Together Forever

The Millinium Nursing Home was a bee-hive of activity . Dignitaries from diverse backgrounds intermingled freely , sharing pleasantries and drinks . It was not only an suspicious occasion , but also a historic day in the history of the subjects of Nema as Mary ,their daughter , had demystified the age-old chauvinism not only to become the first ever woman to venture into the hitherto male-exclusive territory of medicine , but had also gone ahead to discover the unique drug .

Today , her company was officially launching the miracle drug after winning the Research Development Award from the Academy of Sciences and a greenlight from the World Health Organization .

At thirty-seven , Mary's person could be described as fantabulously gorgeous , almost angelic . Being neither too short nor too tall , her curvaceous figure could only be contrasted with her brilliant brains . She was aptly described in many circles as ' beauty with brains ' .

Accompanied by her childhood friend and co-inventor , Mike ,she gracefully moved around the hall welcoming and shaking hands with the many dignitaries that had graced the occasion . From the way the two moved , many people could be forgiven for taking them for a couple . However , though either of them harboured fond feelings , she considered Mike as that good , trustworthy friend who would always be there for you whatever the circumstances . They had come a long , long way from nursery School to high school , from college to being workmates . She owed much of her success to his encouragement and honest criticism . She was like that brother she never had . On the other hand , he had always taken her to be an excellent friend who would sacrifice her life for him . His parents had teased him about what an incredible couple they could make from since they were teenagers . Though they kept hoping , they seemed to have been proven wrong as years went by .

" Oh my !" Shouted Karah from a group of six ladies and gentlemen as they reached them . " You look gorgeous in that dress , and even more majestic walking beside Mr . Handsome !" Karah was an old friend of theirs from high school . Now married with two kids , She had never tired of matching them .

" Good gracious ! You are cutier too , and in a fantabulous company of handsomeness itself ," she returned the compliment as they shook hands ." Am really honoured by your presence , guys ."

" You are one hell of a lucky girl ," continued Karah . " Seems like everything you put your fingers into turns magical , except one ," she mischievously eyed Mike . They burst into giggles . " Anyway , meet our collegemates , Juliet and Xaxa , and their ...No ,let them introduce themselves . Of course , am sure you two already know , Fato , my lovely husband ."

" It has been a long time since we met last ," started Juliet . " A lot has changed since then , but am really happy for you . This here is Sike , a very intimate friend of mine . I seem not to have enough of him , so I asked him along ." Mary was inwardly surprised because the last she had heard about her friend was that she had wed one of the sons of a Mafia leader . She would have to ask her later in private .

" Hi , Mary ," saluted Sike . " I have heard a lot about you , and it's my pleasure to have finally met you in flesh ."

" Hi too . Am grateful that Juliet had the foresight to bring you along ," responded Mary .

" The world is such a small village , but too easy for friends to totally disconnect ," Xaxa continued with the introductions . " I wouldn't believe it when I saw your invitation . I had thought you had deleted me from your memory bank altogether . Plus , my long business trips out of the country could't help . Am really delighted to reconnect . Johnny here is my sweet love ," she concluded , fondly patting him .

" Hi , Mary ," enjoined Johnny . " She couldn't stop talking about you since she received that card . She threatened me with hellfire if I coincidentally planned to be away on this particular date . It is of great pleasure to realize that you are that special person one couldn't afford being absent ."

" Am flattered ! Did she say that she and I couldn't get along well in college , or that I hated her when she travelled out of the country for her further studies without informing me ?" Mary enthused .

" That's another side of her I have learnt today . She is such an amiable little thing that I can't imagine her not getting along with anybody ," responded Johnny , feigning shock .

" I concur with you on that . You must be a very keen observer ," agreed Mary . " Now , since all of you seem to know me , albeit theoretically , let me introduce my partner . Mike and I have come a long way since baby class . Not only is he my childhood friend , but he is also my business partner ."

" Are you sure that is all between you two ?" Intervened Karah . " Guys , don't you think there might be something more than meets the eye ?"

" Well ," started Mike before Mary could respond " it's presumptuous to charge a book by its cover . Mary happens to be a very good friend of mine and business partner . However , I couldn't blame you for thinking otherwise because , in my humble opinion , no reasonable man could resist having such a sweet soul for a life partner ," he enthused , staring directly into Mary's eyes .She blushed , conflicting emotions coursing through her body for the first time since she had known Mike . It was the very first time that he had complimented her towards that direction . Realizing that the others were staring at her , she mustered enough energy and said :

" Ladies and gentlemen , you must excuse us for there are a couple of other people to welcome . We would sure catch up later ." She tugged Mike along .

They saw the Cabinet Secretaries for Science and Technology , and Health and Environmental Sanitation chatting in a corner table . They advanced towards them .

" Welcome , gentlemen ," she said . " Am really honoured by your presence ."

" Pleasure is all ours ," responded Bony , cabinet secretary for Science and Technology . " I wouldn't miss this auspicious occasion ."

" The uniqueness of this launch and all that pertains to it couldn't afford my absence ," stated Hose , cabinet secretary for Health and Environmental Sanitation . " Besides , your growing fame is always of interest ."

" Am really humbled by your nice sentiments . Feel at home and in case you need anything ,just ask . We are about to begin soon ."

They continued walking and sharing pleasantries with many other dignitaries who had arrived untill they reached her father , Mr . Jaz . He was having some bitter exchange with a group of three people .

" What are you doing here ?" Jaz was asking the elderly man in the group .

" Take it easy , Jaz ," responded the man ." This is business . Am not so envious of your daughter's accomplishments as to miss this occasion ."

" Since when did the king of the jungle start dinning with the rats ?" Jaz retorted . " Nothing good would ever come from your association . What are you scheming by coming here ?"