Palm lines - Episode 34

Erika's POV

For the first time in a while, i went out during break time, Vera wanted to talk to me, likewise, Kechi and Dorcas.
"Give me the full gist, how did it happen? Was it good?"
"It was better than good"
"You were probably rusty from being delicate for too long. I hope you shaved down there?" she asked and i scoffed.
"You're such a..." i gawked in awe.
"I just didn't think it would happen, one minute i was angry and sad, and the next minute, i was the happiest woman in the world.
****
 I had a swell Tuesday, Ik picked us up from school. I couldn't stop smiling in school.
Lawrence stopped by later in the evening.  I noticed he wasn't as chirpy as he usually is.
 I gave him dinner.
  "Where's David?" i asked as he ate, "He's still at work" he answered. 
"Are you okay?" i asked and he nodded.
"The food tastes amazing" he commented, he was trying to avoid the topic.
"Nice try Lawrence but i'm not a kid, you can't even use that kind of tricks on Sharon"
"It's late, don't you think Sharon should be home by now?" he asked and i scoffed.
"I've never seen you this down and quiet, you can talk to me"
"I have a lot in mind"
"I'm all ears"
"Remember the nurse from the other day," "The fair one?"
"Yeah. I've been trying to get her to cooperate with me, like...date me

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

. I tried to use money, which igbo girl doesn't get enticed by money?" he asked and i raised my hands up.
"What strategy can i employ to win the heart of girls like you"
"Do you like her?"
"No. I don't fall in love, i love women okay? If i didn't realize earlier that my brother liked you? I would have tried to woo you, i'm a playboy."
"Then leave her, walk away"
"I hate feeling defeated"
"Lawrence, being a playboy is not an achievement, someday you'll have to get married and start a family"
"I haven't seen that woman yet"
"Sunshine seems like a good person"
"You should see her when she's tackling me, then you'll know she isn't that sweet" Lawrence answered and i laughed.
David walked in with Sharon, "Hey Sugar" i walked up to him kissing him on the lips. 
"Good evening Mom" Sharon greeted.
"Hey dear"
"Uncle lawrence!" she jumped happily then she hugged him.
I notice David's mood change on looking at Lawrence.
"David can we talk for a while?" he requested.
"There's nothing to talk about Lawrence!"
"I was drunk, i didn't think Ibrahim will spill the bean"
"Newsflash he did! Now Feso may spend a life time in jail thanks to you!"
"It wouldn't have been hidden forever!"
"I had it under control!"
"Did you guys just say Feso? As incFeso Odogwu?" i asked and no one answered me.
"He's a murderer!"
"You don't judge people by their actions, what have you learnt from me, there's always a story to every action. Don't ever act rashly to things" David paused.
"I'm so angry right now Lawrence," he paused, "No. i think right word is dissappointed."
"What happened?" i asked and Lawrence sat down.
"I've never seen my brother that angry at me and i've been with him for thirty eight years."
I was totally lost so i went into the room. I found David taking off his shirt, "Sorry you had to see that."
"What happened between you both and what does Feso have to do with?" i asked and he explained the whole story.
Only that i couldn't believe it, i couldn't stop crying either.

Feso's POV
"You get visitor oh" a policeman announced to me and i was escorted into  the visiting room where i saw mom and Ify.I sat on the chair and i noticed mom crying.
"Morning mom, morning Ify" i greeted.
"What happened and why didn't you tell me? I got to know the damn news from whispering lips, do you know how hurt i was?" she asked and i apologize.
"These stupid policemen said you're a murderer but i know the son i gave birth"
"And i know my best friend so well."
"Tell us the truth" Mom demanded and i gave a nod.
I explained the whole thing to them, "You're not going to get a maximum sentence and i'll make sure of it!" mom promised.
I requested to be left alone with Ify and mom left.
"I don't want to picture you in prison uniform," she said and i chuckled and she stretched her hands at me. 
I held it tightly, "I'm scared' i confessed. "I'm scared too, but it's going to be fine. Just be strong and trust in God."
She advised and i pulled my hands.
"What if i get the maximum?"
"Was that why you gave me the money?
"I've always wanted to do something that matters and you're my best friend and you've been with me through thick and thin. Do you have any last request?" I asked a d she scoffed.
"Stop being dramatic"
"Any request?" I repeated and she rolled her eyes.
"Like?"
"Like why Dozie and I stopped being friends" I answered. Ifeoma folded her hands, I saw her eyes lit up in interest.
"Dozie advised that i take out my dad because of how frustrated i was. He planned the accident dad had and i agree. Dad didn't die so..." i stalled. "He wanted me to pull the plug on him but i couldn't. We fought and that was it. He killed his own father to be where he is, i didn't have his conscience."
Ifeoma held my hands, "Maybe i'm suffering for my sins" "Shh, you're not suffering from anything. You're just a victim of what your dad made you go through but i believe you'll be fine"
"I caused a man's death, i felt so guilty but i couldn't do anything i was scared.
"Time up!" A policeman yelled and i scoffed. 
"You're gonna be fine" she assured me.

David came in later to break a news to me, he told me they were pushing the case to court before the general election began. "I'll try to talk Mrs Danladi into dropping case, i'm not making promises though, but I'll try"

David's POV

There are certain reasons i don't get angry, it's a known fact that i don't get angry. When Lawrence called me to inform me about being in prison, my suspects were Jude and Lawrence. Thank God Lawrence was in his office, he couldn't even deny it!
I somewhat felt guilty about the whole thing especially when i found out the real story behind it.
I hired my lawyer to work hand in hand with Feso's lawyer.  
Coupled with my anger towards
Lawrence, i found out Mrs Danladi was pushing the case quickly to court.

I decided to see her after work in the evening. She wasn't thrilled to see me; she was busy with dinner with her children. "I'm here concerning
 Feso's case." i began and she glanced at me.
"It's improper to talk while eating, you can have dinner with us or wait in the sitting room" she answered in Hausa and i chose option B"
I waited twenty minutes in the sitting room, quietly watching a news on Channels t.v.
She walked dressed in a g..gm, "Good evening Ma" i rose up.
"Please sit David" she answered, taking her seat and i did too.
"I'm here concerning" "Feso," she interrupted, "You said that already, the mother stopped by in the day. I'm curious to hear what you have to say"
"Can you please drop the case?" i asked in hausa and she scoffed.
"How dare you?" she asked, "It's alreadyworse that i let you in, now you have the effrontery to tell me to drop a case of a man that murdered my husband in cold blood"
"It wasn't intentional, you should listen to him. Please"
"And you seriously think i'll believe him." she scoffed, "You've overstayed your welcome David, i won't stop until that man pays for his crime"
"Mam.."
"Don't waste your spit David. It's not necessary."
"She said i shouldn't waste my spit i explained to Erika while she massaged my neck ....,
"What do we do now?"
"We'll see in court"

My lawyer showed me a man's picture during the weekend. "Do you have any idea who he is?" he asked and i smiled. 
"Buhari's twin brother" i answered and he chuckled.
"On a serious note Mr Savage"
I cleared my throat, "Sorry, is he a celebrity that i should know of?"
"That's Babanginda, the jugde that would be heading the proceeding in court"
"Why are you showing me his picture?" "He's a distant cousin to Mrs Danladi, i guess you know what that means right?" He asked at exhale.
"Feso's screwed"

Lawrence's POV

I fell sick from the guilty conscience and the doctor confirmed I had malaria along side, cold and catarrh"
On my visit to the hospital, the doctor in charge admitted me but I told no one except Sharon. Sunshine walked in with a notepad. She almost turned back on seeing me.
"You don't have to go" i sneezed and she walked in. "The last thing i want is trouble from you." She replied.
"You don't have to worry about that
i'm so over you" i answered.
"You don't look fine" 
"I have malaria,  cold and catarrh; it feels like i'm close to my grave"
"Stop exaggerating" she answered examining the drip.
"You're alone, didn't you call anyone"
"Not when they're angry at me" i answered. "Geez i wonder why" she answered sarcastically and i scoffed. "You barely know me Sunshine, i'll really appreciate you mind your business" i snapped.
"Stop acting like you know shit about me cause you don't" i yelled then i felt tears building up.
As much as i tried witholding it, a drop fell on my arm and i wiped them off very quickly.
"I'll really appreciate it if i'm being left alone."
"Your drugs, i was asked to make sure you take them"
"Was i speaking to myself? I said i'll love to be left alone"
"Sorry but i don't take orders from you. I have my order and you're going to take those drugs whether you like it or not" she declared and i hissed.
"Do you have to be bossy?"
"Do you have to be annoying?"
She asked and i kept quiet, "Are you okay?" she asked and i nodded.
"Sometimes we all need someone to talk to"
"So you finally decide to talk to me after ignoring all of my calls. The best you could have done was to say, you have a boyfriend; you didn't have to ignore my calls"
"I don't have a boyfriend" she answered and I scoffed. "I don't have a boyfriend, I'm damn serious. The guy who picked up the call the other time was my brother Joshua. He has a thick scary voice, that's my brother" she brought out her phone and showed me a picture of a fat and hefty bearded  guy.
"I don't even know why I feel the need to explain this to you" 
"So you don't have a boyfriend?" I smiled at her and she scoffed. "Seriously?" She asked. 
"You look like a womanizer, a chronic womanizer and you're right I'm judging a book by it's cover and not it's contents. So would you like to flip to a less annoying part of your life" she requested and I sighed.
"I don't think there's any part of my life that isn't annoying. I just sent a man to jail because of my mistake, my brother is angry at me too"
"I don't understand" she sat on the bed and I explained it all to her.
"Why did you do it?" She asked and I shrugged. "Well...." I paused. "You do know it's all your fault right?" She asked.  
"Now you sound like my future sister in-law" I rolled my eyes. 
"Accept your fault"
"I do feel guilty about it, I just can't do anything about it, what's done is done" "I'm sorry" she sympathized. "You just have to relax and think less, you're going to have yourself a blood pressure problem if you continue at this rate. Look at your face" she touched my cheeks, "You look really pale" she said and  we gazed into each other's eyes.
"You should.." she cleared her throat. "You should have your rest, I'll check up on you from time to time" she looked at the drip once again. 
"Later"  she walked out and I smiled. 

David came in the next morning, he wasn't so thrilled because I decided to keep my illness a secret. It was supposed to be a secret, I told Sharon not to tell anyone. 
"Sharon was supposed to keep that  a secret" 
 "To what end? So you didn't want to anyone to know you were sick, who would bury you when you die?" He asked and I scoffed. "No death jokes here David, besides, i didn't think you would come"
"Why?" He asked, "Because you're angry" 
"I'm angry enough not to visit a sick brother" he answered and I smiled. Somehow I felt better hearing him say that.
"I'm sorry" i apologized, "I think the person you should be apologizing to is Feso but you haven't done that" "How's he?" I asked. 
"He's screwed. The judge will rule in favor of Mrs. Danladi" "He's a family member shea?" "Yes" he answered. 
"The case started yesterday, it's been adjourned till Friday". How are you feeling?"
 "Just small Malaria, I'll be fine"

David's POV
During the week, I bought a ring to proposed to Erika, but I wasn't sure If it was the right moment to propose with everything happening with Feso. 
After a business trip to Ghana, I intended retiring to bed because I was very tired. Erika seemed really happy. 
Just as I entered into my room after dinner, Erika kissed me on the lips. "How was your trip" 
"It was okay, sorry I came in late. I had to meet up with the lawyer after I got back; tomorrow is Feso's case"
"It's okay" she answered and I sat on the bed unbuttoning my shirt. 
"Is there anything you would like to tell me?" She asked and I gave it a thought. 
"No, I don't think so"
"Are you sure?" She asked, "Are you sure?" She repeated and i grew suspicious. "So there isn't anything you're hiding and you want to tell me" 
"Uh...." I gave it a thought.
"I lost my virginity at the age of fifteen" he answered, "It was a wild time and I had this sister"
"Not that" she interrupted.
"So there isn't any other thing"
"Okay... A woman tried kissing me in Ghana because she thought I was attractive, I didn't kiss her" 
"Not that" she interrupted again, "Was she pretty?" 
"Not as pretty as you are" I complimented and she smiled. "I wasn't referring to that either" 
"Is there any other thing you want to tell me?"
"I want to fart right now" I answered, and she scoffed. "David you're disgusting" she answered and I laughed. "See who's talking, acting as though she doesn't fart."
"I fart but I won't do it in front of you" "You farted in the hotel room that day, the first day I met you"
"That's a lie"
"How I wish there's a video player that can show a rewind of what happened that day. You farted and it was really loud"
"Seriously?" She laughed covering her face. "Now I'm ashame" 
"Don't be everyone farts. I've been holding mine all through the journey on the plane, the woman close to me almost killed me with hers but i was being too merciful and considerate. I'm scared to let it out because it might make a lot of noise."
"Did you try compressing it?" She asked and we both laughed.
 "But that wasn't what I meant either" she added.
"Cut the suspense and let me know already" I begged and she brought out the ring i bought for her.
"I stumbled upon it while arranging the room."
"Jeez! You weren't supposed to see it yet"
"Why?"
"I wanted to make it special, choose a wonderful venue and a good moment. With everything happening with Feso, I didn't think it would as the right time"
"Wherever you are is a good venue, as long as I'm with you, it's a good time and it's Valentine's day. What better time to do it?" She asked and I smiled collecting the ring from her. 
Then I knelt down, "Erika, would you marry me?" I asked and she chuckled. "Seriously? No speech at all?" She asked and I laughed.
"Okay, forgive me, I'm tired and feeling really sleepy, can we carry the proposal over to tomorrow ?" I asked and she laughed, "No"
"Erika i want to make memories with you Erika, i want to wake up the rest of  my life with you.

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

. Will you accept this ring as a token of my love for you. It's you I want and not any one else" I confessed and she kissed me and I kissed her too.
"Yes I will" she answered she mounted on me and I smiled.
"Happy Valentines day to you" she added.

****
The next day, Feso's case kicked off. He didn't seem happy about his dad's presence during his trial. Feso admitted to his crime just as he did the first day but the prosecuting attorney did all in his power to make Feso look like the bad person. 
"Only a guilty person would take a body and dump it in a bush. He didn't say a word about it and if the case didn't eventually come to limelight, he still would be roaming without receiving the right judgement he deserves." The prosecuting attorney positioned and I hissed. 
"I was angry, I have anger management issues. I didn't stab him with a knife, I just pushed him" 
"Where's the evidence? Without evidence, your words are useless" "I'm not seeking for anyone to believe me, much less you. As long as those I love so much believe In me, I care less about everyone else." He paused, "Daddy I hope you're listening. You made me a successful man, you also made me this angry person. You wanted the best out of me and you got it at the expense of grooming an angry son. Would it kill you to let us make our decision?" She asked and I scoffed.
"Osi isn't studying medicine as you wanted him to, he wants to be a music artiste; why can't you just let him be?" He asked in tears.

When it was time to make a ruling, the judge sentenced Feso Odogwu to *twenty years imprisonment. It was dissappointing actually, we made a decision to file for an appeal to reduce his sentence.

Anticipate the final episodes of palm lines.