Pelumi's Memoirs -15

The sound of the alarm penetrated into Liyel's sleep and roused him from his dream state. His mind drifted to the events of the previous day especially his argument with Ivan. He knew he couldn't keep on acting aloof. It made him feel like a douche bag. However, he was still very angry with Ivan and he needed some time to cool off.

Though he wasn't religious, he liked to mumble a few words of prayer in the morning. That was closely followed by a quick round of pushups in his bedroom.

An hour later, Liyel was putting his laptop in the backseat of his Infiniti QX80 SUV when Ivan walked out of the house.

Ivan admired his brother who was dressed in a sky blue shirt, navy blue trousers and brown moccasins. "Looking sharp, Liyel."

"Thanks." Liyel replied and got into his car.

Ivan shook his head. Liyel was still being curt with him. "I'll see you at the office." Ivan yelled out.

Liyel nodded his head in response and drove off.

Ivan resolved to give his brother space although he didn't know whether that was a good thing.  There was no way the situation between them could continue this way.  They were not just brothers, they made crucial business decisions together and he wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of that.

His thoughts drifted to the night before as he pulled out of Osborne Road. He allowed his thoughts to linger on Pelumi. Though he had no plans of going to see her today, he definitely was going to call her to check on her progress. He was delighted to know she was feeling better although her road to full recovery was probably a little long.

He rolled down his car windows so he could buy a packet of chewing gum from one of the boys who was selling them in traffic. Chewing gum on an empty stomach wasn't exactly a good choice. He gave it a second thought and decided he'd buy some then  keep them in his car and  his office.

As soon as he rolled down the window, young boys and girls who couldn't be more than sixteen years old thronged around him. A boy's face called out to him in particular and he decided he was going to patronize him. The others fought for his attention but he somehow managed to turn them away.

"How much is your packet of orbit?"

"Five hundred naira." The boy answered.

"Okay, give me four. He didn't really need four but he wanted to make the boy happy."

"Keep the change. Ivan said to the boy when he started pulling naira notes from his pocket." The boy looked pleasantly surprised.

"Oga, thank you. God bless you."

"Wait." Ivan told him. "Okay sir." The boy muttered.

He always kept his business cards handy. He handed one to the boy. "The card has my number. Make sure you call me."

"Yes sir." The boy replied ecstatically as he ran off towards the next car in sight.

Ivan tapped the steering wheel frowning. Exactly how much did these youngsters make from selling their wares in traffic? How did their family fare? A million questions plagued his mind.

A car honked at him and the driver yelled. "Can you move this car? Does the road look like your bedroom? Anuofia!"

Ivan shook his head laughing while he rolled the car window up. Some people were 'moving mad.' After years in America, he had gotten accustomed to sane driving. Till date, the mad driving in Lagos remained a puzzle. Blame that on people not being properly vetted before getting their driver's license. What did one expect when a driver's license could be delivered to one's house without ever being behind the steering wheel?

LASTMA and the road safety guys were trying but they could definitely do better.

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Hours later, Ivan was typing away at his keyboard when he heard the sound of heels approaching. He smiled when he saw that it was Tare.

"Hi Mr CEO." Tare teased, pulling back one of the swinging chairs in Ivan's office and crashing into it.

"It's been a hectic day." She said heaving.

"Breathe. Take a deep breath first." Ivan advised. His voice sounded soothing in Tare's ears. I know how hard you work at everything you lay your hands on, Tare. Keep up the good work Madam HR." Ivan teased.

"Not you too." Tare wrinkled her nose pointing her finger at him.

"I'm not going to pretend I don't hear about the cute little name many people refer you as around here."

Tare shrugged. "Oh well. I just got off a four hour interview with the various folks who applied for our Lead Customer Experience Designer role."

She stood up and paced around Ivan's office. You know, we had some pretty strong candidates. That leaves us with some tough choices to make since these were the candidates who made it all the way to the final stage.

"You got this sis." Ivan said smiling.

"Thank you my dear big bro. By the way, I feel like a cup of tea right now."

"Okay, let me call Tito." Ivan pressed a button on the landline on his table.

Tito walked in wearing a smile on her pretty face as always.

“Can I have some tea?” said Tare.

"Milk or cream?" She asked..

"Cream please. You know the way I like it."

"Honey and no sugar." Tito added making Tare chuckle. "You already know, Tito."

A meeting reminder popped up on Ivan's screen.

"Tare, I have to head to the Mosaic room. I have a meeting with the delegates from City Bank. Sit and enjoy your cup of tea. I've got cookies in the drawer over there. He pointed to a side of the room."

"See you later bro."

Ivan winked at his sister.

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Nkoyo was in the kitchen making stir fried noodles when Nengi walked in.

"Daughter of mine, do you plan on sharing some of that delicious smelling noodle with me?"

"Dear Mummy, I thought cook already made dinner for you and pops. I know you and daddy had just finished some afang soup and pounded yam when I got in this evening. Please let me eat my small noodle in peace."

"Detective Nkoyo. Is that so?" Nengi asked her daughter.

"Okay o, eat it all alone. Hope you won't grow fat with all these food you are making?" Nengi teased.

"I'll make some for you mum. It's not that serious. What is it with adults and guilt tripping anyway?"

"What did you say?" Nengi asked furrowing her brows.

"Nothing mummy."

"Good. That's my daughter."

The oven beeped just then and Nkoyo took out the tray of grilled chicken.

Tare walked into the kitchen. "Hi mummy!"

"Ebitare, how was your day?" Nengi asked her first daughter.

"Fine mum. It's been pretty hectic at the office recently."

 "So how was the dinner with Ineye last night? Did you guys flow well?" Nkoyo asked cutting the conversation between their mother and Tare.

Tare stared her down. "Really, Nkoyo?"

Nkoyo returned the stare waiting for answers.

"Which Ineye?" Nengi asked looking at both her daughters.

"Mum, I think I can hear dad calling you." Tare chipped in dramatically.

Nengi rushed out of the kitchen.

"Why must you be such a snitch Nkoyo?"

Nkoyo stuck her tongue out. "Oya, answer my question."

Tare rolled her eyes. "He was such a perfect gentleman and I was absolutely at ease with him."

"Yaay!" Nkoyo exclaimed dancing while she stirred the noodle in the wok.

"Before you continue telling me about how your date went, there is a brunch invitation at Terra Liber on Saturday. Time is 12pm."

"What's it about?" Tare asked pouring cold water from the pitcher into her glass cup.

"Well, I hear all the young professionals that matter in Lagos will be there. There'll be a book review of one of Lola Shoneyin's books."

"Do you know which one?" Tare asked.

"Nope. I'll find out." Nkoyo replied.

"Okurrr. I hear you." Tare said, throwing a piece of chicken into her mouth.

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Ivan was contemplating going home and giving Pelumi a call later at night when he changed his mind.

He was tired and his body was screaming rest but his mind was at the hospital.

"Good evening Mr Akenzua." One of the nurses greeted him with a smile when he walked into the hospital. He waved at her in return. Though he didn't know her, he had a feeling she had seen him at the charity events which the hospital held from time to time. He and his family also supported any causes that had to do with The Healer's Place.

He approached the elevators and punched in Pelumi's floor number.

"You've got jokes for days, Remi. How do you manage to tell all these great stories that make me laugh?

Have you considered doing standup comedy?" Pelumi questioned.

"I only tell jokes like these when I'm with you." Remi touched the tip of her nose slightly looking at her with a serious look on his face.  If she was light skinned, she was sure Remi would have seen the color creep into her cheeks

"Are you serious?" She asked him.

"Very." Remi replied.

"Then we should spend more time together just so you can garner inspiration."

 Pelumi bit her lips when she realized what she had just said. "Er...Emmm...I mean."

"Shhhh!" Remi placed his index finger on her lips.

Ivan stood by the door watching Remi and Pelumi who didn’t seem to sense his presence. Was there something going on between the two? Should he turn back and head home? He had felt a strange connection with Pelumi and that was the only reason why he was here tonight. He could have given her a call for all it was worth and she would have told him how she was feeling.

Shoulders raised and chest puffed, he walked into the room interrupting whatever it was happening in front of him.

"Good evening, Ivan." Remi stepped away from Pelumi and greeted Ivan when he realized there was a third party in the room. I heard you saved the day two days ago."

"Yeah!" Ivan answered dryly.