TOLERATED - by Ibrahim Haruna Madison

TOLERATED Season 2 EPISODE 15 “There's something about Michael you need to know.” Femi stared at Tamilore. “What is it?” Tamilore couldn't speak. She looked at Michael, who was busy playing with Feyi. “Say it.” “I don't know how to say this.” “Just say it.” Tamilore took a deep breath. “When I found out I was pregnant, I wasn't completely sure…” Femi frowned. “Sure about what?” “About the pregnancy.” “Why?” “Because I was already pregnant before I left Nigeria.” Femi's eyes widened. “What?” Tamilore nodded slowly. “I found out when I got to Germany.” Femi stepped closer. “You're saying you were pregnant before you left?” “Yes.” “Then why didn't you tell me?” “I was confused.” “Confused about the father?” Tamilore's silence answered the question. Femi's face changed. “You're not sure I'm Michael's father?” “I believed you were.” “Believed?” “I didn't know for certain.” Femi took a step backwards. Olawale stood up. “Wait.” He looked at Tamilore. “Are you saying there is a possibility that Michael isn't Femi's son?” Tamilore's eyes filled with tears. “Yes.” The room became completely silent. Femi looked at Michael. The little boy smiled at him. “Daddy!” Femi couldn't respond. His heart broke. He had just allowed himself to believe that this little boy was his son. Now everything was uncertain. “Who else could be the father?” Tamilore shook her head. “I don't know.” “You don't know?” “There was someone…” Femi's voice became cold. “Who?” Tamilore looked away. “His name is Daniel.” Femi's face became expressionless. “Daniel?” “Yes.” “Who is Daniel?” “He was someone I knew before I left.” “Were you in a relationship with him?” Tamilore nodded. “For a short time.” Olawale sighed. “This is serious.” Femi looked at Tamilore. “Does Daniel know about the child?” “I don't know.” “You don't know?” “He disappeared after I left Nigeria.” Femi sat down. He rubbed his face with both hands. “So all these years…” Tamilore started crying. “I’m sorry.” “You should have told me.” “I know.” “You let me believe I was his father.” “I didn't mean to hurt you.” “But you did!” Feyi suddenly looked up. “Daddy?” Femi immediately controlled himself. “It's okay, princess.” He forced a smile. “Go and play with Michael.” She nodded and walked away. Femi looked at Tamilore again. “We're doing the DNA test tomorrow.” Tamilore nodded. “Yes.” “No matter what the result is, I want the truth.” “You'll get it.” --- Later that night, Rhoda sat alone in her room. She could still hear Femi's voice downstairs. She had never seen him this broken. She wiped her eyes. She had always believed that one day Femi might notice her. But now she wasn't even sure where she stood. There was Tamilore. There was Feyi. And now Michael. She picked up her phone and called someone. “Hello?” A woman's voice answered. “Rhoda?” “Yes.” “What's wrong?” “I need your help.” “With what?” Rhoda hesitated. “I think I need to leave this house.” There was silence on the other end. “Why?” “Because I can't continue pretending that I'm okay.” --- The following morning, Femi woke up early. He went downstairs and found Tamilore already awake. She was sitting quietly in the living room. “You didn't sleep?” “No.” “Me neither.” They both remained silent. Then Michael walked into the room. He rubbed his eyes. “Daddy…” Femi looked at him. The little boy ran into his arms. Femi hesitated for a moment before carrying him. Michael rested his head on his chest. Femi closed his eyes. For that moment, he didn't care about DNA. He didn't care about the past. He only knew that the little boy had already found a place in his heart. Tamilore watched them. A tear rolled down her cheek. Femi noticed. “Don't cry.” “I’m sorry.” “Stop apologizing.” He looked at Michael. “Whatever happens tomorrow, this child is innocent.” Tamilore nodded. “Yes.” Femi kissed Michael's forehead. “Let's go and have breakfast.” --- At the hospital, they were directed to the laboratory. Femi, Tamilore, Michael and Olawale waited outside. The nurse came out. “Mr Femi?” “Yes.” “We're ready for the sample.” Femi stood up. He looked at Michael. Then at Tamilore. “Let's do this.” They entered the room. The samples were collected. After everything was done, the nurse handed them a receipt. “The result will be ready in forty-eight hours.” Forty-eight hours. Femi nodded. “Thank you.” They walked out. As they stepped into the hospital corridor, Tamilore's phone rang. She looked at the screen. Her face suddenly went pale. Femi noticed. “Who is calling?” She didn't answer. The phone kept ringing. Femi looked at the screen. The caller's name was visible. DANIEL. Femi's eyes widened. Tamilore quickly rejected the call. Too late. Femi had already seen the name. “That's him, isn't it?” Tamilore said nothing. “Answer the call.” “Femi…” “Answer it.” The phone rang again. This time, Femi took it from her hand. He stared at the screen. Then he answered. “Hello?” There was silence. Then a man's voice came through. “Who are you?” Femi tightened his grip on the phone. “This is Femi.” The voice went silent. Then Daniel said something that made Femi's blood run cold. “Femi?” “Yes.” “Then you need to stay away from Tamilore.” Femi's expression changed. “Why?” Daniel laughed bitterly. “Because you have no idea what happened before she left Nigeria.” The call ended. Femi slowly lowered the phone. Tamilore was trembling. “What did he say?” Femi looked at her. “You're going to tell me everything.” “I will.” “No more secrets.” Tamilore nodded. Femi turned towards the hospital exit. But before he could take another step, his phone rang. It was the hospital. He answered. “Hello?” “Mr Femi?” “Yes.” “I'm calling about the DNA test.” Femi's heart started beating faster. “But you said forty-eight hours.” “I know.” The nurse paused. “There has been a problem with the sample.” “What problem?” “We need you to come back to the hospital immediately.” Femi looked at Tamilore. “What happened?” The nurse's voice became serious. “Mr Femi…” “Yes?” “The child's sample doesn't match the information provided.” Femi froze. “What does that mean?” “We need to speak with you in person.” The call ended. Femi stared at his phone. Tamilore's eyes widened. “What did they say?” Femi slowly looked at her. “They said there's a problem with Michael's sample.” Tamilore's face went pale. And for the first time since she returned to Nigeria… She looked genuinely terrified. TO BE CONTINUED

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