voice from the other end. Uncle Lawrence wasn't married, i knew he was with his numerous lovers. He told me he was far away at the moment and I busted in tears.
"Hey what's up sweetie?'" he asked.
"Why does dad hate me do much? He's supposed to drop me off. Can you believe he went for a stupid meeting"
"He's only going there to drop a document" 
"You knew?" I asked, preparing to turn on him.
"He'll be back just in time to pick you up. Don't cry, you look ugly when you do" he answered and I laughed. 
"Bye dear" he added then hung up.
Dad drove in thirty minutes after. I stood outside the gate still in my school uniform, my hands folded in anger and my legs tapping the tarred ground impatiently.
"Sharon I.." "Can we not talk at all?" I requested like an angry girlfriend and he obliged.
"Thanks" I chipped in.

Miss Erika looked pretty today. It was as if she was dressed to impress someone. Students dismissed early, it felt like Christmas day for some but it wasn't for me, I didn't want to go home to my step mother's ugly face!
I stood outside waiting for Daddy's driver at work to come pick me up. Suddenly I saw a girl walk up to me. "Hey" she waved at me and I waved back throwing my face away hoping she'll be gone by the time I face that way again. 
She still stood there.
"You don't know me right?"
"It's a big school" I replied trying hard to avoid her, I didn't want to be rude either. I didn't want issues with anyone.
"You're Sharon"
"Everyone knows my name, I'm the school trouble maker"
"That's not how I knew you. My name is Tinu Reiner, I live in the same estate as you, Brooks estate. Only that our house is not as big as yours and ours is rented" she answered and I felt uncomfortable.
"I've never seen you" 
"But I have. My mom is waiting at the other side for me, do you want to go along with us?" She asked and I hesitated. 
I wasn't sure whether to trust her or not.
"It's okay if you don't trust me" she chipped in and i thought it through. Maybe she could be a friend, my first friend.
"Okay"


I found Mrs. Reiner to be one of the craziest mom in the world. She had the craziest questions like "Are you having s*x?" While we were stucked in traffic.
"Are you also having s*x like Tinu?" She asked and I turned to Tinu in shock. 
I couldn't believe she was having s*x!
"Mom what part of we just spoke for the first time didn't you get?" Tinu asked and I chuckled. "It's fine, I'm not having s*x" I answered and she strectched her hands at me. 
"Hold my hands" she instructed and Tinu pushed her hands away. "Whatever you do don't touch her!" She screamed. 
I felt as though she was being too harsh on her mother but who am I to judge, I'm not exactly on good terms with my father.
"I'm sorry" Tinu apologized. 
I guess she realized how rude she was. "Just that, mom thinks she's a witch and that she can see people's future just by looking at their palm or touching them. It's really annoying"
"Sounds cool" I answer and her mom blew kisses at me. 
"Don't encourage her. It's not cool, it's scary" she pronounced the 'scary' with a yoruba accent.
Tinu's mom stopped at a gate. I guessed they lived there. It was just five buildings away from our house.
"Thank you Ma" I appreciated and she smiled.
"Anyday darling!" She answered and I walked out now bringing out my phone from my bag. I had several missed calls from IK, he was one of dad's employee at work who sometimes picks me up from school.
He called back and I picked up. "Hey" I said to him and I heard him sigh.
"Where are you?" He asked, "I'm already at home"
"I've been looking for you everywhere in school. Why didn't you pick the call" 
"My phone was in my bag" I answered and I signalled to our security to open the door for me.
Shortly after I had dressed up, i realized my wrist band was missing. I searched the room but I couldn't find it. 
I clearly remembered taking it to school or perhaps it had fallen in Mrs. Reiner's car. I took a stroll to the compound, I knocked on the gate. 
After waiting a while, Mrs. Reiner came out. "Hey!" She looked surprised. "Sorry dear, I hope you haven't been out for too long, I wasn't expecting visitors" she laughed.
"I was waiting for the neighbor upstairs to come down. Thank God I did. Are you looking for Tinu?" She asked and I shook my head.
Then I explained how I had missed my band.
"It has my name, nick name and initials" I chipped in and we walked into the compound. She allowed me check the car but it clearly wasn't there. 
I knew I had lost it in school.
I shut my eyes then I caressed my wrist. It's just a waist band! I saw Mrs Reiner look at me.It was more than a wrist band to me. 
Uncle Lawrence gave it to me last year when no one remembered about my birthday; even dad. Worst! He was in Paris for three day. 
Okay fine! He remembered and he gave me his best wishes but I wanted something more than that. I wanted his presence but he failed. 
Uncle Lawrence got me a lot of stuff but I had a particular liking to the wrist band. I was disappointed to have lost it.
Mrs Reiner took my hands looking into my eyes. "Your uncle gave it to you on your birthday. It really meant a lot to you. I'm sorry you had to lose it" she answered and my eyes widened in shock.
I was about to ask how in the world did she knew, when I remembered what Tinu said.
"So...so..it's  it's..

Read " Hotel Palava " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. true." I stammered and she nodded.
"Youre a gifted child, truly gifted. I'm sorry about everything you've had to go through. It's painful, so painful" she closed up my palm. "Darling you need to heal and forgive your father. He's not the villain in this story" she said and I moved back in tears. 
"He hates me"
"You of all people know he doesn't. He loves you with all his heart. You two need to pull through this, come back together again"
"How?" I asked cleaning my tears.
I didn't see myself coming back with dad anytime soon. "I don't even talk to him, I'm still angry at him and ..." I sobbed.
"The situation will present itself. You both need it. It's going to be okay dear. It will be fine"

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  • Comments (10)
  • Rating (4.55)
  • Sara Jehana picture
    Sara Jehana
    Next please.....
  • Pamela cube picture
    Pamela cube
    I hope Erika is not pregnant oo,knowing her mum she's not gonna let her hear the end of it...!
  • Amma picture
    Amma
    don't I just love you dear Eno... welcome back darling... how's the thesis going??
  • Essien Eno picture
    Essien Eno
    It's going great@Amma... I should be expecting my defense, perhaps next month. Thanks for asking
  • Amma picture
    Amma
    it shall all end in praise yh
  • Essien Eno picture
    Essien Eno
    Thanks Sarah
  • Essien Eno picture
    Essien Eno
    Thanks for commenting@ Pamela
  • Essien Eno picture
    Essien Eno
    Amen@ Amma
  • Michael winful picture
    Michael winful
    Wow, this getting more and more interesting and full of suspense thanks for the job well done eno
  • Essien Eno picture
    Essien Eno
    Thanks@ Michael
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