Pelumi's Memoirs

Pelumi's Memoirs - 26

Sometimes, I want to be Superman
Some days, I am
Other days, I realize
That the best among men
The Legends
Are still at best, men
Prone to errors
Prone to poor judgment

****

The week passed by in a blur. Pelumi was glad it was Thursday. One more day and she could relax on the weekend. She loved her job but she also liked being able to relax and spend time away from everything and everyone. She loved being able to sleep in on Saturday mornings and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with Itoro. Weekends meant that they didn't have to hurry out of the house early in the morning.

Ivan was slated to travel to Spain the next week. He would be gone for two weeks. She had a feeling she was going to miss him terribly, although he had promised to call her as much as his travel would permit. She understood the fact that he'd probably be in meetings most of the time.

He had informed her about telling his folks about their relationship. She hoped that they wouldn't make a fuss over it, though he had reassured her that his family was super chill and friendly. She hoped so.

Some of these rich folks behaved like relating with people who weren't so well off was beneath them. They acted all uppity and snobbish. If Ivan's family was like that, she didn't know how she'd handle it. Worse still, there were some families who smiled at one and backstabbed in one's absence.

"Oh, Pelumi, stop overthinking things!" She chastised herself. She had this nasty habit of overthinking and getting ahead of herself. She brought out her phone and made a note of thing she planned on doing during the weekend. Her braids for one needed to come out. She had been thinking of cutting her hair into an Anita Baker styled one. While she had long hair, she didn't mind playing around with different hair styles every now and then.

Putting her phone on the table, she focused on her computer screen, doing a V-look up to compare data across different excel sheets. She looked at the other screen which had the budget and forecasting reports for the rest of the year. She still needed to explain the variance in the planned versus actual budget for the previous month.

She stood to go get snacks from the vending machine on the 5th floor and bumped into Tare on her way to the elevators.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Akenzua.”

“Hi!” Tare answered. Her gaze sweeping across Pelumi's features. She liked the light pink skirt suit Pelumi had on. She had never seen her around the office before. Must be a new employee, she thought.

They both walked into the elevator when it arrived.

“Are you a new employee?”

Tare asked, raising her brows.

“Yes, but not that new anymore.” Pelumi chuckled. “Actually, I've been here for the past six months.”

“Oh, I see. New but not quite new.” Tare remarked.

Pelumi smiled. She glanced at Tare, who was dressed in a green trouser suit and white shirt with hair packed in a bun on the top of her head. She had a stunning figure. Her skin looked like she had coated it in bronze.

Chai! Having loads of money was definitely a good thing. Tare looked like those people who spent their time in the spas exfoliating and peeling all there was to peel off.

The elevator beeped and Pelumi stepped out. "Have a great day, Ms. Akenzua!"

"Please call me Tare next time."

Pelumi nodded. "Will do."

She didn't know what to make of Tare. She had a serious air about her though she appeared friendly. Well, she'd at least tried to make small talk with her.

She picked out a granola bar and Greek yoghurt and proceeded to the payment section where the items were scanned.

"I guess a golden fish has no hiding place."

A voice behind her uttered.

She turned back sharply. "Remi! You scared me for the fraction of a second!"

"Intention accomplished!" Remi retorted.

"How's work been today? I hope Fola isn't giving you too much trouble? I hear y'all are getting a new manager soon!"

"Say what?" Pelumi exclaimed.

"Well, yeah! He'll be reporting to Alistair from what I hear." Remi explained.

"Oh dear, too many changes around here... I hate it!"

"Change is uncomfortable but inevitable. You need to be more adaptable."

"Who says I'm not?" Pelumi countered.

"You're so not!" Remi replied, teasing.

"Why am I even arguing with you? Mister Kuku!"

Remi burst into laughter. "Sorry, you sound frustrated..."

"Oh, please go away! Don't you have work to do?"

"Pelumi Jacobs, can I take you out to dinner tomorrow evening? Friday night…. Dinner watching the sunset, candle lights everywhere?"

Pelumi furrowed her brows. "Really? Are you asking a coworker out on a date?"

"Errm... consider it a dinner between two colleagues. Does that sound right?"

Pelumi crossed her arms and squinted. "Sorry, Mister Kuku. My Friday night isn't free. Got plans."

"Ouch!" Remi exclaimed. "You just hurt my feelings. I mean, who turns down a fantastic dinner with a cool guy like me?"

"Go away Remi. I need to get back to my desk. So much work waiting for me."

"Okay...Pelumi Jacobs. Keep this in mind. You are not getting rid of me easily!"

"Arrrgh! You're such a pest!" Pelumi replied.

"Whatever, I'll see you later." Remi countered.

Pelumi walked away from him without bothering to reply to him.

Had Remi actually been serious about the dinner date? Did he like her? Pelumi wondered, frowning.

She had to find a way to let him know that she was dating now. She liked him as a friend and a colleague. If this was a dinner between two colleagues, she didn't mind. She, however, doubted that. Remi sounded like he was asking her out on a date.

Oh well, she would let him know she wasn't available at the moment.

When Pelumi got to her desk and checked her phone, she saw five missed calls from her mum. She frowned a little and hoped that all was well. She picked her phone and went to the first floor.

Her mother picked on the third dial.

"Iruka, how are you?"

"I don't know why it feels like I haven't heard your voice in ages"

"But mummy, I spoke with you last week"

"Last week." Her mother repeated.

"Did you hear yourself?"

"A whole week!"

Pelumi rolled her eyes. Her mum could be such a drama queen sometimes.

"Okay, I promise I'll call you more often."

"That's what I want to hear."

"How's your husband?" Pelumi asked.

"He's fine. Said to say hello to you."

"You know, your husband never calls me."

"I don't expect him to anyway."

"Iruka...."

"Mum, don't let us talk about this issue."

"It's been over flogged already."

"Okay, let's talk about you then."

"How's that fine gentleman?"

"Who?" Pelumi asked, her voice oscillating by a pitch.

"The one that saved your life."

"Ah, how can I ever forget him?"

"Such a perfect gentleman!"

"You mean, Ivan?"

"Ehen! I remember his name."

"How is he?"

"Mum, he's fine."

"I thought you wanted to talk about something urgent when I saw five missed calls from you."

"You know you're not getting younger and that man I saw is fine o. He seemed to like you."

"Opportunity comes but once o!"

"Mum, I have to get back to work."

"Well, think about what I said. Grab the man and let us do wedding for you."

"Okay, bye mummy."

"Bye, my baby girl. Talk to you soon."

Dang! Mothers!

****

Ineye was having a rough day. His brother had just called him to let him know that their mother was really sick.

He had also just lost a client's business and he wasn’t feeling too pleased with himself. The contract was worth millions of Naira. He had done his best to win the contract but all his hard work hadn't yielded any fruits. He was used to winning in his adult life and this current setback made him feel like he had his tongue enmeshed in sour grapes.

You can't always win in life you know. There'll be highs and lows from time to time. Several thoughts played on in his mind.

But who said he couldn't win always?

He had fought the bulls of poverty and lack that had reared their ugly heads while he was growing up.

He was a fighter and he would always win!

Trust God. A voice whispered somewhere in his head.

Yeah, yeah! He thought.

Would the client just call him to say you are our chosen contractor for the building?

He had put forward a great pitch. Most times when he didn't win an architectural contract, he still managed to win the contracts for the interior decor. This time around he got nothing.

His phone chose to ring in that instant.

Arrgh! He clenched his fists. He peeked at his phone screen and saw that it was Tare.

He didn't like speaking to people when he was angry. The call rang out.

His phone rang the second time.

"Hi Tare."

"Hello my love."

"How's your day going?"

"So so..." Ineye answered.

He listened to Tare ramble on and on about how her day was going.

He really wasn't in the mood to be social.

"Tare."

She kept talking.

"Oh, did I tell you that we finally recruited our new Director of Operations?"

"Tare." Ineye said again.

"Yes?" Tare sat up and adjusted her position on her chair.

Something about Ineye's voice sounded serious.

"I have to call you back. Can I call you back later?"

"Is something the matter?" Tare asked, concerned.

"I'll call you. Got to go now."

Tare stared at her phone for about a few minutes after Ineye had hung up. It was very unlike him to hang up the way he did.

Something was wrong. She frowned and made a mental note to check on him after work. Was that a good idea? What if he wasn't home?

Ineye had a good shoulder on his head. He was even-tempered and had never displayed anger. Something had to be wrong and she was going to find out.

The steps of her assistant approaching her desk jolted her from her reverie.

“You have a 3 pm appointment with Mr. Carlos Jones. VP of Designs at…..”

"Matheson's!" Tare added. "Yeah, I have it on my calendar. Thanks for the reminder." She smiled at her assistant.

"Okay, I just thought to give you a heads up. I know he's a pretty important person."

"That's right...” Tare nodded in agreement.

****

Tare knocked on Ineye's door. After several knocks and bell pressing, he opened the door right when she was going to give up and walk away.

“Can I come in?” She said to Ineye who was leaning against the door with his arms folded.

Her eyes took in his form in a tank top and jeans. She swallowed and looked away.

“Can I come in?”

She could sense his hesitation.

He stepped back and motioned for her to step in without saying a word to her.

“What's wrong?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Ineye, can you talk to me? What's with the attitude and seething anger? Did you have a bad day?”

She threw her bag on one of the couches and faced him.

"Is something the matter? She asked again. Did I do something? Was it something I said?"

Ineye looked at her. How could he explain that it wasn't anything she'd done? That this wasn't about her? It was about him and the way he felt inside. That he wasn't always a confident man? That sometimes he felt less than, especially when he failed in any way on the job?

How could he explain that he sometimes dealt with insecurities and low self-esteem?

“Talk to me”. Tare pleaded.

He gauged his words, not wanting to hurt her in any way. Perhaps, he wasn't man enough for Tare. She was a superwoman through and through. Tare deserved a better man. Someone wealthier, more self-assured, more ambitious....more everything.

“Are you going to talk to me?” Tare asked, with tears in starting to pool at her eyes.

“Did you have a rethink about us?”

“Okay, I'll just go!” She announced. She had tried but she was feeling frustrated at the moment.

She wore her shoes and picked her bag, marching to the door.

“Tare.” Ineye finally said.

“What?” She barked at him.

****

It was Friday evening and Ivan was tired to the bones. He'd wanted to spend the evening with Pelumi but fatigue got the best of him.

Liyel ran down the stairs and headed to the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and picking two cans of coke. He tossed one of the cans to Ivan.

“So bruh, tell me....what's been going on with you?”

Ivan played with the can opener and popped the can open.

“I'm seeing someone.”

“Huh?” Liyel asked with his eyes wide open.

“You gotta be kidding me, Ivan! What? Are you dating rent a ghost? Wait!You're kidding right?”

“No, I'm not.” Ivan said with a half-smile. Liyel burst into laughter.

He comported himself when he saw Ivan had a serious look on his face.

“Her name is Pelumi.”

“The one you were going to see at the hospital?”

“Yes.” Ivan answered, drinking from the can of coke.

“How and when did this happen?”

“I met her a few months back. Let's just say it's been very hard to get her off my mind.”

“I realized I wanted to really get to know her person. Then I got attracted somehow.”

“Wow!” Liyel exclaimed.

“Anyway, you know I'll always be on your team. Team Ivan for life.”

“Thank you.” Ivan smiled at his brother.

“So how are you going to break the news to mum and pops? She's an employee.....”

“They'll be alright.” Ivan stated.

“Hmmm, in what division does she work?” Liyel asked his brother.

“Finance. She reports to Alistair.”

“And Alistair reports to you. That might prove to be a challenge.”

“I spoke to Tare and some key folks in HR about the need to reshuffle the lines of reporting. Alistair doesn’t need to report to me anymore. He can go to Shirley’s division and run his own team. Finance needs to be removed from under my umbrella anyway, especially with the new Director of Operations coming on board.” Ivan explained.

“Hmmm.” So with this new line of reporting, it shouldn't be too much of a conflict of interest.” Liyel added.

“Exactly!” Ivan stated. “If anyone on the board of directors gets to know I'm dating an employee, it'll be less of a hassle.”

“Cool. Looks like you've got things figured out, CEO!”

Ivan chuckled. “I try.”

“So, when am I meeting Pelumi? I need to meet the girl who's caught your eyes so much that you are willing to risk it all for her.”

“You will. This weekend.”

“Fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing her.”

****

Essien met Liyel on Saturday morning at Ikoyi Park and recreation.

She had been sitting on a bench with her headphones over her ears listening to Chris Brown's ‘With you’ from ages ago.

She saw a tall man walking towards her looking at her pointedly. She stood up and waved at him. She hadn't seen Liyel in a long time. He looked so different from when she'd last seen him ages ago. Hmmm, he was a hell of a hunk. She rubbed her palms on the back of her sweat pants and walked towards him.

“Hi, I'm Essien!”

“I remember you.”

His voice was like smooth chocolate. Focus, Essien! Focus! Don't let him distract you.

“Yes, it's been ages, Liyel. How's life been with you?”

“Good. What's up?” He said, cutting off her efforts at pleasantries.

“I think it’s better we sit though.” Essien replied.

When Liyel was seated beside her, she cleared her throat.

“Uhmm, this is about my friend, Celeste. Celeste Braithwaite.”

“I know she's in your black books at the moment. I was hoping you'd hear her out. She's told me what she did. She's sorry from the depths of her heart. You need to hear her out. Find out why she did what she did.”

Good Lord! Liyel sighed.

“You know, you have some guts making me get out of my house so early in the morning to discuss stuff like this!” Celeste and I are a closed chapter. That ship has sailed.”

A voice in his head mocked him after he made the statement. Could he ever get over Celeste? He wasn't sure.

"Well, you know, we all sin from time to time. We grieve God's heart. Sometimes we make him regret ever making us with the way we constantly sin. Yet when we come before him, he cleanses us and makes us brand new. Like we never sinned."

"Celeste is not looking to rekindle what you both had in the past. She just wants your forgiveness. She needs closure in order to completely forgive herself."

“I won't take up any more of your time, Mr. Akenzua. Here's my card with Celeste's number. Give this some thought please.”

“Alright, enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

Liyel watched Essien's retreating back and scratched his head. He looked at the card again unsure how he wanted to proceed next.

He had harbored bitterness against Celeste for so long, it was killing him. What was that thing they said about unforgiveness? Unforgiveness kept the unforgiving party in chains. Plotting and planning the other person's downfall, always mapping out ways to revenge….. Time-consuming, toxic stuff!

At the same time, his anger made him feel like he was in control where Celeste was concerned. He wanted her punished. To feel his pain.

His mind swayed between two options. Forgiveness and unforgiveness. He had tough choices to make.

Why should he just forgive her after destroying a part of him? Human life was precious, even if it was a fetus. Gosh! How could he just forgive the fact that she did something so terrible?

“Stop Playing God!”

Liyel heard an audible voice around him. “Who said that?”

He looked around and only saw people who were working out in the park.

“Stop playing God!” He heard again.

Was he playing God? Wasn’t his anger justifiable?

He put his earphones in his ear and stood.

Michael’s Bolton Time, Love and Tenderness chose to play in that instant.

So you say that you can't go on

Love left you cryin'

And you say all your hope is gone

And what's the use in tryin'?

What you need is to have some faith