Hotel Palava Episode 24 – 25

Hotel Palava

Episode 24

Tosin’s POV
At the hospital, after Taye’s encounter with the pervert. Mom stopped by at the hospital. She seemed extremely worried.
“What happened?” She asked i ignored her.
“Are you deaf?”
“Mom, they’re okay there’s no point making a fuss about this” “I warned you already If you can’t take care of these kids I’ll take them away and I mean it”
“How are you going to take my kids away? I gave birth to them”
“And I raised them! What could have happened if that man had raped her” “How am I sure you didn’t send him to the job so I could look irresponsible”
“I’m not that stupid and I won’t put my grandkids in harm’s way” she cried. “How could you think that of me?” She snapped and i shrugged.
“If you can’t take care of the kids, give them to me”
“I’ll take care of them”
“Hire a babysitter or quit your job so you can take care of them properly”
“I can’t quit”
“If you don’t hire one, I promise you that i might have to take you to court and sue you for negligence

. I promise you when I do, I’ll take the kids from you”
“Is that a threat?”
“Take it as whatever you want Tosin

. I don’t care”

*****
Jane helped me once when I needed accommodation. I needed to hire a babysitter so I called her up to help me with one.
“You know the nature if all these baby sitters these day. Before someone would go and use your children for ritual or use your children to learn how to panel beat.”
“Don’t you know anyone?”
“I know them plenty but the thought of man they say is wicked. Babe if it’s house you need, I’m game but this one, with the way your mama head dey always hot. I don’t want to end up in jail for a crime didn’t commit” she answered and I exhaled.
I was running out of options.
“Should i get a new job?” I asked and she hissed.
“Are you mad? How are you going to pay for your bills?”
“I’m scared of mom’s threat”
“I’m scared for you too but you still need your job. Don’t do anything stupid”
****
On Friday, I was in a little space I carved out as a study room. I was reading, I had my glasses on when my girls walked in.
It was barely six am.
I intended waking them up but six to prepare for school. “Good morning mommy” they both greeted.
They both climbed on me, “Okay what’s going on?” I asked suspiciously.
“Kehinde dreamt of him” Taye said and my hear leapt. That was the last thing I needed.
“Who?” I asked.
“The man that came to the hospital” Kehinde answered and I sighed in relief. I thought she was having traumatic experiences.
“In my dream, I told him thank you but I feel bad cause I didn’t thank him that day”
“He was even waving at her and she didn’t wave that day” Taye pushed Kehinde forehead and they both started beating themselves.
“It’s okay!” I yelled.
“She’s making me feel bad” Kehinde said in tears and I pulled her close. She has gotten soft since the incident. She has been crying now and then.
“We can go and see him today?”
“In his house?” Kehinde asked, ” No. I heard he now works at the hotel” “I don’t want to go to the hotel” Kehinde whined.
“Me too” Taye agreed.
“It’s fine. Mommy would be there to protect you, I’ll be there to protect you like ninja tortoise”
“Mom it’s ninja turtles” they both corrected and I laughed. They both joined in afterwards.
***
After the kids closed from school, we went directly to the hotel, specifically to the restaurant. Taye and Kehinde sat on a table for four while I walked up to a lady who was standing by the counter.
“Good afternoon” I greeted her, “Good afternoon Ma. What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything. My name is Tosin, what’s yours?” “Joan”
“Sweet, I would like to talk to your head, I believe his name is Fatai” “Yes. I hope no problem ma”
“No biggies” I answered and she walked in.
I turned back, my kids were still there.
He came out shortly after. He had a white uniform, one of those chef uniforms with May hotel inscribed on it.
He smiled on seeing me.
“Good afternoon” he greeted and I smiled. “Good afternoon” I answered.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name the other day or should I just call you Iyabeji (mother of twins)” he asked and I laughed.
“If you dare call me that, I swear to God I’ll just…” I stalled.
“I’m not that old”
“You are a mother of twins aren’t you” “And I have a name and it’s Tosin” “My name is Fatai”
“Henry told me” he answered then he looked over at the twin and he smiled. “You brought them”
“They insisted I bring them so they could show gratitude”
“Seriously?” He seemed surprised.
“Wow they must really have good parenting”
“I wish I can take the glory for that, they dreamt of you. I meant Kehinde dreamt of you”
“Oh” he smiled.
“Can you just say hi to them?”
“Sure” he said walking towards them. Fatai began by giving a special yoruba praises given to twins.
Taye and Kehinde stared blankly at him while I withheld my laughter. “Mommy why is he speaking in tongues?” Kehinde asked and I laughed out loud.
“That’s a Yoruba praise for twins” I answered.
“Don’t they speak Yoruba?” He asked and I shook my head.
“They understand very well, they’re refusing to speak.” “How are you two doing today?” He asked, “We’re fine” they both answered in unison.
“How was school?” He asked, “School was fine” Kehinde answered.
“It wasn’t fine for me.” Taye answered. “Mommy you won’t believe what happened” she added.
“Incoming gist” I turned to Fatai and he laughed. “My friend opened my bag and she took my biscuit and left the nylon in my bag.”
“Did you know who did it?” I asked and she shrugged. “How are you sure it’s your friend?”
“Grandma always say it’s the person closest to you that hurts you the most. I’m suspecting one albino girl.” She answered and I laughed.
“When I catch the person, I’ll have the person arrested.” She continued just the way mom would.
“She’s too small to be arrested” Fatai pointed out.
“And she’s too small to be stealing” Taye snapped and I rolled my eyes. Fatai kept quiet.
“I’m sorry, they get easily influenced. That’s something my mom would say, they’re copying her”
“It’s okay”
“Thank you” Kehinde ch¡pped in quickly, I almost didn’t hear it. “What?” Fatai asked, “Thank you for helping me” she answered and Fatai smiled.
“What would you kids love to eat?” “I was going to say the same” I ch¡pped in.
“I’ll eat spaghetti” Kehinde answered quickly, “Me too” Taye agreed. “I’ll have Amala and Ewedu. I haven’t had that in….” I stalled.
“Coming right up” he answered.

Fatai’s POV
I went back to my kitchen duty after I served the three of them. I lost concentration. I felt the need to be with them.
“I heard you had visitors” mom said, she was frying some fishes. She stopped by in the morning to assist me.
“Yes ..the child I saved the other day, with their mother. They came to say thank you.”
“Didn’t I train you well?” She asked and I wondered why she did.
“You don’t leave a visitor for anything. Go, I’ll take care of the kitchen” she assured and I smiled rushing out to meet them.
They had finished their meal already. A waiter was packing their plates. “It tasted like home” Tosin commented.
“Did you cook it?” One of the twins asked, “Yes I did”
“So you’re a cooker?”
“He’s a chef, it’s called a chef” her mother corrected and I smiled looking at her.
“Where’s our bill?”
“You don’t have to pay, it’s all on me”
“I can’t do that”
“It’s fine. Trust me, it’s all on me”
“Who is Taye and who’s Kehinde” I asked, “I’m Kehinde” one of them answered and Tosin laughed. “She’s Taye, that’s Kehinde” She pointed.
“Taye has a more pointed nose like her father, Kehinde took my mom’s nose. That’s one way to I differentiate them.” Tosin an-lysed then she received a call.
“Excuse me” she said walking away.
“Where’s your dad?” I asked, “How is he?”
“We don’t know” Taye answered.
“Why?”
“Cause we don’t know. We don’t know him”
“I thought….” I stalled.
“She doesn’t talk about him, grandma says he’s a wimp. What does wimp mean?” Taye asked and I shrugged.
I was lost for words. I wondered why she didn’t say anything when I made the ‘husband must be on the way’ assumption.
“Mom will go to go hell fire. Whenever people ask about her husband, she will say he’s fine” Kehinde finally spoke up.
Tosin sat down with a loud sigh.

. “What have I missed?” She asked and I faked a smile. “That you’re not married” I answered and she opened her mouth in shock then she looked at her twins.

*****
“I’m sorry for not telling you the truth” she apologized as we walked towards a car and I laughed. “It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize”
“People give me this look whenever I tell them I don’t have a husband and I have kids. They judge me for having premarital s€× and premarital kids” she answered and I laughed.
“So I made a decision, whenever they people assume I have a husband, I accept it. You must think I’m a horrible person”
“No. I understand. I can’t judge you for this. My elder sister Biliki had premarital kids as you call it,” I paused and she laughed.
“Before she got married. Your past mistakes doesn’t really dictate your present or who we truly are.”
“Thanks for the meal, it was great” she answered and I smiled. “You’re welcome”
“Taye, Kehinde, say your goodbyes to Uncle Fatai” she announced and Taye waved at me.
Kehinde hugged me, “Thank you” she muttered, “You’re my hero” she added and I smiled.
That meant a lot to me.

Episode 25

Henry’s POV
I thought deeply on what Ibrahim said. He had a very good point.
I had to put Adesuwa and Jummy on a scale of importance.
I’ve known Jummy since I was a teen. I remember the first day I met her, mom org-nized a party and she came with her parents.
I crushed on her beautiful smile. When I was in SS1 and we had our first k-ss

. The next year we made love. I made a promise to her that moment to forever be her man.
I promised to be the man to take her down the aisle. I was sixteen and foolish.
When I came back to Nigeria and mom brought up the idea of dating Jummy. I thought I could give her a try or take a chance on her.
I turned over to Jummy who was laying in bed with me and i asked myself the same question Ibrahim asked.
Do I see myself waking up to see Jummy everyday of my life? My life would become miserable!
I thought of Adesuwa and the moments we’ve had together. Suddenly I remembered the circ-mstance that led to our meeting.
I knew I had to make a decision real quick. I knew what it was but I didn’t know how to break Jummy and Mom’s heart.

****
I fixed a board meeting that day, every head of department had one thing or the other to iron out, I was looking forward to hearing everyone’s opinions.
There was a knock on the door and Adesuwa walked in, “The meeting will commence in fifteen minutes Sir” she announced and I nodded. “Thanks” I answered still scouring the net.
I noticed she was a bit off today

. “Are you okay?” I asked, “Yes Sir, why did you ask?”
“I noticed you’re a bit unhappy” “I’m just a little bit under the weather” she answered. “Do you want to take a day off?”
“No. I’ll be fine Sir”

*****
The meeting commenced exactly by 12, Emmy complained about things that weren’t necessary to the progress of the hotel like getting a new secretary that could use computers In typing minutes and moving Adesuwa to the receptionist counter.
“Adesuwa’s table is currently taking up space”
“How that relevant now?” Adesuwa asked and she stood up.
“There should be a change, don’t you guys agree with me. In order to make the manager concentrate better”
How does this link with your first point? I thought within.
“And who says the manager isn’t concentrating?” Mrs. Haruna asked, “What’s this girl even insinuating?” She added and I saw Emmy bat her eyes at Mrs. Haruna.
“Please I directed this opinion to the manager not people of inconsequential importance” she snapped and Adesuwa scoffed.
I saw her whisper something to Emmy.
“Who has relevant opinion to deliver, I didn’t call this meeting so we could waste time on unnecessary topics”
Some persons chuckled and Emmy sat down. I knew she felt hurt by it. Adesuwa smiled.
Fatai raised his hands.
***
Emmy followed me after the meeting. “Henry I don’t like the way you treat me, it unfair!” “Do you realize you’re talking to your boss?”
“Screw it! She’s always entering into your office. You’re screwing with her and you know it! You’re cheating on Jummy and it’s wrong. It’s not fair” she yelled and I exhaled.
“For peace sake, if you love Jummy just let that bitch go. I’ll keep making her life a living hell. I swear to God”
“Are you through?” I asked, “Yes I am”
“Great” I answered leaving her alone.
****

I learnt Tosin stopped by at the hotel with the kids to meet Fatai and she didn’t even bother to say hi so I drove over to her house.
“You couldn’t even stop by to say hi to your big bro” I snapped immediately she opened up her door.
“I’m sorry, the kids were scared to go up”
“Oh… Sorry about that. How are they coping?”
“They’ll be fine. Taye, Kehinde!” she called out, Uncle Henry is here!” She shouted and they both rushed out hugging me.
“Did you bring anything?” They asked and I felt ashamed.
“I’m sorry I forgot” I answered.
“Cash is accepted too” Kehinde stretched her hands and I laughed. “Go and do your assignment!” Tosin yelled, “It’s the weekends” Taye answered.
“I’ve done mine” Kehinde answered.
“Go and re-do it. In order words,” she paused stretching her hands towards a room and they left.
“These kids are giving me headaches!” She yelled and I laughed. Suddenly she placed her hands akimbo on her wa-ist.
“A toad doesn’t run in daylight unless there’s something chasing after it”
“I can’t believe you just used that proverb on me.” I answered and we both took our seat on a couch. “What’s up?”
“What would you think of me if I break things off with Jummy?” I asked and there was a brief silence.
“Why?”
“I’m confused, I dont want Jummy anymore”
“You want Adesuwa” she ch¡pped and I raised my brow in shock. How did she know?
“You’re surprised?” She asked and I nodded.
“Well what an elder sees sitting, a small boy cannot see when if he’s thirty three and standing on an iroko tree” she answered and I laughed.
“You’re crazy” I commented and she laughed.
“Henry I knew you liked that girl from the moment you spoke about her. The way your eyes lit, I knew there was something there”
“I’ve come to realize I like her and I want more than anything to start something with her” I paused thinking of what mom would do.
“Mom hates her” I added.
“Are you going to do this or you’ll chicken out? One way or the other you’re going to need to break out of this chain”

Adesuwa’s POV

While I was writing the minute of the meeting, Emmy complained about me writing a minute on a notebook instead of typing it.
“The world is more advanced, if she cannot type let’s find someone capable.”
“Any other idea?” Mr. Henry asked, then she proceeded to suggesting that I get move over to the receptionist counter. This got me really angry. For a moment I had to ask within, what have I ever done to offend her?
I turned over to her, she sat close to me.
“Adesuwa’s table is currently taking up space” she added and .y mouth opened slightly in shock. What does space have to do with this now?
“How that relevant now?” I asked and she stood up.
“There should be a change, don’t you guys agree with me. In order to make the manager concentrate better”
“And who says the manager isn’t concentrating?” Mrs. Haruna asked, I’m always glad when she has my back.
“What’s this girl even insinuating?” She added and Emmy bat her eyes at Mrs. Haruna.
“Please I directed this opinion to the manager not people of inconsequential importance” she snapped and i scoffed.
“You were being rude Emmy and you’re seriously beginning to get on my nerves” I whispered to her.
“Who has relevant opinion to deliver, I didn’t call this meeting so we could waste time on unnecessary topics” Mr. Henry added and i smiled.
That felt good. That should at least shut her up till the end of the meeting.
****
I noticed Emmy coming my way, she was obviously fuming. “You pr-stitute, I know your kind nah.” “Stop calling me names Emmy, please I’ve been trying to avoid having issues with you. I’m not this nice, don’t try my patience”
“If I call you names what would you do ehn? Who you be sef?” She asked.
“Emmy have I ever wrong you?”
“See question. You mess with my girl’s man, you mess with me”
“There’s nothing going on between Mr. Henry and I” I confessed and she laughed nonsensically.
“You think I don’t know what happens behind that closed door”
“You’re crazy Emmy”
“Crazy? Babe you haven’t seen crazy” she answered walking away. Suddenly I began to wonder why it was difficult to get her a job despite the fact she was friends with someone as influential as Jummy. She could get a job anywhere. Why settle for less?
Perhaps to serve as a watch dog, I concluded.
****
In the evening, I packed up to leave. Mr Henry was in his office. I walked in to bid him goodnight.
“I’m about to leave Sir”
“Now?” He asked and I nodded then I laughed.
He seemed funny that he was asking.
“I’m sorry I asked, I wanted to talk to you. Can we talk for a moment?” He asked and I agreed.
There was a brief silence and I cleared my throat. “Sorry I don’t know how to start without coming off as…” He paused.
“As?” I asked and he cleared his throat.
“During your date with Ibrahim, I stopped by” “I know, you told me already Sir”
“I did but I didn’t tell you the real reason why I did. I was jealous” he confessed and my heart skipped.
Was I dreaming? Why was he confessing?
Mr. Henry stood up, “I was jealous Ibrahim would steal you away with his sweet words. I just wanted to see for myself if the date was going well or if it was a total disaster. When I got there, you were enjoying the date and I was angry.”
“Sir”
“Let me speak, please”
“Okay Sir”
“I wasn’t really sure of how I felt about you but my eyes has finally opened to the truth and I finally realized that I like you.” He laughed nervously.
“I really do like you Adesuwa.”
My heart fluttered, I was overjoyed by the shocking confession but then I remembered Jummy.
“Why are you telling me all this?” I asked as though i wasn’t excited to hear it.
“Cause I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t. I’ve been living a lie; living in pretense and I can’t do that anymore.”
“What about Jummy?” I asked, “She’s your girlfriend and you like her” “You’re right about the fact she’s my girlfriend but I don’t like her. I did, years ago, not anymore”
“It doesn’t look that way when you were k-ssing her back” I snapped and he laughed.
“Were you jealous?” He grinned and I pulled back.
“I was…” I said haltingly. “It’s not that, it’s just”
“Be honest with me as I am being honest with you Adesuwa. Do you in the slightest way feel what I feel for you” he asked and I shut my eyes in tears.
“I literally shut my heart after Odion. He was my ex”
“Is he the reason why your mind is so twisted?” he asked and I chuckled in midst of my tears.
That’s half the story, I answered within.
“I’ve always seen wealthy folks as always trying to act like they can use their money to buy even the air the poor breathe. They think they’re indispensable, like they’re invisible, like they can get away with anything. You change my opinion. For the first time, I finally trusted someone that it hurts when you see me incapable of making peace or not causing trouble. I felt bad”
“I’m sorry” he apologized, “It’s okay, it’s a good thing. I’ve always been used to people thinking the worst of me but not with you. I just had a better expectation, I thought it was respect I had for you. That crazy Ibrahim made me realize it was love I felt not just respect.” I answered laughing and he moved close to me.
“I felt jealous when I saw you k-ss Jummy”
“I’m sorry about that, I did that to appease her, to pacify her”
“Why are you still with her? You’re a good person and she’s….” I stalled. “Im not trying to play the righteous person here; I have my flaws but they’re not as bad as hers.

. People like Jummy treat us poor people with disgust, like trash. You’re the exact opposite. I don’t have any right to throw insults but…”
“I told you already, everything I do is because of mom” “And I already advised you to break free. For crying out loud Henry, you’re a grown-up, you can make your own decisions”
“I know.” He placed both palm on my cheeks looking down at me, his thumb brushing along my cheekbone.
“I know” he repeated.
“I know very well that I’m a grown ass man and I’m willing to start by doing this” he paused pressing his l-ips against mine. We shared our first passionate k-ss together.
“Sir”
“Please call me Henry” he whispered and his l-ips parted mine once again. His gentle hands ran through my wa-ist. I literally froze.
“Jummy” I whispered.
“I’ll break it off with her tomorrow. After the wedding she invited me to.” He brought his l-ips close to mine once again.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been sure of anything in my entire life. It’s you I want Ade” “Your mom”
“Mom would just have to accept you, I don’t care if she likes it or not” he answered and I bit my l-ips chuckling.
There’s nothing more s€×ier than a rebellious son picking his woman’s side. Damn I was turned on!
My smile w¡dened and I wrapped my hands around his neck k-ssing him on the l-ips. It felt like a dream, it was too good be true.
I had a feeling something bad was waiting for me around the corner.