The grand auditorium is filled with an air of anticipation. Helen, a 27 years young woman, a distinguished novelist, sit among the nominees, awaiting the announcement. The announcer stands at the podium, in front of standing microphone, holding the award and he says to the microphone.
'And the winner of the women's prize for fiction is...'. He looks up at the audience with a smile and pauses. Helen sigh with anticipation fill her eyes.
The announcer shouts the name immediately 'Helen Adenowo'
Applause fills the room and Helen gracefully stand up and walks up to the stage to receive her award from the announcer. She smile, a mix of excitement and gratitude. She walks closer to the microphone, holding the award.
She speaks over to the microphone 'Uhn... Good evening everyone'.
There is another shout. Olumide, a 30 years old man who sit among the crowd, he is captivated by her beauty, watches intently. However, his demeanor changes when he notice the wedding ring on Helen's finger.
'Oh she is married'. He whisper as he relaxes back, disappointed.
Helen continues 'Thank you for this great award. It's surreal to be standing here, holding this beautiful and special award. I never knew or dreamt of becoming a writer in the future'. She smiles.
'Maybe because I write anytime good or bad thing happens to me and during that, I picked it as an hobby, favorite thing to do and I ended being a writer today'. She adds and applause fills the room again. Helen use the moment to scan the audience maybe she would see her husband who promised to be there but he is nowhere in sight. She hides her disappointment with polite smile.
'Thank you for this award. Thank you so much'. She says and everyone claps for her. She steps down from the podium and walks to her seat back.
The ceremony ends and people approach Helen for photos, she graciously poses, though her eyes still wander, hoping to spot her husband. Olumide, who is already aware of Helen's marital status, hesitates before approaching her for photo.
'Congratulations Helen, may I take a photo with you?'. He asks.
Helen still searching for her husband nods and smiles. Olumide stand close to her and pose with her. Helen expression is a mixture of joy and longing in her eyes.
Helen come home and she is congratulate by her house staff. She walks into her daughter's bedroom, still holding her award and see her sleeping peacefully in bed. A children's poem book rest beside her, evidence of bedtime stories before drifting into dreams. Helen walks to the bed and sit on the edge of the bed. She tenderly runs her fingers through her daughter's hair. A gentle smile creeps on her face as she watches her daughter sleeps.
'Mama won an award today and she was eager to hear you congratulate her but you are asleep'. She pauses. 'Goodnight'.
She pecks her and stand up. She walks to the door, switch off the light before she walks out.
Helen quietly enters her bedroom which is enveloped in darkness. She doesn't on the light, allowing a faint glow from the outside to filter through the window. She walks to the bed and sit on it, drops her purse beside her. She looks down at the award cradles in her hand.
She smiles proudly 'I think I worked hard to get this'.
Afterwards, Helen lies in the bed, covers with duvet, watching the clock in the stool beside her. It strikes 11:33pm and her eyes start to close. The sound of the door opening makes her snap awake and she turns to see her husband, Niyi walks in tiredly with a briefcase in his hands.
Helen rises, smiling 'You are home. Welcome'.
Niyi nods, dropping his briefcase on a stool. He starts to loosen his tie and Helen watches him as he takes off his shirt.
'I was expecting you but you didn't come'. She say to him.
Niyi takes a pause before he explains his reason. 'I'm sorry. The meeting took long and there was a big traffic'. He groans tiredly as he takes off his pants. 'How was it? You won?. He looks at her.
Helen laughs softly. 'I wasn't expecting it, but I won'.
'Really?'. He surprisingly asks and Helen nods.
'Looks at the stool over there'
Niyi turns and spot the award. He picks it up and turns to her. 'I'm proud of you'. He walks to her on bed and hugs her and they share a moments of laughter before releasing each other.
'It's your first book and it got you this, making you a recognized writer. You are great'. He hugs her again. 'I' m throwing a big party this Friday to celebrate your success with our families and friends. I will inform everyone'.
Helen release him and looks at him 'Do you have the time?'
He says 'I didn't attend the award. I should do this for you'.
Helen smiles and hugs him.
The door opens for Busayo, standing at the door entrance. Her daughter, Becca stares at her then she leaves the door and walks away. Busayo walks in and close the door.
'Becca'. She calls her name but she do not say anything but sit down. Busayo walks to the couch and sit across her. Tense silence hangs in the air. 'How have you been? Where is Tina?'.
'She is not home. I'm fine'. She says looking away, frowning.
'I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. You father is strict and you know that'. Busayo tells her. 'Did you see the news?. She asks her.
Becca turns to her 'What news?'.
'Helen won an award'.
Becca slowly surprise 'Award? What award? Is she in the industry now?'
'She wrote a book and it got her an award'. Busayo says smiling. Becca stares at her mother slowly.
'You look happy. You and dad must be proud of her. She is now your daughter. You guys don't need me anymore'. She says and looks away.
'What are you saying Becca? I'm still pleading your dad on behalf of you...
'....what did I do? Becca yells at her. 'All because he hated how I lived in school. I disappointed him with my result and lifestyle. That's why he ignored me'.
Busayo pauses before she says 'I think you've forgotten who your father is. He doesn't believe in spending money on anyone unless he sees you work hard. Your brother, Niyi, is where he is now because he worked hard'. She pauses again. 'Your father is ready to give you anything you want, but he's not convinced that you will do well'. She adds.
Becca do not believe until she convince her dad before he can give her anything. She knows her father hates her and he is not going to like her. She had disappointed him. And now Becca won an award making her recognized writer, he is not going to look for her because he has replaced her with Becca.
'Why are you here?'. She asks her mother.
'Your brother is having a party this
Friday to celebrate Helen's success on her first book. I want you to come so we can discuss this'.
'Count me out'. She looks away
'Becca, please. We are going to settle everything'.
Becca glances back at her and then turns away, angrily.