TOLERATED EPISODE 17 - by Ibrahim Haruna Madison

TOLERATEDï EPISODE 17 The award night came. True to Tara's words, she dressed up and went for her function. She even left before her husband. Femi dressed up and stepped out of the house looking like a god-in-suit. His driver was already set to take him. He had prepared the car, he is riding in his Commando latest model. At quarter past 7pm, they left the house. The red carpet started 7:00pm as soon as he arrived the venue, he took to the red carpet. Then he sighted his friend, Olawale and his wife. They took pictures together on the red carpet. “You came alone” Olawale whispered to Femi after they were through taking pictures. “I think I told you that Tara isn’t coming!” He whispered back. Debby was busy taking selfie behind them. “Whose talking about Tara, I mean Tammy” “Oh! Tammy won’t come, you know there will be paparazzi everywhere and she’s kind of avoiding unnecessary rumors.” He explained. “I really wish she is here but I understand” He said. “What about your staff, is anyone coming?” Olawale asked. They were no longer whispering. “Is it necessary? Me I told them not to bother” “Femi! Why? Anyway, let’s go in and win” He said and took his pregnant wife by the hand as they entered into the hall. The three sat right beside each other. Some minutes later the show commenced. Some invited artiste performed. Comedians too performed and the night was really looking great. “Hi handsome” A female voice whispered from behind. Femi turned to see who it was, it was his business friend, Dora. He feigned a smile. “Hi” He replied her. She looked at Femi's side and saw a free sit. “Can I sit?” “No, it’s occupied” Debby snapped. Wondering where Femi knew the Delilah from with her face all painted. "Oh! Okay” Dora said to her and turned to Femi. “I’ll see you around, all the best” She said and left. “Debby! What was that for and don’t tell me its pregnancy hormone” Olawale said to his wife. “I don’t like the aura of that lady at all” She replied her husband. Femi was quiet, he smiled as he watched the couple’s drama. “What if she was invited by Femi?” “I trust Uncle Femi, he won’t invite that Delilah!” “Delilah!” Femi laughed. 😂 If only Dora knew she was addressed as Delilah, maybe she would stop disturbing him. “See Uncle Femi is laughing, he doesn’t like her too” Debby said. “She’s right. I didn’t invite her and please stop this Mr and Mrs soap opera. Hun!” He said and returned his gaze back to the front stage. Still smiling at the word ‘Delilah’ “Who is she?” Olawale whispered at Femi. “We’ll talk about that later” He replied and focused on the artiste that was performing. Some minutes later when the show was still going on, Femi had another voice whispered from behind. “Hi” The female voice said and this voice was the voice he’ll recognize even in his sleep. “Tammy!” He said and turned to face her. The name Femi mentioned drew the attention of Olawale and his wife. Debby was the first to turn her head to see the Tammy she had heard of but never met. She even heard when her husband was asking after her from Femi on the red carpet. She only pretended as if she heard nothing when the two were whispering. Debby saw her and liked her immediately. “This is what I call a modest lady not that Delilah” She said in her mind. That seat is free. You can take it” Debby said pointing at the seat beside Femi. Olawale and Femi looked at each other. This is the same woman who sent another lady away. “Thanks for the offer but I already got a sit over there” Tammy said pointing to her right side. “We insist, sit with us” Olawale said on behalf of himself, wife and friend. She thanked him and took her seat. “Your wife, right” She asked and Olawale nodded. Debby stretched forth her hand for a handshake. “Nice meeting you. I’ve had a lot about you. Although…..via whispering words and little eavesdropping” Debby said and everyone laughed. Thank God they didn’t sit in the fore front of the hall. “My pleasure ma” She replied with a smile. “My God, she even has respect” Debby said in her mind. Then everyone shifted their attention back to the stage except Femi who stole some glances at Tammy and she caught him. She was putting on a long black gown with gold accessories. Her packing gel hair style also projected her already beautiful face making her look more beautiful and younger. “Let me know when you are done checking me out” She whispered at Femi. “You look beautiful” He complimented. “Shouldn’t you be nervous, a nominee for that matter! She whispered back. “You are welcome” He smiled. Debby too was stealing glances at the two, she stylishly called her husband’s attention so he could see what she is seeing. “The two looks like love birds” She whispered in her husband’s ear. “Shh! Mind your business wifey” Olawale said and shifted his gaze back to the stage. Debby was just blushing at the sight of the two, they looked so compatible. Just like her husband had said to her sometimes ago, she also wished Femi had married someone like Tammy. Afterwards, the host invited to the stage the people who are to present the awards as they presented each category one after the other. Then finally the last category of award was called. “The award for the under 40 CEO of the year” The male presenter said. “And the nominees are” The female presenter called out the names that was also projected on the projector. “Jimi FasholaAgbo JamesFemi BrownAdeleke Emmanuel”“And the winner is…..” “Femi Brown” The presenters chorused and the crowd cheered him. Femi left his seat and headed for the stage with his friend and wife but Tammy stayed back. To Femi's surprise, he saw crowds with him on the stage and by the time he looked over them, they were all his workers in the company. He also spotted Dora. Even his secretary who just sent a text a while ago was also there. He was elated. Then it was time to give his speech. “First and foremost, I dedicate this award to God. I give all the glory to Almighty God who had brought me this far. I use to think that I’m all alone in this world but God always have a way to proof me wrong at every point in time. To my late Parent, I thank you for moulding and shaping me into what I am today. I want to say thank you to a very good friend, my brother from another mother and his wife” He pointed at Olawale. I also want to thank all my staff who are present here tonight. You took me by surprise because I never saw this coming. To my wife and family, I say thank you. And to a very special friend of mine, who gives me joy and peace” He pointed at the crowd with his gaze fixed on Tammy. “Thank you!” He continued. “To every nominee in this category, I know everyone of you deserve this. I wish you all that I wish myself. I pray God will take your businesses to a global height. And lastly to the organizers of this award and everyone that voted for me, I say a big thank you. God bless you all. Once again, I say thank you” He said and the crowd cheered him as they gave him a standing ovation because of his wonderful speech. The show came to an end and Tammy joined them at the back stage where Debby had the chance to chat more with her. All his staff too joined them at the back stage as they all celebrated the win. They brought wine and can drinks and small chops. Femi was surprised when they started bringing all this things out from the car. “How are you guys so sure that I’ll win” He asked curiously when he saw all the arrangements they had made before hand. He was just so happy. Did he miss his wife? Of course who wouldn’t when other people graced the occasion with their significance order. They all danced in twos but Tammy tried as much as possible to avoid dancing with him. Cameras were everywhere. Debby made sure she was by Tammy's side all through the after- party. When the whole show was over they all left in their various cars. Femi got home around 10:30pm, he knelt down in his room and thanked God specially with the award in his hand. After the prayer he changed from his tux and shower. He had taken enough at the after party so he wasn’t hungry. He took his phone and composed a message that he sent to everyone on his contact who congratulated him. And also to those who attended. He also sent a thank you message to the company's WhatsApp group showing his appreciation. Then he composed a special message for Tamilore. “I appreciate you coming even though I wished for so many things. I wish you were there on that stage and most of all I wish you danced with me. But what can I do since that is the most I can get from you. And I think it’s enough. Thanks my dear friend. I cherish you” He texted and sent it to Tamilore. Then she replied few minutes later. “Congrats once again, I pray in Jesus name that this will be the least of your award as I see you soaring higher and higher in the business world. Lest I forget, thanks for the acknowledgement. I’m honoured” He read the text and smiled as he lied down on the bed. Some minutes past 11pm his wife came back with her crew who brought her home, her driver, PA and manager but Femi did not leave the bedroom. He had already taken his bath and ready to sleep. Tara came in, they exchanged a cold greeting. She already knew Femi won because her PA was following the award show online. Then the PA also told her about her husband’s great speech. She had checked for the video of the speech online on their way home and heard everything Femi said. She took her bath as well. Went into the kitchen to take some junk food there was no food for her to eat since Femi didn’t cook that night. She returned to the bedroom and lay on the bed beside her husband. “Congratulations!” She said with no expression on her face. “Thank you” He replied with the same gesture. Then, he turned to the other side, backing her. “Don’t back me I’m not through!” She said angrily. He obeyed and turned to face her. “Who is that special friend you are talking about in your speech?” She queried. “Tara! Please…..not tonight” “You better start talking, because I know it wasn’t Olawale that you were referring to. So who is that special friend you pointed at in the crowd but didn’t come up stage with you?” She demanded. “Tara, I don’t have time for this. I’m tired” “Femi, if you want peace that you always crave for, tell me who she is right now” “The special friend is a ‘she’ you got it right. She is the one who donated blood for you and saved your life!” Femi spilled. “So her price for saving my life back then is to snatch my husband! She should just have let me die so she could have you. So go back and tell her to name her price, because as long as I live she will never have my husband” She said and Femi sat up to face her. I’ll tell you what you don’t know today. The only reason why I am still here under this roof is because that special friend is a good person. If not, I would have been long gone!” “Femi! Did you just throw your extra marital affairs on my face! You really have gut, you know and I’ll show you” She charged at him. “Let me add this. She is also decent enough not to date a married man. So you can just put away those ideas in your head. I’m out of here” He said and left the room for the guest room where he spent his night in peace. The next day was a Saturday. Femi made breakfast for himself and his wife who had refused to get out of bed at half past 10am. She was less concerned maybe the house is cleaned or not. Femi tidied the house and kitchen, took his bath and dress up. He went to the dining to take his breakfast. He was about to finish his food when his wife showed up. She picked her food from the kitchen and settled on the dining to eat. “Where are you going on a Saturday all dressed up?” She questioned. “I want to go see someone” “Your side chick, right, No way, we are staying in this house together” She stood up, left her food on the dinning and started locking up. Femi sighed. He left the dining when he was through and went back to the guest room and locked himself up there. He busied himself with his phone trying not to think about Tara's problem. Around 2pm, Tara got a call from her Manager, she needed to be somewhere urgently. So she had no choice than to the leave the house without even telling her husband. Femi heard when her car left the compound. He opened the door and went to his bedroom to pick some things. He walked past the dining and saw Tara's plate still on the dining just the way she used to leave it behind after every meal. There was a day Femi didn’t take the plate and for three days it was there, on the dining table. He had no choice that to carry it the third day. He didn’t bother washing the plate since the plate was messed up, he just disposed it dtraight away. Back to present, Femi took the plate to the kitchen and washed it, and then he left the house. Who’s there?” She asked, walking towards the door. “It’s me, Femi” He replied and she opened the door. “Here comes the award winner….You know I’m really proud of you” She gave him a hug and gestured for him to sit. “Are you sure about that?” He said and sat down. “Of course, I’m proud of you” “You refused to dance with me” He pointed out. “I know all this is about the dance but you should.….” “I understand” He smiled at her. She stood up and put on the sound system and played her favourite song of the moment ‘Girls like you' “I love that song” He said immediately the song came up from the sound system. “That’s one of my favourite, at least for now” “That song was made for the likes of you, you know” He said. “Can we have our dance now?” She asked and stretched her hand towards him. “Sure” He said and stood up as they danced to the rhythm of the song. When the song ended, he held her close and kissed her on the cheek. Then he pulled her into an embrace. He released her and they went back to their seats. They started gist about the award night. Then Tammy remembered Debby. And the two started discussing her. “That your friend’s wife is hilarious. Imagine how she addressed me. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you via whispering words and little eavesdropping’ She quoted her and she laughed out loud with Femi. “Debby did another interesting thing before you showed up” Femi said. “What is it? I’m something funny". "Well….Dora showed up at the event” “Dora!” She juggled her brain. “Oh! I remember” “She wanted to sit on that particular seat where you sat but guess what? Debby told her the seat was already taken. She also called her Delilah when she left” He said and they started another round of laughter. “But she offered me the same sit herself” “I think she likes you. Maybe she sensed that you are not Delilah like Dora. She still has to protect her friend’s husband” He said and Tamilore laughed but stop.. “Hold on, she’s friend with Tara?” “Yes” “So you guys are more like a family friend” “Exactly” “Debby seems like a nice person!” “Yes she is but she can be mean if she wants to” He said. “So you and your friend talk about me right” She said but Femi only shrugged. Tamilore left the parlour and went inside the kitchen, she came back with a pack of juice and a plate of chinchin. They munched their snack and took their drinks as they watched a music channel on the TV. Femi left Tamilore's place and drove down to his friend’s house, he needed to see them and thank them in person and not over the phone alone. He stayed with them briefly before leaving for his house. TO BE CONTINUED

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