Hugh paused, and turned to look at Lisa who was beaming and clapping. Then he reached over for a quick hug and cheek kiss. It was quick, but he still felt on juu of the world with the look she gave him. Lisa was so proud; she stood and clapped as he got up to approach the stage. After a couple of steps they were announcing that “House” also won for best drama. Hugh beaconed to Lisa and the rest of the cast to come with him as he continued to walk up the stairs. Lisa waited and Jesse hurried to reach her quickly.
Hugh got up on stage and took the award. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast and the producers were walking up on stage. Jesse helped Lisa and as she walked across the state Hugh said,
“People”, then he paused and glanced at Lisa coming up the stairs.
”How did wewe know?” he turned again because she was crossing right behind him. He gave her a brief look to reassure himself. Their eyes met and her smile gave him his answer.
Hugh gave his acceptance speech for both his award and the group award. Lisa couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The rest of the cast congratulated each other as he spoke,
but not Lisa.
She was so proud of him it was like nothing else in the room was happening. HE was talking, the man she couldn’t look at enough, talk to enough. Not only did she think he was great, but obviously a vast majority of others did as well.
Hugh thanked the people and they all walked off the stage together. There were zaidi lights, even cameras everywhere. David handed the award for best drama to Lisa to hold. There were assistants here and there directing the cast where to go. There was picture taking, hugs, and congratulations being extended.
Lisa and Hugh caught glances of each other through the crowd here and there. Everything was a whirl. Finally Lisa didn’t see him anymore. He had an uncanny knack for avoiding the press and the cameras when he wanted. He tended to slip out unnoticed while she smiled and posed and made nice with the stream of questions. She smiled to herself, she was thankful for the time she had with him tonight.
She felt her mfuko wa fedha, mfuko vibrating and casually opened it to check the time on her phone. There was a text message from Hugh.
“15 dakika give au take.”
The rest of the cast had just been moving towards the exit area. Lisa chatted with Olivia a little, then David. She ran into some old acquaintances and was making some chit chat when she felt her mfuko wa fedha, mfuko songesha again. Reached in and checked her phone again real quickly.
“5 minutes…be ready!!”
She smiled to herself but Olivia caught her. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh nothing, I can’t believe how late it is already. I just checked the time.”
“Well, our rides should be here soon. I see Hugh must have already gotten out of here as usual. He’s good at that.” Olivia was walking with Lisa towards the waiting area.
Various places around town were having parties after the ceremony hoping that a few watu mashuhuri would onyesha and they would get some extra publicity. The House cast all had to work in the morning though and were anxious to get back to the studio and their cars and head home.
They were all standing waiting watching the valet’s waive the limos in and out and direct traffic. Lisa felt her mfuko wa fedha, mfuko vibrate and this time, she knew what it alisema so she didn’t have to look. The inayofuata limo pulled up and Lisa leaned over to Olivia and whispered, “My ride’s here see wewe tomorrow”.
The chauffer held the door open for her and Lisa hoped in. Olivia looked on as she saw her jump in the back seat. No one else noticed, they were all distracted with their own little conversations.
Hugh was waiting inside the back for her, as she slid in inayofuata to him he put his arm around her. “I thought we would never get back around the block. Now may I please have a REAL kiss for winning?”
Lisa smiled and put her arms around Hugh’s neck and gave him a good, long, deep kiss. The kind wewe can only give when no one’s looking.
