Episode 16- Tammy— GOD WHEN
Tammy was the kind of friend people loved to have.
Loud when she needed to be. Funny without trying too hard. Always the one hyping everyone else up, fixing outfits, adjusting wigs, making sure pictures came out right, and reminding people of who they were when life tried to humble them too much.
She was the life of every room.
But lately… she had learned how to leave the room smiling, only to go home and sit in silence.
That night, after recording the video for Purity’s “grand romantic comeback plan” as she had dramatically named it,she stayed back a little longer than usual.
Purity had ended the video call after thanking her like five times.
“Tammy, I owe you big time.”
“You owe me free wedding aso ebi plus dollars, please,” she had replied, laughing.
Everyone laughed.
It was light and beautiful.
It was love… but not hers.
When the laughter faded and the room went quiet, Tammy sat on the couch alone, staring at the screen of her phone.
The video she had just recorded replayed automatically. She paused the video and her smile disappeared.
“Hmmmm…” she whispered to herself. “God, abeg oo?”
It wasn’t jealousy. She genuinely loved Valerie.
She loved Purity too. He was a good man. A very good man.
But there was a quiet ache she could no longer ignore.
The kind that came when you celebrated love loudly for others… but experienced none for yourself.
The kind that came when you kept saying, “God when?” and heaven seemed… silent.
She dropped her phone beside her and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
“Father… I’m tired.”
Her voice cracked immediately.
“I’m actually tired.”
Tears slipped quietly down her face.
“I’ve waited. I’ve said no when You said no. I’ve walked away when You said walk away. I’ve prayed. I’ve fasted. I’ve done everything I know how to do…”
Her chest tightened. “…so why does it feel like I’m being forgotten?”
She sat up, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest.
“I don’t want plenty,” she whispered. “Just one person. My own person. Somebody that will see me and stay. Somebody that You approve of.”
Her voice broke. “Because the ones that come… You always say no.”
She laughed weakly through tears.
“And I listen. God, I listen.”
Silence filled the room.
She wiped her face roughly.
“Say something na.”
Her shoulders dropped. That familiar frustration crept in again. The one she didn’t like admitting.
“I’m trying not to settle,” she said quietly. “But it’s hard.”
Her voice dropped to almost nothing. “It’s really hard.”
She stayed there for a long time.
Crying, praying, asking. Until exhaustion wrapped around her like a blanket.
Eventually, she dragged herself to her room, didn’t bother changing out of her clothes, and fell onto the bed.
Her last whispered words before sleep took her were soft and broken.
“God… please. Don’t forget me.”
The next morning, Tammy woke up with swollen eyes and a mild headache.
She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, remembering everything from the night before. Then she sighed and sat up.
“This Life no balance at all,” she muttered.
Her phone buzzed. She reached for it lazily.
It was an Instagram notification.
She frowned slightly.
It was from a matchmaking page she had followed weeks ago but never really engaged with.
She opened it.
A new post.
“Christian singles connect. Shoot your shot respectfully.”
Tammy stared at the screen for a long moment. Then she scoffed.
“Shoot my shot ke?”
She dropped the phone. Picked it back up again.
“Why not?”
She sat up properly now, suddenly alert.
“Oya Tammy, don’t be shy. You’re a big girl.”
She clicked on the profile of one of the guys featured.
Clean pictures. He had Scriptures in bio and really Decent captions.
He looked… normal and Stable.
Not one of those “God told me you’re my wife” in two days type.
She bit her lip. “Okay… okay…”
Her fingers hovered over the message button.
Then she typed.
“Hi. I saw your profile on the matchmaking page. I just wanted to say hello 😊”
She stared at it, deleted the emoji then added it back.
“God abeg.”
She hit send. Then dropped her phone like it had shocked her.
“Whooshh.”
Her heart was beating faster than necessary.
“Why am I nervous like this?” She laughed at herself.
“Tammy, you’re actually shooting your shot. See growth.”
She stood up, pacing slightly.
“Okay. If he replies, fine. If he doesn’t, fine. We move.”
Her phone buzzed. She froze.
Slowly… she picked it up.
He had replied.
“Hi Tammy. Nice to meet you 😊”
Her face lit up immediately.
“Yeiiiiiii!”
She quickly typed back.
“Nice to meet you too. How are you?”
The conversation started small. But it flowed.
And for the first time in a while, Tammy felt something shift inside her.
She felt a tiny flicker of hope.
Two days later, that hope… broke. It didn’t even take long. It never did.
The conversations had been going well until he asked one question.
“Can we hang out by weekend?” “Somewhere chill, no noise… Just us and good food”
Reject the offer
Came the response from her spirit.
Just like that.
Tammy stared at the message for a long time. Then she laughed. A hollow and tired laugh.
“Of course.” She dropped the phone.
“God, you didn’t even let it reach one week.”
Her chest tightened, but this time, the tears didn’t come immediately. Just a deep, aching exhaustion.
“I’m tired of starting over,” she whispered.
She lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling again. Same position as two nights ago.
“Every time I try… it just ends.”
She turned to her side, hugging her pillow.
“What exactly am I doing wrong?”
Her voice cracked again.
“I’m trying to do it Your way.” She shut her eyes tightly.
“Abba….Say something na.”
Nothing.
This time, the tears came slower.
Few hours later her phone buzzed again. She ignored it.
It buzzed again. And again.
She sighed, wiping her face before reaching for it.
Valerie.
She paused for a second before picking up.
“Hello?”
“Tammyyy!” Valerie’s voice came bright and warm from the other end.
Tammy smiled despite herself.
“Madam Benin,” she teased weakly. “You don forget me abi?”
“Shut up jor,” Valerie laughed. “I just landed and you’re the first person I’m calling.”
Tammy’s chest softened.
“Liar. You’ve called your man already.”
Valerie gasped dramatically. “I’m with him na. Why would I still call him?”
They both laughed. For a moment… everything felt normal again.
“How are you?” Valerie asked, her tone shifting slightly, softer now.
Tammy hesitated. “I’m fine.”
Valerie didn’t believe it.
“I know that tone.”
Tammy sighed. “It’s nothing serious. Just… one of those days.”
Valerie was quiet for a moment.
Then gently, “Talk to me, Tam.”
Tammy swallowed. “I tried something.”
“Okayyy?”
“That matchmaking thing on Instagram.”
Valerie’s voice lit up. “Wait—YOU shot your shot?! Tammy you don dey get mind oh!”
Tammy laughed weakly. “Don’t hype me. It has ended.”
“Ah ah. Already?”
“Two days. My spirit doesn’t align with his.”
Valerie hissed softly. “That’s not fair na.”
Tammy shrugged even though she couldn’t see her.
“It is what it is.”
There was a pause.
Then Valerie said softly, “You won’t always have to try this hard, you know.”
Tammy didn’t respond. Because she wanted to believe that. But she wasn’t sure anymore.
Valerie continued gently, “Listen… when I come back to Lagos, I might have someone you can talk to.”
Tammy raised a brow.
“Someone?”
Valerie smiled on the other end.
“One of Purity’s guys. Not Daniel or Joel. Another one. He’s very single.”
Tammy scoffed lightly.
“Are you doing hookup now?”
“I no blame you oo,” Valerie teased. “Just talk to him sha. No pressure, babes.”
Tammy exhaled. “I don’t know jare…”
“Just try,” Valerie said softly. “At least you won’t be talking to your pillow every night.”
Tammy laughed. “Omo. You’re actually rude. I’m slowly influencing you”
“But I’m not lying na,” Valerie replied playfully.
Tammy shook her head, smiling now. “Okay… okay. I’ll try.”
“Good girl.”
They stayed on the phone a little longer, talking about Benin, Purity, random gist.
By the time the call ended, Tammy felt… lighter.
She dropped her phone and lay back on her bed again. This time, the ceiling didn’t feel as heavy.
“Okay God,” she whispered softly.
“I’ll try again.”
Her voice was calmer now. More surrendered.
“But abeg… this time… do Your thing.”
A small smile formed on her lips.
“Because me sef don try.”
Sunday service had just ended, but the church compound was still buzzing with life.
Clusters of people stood in small circles—some discussing the sermon, some laughing over inside jokes, others exchanging numbers and “let’s connect” promises that might or might not happen.
Valerie stood just outside the main auditorium, her hands loosely folded, her posture relaxed in a way that hadn’t been true for a long time.Purity stood beside her.
Tammy walked up to them with her usual energy, her heels clicking lightly against the tiled floor.
“Omo, see my couple crush na,” she announced dramatically, folding her arms. “Una don finally come back from honeymoon abi na wetin?”
Valerie rolled her eyes immediately. “Tammy, please behave.”
“Behave ke?” Tammy scoffed. “After everything wey una go do for village ? You think say we no deserve full gist?”
Purity chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“You go hear everything today,” he said.
Tammy’s eyes lit up. “Yes! That’s what I like to hear.”
They moved slightly to the side, finding a quieter corner near the parking lot where the crowd had thinned out a bit.
Tammy leaned in like she was about to hear classified information.
“Start from the beginning. Don’t skip anything. If you skip, I will know.”
Valerie laughed. “Drama queen.”
But there was a softness in her eyes now. She glanced briefly at Purity before starting.
“I saw my dad.”
Tammy froze. “What?”
The smile dropped from her face instantly.
“Wait… what do you mean you saw your dad?”
Valerie exhaled slowly. “At my mom’s house in Benin.”
Tammy’s eyes widened. “Wow…”
She looked between both of them. “And??”
Valerie’s fingers intertwined unconsciously. “I froze at first sha oooo”
Her voice softened. “I didn’t even know what to feel.”
Purity’s gaze dropped slightly, remembering that moment too vividly.
Tammy stepped closer. “What now happened ?”
Valerie swallowed. “He… apologized.”
That alone was enough to make Tammy blink rapidly.
“As in… proper apology?”
Valerie nodded slowly. “Yes oo, my dear.”
Valerie looked down briefly, then back up.
“I didn’t forgive him immediately.”
“Ehennn!??,” Tammy muttered instinctively.
Valerie smiled faintly. “But… we talked.”
Her eyes flickered, memories playing behind them.
“Like… really talked. For the first time in my life.”
Tammy’s expression softened. “And?”
Valerie’s voice became even quieter.
“I let it go.”
“Awwwww” Tammy pouted and placed a hand on her chest.
“That’s so beautiful .”
Valerie nodded. “It wasn’t easy tho.”
Purity finally spoke, his voice calm but full. “She was very brave.”
Valerie glanced at him and smiled .
Tammy looked at both of them like she was watching a movie.
“I’m actually proud of you,” she said, her voice genuine now. “Because that kind of thing? It can mess somebody up for life.”
Valerie nodded. “I know.”
Then she added softly, “That’s why I didn’t want it to anymore.”
Tammy pulled her into a quick side hug. “No shaking, my girl. You’re strong.”
Valerie laughed lightly. “Thank you.”
Purity cleared his throat slightly.
“And… we also saw my mum.”
Tammy pulled back immediately.
“Ah ahh! Mother-in-law has entered the chat!”
Valerie smacked her arm lightly. “Tammy!”
“What?” Tammy laughed. “Don’t mind me. Continue.”
Valerie shook her head, smiling. “It was… unexpected sha.”
Purity nodded. “Very very.”
Tammy raised a brow. “What happened?”
Valerie sighed.
“It was like… by force introduction.”
Tammy burst out laughing. “I knew it! Nigerian parents no dey waste time!”
Purity chuckled. “It wasn’t planned. But it happened.”
“And?” Tammy pressed.
Valerie smiled softly. “She was… very calm..”
Purity added, “My mom is reserved.”
Tammy nodded knowingly.
“Ah. Those ones are the OGs. The quiet ones that are analyzing everything.”
Valerie laughed. “Exactly.”
“But she was very kind,” she added.
Purity glanced at her, a small smile forming.
“She likes you na.”
Valerie looked at him. “You think so?”
“I know so, baby.”
Tammy clapped her hands once.
“Please, can we fast forward to the wedding already?”
Both of them laughed.
“Relax oo,” Valerie said. “We’re still going back for proper introduction.”
Tammy shook her head dramatically.
“I will be chief bridesmaid. I’ve already decided.”
Purity raised a brow. “Who told you there’s vacancy?”
Tammy gasped. “Excuse me?! After everything I’ve done for this relationship?”
They all laughed again.
Then Purity suddenly turned to Tammy, his expression shifting slightly.
“Speaking of relationships…”
Tammy narrowed her eyes immediately. “I don’t like where this is going.”
Valerie grinned. “I told him.”
Tammy looked at her. “You told him what?”
Valerie crossed her arms playfully. “That we should link you up with someone.”
Tammy blinked. “Oh.”
Then quickly, “Wait. Which someone?”
Purity stepped in. “One of my guys.”
Tammy raised a brow. “Which of your guys?”
“Not Daniel or Joel.”
Tammy tilted her head. “…okay?”
Purity smiled slightly. “You’ll like him.”
Tammy scoffed lightly. “You people should not come and use me to experiment oh.”
Valerie laughed. “Relax. You guys should Just talk.”
Tammy looked between both of them. Then shrugged.
“Okay… I’m open.”
Purity nodded. “I’ll tell him to reach out.”
Tammy pointed at him. “Let him not be weird oo.”
“He’s not.”
“Let him not be over-spiritual.”
Purity chuckled. “He’s balanced.”
Tammy exhaled. “Alright. Let’s see.”
She checked her phone briefly. “Omo, I need to go.”
Valerie frowned.
“So soon?”
“I have a meeting with a client very early tomorrow.” She stepped back slightly.
“I’ll call you later, okay?”
Valerie nodded. “Text me when you get home.”
“I will.”
She waved at Purity. “Bye, in-law.”
Purity shook his head, smiling.
“Bye, Tammy.”
Tammy booked her ride and walked out to the gate.
The evening had deepened now. The streetlights flickered on, and the usual Lagos movement continued—cars honking, okadas weaving through traffic, vendors calling out.
Her phone rang.
It was her younger sister.
Tammy smiled immediately and picked up.
“Baby girl!”
“Sister Tamilore!” her sister squealed from the other end.
“What’s going on? Why do you sound like this?”
“Omo, I have gist!”
Tammy laughed.
“Oya talk, my baby!”
“I just got engaged!”
Tammy stopped walking. “WHAT?!”
“Yes!!”
Tammy screamed. “Jesus! Are you serious?!”
“Yes!!”
Tammy started jumping on the spot like a child. “Omo, show me ring! Showedddd me!!! Send pictures now now!”
Her sister laughed. “I will! The Wedding is in two months!”
“Two months?!” Tammy gasped. “You’re not even wasting time!”
“I told you na! Soma wants us to get married now so he can work our papers on time.”
Tammy shook her head, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt. “I’m so happy for you.”
And she meant it.
“Thank you, Sister Tamilore.”
“I’m proud of you.”
They spoke for a few more minutes before ending the call. Tammy got into the car, still smiling.
But as the car pulled away… The silence returned.
The driver played a soft song in the background. Almost like it understood something she hadn’t said out loud.
Tammy leaned her head against the window. Her smile slowly faded. Her chest tightened.
“God…”
Her voice was barely a whisper. “Everybody is moving forward.”
Her eyes filled. “I’m happy for them. I really am.”
A tear slipped down. “But… what about me?”
The car moved steadily through the Lagos roads. By the time they got to her street, she was crying silently. The car stopped in front of her apartment.
Her apartment. Her own space. She had moved out of Valerie’s place months ago. Built her own little life. But tonight… it felt too quiet.
“Ma’am” the driver said gently.
She quickly wiped her face. “Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
She blinked, surprised. “Uh… yes. I’m fine.”
He didn’t look convinced.
She gave a small, awkward smile. “I’m really okay.”
But her voice betrayed her.
He hesitated for a second. Then softly,
“Sometimes… it’s not easy. You can let it out if you’re not fine.”
That simple sentence broke something. Her lips trembled. And before she could stop herself… She started crying again. But this time… harder.
She covered her face.
“I’m sorry,” “I’m so sorry…” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” he said calmly.
He just sat there in silence watching nothing .
When she was done crying, she raised her head up and looked at him properly for the first time.
He was handsome. Dark skinned, dreads, tattoo all over his arms, calm eyes. Soft smile.
“I don’t really believe in God like that.” He said
“What?” She was confused.
“I don’t belive in God.” He repeated
“Ohhh… “ she didn’t know what to say to that.
“Why do we suffer so much as humans if there is a God up there?”
“Look at you, a beautiful young woman, I don’t know what it is but you do not look like you deserve to carry such burden in your heart.”
She sighed and shook her head
“We go through tough times to actually prepare us for better times and to keep us grounded and grateful when those good things come.”
“That sounds like rubbish to me… No offense”
“None taken” she replied and they both smiled awkwardly.
“Anyways…” she cleared her throat.
“Thank you… for allowing me to cry in your car” she said after a moment of silence.
He shrugged lightly. “No problem.”
She reached for her bag.
“I’ll add something extra to your fare.”
He laughed softly. “You don’t need to.”
“I insist.”
“You really don’t.”
They both laughed.
“Thank you once more,” she said and stepped out of the car.
“Have a good day.”
She stepped out and walked into her apartment. The door closed behind her.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She frowned and picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hi… is this Tammy?”
“Yes… who’s this?”
“This is… I’m a friend of Purity.”
Her brows lifted slightly.
Oh.
“That was fast,” she muttered.
“Sorry?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “Hi.”
They both laughed lightly.
My babiesssss…. I decided to give an insight into Tammy’s life.
Do you think I should write a story on Tammy???
Btwwww the first episode of our new story will be released by Monday. Get ready to fall in love with the amazing characters.
Ps: I feel really bad for Tammy. I wish I could send her a virtual hug🤭
See you guys on Fridayyyyyy😍😍😍
And a new story?? Can't wait.
Notifications that make me smile
Aaaah thank you very many a lot 😂