Heels and Valleys Chapter Ten

The Master of Ceremony’s voice boomed even in the corridor that led to the Chairman’s office. Favour continued to praise God in her heart. Despite being the queen of persuasion, the chairman agreeing to play according to her plan had been a miracle. Better still, he had perfected the plan by also including her in the awardee’s list.

“Cynthia. Your behaviour downstairs was inexcusable. I have no choice but to fire you. Our exceptional director here…” he glanced at Favour who smiled. “…was trying to get to the bottom of the issue and all you cared about was an insubstantial bonus. I tolerated you all these while but I cannot do so anymore” the Chairman gave his verdict.

“Favour, I’d take your suggestions more seriously. I’m awed at your wisdom.

“Thank you Chairman.” was all that could come out from Favour’s mouth. It was the first time he was praising her.

“Sanmi. I’m at crossroads on whether you deserve this award or not.” Sanmi looked at the plaque in his hand. “Favour likes you, you know.” Favour gasped at the chairman’s word. Her feelings were that written boldly on her face?

The chairman turned to Favour “I know you, Favour. You would have gotten the culprit punished so quickly, whether he was taking the blame for someone else or he was the real culprit”

“Boluwatife” he called the still sobbing girl. “Just as you said, refund the money and leave the company. I’m glad you got to know Jesus.”

The short meeting with the chairman lifted a heavy weight off Sanmi’s shoulders. When the group got back to the hall, the chairman resumed his position as the awarder.

“Most exceptional director once again is Chukwuoma Favour” he called. Favour collected the award with shaky hands. She had thought that the award was bait for fishing out the real culprit. It was clear that the award was meant for her.

The other members of the board of directors let out a resounding clap for her after the snapshot with the chairman. She nearly faltered. Betty came out to hug Favour and tears nearly came out of her eyes. She felt Favoured.
She looked down the Podium and saw Cynthia’s misty eyes.

“I wish you could realize that we’re both females for a reason, so you can stop being in the way of females like you. But, rather work towards our progress. Even the men are already biblically understanding us and are treating us the way we should.”

Cynthia nodded as if she heard Favour’s musing and turned away. She walked slowly out of the hall.
Favour sat with the other directors and ate with them cheerfully.

The party opened her eyes to see the truth. It wasn’t that they hated her for being the only female. It was just a cultural reflex that made them doubt her abilities in the first place. Her efforts at trying to prove a point had also worsened the situation. Things changed when she decided to be herself and do her duties the unique way a female would. The wise ones caught on easily. They realized that she was no different than them. They were all who they were. She was a woman while they were men.

She was glad to have heeded her father’s advice. Out of excitement, she dialled her father’s phone number and excused herself from the table.
“Hello daddy. Yes, daddy. I love you so much daddy” Favour said excitedly while her dad laughed heartily. Favour could imagine the lines around his eyes creasing as he laughed. When she finally cut the phone, she looked and saw Sanmi just a few steps away from her. She hid her phone behind her as he walked closer.

“Miss Favour” he said as he bowed slightly. “I am really glad at the turn of events. Boluwatife did not feel so guilty in the end. In the words of the chairman, I am awed at the wisdom of the most exceptional director.”
Favour smiled despite the small pangs of jealousy in her at the mention of Boluwatife’s name. All his actions had suggested that he cared about Boluwatife than she.

“I’m glad you get to stay” she managed to say to him and turned away from him. Though glad that everything had turned out well, Sanmi seemed blind to the actions of her own heart.
“Favour!” he called her. Her heart jumped and she stopped walking.
“Favour” he called again. She couldn’t move from the spot she was on. Her mind was already far away. Should she flare up because he was not according to her respect due to a director or just answer him like her heart wanted to?

Just before she made up her mind on what to do, she felt a hand grasp her hand. “Let’s have our first real conversation please,” Sanmi asked in a voice she hadn’t heard before and nodded in reply.

“I’m sorry I had to shock you as I did, director Favour” Sanmi started when they had found a place to sit just outside the hall. Favour had calmed down and had regained her composure. She just nodded to show that she had accepted his apology.

“I had to put out my fleece just like I told God that I would and I’m glad you passed.” He paused for a while. “Unfortunately, I still have to leave the company”

“Because of me?” Favour asked.
“You are partly right. But I confess to having so much male ego. Being subordinate to a woman I love so much is so tasking”

Favour smiled at his confession. Christian brothers didn’t know anything about taking things easy. They just said things as they were. No smooth-talking, no sugar in the speech. Just plain old talk. Favor thought.

“You can’t say ‘Yes boss’ to a woman you love” Favour echoed and feigned anger after her brief smile.

“I’m sorry if it sounded harsh, but I like saying things the way they are. If we get married…”

“Please please.” Favour stopped him. “Since when did we get to know each other? Let’s take things step-by-step. I’m getting goosebumps already”

“Are you saying you don’t like me?” Sanmi asked?
“Not at all. You just seem to be jumping. I agree with you leaving the company even though I was sad at first. That’s because I understand your egoistic tendencies.” Favour stood up abruptly and looked at him directly in the face.

“Write your resignation letter and send it to me through my secretary. Then, we can talk anything marriage” she said with the air of a director and smiled. She left him still seated.
Sanmi screamed “yes!” with glee when he could no longer see Favour’s back. The next year was already a good one.