Please Break My Heart – Episode 4

By Tomi Adesina

All Episodes Of PBMH

 Jake walked towards me waving two movie tickets with a big smile on his face,“I got us the last two tickets for Cars”.

“Cars, are you kidding me?”

“The movie is a sell-out and a tip was necessary to get the last two tickets, so let me rephrase your last sentence, Oh thanks a lot Jake, you’re the best” Jake replied sounding like Minnie mouse.

“I do not sound like that you retard” I replied hitting him on his shoulder. “I bet we’ll be the only adults in the cinema”

       And apparently, we were the only adults in the cinema and to worsen matters, Jake got us seats in the midsection of the hall. Making our way to the seats, was like hurdling over the legs of the kids who wouldn’t adjust and let us pass because they were so glued to the screen. Then we finally took a seat beside a grumpy kid who apparently had some problem locating where his mouth was, he had pop corn flying on his shirt, the chairs, Jake’s shoes, but Jake didn’t seem to mind, he actually got a “kind” shove from me when threw his pop corn in my face.

       “Now let’s get you home” Jake said as the KFC attendant handed me a bucket of half-wings and some fries. “Not quite”, I replied with my mouth full.

        “Then what?”

        “The day is still young, it’s just like 8pm and besides, it’s my birthday”

      We exchanged the knowing look, “are you thinking what I am thinking?” Jake asked.

      I nodded.

        “So where is it going to be?; Q-lounge, Koko lounge, Rehab…”

        “Club du retard” I replied cutting him off

        “And where is that?”

        “Ebute-Metta”

        “You are joking right” he replied with a raised eye brow.

        “Do you know the number of cars that get jacked in that side of town?”

         “Just tell me you are joking”

         “You chicken, come on its not that bad and beside I have got friends in that side of town, you’ll be just fine”

“Are you sure about this?” Jake asked as he pulled up into a noisy neighbourhood.

“Yes, I just want to have fun, isn’t that what you want?” I asked. “I want you to have fun but we at a pub”, he replied. “Don’t be a silly girl”, I said and jumped out of the car. The local pubs downtown had the best fun loving people. I danced into the night with Jake all around me before I knew it, I knew nothing. What does that mean? I guess I got drunk!                

“Morning D”, Jake said handing me a cup of coffee. I had to shield my eyes; at least I knew where I was. Jane’s room always let in too much light early in the morning. By the way, Jane is Jake’s twin.

 “Thanks”, I said as I took the cup.

      “You went overboard and got drunk last night at the Pub”, he started as he raised the curtains. I sipped the coffee gently. A large smile danced round Jake’s face.

 “What?” I asked.

 He jumped at me and tickled me hard.

“I had never seen you dance until last night”, he said.

     “That was my birthday”, I replied.

“I am so happy to see you happy”, he said.

“Thank you Jake”, I said warmly. He smiled, acknowledging me.

“I owe it to you, if you didn’t help me, I would have never known how to enjoy a birthday”, I added. “Thank you”, I said again and hugged him.

     “Time to go home”, he said releasing me.

“Jake, how much did I drink last night?” I asked as we approached the door.

“Somewhere between a lot and too much”

**

“Hi Jake”, Dad said as we walked in.

          “Good morning sir”, he replied.

          “Where did you kidnap my girl to yesterday?” He asked.

     “We just hung out”, he replied scratching his head.

“Why are you asking him questions Dad when I am right here?” I asked angrily.

“Darlene”, Jake whispered under his breath.

          “I just wanted to know because I wanted to have a quiet night with you yesterday for your birthday”, Dad replied.

“Am I supposed to celebrate that”? I asked rudely.

“When are you going to stop resenting me”? He asked.

          “I am going to take my leave now”, Jake said excusing himself.

“Why are you so pissed about not getting the job at my firm?” Dad asked.

                I scoffed.

 “You are working at Ade-Cole, anyone will ki*ll to have that job”, he replied.

“Anyone except me”, I said.

          “I will not continue to take your petty insults”, he replied.

“I am not done yet; I want to know why you employed a certain Dora Oluwole in your company as your Personal Assistant”? I asked.

          “That is my personal business and why are you digging into my business?” He asked angrily.

“Don’t you think that she is too young for an affair, she is only 22 Dad”, I yelled.

“Why would I date my own daughter?” He asked.

     I was shocked!

“Listen Darlene, I wanted to talk to you about it yesterday, I am very sorry”, he said.

I ran upstairs and shut the door angrily.

 “Hi”, I heard a thin voice say.

 “I am Dora”, she said.

 “What”! I yelled.

_______

 Earth is a place for living people. But why does it seem like I am dead or am I hearing things? I tried to spring back to life as I stared to the petite brunette in a polka dotted pink gown.

      “Who are you?”

      “I am Dora, your step sister”, she replied with her hands stretched out at me.

What was she expecting? Handshake or hug? Technically there was only one thing on my mind.

      “Get out!” I yelled pointing at the door.

      “I am so sorry if this is a bad timing”, she said lifting her bag from my lamp stand.

      “Do you call this “timing”? There is never timing! You will never be welcome by me, I yelled. I stared at her as she approached the door with a fury written all over my face. My glance raced to her hand bag and I yanked it furiously.

      “What!”

      “I have to be sure that you haven’t stolen anything else”

      “Are you disillusioned? I have never stolen a thing from you”

      “Liar”! “You stole my Dad”

      “You are pathetic”, she replied and pulled her bag from me.

      “Get Out”, I yelled.

 I picked my phone and dialled Jake

**

“Thanks for getting me out of there”, I said as I sank into the sofa.

      “I will get you a drink”

      “Don’t go Jake”, I said pulling him back.

 I cuddled into Jake’s arm. That was exactly where I wanted to be. It felt strange to know that I had a step-sister. I really couldn’t know why I got worse. Was it the fact that I had a step-sister? Or, was it because my father put her in his firm and he wouldn’t even have me anywhere near the firm? Thoughts ran through my mind as I tried to place where I would fit into in my new family. It would be a whole new setting for me with a step-sister and probably, a step-mother might be looming. I had to be ready for any surprise. Who wouldn’t be with a father like Sir Williams?

**

 “You have a visitor”, Jake said as he tapped me lightly.

      “Where am I”? I asked trying to access my environment.

      “Jane’s room, you slept off in the living room so I decided to bring you in”, he replied.

      “Who is my guest”? I asked slipping into my slippers.

      “You should see for yourself”, he replied opening the door.

      “Thanks”

I walked into the living room to meet my father holding a picture frame of Jake and me.

      “That is one special person that I have always had in my life, where do you fit in Sir Williams?” Dad sighed. Jake left for the kitchen.

      “Where do I start?” he asked.

      “Anywhere, you know the story best, and please be truthful Dad”

      “I was never unfaithful to your mother when she was alive, I have always loved Danielle”

      “Spare me the introduction”, I said cutting him off.

      “I met Dora’s mother two years after Danielle passed away”, he started as he clenched his fists nervously.

      “It was just a night stand; I never expected it to be so complicated”

      “Are you trying to tell me that you just hooked up with some random woman and she presented you a kid?” I asked.

      “I went to a club and I met her there, she was very attractive and we just hooked up that night and it was all, I never saw her again”.

      “So how did you get to know about this now?” I asked.

      “I met her in Las Vegas five years ago; she walked up to me and blurted out about my kid. I was shocked. I even called the cops on her. After a night in police custody, she told me about our last meeting that led to Dora; I didn’t believe her because I thought that she just wanted to pin a kid on me because of my status. She kept following me around and after persuasion from my friends; I decided to have a paternity test. It turns out that I am Dora’s father, so I had to man up to my responsibility”

      “How long have you accepted Dora?”

      “It’s been five years”

 I scoffed.

      “You mean to tell me that you have known that I have had a step-sister for five years now and you never said a word”, I said shaking my head in disdain.

      “How could I have told you?

      “You are 24 and are handling things this bad, how would you have reacted five years ago?”

Yeah right…the protective Dad in action.

      “The fact remains that you hid important information like this from me and you expect me to welcome her with open arms, and coupled with the fact that you gave a position at your firm and I can’t even work there”

      “I am sorry Darlene”

 There are some things that “sorry” doesn’t fix. Hasn’t any one told Sir Williams? I was silent.

      “Don’t you have anything to say?”

      “I have nothing to say”

      “I want you to forgive me and try to accept Dora; she has been through a lot”

      “Oh yeah…now am I to play the big sister role? Thanks Dad, I am touched!”

      “I would appreciate less of the sarcasm Darlene; you were unfair to Dora and spoke to her rudely”

      “I met a stranger in my room. That could amount to trespassing and possibly robbery, considering the fact that she already stole my father, it was rude of her to be in my room” “Regardless, you shouldn’t have called her a thief; she was only trying to be friendly”

      “Friendly? Is that your definition if being friendly? I can’t wait to see her being unfriendly”

 My eyes were wet. I was having a step-sister out of the blues and the next thing my father could think of was the fact that I might have been too harsh on her while talking. I ran up to Jane’s room. I had to cry. At times, I think that it’s best to cry away your pain.

      “Your dad just left” Jake said as he walked in.

 I sighed.

      “How did he expect me to react?”

      “Listen Darlene, it is not about you anymore, whether you like it or not, you have a step-sister which you already got off on the wrong foot with”

      “Why are you talking like my Dad?”

      “Darlene, let me be frank, this girl is innocent and I don’t think that she likes o be caught up in the Williams’ family mess”.

      “How do you want me to act like everything is normal when it feels otherwise?”

      “D, you have a life ahead of you that you have to concentrate your efforts into making it work, which includes your job at Ade-Cole which you have to ensure is a success”

 Jake was right! It would be hard and quite tasking on my part but I had to understand that Dora is my step-sister and I had to accept it or her. I might have to start with accepting it first, it might be difficult to accept her at this initial stage, but I guess with a little trial on my part, I would make it work. I have to make the first step.

      “Could you please take me home Jake?” I asked.

…to be continued