TOLERATED 2 - by Ibrahim Haruna Madison

TOLERATED The door bell chimed and Tammy went to get it. Femi walked in crying. “Tamilore, I can’t take it anymore” He said repeatedly and crying profusely like a child. “Take it easy” She said as led him to the chair to sit. “I’m losing my mind. My wife is frustrating my life” “Calm down and talk to me” She said. “I didn’t tell you all this before now because you said I should keep anything going on between my wife and I between us” “Tell me now, I’m listening” “My wife got herself into a mess. She never told me anything about it until some weeks ago when I started getting threatening calls from this people. Then I confronted her and she bluntly denied it until when they started threatening her too. That was when she opened up to me”“How did she get into trouble?” Tammy asked. “She signed a contract with a company but they didn’t disclose all the details of the contract. It was on getting to the venue for the photo shoot that she realized that she was to go completely naked. She declined and left the placein annoyance. She was asked to pay a ridiculous amount of money even after she had returned the money they paid her in advance. This people eventually turn out to be blackmailers, they threatened they have her naked pictures and they will post it online. “This is serious but they didn’t have her naked picture they can only Photoshop” “And who will believe its Photoshop. They have the signed contract with them with Tara’s signature on it. And people know this company for doing nudes so they will never believe her” Tamilore sighed heavily. “You are right” She said and Femi continued. “Tara’s Manager insisted that I shouldn’t sue in order to protect Tara’s reputation. As if he’ll pay out of the money, I listened to him and I bare all the cost. Yesterday I had to pay a sum of 25million naira just to get her out of the mess” “Jesus!” <a class="tc-blue" href="https://twocents.space/insights/tag/25m">#25M</a>!” She exclaimed. “We got back home in the evening after making the payment and all. Then I told my wife to prepare dinner that I was hungry but can you guess the reply I got!” He asked and Tammy replied 'No' “She said ‘is it because I paid the blackmailers that I now in turn want to blackmail her by sending her into the kitchen!’ “Huh!” Tammy exclaimed, opening her mouth. “Tamilore, that hunger fled immediately I heard those words. I just went straight to bed. And guess what, we both woke up on the same bed this morning. My wife didn’t alter ordinary ‘good morning’ not to talk of thanking me for throwing away <a class="tc-blue" href="https://twocents.space/insights/tag/25million">#25million</a> naira of my hard earned money for something I knew nothing about!” "Jesus!" Tell me you are just saying this to paint her bad. I can’t believe this. She didn’t say thank you!” Tammy said with widened eyes. “Thank you is obviously not in her dictionary. And to crown it all, she texted me on my way here that I shouldn’t forget to shop for the house because we are running out of supplies” “That’s a joke right!” “A joke, Tara doesn’t do jokes, she meant every word she says. Here, take a look” He said and showed her the text message and she read through. “Haa….it is well. Let’s just say she doesn’t see it as a bad thing” “A full grown intelligent woman doesn’t see this as bad. Common, stop being hypocritical Tamilore, you don’t need to defend her because of me” “Let’s be hopeful. God answers prayers. She will change” “I swear, I mismarried and at this point I don’t need to deceive myself any longer” He said feeling sorry for himself. “Don’t say that Femi” “I want to run away and leave this place. I want to leave this pathetic life I’m living, I want to abandon everything and go far away. Tamilore, I... Am….That….Tired!” He stressed each word and wept. Tammy tried consoling him by pulling him into an embrace. She watched as he cried endlessly in her arms. “Now it’s okay. 5minutes 47seconds” “You timed me” He said and smiled faintly although they still embraced each other. “One good turn deserves another. Remember you use to time me when I cry” She replied him and smiled too. Femi detached from the embrace and looked into her eyes. He didn’t think twice before taking her lips. He kissed her as if his life depended on it and she consciously responded because in her mind she was like if that will relieve him of his pain then she was ready to take the pain out of him. Minutes after, the hot kiss didn’t stop and the passion kept on burning. Then it graduated as they start taking off every piece of cloth on them one after the other till they were left in their underwear. “Femi…..”She called. Her eyes were closed, she was feeling the heat of passion between them. She wanted him as much as he wanted her but she felt they just have to stop. “Femi…..if we don’t stop we will regret this” She said and he looked into her eyes. “I want you but I don’t want any regret” He said and stopped. He wore his clothes while Tammy did same. Femi opened the door and ran into Yolanda he greeted her briefly and left. She joined her friend on the sofa and realized she was crying. “Yolanda we kissed. I kissed a married man” She confessed. “Tammy, get hold of yourself. It’s just a kiss” Yolanda said that just to make her feel better but Tammy wouldn’t allow herself to be lied to. “Yolanda, I kissed a married man, and you call the kiss ‘just' Yolanda, I was almost naked here with a married man and you call it just a kiss. Scold me….. You don’t have to say things that will make me feel better” She cried. “Fine, if you want the honest truth, then I’ll say it. Tammy you need to stop seeing that man or else those emotions you two are putting in check will later checkmate you” Yolanda said truthfully. “Thank you, that exactly is what I’m going to do. I think have tried, it’s been 7months now that we started this ridiculous 'married man- single lady friendship' so it has to stop before I become a love peddler, that’s if I’m not one already” She said outright and cleaned her face. “That’s the best thing. You have to stay away from each other, although it won’t be easy for both of you because …..” Yolanda swallowed. “What? Just spill it already, because what?” “You both are already in love with each other!” “No, you can’t conclude that, it’s just a moment of weakness, he was crying and…and… I only lend him a shoulder to cry on. I let my guard down because I want to take his pains away by all means. He is suffering Yolanda! Femi is suffering” Tamilore poured out. "I know but at this point you’ll have to help him from afar. You’ve been praying for him before now and it’s only that prayer that you’ll stick to” She advised. She sighed heavily. “Even though I can’t help him, but I know God will, I’ll heed to your advice. Thanks” “Now, go wash your face and come make me something to eat” Yolanda said pushing her friend slightly. She stood up and went to the bathroom. ***** Later that day Femi called Tammy and asked how she was doing. He also apologized for letting his guards down. “You saved me from defiling my marriage Tammy. You were right, I thought I was capable of putting my emotions in check. But my emotions get the better part of me today” He admitted. “It’s okay, I’m glad it didn’t get pass that stage” She said with a low pitch. “Do you know the surprising thing about all this?” Femi asked. “No, I don’t” She replied. “I didn’t feel bad about it” He confessed. “It’s because of the hurt but if you look inward and search deeply then you’ll feel bad” She corrected. “I wish I’m still single…. “Femi, we need to end this friendship before it turns into a romantic relationship” “I don’t get you. Are you…. “I’m saying I’m signing out, going back to the way things were before I met you seven months ago” “Tammy! You are all I have. Olawale is a family man, he hardly have my time especially now that Debby is pregnant. Who will I relate my day with, who will I talk to when I’m down, who will I….” "Mr. Femi Brown! I’m hanging up now. I’ll always remember you in my prayers and I’ll call in once in a while to check on you. Don’t compromise and please have a good life. Bye” She said and ended the call. Femi looked at the screen of the phone again and he realized she had disconnected the call. He buried his head in his palms and wept. The only person that makes him happy that had just let him go. He put himself together and remembered the quote that says 'You are in charge of your happiness. Don’t tie it to anyone' “I won’t tie my happiness to anyone be it my wife, Tammy or any other person” He said to himself, ready to move on. TO BE CONTINUED ..✍️✍️*

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