Palm lines - Episode 9

 

Erika's POV

Just when everything seemed perfect in my life with a new relationship and Feso, things had to go south. 
"What are you going to do?" Vera asked, "I don't know" I answered. I felt tears building up already. "My best answer is for you to keep the baby. I have never been a fan of ab*rtion"
"And Feso? What will I tell him? How would I explain to him that I got pregnant from a stupid one night stand?"
"Well..."
"He'll leave me . This is like my only shot"
"You don't know for sure if he'll leave"
"How will I explain to the church or the school?'
"Babe! It's your life, don't let anyone live it for you"
"I can't have this baby ruin my happiness" "Babies don't ruin your happiness! They bring you happiness, take it from me"
I leaned on a car crying.
"Don't even start Erika" she complained and I sobbed. "Erika!" She yelled.

****
I couldn't go back to work so I called in sick. I went straight to the church to talk to God once again. There were some church members there so I quietly walked towards the altar.
"I'm I the only one?" I shut my eyes and tears poured down freely

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

. "Why do bad things have to happen every damn time" I paused, "Why do I have to get pregnant now?" 
"God I don't know what to do, I'm lost here. Should I do it? Should I abort the baby or not. Just give me an answer or a sign"  I busted into loud sobs. 
"Sister Erika, is everything okay?" A member asked and I sat on the altar ignoring her.

****
I went back home and I made lunch for my flat mates; I needed the distraction. Afterwards I decided to watch T.V to get my mind off the obvious.
Kechi came back home shortly, she noticed how sad I was. She wanted to know the reason behind it but I ignored her, "The food you cooked looks untouched. Have you had lunch?" She asked and I simply ignored her.
"You're not fine" she concluded. 
"What's wrong with you? Has Feso broken up with you already?" She asked and I glared at her.
Someone knocked on the door so she opted to open the door, not like I felt like opening it anyways.
 "You have visitors!" She yelled.
Visitors? I asked within, I want expecting anyone but I stood up anyways. 
I was shocked to see Sharon walk in. "What are you doing..." Before I could complete my sentence, Sharon hugged me.
"Jesus" I groaned from the force she used 
"I'm sorry ma, I was worried about you" she answered.
"How are you feeling Ma?" She asked, "Not too well, I took your advise and I..." I looked at the door, Kechi was still there. "I took the day off" I completed.
Kechi said I had visitors. I wondered who the others were. 
"Who did you come with?" I asked, "Dad... He's waiting outside"
"Seriously?" I asked and she nodded. "I guess it's time I finally get to meet him so I can give him a piece of my mind. I might sue him for child neglect" I joked and she laughed.
"Well here's your chance Ma" she answered.
"Dad!" She called out and Kechi walked in with Sharon's dad. It was no other than the grey haired man I met on the PTA day. 
Kechi's hands were all over his chest. 
"Wait.. he's your Dad?" I asked and Sharon nodded.
"Have you met him before?" She asked and i nodded.
"How?"
"In school" I cleared my throat trying to forget the embarrassing memories.
"She fell and I helped her up" He answered pulling closer to me. "That information was not needed" I plunged my hands into the pocket of the three quarters short I wore.
"How's the ankle? I told you to check it out"
"It's fine Sir" I answered and Sharon held my hands. "Dad this is the Miss Erika I spoke about" she said and I wondered what she must have said about me.
"I've heard a great deal about you Mam" he answered and I folded my hands. 
"I'm sorry... Miss" he answered with what seemed like a grin. 
"Was that intentional?" I asked and he laughed. "It wasn't. I swear, it just slipped" he answered and I scoffed. 
Sharon and Kechi only stared oblivious of our conversation. Sharon cleared her throat, "You were planning on chastening and sueing dad for child neglect" she reminded me and I chuckled. 
"I believe I already did" I answered still folding my hands. 
"How?" She was now cofused.
"Oh she already did" he answered. "What was that phrase again?" He paused perhaps, trying to remember what I said to him after the PTA meeting.
"If I knew you were you were the one, I would have said worse. Sir I know your type, heck I've lived with your kind. I bet you won't be too busy if Sharon was a boy"
I was beginning to get personal. Telling him stuff I should tell dad. He turned towards his daughter then at me. "I love my daughter and I don't care about her gender"
"Why would you even say that?" He asked and I tried to get a grip of myself. 
"Miss Erika" Sharon called out.
"I'm sorry" I apologized.
"It's okay" he answered then he turned towards Sharon. "Can you both leave us alone for a while" he requested, and I wondered why.
 I saw Kechi hesitate. 
She finally went out with Sharon. "Thank you for talking to Sharon. She told me you've been helpful to her" he cleared his throat and I also did mine.
"It's okay. I'm not doing it for you, I'm trying to help her build a good future. She wasn't going anywhere with those anger buried up in her because of you"
"Me?"
"Yes Sir. It's obviously your fault. She's not getting enough love from you and you have no idea what stuffs like this do to you. It breaks you and puts you in different shells and it's unfair" I blamed almost in tears.
"I'm doing this for Sharon and not for you" I added. 
"Thank you" he clasped his hand and I blinked my tears in.
"You need to draw your daughter closer"
"I'm trying my best"
"It's not enough" 
"You don't understand the nature of my job.."
"Mister Man, you won't be the first man to have a demanding job neither would you be the last. Even if you're the President, you should still make out time for your children, I meant child" I corrected myself. 
I was still emotional.
"I'll try" he promised thenSharon walked in with Kechi.  "What's going on?" She asked and I smiled at her.
"Nothing. Just teaching your dad some parenting skills" I answered and she laughed. 
"What do you know about parenting?" Kechi asked and remembered being pregnant and I laughed nervously.
"Miss Erika might not have kids now but She'll make a perfect mother" Sharon replied smiling at me. The reply hit me hard. 
"We have to go dear" Mr. Savage announced.
"At least, have lunch and dinner. Erika makes the best meals" Kechi pleaded but he was bent on going. 
"My wife..." He paused, "I'll have to go" he answered and Kechi walked up to him. 
"Can you at least be my sugar daddy?" She asked and he turned towards me as though his reply was on my face.
I felt embarrassed that moment to call Kechi a friend.
"Kechi" I called out, more like a warning call. "What? The man is hot" she answered through her teeth and Mr. Savage laughed.
"Bye Ma" Sharon hugged me again. 
"Bye dear"
"You might want to check yourself out at the clinic" he suggested and I nodded. 
They both took their leave afterwards.
"That man is H-O-T, hot. Mehn his chest is ripped and fit! I want him to be my sugar Daddy. Maybe he'll be better than all these cheating small small boys"
"Does that kind of person look like a cheat to you?" I asked and she rolled her eyes.
"Wait till I have him bed then I'll give you the remaining story later"
"How would you call him?" I asked and she raised her phone up. "Got his number from the daughter" she laughed.
"I'll be fulfill if it's just s*x I have with him" she answered and I glared at her.
"What?" She asked laughing.
"Just kidding Sha, but not about him being my sugar daddy oh"
"Where's Dorcas when I need her?" I asked and Kechi laughed. "At least you're back in a good mood, not that rotten mood you were in minutes ago" she chipped in and I suddenly remembered my dilemma again.
"There she goes again" Kechi complained.

I walked into room in the evening after watching a movie on Zee World. I just cried after an episode of watching the King's heart. I walked towards the mirror then i raised my top up touching belly.
"Why did you have to come now?" I asked, I heard a knocked on the door, then Dorcas walked in.
I dropped my top almost immediately. I hoped to God she didn't see me, before she starts throwing questions at me.
"You're late" I snapped at her and she smiled. She seemed happy.
"I went to school, I had a call from this fellow Masters student. Afterwards Tolu took me out and I bought shawarma for two incase you would want to change your mind and eat. 
My face contorted in disgust. "You know much i hate sharwarma" "I know but we this one tastes so nice"
"I'll pass" I answered.
"You're still a bush girl"
"Leave me with my bushiness" i answered and she laughed. "Kechi said you weren't feeling too well and you had visit from a student and her dad"
"Did she also tell you she wanted the man to be her sugar daddy?" "I hope she didn't say out loud to the man" 
"My dear, she said it very loud"
"I think we might have to sell her on konga or something. Flat mate for sale" she joked and I laughed.

*****************

David's POV
At the age of twenty eight, during my national youth service, I was posted to Kano but I redeployed to Benue because of my mother's fear. 
In Benue, i met Juliet. I instantly fell in love with her character, her charisma. We got married shortly after our service.
After we had our first child Sharon, we couldn't have anymore kids because of some complications. Not until God visited with a miracle. 
A miracle I wished didn't happen. Juliet died having our son. He didn't survive either. Her death threw me off balance. 
I wasn't myself but I knew I had to be strong for our daughter. I found solace with my job as a real estate man; it was the perfect distraction for my state of mind.
It took my pains away.
My father and uncles from the village suggested I marry another. My marriage to Cynthia was arranged.
Cynthia nagged at everything Sharon does, they became our very own Tom and Jerry in my very own house, till the point that Sharon made a declaration she won't eat Cynthia's meal again.
 I finally realized my wrong when i spoke to Sharon after the PTA meeting and after the criticism I received from a teacher, I realized I had to go back to the drawing board, coupled with Cynthia's complains about Sharon hijacking a room for herself.
I had to let it slide for peace sake.
After two years of war, we finally spoke like civilized beings. That night, thoughts streamed through my mind. The number of things I've missed in her life, I even wondered if she had started seeing her period. Cause i have never heard her ask for pads, neither has Cynthia said anything about it.
I woke up the next morning, took my bath then I wore my sweat pants, then a thought occurred to me to ask Sharon if she would want to tag along.
"No" she replied,  "I think I would rather stay at home than go to the gym with Cynthia" she added.
"I'm going alone. Lawrence would be there too"
"Seriously?" She asked with a big smile on her face. So big I got jealous if Lawrence. 
 "Yes" i answered.
She changed up into a pink top and a black trousers and we set off for the gym. 
Lawrence confirmed my curiosity about Sharon and her periods. I learnt Sharon has never been on her periods. I grew worried. 
"She's almost fourteen. Do you think I should talk to her or maybe get a specialist"
"Sharon would kill you. Just let it lie for now, focus on building your relationship first before ruining it with that discussion. You don't want to embarrass her" Lawrence advised and i sighed.
Lawrence was right. I was making progress with my daughter, making her feel uncomfortable might put her back in that shell.
That day marked a turning point in our relationship. I had the best weekend I've ever had in the past two years.
On monday, when I picked Sharon from school, she told me her teacher/ role model wasn't feeling too well and she would love to visit. 
She got an address then I drove her over to the house. To my surprise, her role model was no other than the last who fell down as a result of a broken heel. I had memories of her falling down and I had to withhold myself from laughing.
I didn't know which was more funny, the fact she fell, or when the wig came off her head.
"Wait.. he's your Dad?" She asked and Sharon nodded.
She seemed surprised we had met before, she was curious to know where.
"In school" She answered and I smiled, moving closer. "She fell and I helped her up" i continued the story almost laughing. "That information was not needed" 
"How's the ankle? I told you to check it out" I asked with a subtle voice. 
"It's fine Sir" she answered. 
Erika introduced her to me, "I've heard a great deal about you Mam" i answered unconsciously then I remembered what had happened between us the previous week and how rude it was to call her 'Mam'.
"I'm sorry... Miss" i corrected with a grin. 
"Was that intentional?" She asked and i laughed.
"It wasn't. I swear, it just slipped" i answered and she scoffed in disbelief.
 "You were planning on chastening and sueing dad for child neglect" Sharon pointed out but what she didn't know was that I had already received my share of criticism.
"If I knew you were you were the one, I would have said worse. Sir I know your type, heck I've lived with your kind. I bet you won't be too busy if Sharon was a boy"
I turned towards my daughter then at her. I didn't want Sharon getting the wrong idea. "I love my daughter and I don't care about her gender"
"Why would you even say that?" I asked and then I remembered what Sharon had said about her having something against her dad.
"Miss Erika" Sharon called out to get her attention.
"I'm sorry" she apologized and I requested to be left alone with Miss Erika.
"Thank you for talking to Sharon. She told me you've been helpful to her" I cleared my throat and she also cleared hers. 
"It's okay.

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

. I'm not doing it for you, I'm trying to help her build a good future. She wasn't going anywhere with those anger buried up in her because of you"
"Me?" I asked in shock.
"Yes Sir. It's obviously your fault. She's not getting enough love from you and you have no idea what stuffs like this do to you. It breaks you and puts you in different shell and it's unfair" she retorted almost in tears.
"I'm doing this for Sharon and not for you" she added. 
"Thank you" i clasped my hand and she advised me to draw my daughter closer.
"I'm trying my best"
"It's not enough" 
"You don't understand the nature of my job.."
"Mister Man, you won't be the first man to have a demanding job neither would you be the last. Even if you're the President, you should still make out time for your children, I meant child" she corrected herself. 
She definitely had daddy issues yet to be settled, but she wasn't won't anyways. She had a point there.
"I'll try" i answered and Sharon walked in with Miss Erika's flatmate . "What's going on?" She asked and I smiled at her.
"Nothing. Just teaching your dad some parenting skills" she answered. Sharon laughed and I laughed too.
I gazed at her for a moment just clearly observing her even more than I have the other times. I didn't understand why I was staring, there was something about her, something I just can't place my fingers on.
We left afterwards.