Pelumi's Memoirs - 17

After the rain comes sun.........


It was Pelumi's first day back at work. She had been away for two weeks and it all felt surreal. From the accident to her mother and step father coming all the way to see her, down to the various folks who paid her visits at the hospital.
She felt so much love radiating. Boy, was she glad to be on her two feet!

Her thoughts lingered on Ivan. He hadn't stopped sending her flowers. Basically everyday till she was discharged from the hospital.  He had sent more flowers and a card with the words 'Get well soon, the world awaits you.'

"Pelumi, all these flowers? Ah, I would be scared if it were me o. I mean, do people just give out stuffs for the fun of it without expecting anything back in return?" Itoro had blurted out the other day at the hospital.

Truth be told, she didn't read too much meaning into the situation. Ivan was just being nice.

"I wish you'd stop being so naive."  Itoro had told her. "Open your eyes, Pelumi. Your boss is trying to tell you something."
"More like boss's boss. Pelumi had corrected her friend."

Arggh! Why did people have to read meaning into little things?

Remi had come once after the night Ivan had seen them together. He had texted a few times to check on her.  According to him, he was very busy and always promised to come see her till she had been discharged from the hospital.

Though she had grown to like him, she didn't know what to think.

"Oh my goodness. Look who's here!" Zainab screamed on seeing Pelumi walk into the office.

"Girl, how I've missed you!"

"Welcome back." Fola chipped in.

"Thanks peoples." Pelumi replied them both beaming.

"Fola, have you seen Alistair this morning"? Dale who had just walked into their section on the sixth floor paused in his steps when he saw Pelumi. "My oh my!  I heard about what happened. So sorry, I was unable to come visit you at the hospital. I only returned from Portugal a few days ago."

"I understand Dale. No problem. Everyone was fantastic."  "Awesome." Dale replied. "You look refreshed though. Hard to believe you were involved in an accident." Pelumi chuckled. "Thank the good Lord for his mercies."

"Zainab, you still owe me a big bowl of honeyed beans and fried stew you know." Pelumi turned to face Zainab.

"Oh yes, dear. I certaintly haven't forgotten. How are you feeling?" Zainab asked.

"Well, most of the pain is gone. I get cramps around my mid section where the car hit me the most, but the doctors ran some tests and everything looks good now. One of the doctors, Doctor Osuntuyi, said I should give it some time and I'll be brand new in no time." Pelumi explained.

"Glad to hear." Zainab responded smiling and admiring Pelumi who was clad in a blue and white polka dot dress shirt and navy blue trousers. "I like the white peep toes." Zainab remarked pointing at Pelumi's feet.

"Thanks, Zainab. My aunt Kema gave them to me recently after her trip to Italy about three years ago. White shoes are not my favorite so I just kept them in the closet all these while."

"Poor shoes! I would have worn the living daylights out of them. They look so gorgeous."

"You need to hook me up with your aunt." Zainab winked.

Pelumi had been rummaging through her inbox and reading through tons of emails for what seemed like hours. This was what happened when one was away from work for two weeks. The emails piled up without pity for her now sore eyes.

The phone at her desk rang rang and she picked it up.

"Ms Pelumi Jacobs?"

"Speaking."  Pelumi replied. She had looked at the caller ID on her Cisco phone before picking it up. It was from the office of the CEO.

"Ms Jacobs, this is Tito. Personal assistant to the CEO. Do you think you could stop by my desk in about ten minutes? Do you need any help with locating me? I'm on the sixth floor."

Pelumi squeezed her eyes shut and kneaded her aching temples.

" I have an idea where you sit. I'll be there in a bit"

"Okay." the voice on the other end of the call replied.

"Hello Ms Jacobs." Tito greeted Pelumi cheerfully on seeing her.   "Good afternoon Ms Tito. How can I be of help?"

"Oh, actually, the CEO would like to see you in his office. "

Pelumi looked at Tito who looked very vibrant.

"Okay, would you mind leading the way? I haven't been around this area of the building before."

"Easy peezy." Tito told her.

"Take the first turning on your left, keep going down the hallway and it will be the third door on your right." Pelumi bit her lips. She often did that whenever she was feeling anxious.

She tapped on the door lightly before opening it.

"Good morning Mr Akenzua." Pelumi uttered when Ivan didn't raise his head to see who had just walked into his office. He was sitting behind a large mahogany desk and seemed to be very engrossed. Cool air brushed her skin and she trembled. Pelumi scanned the office quickly. It was large and tastefully furnished.

"Ivan. " He said to her in a husky voice when he raised his head. His eyes scanned her face and the rest of her body. Pelumi felt very self conscious. "Thank you for everything."

"I believe you have already told me thank you like a million times already." Ivan answered teasingly.

Ivan motioned for her to have her seat. "Do you feel like you're hundred percent yet?"

"Not yet but I guess I'll get to that point eventually. It's only a matter of time.
You stopped coming to the hospital. " Pelumi muttered trying to not let her voice sound like she was accusing him of some crime. She hadn't seen him in two weeks.

"I got very tied up. Did you receive the flowers I sent you?"

"Everyday." Pelumi replied laughing. I had thought it was going to be a one time thing. Imagine my surprise when I saw that you had them delivered to me everyday."

"It was the least I could do." Ivan responded.

"Hmm....but you footed the hospital bill. That was enough on your part..." Pelumi added.

Ivan shrugged and took in Pelumi's appearance. She had those braids on again. They were styled in a bun. Her chocolate colored skin shone and he reveled in her beauty. "She's not even light skinned." A voice in his head jeered.  She's not your type. The voice taunted him the more and he pushed the thoughts aside.

"I missed visiting you at the hospital and hearing the sound of your voice and laughter. " Ivan got up and sat on his desk facing Pelumi.

Pelumi shifted in her seat uncomfortably. She was new to this. It wasn't this way with Remi. This man seated several inches across from her made her heart beat and stand still at the same time. What was this thing she was feeling?

"Have dinner with me. Tonight." Ivan pleaded. He had spoken the words before realizing that Pelumi was in the recuperating phase and he didn't want to stress her if she wasn't feeling up to it.


"Errm...Sir....Mr Akenzua. Sorry...Ivan."  Pelumi stuttered. Ivan watched her amused. She was clearly uncomfortable. He didn't want that.

"I would have loved to but I'm not feeling like my usual self yet. I'd like to go home and get some rest."

Ivan was disappointed but he understood.  All he wanted to do was set his eyes on her after a week of not seeing her. He didn't even know when the words 'have dinner with me' had slipped out of his mouth.

"Is there something else you wished to discuss with me?" Pelumi asked. She really wanted to flee from the room. This was not the Ivan who had paid her visits at the hospital. The man seated before her now headed the company she worked at. Where she got her daily bread. He was a man of power and influence and she? She was just starting out in life and her career. She suddenly felt small and irrelevant.

"No." Ivan replied. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay. Thank you." Pelumi replied. smoothing her shirt down and walking to the  door. She suddenly stopped in her tracks and  sighed. Ivan had gone above and beyond when she had the accident. She had heard the disappointment in his voice when she informed him that she wouldn't be able to have dinner with him. For some reason, a part of her felt like she needed to repay him.

Though everything in her wanted was screaming flee, she consented to having dinner with him.

"Okay. I'll have dinner with you tonight." She said with a slight trembling in her voice.

"Thank you." Ivan said pleased.

"I know you live in Maryland. I can drop you off at home or have one of the drivers take you home.  Whatever you prefer. " Ivan looked at her pointedly waiting for a response.

Pelumi nodded before opening the door and walking out of Ivan's office.

Ivan looked at Pelumi's retreating form as she walked out of his office. While he usually left his door open so senior members of staff could walk in easily and talk to him, other members of staff didn't usually wander into his office aimlessly.
However, he sometimes shut it when he needed some privacy.


He had shut the door this time around because he felt like he needed some time alone with Pelumi who had been on his mind all week. He had been dying to see her and once the hospital had confirmed her discharge date, he found out from Alistair that she would be resuming at work today.
He had wanted to go to her but he didn't want to barge into her section of the office. Hence, he thought it best to have his personal assistant put a call across to her.

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

Liyel Akenzua strolled into the cafeteria at Ferguson and Fletcher with his sister. "What's on the menu today? I forgot to check. I just knew I was darn hungry and had to dash here."

Tare laughed at her brother. "You and food, ehn!"

Liyel pretended he was angry. "And you don't like food?"

Tare laughed. "Don't we all? But your love for food is like a calling. Good thing you have mad workout routines. Else, hmm. My lips are sealed."
Liyel gave Tare a light punch on her shoulder.

"Warn yaself o, Madam HR! Don't let me get on your case."

Tare chuckled.

Bisi Onikoyi walked towards them. He was the deputy Manager of Information Security at their company. Behind him was Omoladele Williams.

"Hi Liyel, hello Tare." Ladele greeted.

"How goes it Mrs Williams? Working hard these days eh?" Liyel asked.

"You know Ladele now.  Her passion for all things information security and data privacy knows no bounds." Bisi responded.

Tare smiled. "Ladele, keep up the good work. You are doing a great work around here. "

"Did you both get the invite for my daughter's first year birthday? It would be a great honor to have the Akenzuas around." Bisi announced adjusting the Silver metallic watch on his left wrist.

Liyel frowned. He wasn't sure he had gotten the invitation. Tare chipped in before he had a chance to speak.

"Yes, Ese left the cards on my table the other day. Liyel, sorry I forgot to inform you and Ivan." Ese was her personal secretary. She did a great job of keeping her organized.

"No sweat!" Liyel replied. "When's the birthday party?"

"I believe it's next week Saturday. And it's supposed to be an all white affair right?" Tare asked Bisi.

"That's correct." Bisi Onikoyi responded.

"Okay, we'll be there. I'll run it by Ivan. I'm not sure if he has anything planned on that day though." Tare added.

"Cool, thanks. Ladele and I will head back to the office now. We just filled our stomach."

"Sure thing!" Liyel replied. "Go ahead. Talk to you later."

Liyel's stomach growled. Tare laughed like she was being tickled.

"Food grubber, oya let's go and get food." She held unto her brother's arm and they headed to the food service point.


Liyel was ripping apart the chicken thigh on his plate with his fork and knife when Tare spoke out.

"I saw Celeste the other day. She was heading out of Strands. My hair salon. I was walking in."

Liyel dug in his food not saying a word.

"We had quite a great conversation. You know, she's such an interesting and likeable person. You never told me what happened between you both."

"Tare. Let's just eat okay? I don't want to go there."

"Did you catch her cheating?"

"Did she murder someone?"

"What's the deal with Celeste?"

Liyel grabbed the bottle of Ketchup on the table and poured it over his Chips. He ate some of the Coleslaw and wiped his mouth with a napkin before replying Tare.

"Curiousity kills the cat." He said to his sister.

Tare fumed." I'll just ask Ivan then. Ahan! Why so secretive?"

"Mind ya business!" Liyel said mockingly.

Tare looked at Liyel angry.  He stuck out his tongue. "I don't have to tell you everything Ebitare Omatsola."

Tare sat up and folded her arms over her chest.

"Whatever!" She told Liyel angrily.


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

Ineye Ogbeha parked his car and walked into his house. It had been a rather long day indeed. His phone beeped and he picked it inside his back pocket.

"Ineye, you know quitting is not an option. Call me."

It was a text message from Nkoyo.

He sighed.

He hadn't heard from Tare in two weeks. He rubbed his hand over head.

"No text, no call. Just silence." Silence had a voice however and he could hear it loud and clear.

He was an architect by profession but he did a lot of interior decoration as a side hustle.

He flipped on the air conditioner in his house once he was inside. He had rented a two bedroom bedroom apartment around one thousand and four in Victoria Island. Few years ago, he had been a hustler trying to carve a niche for his business in Lagos.

Today, he was an accomplished architect and business man. Starlight Interiors was booming and he could only thank God for answering his prayers.

Truly his case was that of the Psalmist in Psalm 34.

This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his distresses.

He was stripping himself of clothing and was going to have a shower when his phone rang.


"Hello, Nkoyo"

"Hey Ineye, do you have a minute?"

"What's up?" He asked

"Do you think you can swing by the house tomorrow in the evening?"

"Hello, Ineye. Are you there?"

"Hmm, Nkoyo! I don't think that's such a great idea."

"Mum remembers you,you know?"

"You can swing by to say hello to her. Don't worry about Tare. You'll be my guest."

Ineye hesitated before his next response.

"Nkoyo, I'm sorry. I'm not one for playing games. If your sister thinks I'm a bother...."

His next words were cut short by Nkoyo's voice.

"Ineye, do you want to be with Tare or not?

He sighed. Of course, you know I want to."

"Then swing by the house tomorrow evening. And please do come with a bottle of white whine. Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc will do just fine. A chilled bottle please."

"Okay. Fine, Nkoyo. I'll be there."

"Awesome, thank you." Nkoyo responded cheerfully. He wondered what was up. It seemed to him like Nkoyo was cooking something.

He'd find out tomorrow.