Pelumi's Memoirs - 49

Would I believe you when you say

Your hand will guide my every way?

Will I receive the words you say

Every moment of every day?

Well, I will walk by faith

Even when I cannot see

Because this broken road

Prepares your will for me

-Jeremy Camp

****

Pelumi moved around the house, scrubbing the floors, and cleaning the kitchen counter. Itoro was also busy with other house chores. Saturday was their day for deep cleaning the house.

“Itoro, you know, I still cannot believe the fact that I got such a delicious job offer without even applying.”

“FJ has been wonderful,” Itoro replied.

“I know,” Pelumi muttered. “Sometimes I wonder what the catch is. Will he turn back at some point to demand something from me? I don’t think they did any background checks. It seems the usual protocols were skipped because FJ recommended me for the position.”

“Something like what?” Itoro asked.

“Well, you know……Well.”

“Pelumi, stop stuttering. You mean he’ll come back to demand something like sex?”

“Yes,” Pelumi responded.

“Aww! Girl get your mind out of the gutter! FJ is an answer to our prayers. From everything you’ve told me about him, he doesn’t strike me like someone who’d do that.”

“You know what?” Itoro added.

‘What?” Pelumi asked.

“If he ever does that in the future, you know you can just quit the job.”

“That’s very true.” Pelumi nodded in agreement.

“So, are you looking forward to starting on Monday?”

Pelumi laughed. “Ah, of course! After being home for so long, I’m looking forward to being productive again.”

Itoro looked at her friend and smiled. “I’m sure. Anyway, what are we having for breakfast?”

“I thought we were eating the Brioche you bought last night for breakfast. I planned on frying some eggs and sausages.” Pelumi answered.

“You know, I forgot I bought bread last night. Okay, seems like we’ve got breakfast.”

“Yep,” Pelumi stated.

“Going to take a shower. Like a Boss is showing at 3 pm and you know we want to stop at Titi’s place to pick her up.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll be quick with the cooking so I can get ready too.”

“Thanks, Pelumi. You know how I always look forward to your cooking. Chef Extraordinaire!”

Pelumi laughed. “Go away! All that flattery for a meal.”

Itoro laughed and ran up the stairs.

****

Ivan had been in a dazed state since Liyel’s accident.  Liyel was still unconscious in the hospital and his world was slowly turning upside down. 

He had experienced every kind of emotion one could think of. From fear to trepidation to sheer anxiety.  His parents had asked him to come and stay with them for some days, but he wanted to be by himself. He missed his brother and hoped that he would come to himself again. The doctors said that Liyel’s wounds were healing slowly. That seemed like a miracle to him. In the past weeks, he had done a lot of praying and asking God to spare Liyel's life. This was not how they had planned their lives. This was not supposed to happen. 

He took his cell phone and placed it on the bedside table again. The desire to call Pelumi had been overwhelming in the past weeks. The need to fill the pain and vacuum in his heart with something else was overpowering. 

He could handle the pressures of corporate life, but he had never been able to handle personal pressures. 

He heaved, rolled off his bed, and wore his pair of slippers. Then he headed towards the bar in the sitting room area. He filled a glass with whiskey and emptied the contents. 

His thoughts went back to Pelumi. A part of him felt guilty that he had not given the investigation his best shot. But why should he when the key investigators at work had already probed the matter and deemed her guilty of the fraud charge? But no matter how he rationalized it all, his conscience would not let him rest.

He had not spoken to Pelumi in months and he was not about to call her now because Liyel was currently fighting for his life. It didn’t matter how much he longed to hear her voice. She had done something despicable. Something he had never thought that she could do and he was done with her. 

His mind mocked him, and he poured more whiskey into the glass. It was a Saturday and some of his friends had invited him to a party that night. He laughed at the thought. Things like partying no longer gave him pleasure. Perhaps, he was getting old. Well, at thirty- four going on thirty-five, that did not surprise him.

The sound of the doorbell jolted him from his thoughts. “Who was that now and what did they want?”

He reached for his phone and called the gateman. “Can you tell me why you couldn’t buzz the intercom to let me know that I have a guest?”

“Oga, sorry sir. But the man na your friend.”

“Ehen?” Ivan questioned. “Which one of my friends?”

“The tall one. Uncle Kunle.”

“Okay, but going forward, let me know before you let anyone into the compound.”

“Noted, Sir.”

“Good,” Ivan replied. He walked to the door and let his friend in.

“Geez, man! You look like you haven’t had a good sleep in days.” Kunle remarked, staring into Ivan’s bloodshot eyes.

“Yeah, I’m supposed to be having a good time when I’m not sure if my brother will ever live again!” Ivan said caustically.

“I know…. That’s why I came. We must stay positive. I’m sure Liyel will pull through  and live a long, full life.”

Ivan sighed. “I’ve been praying and hoping.”

“Richie told me he invited you to some party tonight, but you declined.”

“Yeah, I did. You know, I’m not really in the mood for parties and things like that at this time.”

“I understand. I guess Richie was just looking for a way to make you feel better.” Kunle Aderinokun explained.

“I guess so. I just don’t see myself partying with all that’s going on.”

“I get it…” Kunle replied, smiling.

“Sorry, I know I’m being such a party pooper right now,” Ivan said, raising a brow.

“It’s okay… I figured you would be this way. I brought my laptop so I can do some User Interface Design work for a client.”

Akpan walked into the sitting room. “Sorry to interrupt your discussion. I was wondering if I could make some food for you both.”

“Yeah… Kunle, what would you like to eat?”

“I’m not hungry so anything will do.”

“What about the asun and snails you made yesterday, Akpan?” Ivan asked. “We’ll have that and some beer.”

“Okay, Sir,” Akpan replied before heading for the kitchen.

Kunle settled into the sofa and he grabbed the remote control, surfing the channels on DSTV.

 

****

Celeste paced around her house for the tenth time. She had just heard about Liyel’s accident and the fact that he was lying unconscious at the hospital. She wanted to call Tare, Nkoyo, and Ivan but she did not have the courage to. They probably thought that she was a douche bag for breaking the relationship with Liyel. Essien had broken the news to her. A friend had told her about Liyel being in a coma at the hospital.

Mustering courage, she picked her phone and called Tare.

“Yes?” Tare replied coldly.

“I just heard about Liyel. I’m sorry.”

“What does it matter? You treated him like crap and now you are calling me because you feel bad?”

“Tare, I understand how you feel. I never stopped caring about your brother. I had to follow God’s nudge in my heart and that prompting was to release Liyel.”

Tare was silent for a while. “Just so you know, I understand and I’m not mad at you. You didn’t reply to my calls and messages after the breakup happened and that hurt me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t have the guts to speak with you after everything.”

“Apology accepted,” Tare replied. “I’m not mad at you anymore.”

“Thank you,” Celeste said, heaving a sigh of relief.

“I’d like to see Liyel at the hospital. Will you be going to see him anytime soon?”

“Yes, Ineye and I are going to see him today. We can pick you up if that’s okay.”

“Yes, please. I’d like to ride with you both.” Celeste responded.

“Hold on a second, Celeste.”

“Ineye! Ineye!” Celeste heard Tare yell. “What time are we going to see Liyel today? I was wondering if we could pick Celeste up.”

“Celeste, Ineye says it’s okay. We’ll pick you up around 3 pm.”

“Thanks, Tare. This means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome,” Tare replied.

Celeste felt better after she had spoken with Tare. She did not like the fact that a misunderstanding had been hanging in between them. She decided to text Ivan to see how he was faring. She intended to call him afterward.

She dropped a prayer request on her Church’s Small Group’s WhatsApp chat and some of the WhatsApp prayer groups that she belonged to.  She did not want to lose Liyel. She wanted him to regain consciousness and be back to his vibrant self.  She made a mental note to buy flowers and a get well soon card before heading to the hospital.

Hours later, she walked towards Ineye’s car and exchanged greetings with Ineye and Tare.

“Hi, Celeste. Long time no see.” Ineye commented.

“I know right, it’s been a minute.”

Thirty minutes later, they walked into The Reddington Hospital and Celeste could feel something akin to trepidation and dread coursing through her. She took a deep breath and tried to smile while the hospital staff attended to them. She was thankful for one thing. That Reddington did not smell like a hospital. She hated the strong smell of disinfectants and whatnots.

When they walked into Liyel’s admission room, it took her a while to realize that the shrill had come from her.

“No!” She said loudly and almost ran out of the room.  His head and several parts of his body were covered with bandages. A machine beeped loudly in the room and she saw what looked like a ventilator with a long hose that was fitted over Liyel’s nose.

“Oh my God!” She sobbed. She did not know that it was so serious. Tare came around and placed her arm around her neck. She patted it gently. “Take it easy. We are all praying for his recovery.”

“I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be strong for you and here I am breaking apart.” Celeste sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“Here,” Ineye handed her the box of tissue beside Liyel’s bed.

Tare stared at the machine behind Liyel’s bed and tried to make sense of the readings on it.

Celeste moved closer to Liyel’s bed and placed the bouquet and the card she had bought on the table. She turned to look at Liyel, touching his arm gingerly in the process. She gripped his fingers, entwining her hands in his. “When you told me to let him go, I didn’t think it would turn out this way.” She cried out to God in her heart.

“Liyel will be alright,” Ineye said assuredly like he had heard the conversation going on in her mind.

Tare turned to look at him. “You think?”

“I know so,” Ineye emphasized. Tare knew that he was acting on his faith. Ineye was a man of faith and that was one of the things that she admired about him. He saw possibilities when others saw an insurmountable roadblock.

A nurse came in to take Liyel’s vitals and all Celeste wanted to do was to ask her when Liyel would wake up from the coma. Unfortunately, she did not know if anyone could answer her question.

“Let us pray.” Ineye suddenly announced. “Let’s hold hands.” He instructed.

“Our Dear Heavenly Father. The maker of the Heavens and the earth. We thank you for the life of your son, Liyel. We thank you because you love him and have a plan for his life….”

Tare choked on her tears while Ineye prayed and she could hear Celeste sobbing as well.

“We plead for his life and ask that you’ll heal and restore him.”

“Amen.” Celeste and Tare said in unison. Ineye said more words of prayers and Celeste felt a calmness envelope her afterward.

“We have to remain positive,” Tare said.

“That’s what faith is. The confident assurance that what we hope for will happen. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

“Hebrew 11, verse 1,” Celeste added.

“Right,” Ineye replied.

Tare heard her phone ring and reached into her bag to get it. She saw that the caller was Nkoyo.

“It’s Nkoyo.” She said aloud.

“She says she’s almost here,” Tare told Ineye and Celeste after she had cut the call.

Fifteen minutes later, Nkoyo walked in. She squinted when she spotted Celeste.

“Hi, Nkoyo.” Celeste greeted.

“Hi, Celeste.” She said replied curtly. She turned to Tare and Ineye. “Any updates on Liyel?”

“Same condition, no updates. His wounds are healing.”

“Hmmm,” Nkoyo muttered. Tare glanced at her sister. She knew that she was trying her best to be strong. Nkoyo was soft-hearted so she walked towards her and hugged her.”

“We’ve prayed and will keep trusting God for him.”

Nkoyo broke into sobs and doubled over even as the sobs wracked her body. Celeste walked over and smoothed her hair while Tare held her.

“I don’t want him to die.” Nkoyo cried.

“No, he won’t,” Ineye stated before walking out of the room. He had a gift of faith and was simply acting on it. The gift of faith allowed one to move mountains in the face of seeming oddities.

****

Pelumi, Itoro, and Titi were walking out of the movie theater when they bumped into Remi.

“Pelumi Jacobs!” Remi said loudly. “Where have you been?”

“Hi,” Pelumi replied curtly and kept walking towards the car. Itoro also quickened her pace.

“Pelumi, wait. Please.” Remi pleaded. “I know you are still mad at me for my actions the other day. It’s written all over you.”

“Remi, that’s the past, I need to start heading out of here,” Pelumi stated emphatically.

“I behaved like an animal the other day. I know. I also said some things to you that I regret and I’m very sorry.

Pelumi turned to look at Itoro who was already at the driver’s side of the car. “No hard feelings, Remi. We have an appointment and need to leave now.”

“I heard about what happened to you at Ferguson & Fletcher. Just so you know, I never for once believed any of those allegations. I thought no one tried their best to advocate for you.” Remi remarked like he had not heard her say that she needed to leave. She knew that he was referring to Ivan and his family.

Pelumi shrugged. “That is how the world works, I guess. Dog eat dog! Just so you know, I have put Ferguson & Fletcher behind me.”

“Rightfully so,” Remi stated. “Let me not keep you. Sorry for taking your time. Is your mobile number the same? Can I give you a call later today?”

“No.” Pelumi shook her head.

“No, your number has changed or no to calling you?” Remi quizzed.

“No to both!” Pelumi said sharply.

“Remi, we have to leave now,” Itoro yelled.

“Okay,” Remi said, defeated. “I’ll see you around, Pelumi.”

“Bye,” Pelumi answered.

“Such a persistent fellow…” Itoro said, laughing.

“I agree.” Titi chipped in.

“He was beginning to get on my nerves,” Pelumi stated.

Minutes later, Itoro dropped Titi off at her brother’s house and they headed for The Palms Shopping Mall.

Pelumi turned to look out the window. Remi brought back the memories of Ferguson & Fletcher. He brought back painful memories. She allowed her thoughts linger on Ivan and wondered how he was coping with Liyel being in the hospital. Oh, why did she care? He had hurt her in the way that she had never imagined. He had tossed her to the wolves when she needed him the most and confirmed her worst fears about their relationship. His duties as an Akenzua had prevented him from fighting for their love. She guessed that being engaged to her had not meant anything to him.

“What are you thinking about?” Itoro asked.

“Nothing. Just the past and you know, what could have been.”

“I understand,” Itoro replied. “Remi jogged up your memory. I knew that would happen the instant I saw him.”

“Forgetting the things that are behind…” Pelumi stated. That was her newest mantra and it helped her focus on the moment and what was important.

“I reach forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” Itoro completed and both friends burst into laughter.

“Naetochukwu will be coming over to the house tomorrow,” Itoro stated. “He knows you’ve been avoiding him. We had a big argument the other day.”

“No more hiding,” Pelumi replied. “I just need to come clean and let Aunt Kema know that my engagement is off. I realize it’s not the end of the world.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all this while. But I understand how you felt initially though.”

Pelumi’s mind drifted to FJ. She was thankful for him but there was still a puzzle to be solved where he was concerned. He had asked for her mother’s maiden name and he had almost done a double take when she told him that her mother’s maiden name was Onwudiwe.

Pelumi’s phone vibrated and she saw a new text message. She read it and shook her head. Remi still had her mobile number. She was not going to reply to his message. If he kept pestering her, then he would leave her with no option other than to block him. Another text message came in from him.

“I know you didn’t do what you were accused of. My feelings for you have not changed. I think there was a reason our paths crossed again today. Give me a chance to be your friend again.”

Pelumi laughed out loud. This dude was a joker!

“What’s funny?” Itoro asked.

“Remi just sent me a text asking to be friends again.”

“Ah, don’t mind him o!” Itoro exclaimed.

“Forgetting those things which are behind…” Pelumi quoted the Bible verse and Itoro completed it. They burst into laughter.

****

FJ and his friends were seated at the garden area at the Ikoyi Club discussing issues that ranged from Politics to the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market. FJ sipped the Malt drink in the glass cup he was holding.

“The Naira keeps plummeting against the dollar. What’s going on in this country?” A man who had just joined the group asked.

FJ took another swig of his Malt drink. He liked to listen first before stating his opinion. His mind wandered to Pelumi. From the first day he had set his eyes upon her, he had known that there was something about her that called out to him. Her mother was Ada Onwudiwe and she lived in Asaba. He could bet with everything he had that this was the Ada he had been looking for all these years. She had been pregnant when he had last seen and heard from her.

He had gone back to look for her in Asaba back then, but her people had chased him away and refused to divulge any information about her whereabouts. They called him a useless fellow who was out to derail their daughter. He had visited Asaba again and again after that, but Ada Onwudiwe was nowhere to be found. Eventually, life happened and the demands of day to day living got the better out of him. He stopped visiting Asaba and settled down to life in Lagos. Years later, he met his wife and they started a family. It was too coincidental that Pelumi had his last name and her mother was Ada Onwudiwe. He had offered her employment because he wanted to keep her close and get to the root of the matter. He did not want to let Pelumi out of his sight especially since he had seen that she was out of a job and needed to pick back her life. He was good at reading people and he had taken time to read Pelumi that day he had seen her sitting alone at the restaurant. He did not need a magician to tell him that something was wrong and Pelumi needed some sort of breakthrough in her life. He had also instructed HR to hire her right away. He was not a fool and he knew that there must have been a story to her leaving Ferguson & Fletcher, but he did not care to know what it was. He just wanted to keep her close till he unraveled the mystery around her and by God, he would unravel it.

“FJ!” His friend called out to him and tapped him on the shoulder. “Where is your mind?”

FJ turned to look at his friend. “Ehen, what did you say?’

“We were asking if you thought that the Minister of Finance needed to be changed,” Bodunde commented.

“Well, that would certainly help to an extent although our problems as a nation run far deep,” FJ remarked.

“Hmm. Our country needs help.” One of the men commented.

“Don’t we all?” Another said, laughing.

“Let them bring the likes of Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala back to the government. Let them bring back the likes of Obiageli Ezekwesili.” Another man stated.

“Until we diversify our economy, we will continue to struggle with oil prices rising today and falling tomorrow,” FJ uttered. 

“But how do we achieve that? We don’t have the infrastructure on the ground to make such a change happen.” Bodunde responded.

One of the waiters placed a plate of chicken and chips in front of FJ

‘Thanks,” FJ told him.

“I’m going to join those guys playing basketball.”  Bassey, one of the men suddenly announced.

“Oh boy! Take it easy o! Just cos you are tall doesn’t mean that you need to go and play basketball. Look how much weight you have gained.! Those fast and lithe guys will have you rolling in pain on the floor in a jiffy.” His friend admonished.

“I agree,” FJ said, nodding his head. “Sorry, Bassey but it’s the truth.”

“I’m just 57 years old. I’m not old!” Bassey retorted.

“We know, but heart attacks are a thing these days.” Bodunde said sharply.

“Okay, I give up. I will go and play Lawn tennis instead. Will that kill me too?”

“That sounds better to me.” Bodunde replied.

FJ’s thoughts drifted to his wife. If Pelumi was truly his daughter, how would he break the news to his wife? He had never mentioned Ada and her pregnancy to her. He knew his wife. She would take the news badly. He scratched his head. He had to move quickly and get to the root of the matter. Then there was the matter of all the precious years he had missed out on in Pelumi’s life. She was a lovely woman now and to think that he had been denied the privilege of seeing her grow did a number to his heart. He did not want to get ahead of himself and jump to conclusions.

“Lord, help me.” He thought.

The waiter returned with more food for his friends. He had eaten his fill of his food and wanted to walk around the club.