I walked into the hall where the party was being held by Kellogg's company. This was an annual event in celebration of the year's achievements by the company cum award ceremony for outstanding workers.
I saw Shiela, Trisha and Stella sitting at a table by a corner in the hall. I walked up to them and took my seat.
“Hey girls, what's up?” I greeted cheerily.
“You're right on time Becky. It would soon be time for the award ceremony” Trisha the lively bird amongst us responded to me.
“I can't wait to see who and who would receive which award this year. You girls know that I have been rooting for one myself right?” Stella chimed in.
“Yeah, yeah, we know. So keep your fingers crossed okay” I replied Stella in encouragement and she gave me a hearty smile which caused all of us to erupt in a hearty laughter. I took a bottle of Malta Guinness from the table and helped myself.
Looking around, I could see the exquisite decorations which adorned the entire hall. They were top notch as usual and the guests were a mixed multitude of colleagues, managers, board members and VIP customers, with everyone dressed formally and beautifully with men in suits and women in dinner gowns of several colours and shades. I felt that the ambience of the party was lively and there was light banter amongst acquaintances.
“All is well” I sighed after taking a huge sip of my drink. Just then, a sharp looking handsome man walked up to the stage, picked the mic and announced..
“Ladies and gentlemen, with a round of applause, please let's welcome Mr Williams to the stage as we commence the awards ceremony for tonight”
The hall erupted in applause just as Mr Williams our company's vice president walked up the stage in a most dignified manner. With firm hands, he picked up the microphone, said a pleasant “hello” and went straight to business.
The awards were given based on staff performance during the year. Different names were called to come on stage to receive their awards while the rest of us cheered and applauded. Stella was still hopeful of receiving an award this year and my heart went out to her. But a final twist led us to screaming and shouting for joy as soon as we heard her name being mentioned by Mr Williams.
“Stella, you did it. You've been selected. Congrats dear” I walked up to her seat to give her a much deserved hug. Then she sashayed up the stairs like a supermodel on a runway, smiling with all thirty-two teeth on display. She was literally wearing her heart on her sleeves. After receiving her award, she walked back majestically to our table, holding the award like a trophy.
We were genuinely happy for her as each of us took turns to admire Stella's award but I noticed that Sheila was not as joyous as we were. She collected the award from Trisha who was sitting next to her but her facial expression was not cheerful. I let it slide so as not to dampen the mood and we girls continued showering Stella with loads of “congratulations”.
After the vote of thanks from our general manager, the party came to a close and we all dispersed from the hall. I stepped aside to make a quick call when I noticed movements behind me. I turned to find that it was Sheila and Trisha who came my way.
I tried to find Stella with my eyes but Sheila interjected my thoughts with “don't bother looking for Stella. She's the queen of the night and she won't leave until she's done showing off to whoever cares to listen. I don't know what's making her head swell over a meaningless award mtchewww!”
I couldn't believe my ears because Sheila's words actually sounded like sour grapes to me and I gave her a piece of my mind.
“Hold it right there Sheila. Did you just refer to Stella's award as meaningless. What for! Did her desiring and working hard for an award stop you from receiving one yourself? This is too low even for you. I cannot believe this. Go sell your sour grapes elsewhere because I'm not buying. Stella is my friend and I'm happy for her. You should be happy for her too.”
I left them there probably to digest what I had just said to Sheila but I had no regrets. We've all been friends for three years working in this company and for the past two years, Sheila had won the best marketer of the year award consecutively.
“ Wait a minute, is it because she didn't get any award this year that she's acting like this. This is so childish of her” I thought as I hailed a taxi to take me home.
While in the cab, I couldn't help but replay Shela's words all over again. Some people can be so fickle but too bad for Sheila as nothing she does or says would dampen my happiness for Stella's success.
I whipped out my phone from my bag and began to upload the pictures I had taken of Stella and her award on my social media handles. “This is your night girl…..so shine” was the caption I used alongside the photos.
Eight years down the line and I still find Sheila's words to be childish. What a life.
Thank you all for reading.
Images were imagined with Meta Ai.
