Thanks For Clapping
Rizon Limited had been going through a serious crisis. The economic situation of the country wasn’t helping either. At the rate they were going, it was either they downsized or went deeper into trouble.
Tammy had already been feeling the pressure. So when she saw the mail from HR, her heart skipped a beat.
“God, let it not be what I’m thinking,” she muttered under her breath.
She had worked hard since she joined Rizon. It wasn’t about being underpaid or overlooked. For her, it was principle. If you’re going to do something, do it well.
Still, seeing that mail sitting there, bold and unread, made her stomach churn. After several minutes of anxiety and whispering small prayers, she finally clicked it.
Her eyes widened.
“Letter of Promotion.”??!!
She gasped. “What?!”
She clicked it faster this time. The words felt so unreal.
We are pleased to inform you that due to your commitment and performance, you’ve been promoted to the role of General Manager…
Tammy screamed.
She couldn’t hold back the tears. Not because of the new title, but because after all the quiet nights, the overtime, the moments she kept going even when no one noticed; someone finally did.
Without thinking, she picked up her phone.
“Jem!! I just got promoted!”
Jem’s voice came through, calm and flat.
“Is that why you’re shouting like that?”
She scoffed. “You’re not the first person to get promoted, you know.”
Then she added: “All the same, congrats o. I just hope you don’t mess it up.”
Tammy’s excitement dulled a bit. She smiled weakly.
“That’s just Jem. She doesn’t mean it like that,” she told herself.
“Don’t worry, I won’t ruin it,” she replied, laughing it off. They gisted about other things and the call ended.
The following month, her new salary came in. It was twice her old one.
Tammy couldn’t believe it. She stared at the credit alert like it was a dream.
Then, she remembered a dress she always admired at a boutique along her route to work. It wasn’t cheap, but now…she could finally afford it.
She walked in, picked the dress, paid in full and walked out smiling.
The next morning, she wore it to work. She felt so good. She looked so sharp, clean and classy. After taking a quick photo, she posted it online with the caption:
“A blessed day to look dashing.”
A few hours later, her phone rang. It was Jem.
“Tammy… where did you see money to buy cloth already?”
Tammy laughed. “I’ve been eyeing that dress since. This seemed like the right time.”
Jem clicked her tongue. “Just don’t go and finish all your money o. Learn how to save small.”
Tammy nodded silently, though her chest tightened. The call ended. It looked like a harmless comment, but it stung, like the edge of a blade disguised as concern.
A week later, Rizon asked Tammy to travel to Abuja for a business dinner with a big client. And not just that, it was a Business Class ticket.
She was so overjoyed.
This time, it couldn’t just be Jem. She wanted to share it with all her close friends—Trish, Jem, and Treasure. So she called them up on WhatsApp.
Only Trish and Jem picked.
“Guys! I have good news!”
They both replied, excited. “Tell us!”
“I’m going to Abuja for a business dinner. Rizon is flying me Business Class!”
Trish screamed. “Tammyyy!!! Big girl! Congratulations jare! You deserve it!”
Jem just laughed. “Don’t forget us when you get to the top o.”
They chatted, asked for souvenirs, then moved on to other random things.
At some point, Jem muted her mic; Or so she thought.
Tammy and Trish were still talking when Jem’s voice suddenly came through.
“She’s flying Business Class when she’s never even entered Economy. Does she even know how to behave there?”
Then Treasure’s voice came through, from the background:
“Let the wannabe keep trying. She buys one fine dress and posts it everywhere. Instagram celebrity.”
They both burst out laughing.
A loud clap came through the phone-that was Trish.
“Wow. This is amazing. I never knew we had snakes as friends.”
There was a pause and then Jem gasped:
“Shit! I thought I was on mute.”
The call ended.
Tammy didn’t even say a word. She simply left the group chat.
She sat there staring at her phone with a pounding heart and heavy eyes, the tears came rushing down.
Everything started making sense. Jem’s weird energy, her comments, the subtle digs.
She wasn’t being careful with Tammy, she was just being calculating with pure bitterness and jealousy.
Even though she had money and influence, Jem still found a way to tear Tammy down every chance she got.
Tammy stood up, walked to her mirror and stared at her reflection.
“You deserve everything you have baby girl,” she said aloud. “And you don’t need to shrink for anyone’s comfort.”
That night, she called Trish.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“For what?” Trish asked.
“For clapping when others were hissing.”
touching
Tammy and Jem had pure jealousy for you, They never expected that you could ever attain to that height of promotion.
So instead of celebrating with you they rather started weighing you down with their negative attitude and extreme jealousy.
Is a good thing their mic was unmute, you wouldn't have found out the ugly truth behind their snaky attitude.
Beautiful read. Well done.
It's a beautiful thing to know that Tammy didn't dwell in her distress.
Thanks a lot for the engagement