Chereads / Behind Bars / Chapter 11 - Episode 9 (Gwagwalada)

Chapter 11 - Episode 9 (Gwagwalada)

THE AZUKA HOUSEHOLD.

"Ngozi rushes into the room with a glass of water."

Mrs. AZUKA

Cheta talk to me.

What happened?

NGOZI

(Turn to Frank)

Please help him sit up.

"Cheta groans in pain as Frank helps him sit up."

FRANK

Sorry, bro.

"Mrs. Azuka burst into tears as she gazes at Cheta's swollen face."

CHETA

Mummy, stop.

Don't cry, please I'm fine now.

Mrs. AZUKA

Cheta who did this to you?

(Places both her hands on his cheeks)

CHETA

Ouch, Mummy stop it hurting.

(Tries to keep both his eyes open)

Mrs. AZUKA

(Turns to Ngozi)

Check if the water don boil.

FRANK

(Gets up)

Don't worry I got it.

(Walks out of the room)

CHETA

Mama, I'm fine.

Mrs. AZUKA

How can you say you are fine?

Do you know how you look?

CHETA

I said I'm fine Mama!

You are just coming from the hospital shouldn't you be resting?

NGOZI

Mama, Cheta is right.

Mrs. AZUKA

Of course, you will take his side na.

NGOZI

Mama is not like that.

"Frank walks into the room with a bowl of hot water and tower in his hands"

Mrs. AZUKA

Thank you my pikin.

Drop am for here.

(Points at the ground beside her)

___________________________________

INT. CHAIRMAN'S RESIDENCE.

"Dr. Gloria walks into the dining room"

Dr. GLORIA

Good evening, Father.

CHAIRMAN

Good evening, Gloria.

How are you?

Dr. GLORIA

I'm fine.

CHAIRMAN

Join me for dinner.

Dr. GLORIA

Thank you, sir but I can't stay for too long I'm just here to discuss something with you.

CHAIRMAN

Now is not a good time Gloria.

I just want to have a peaceful dinner.

Dr. GLORIA

What's that supposed to mean?

So, I am the one stressing you.

CHAIRMAN

Gloria, we are still recovering from our last argument at least you are talking to me. I don't just want anything that will come in-between you and me again.

Dr. GLORIA

That will never be possible till you get rid of your precious Principal.

CHAIRMAN

Here we go again.

(Turns to Gloria)

Why do you hate that innocent lady so much?

Dr. GLORIA

You and I know I do not hate her; I just hate that she is getting everything I worked so hard for.

You told me I can only get access to your inheritance if I get a degree which I did but that wasn't enough for you I acquired a master's degree and that still wasn't enough for you. I went ahead to get a PhD. Yet that wasn't still enough for you.

CHAIRMAN

(Drops his pair of cutleries)

Leadership isn't just about certifications.

You have the knowledge on paper, but you lack the experience to run the school.

Dr. GLORIA

And Iwebema does?

CHAIRMAN

Oh, yes, she does.

You may be the one with the PhD, but Iwebema has something you do not have.

Real-life experience and applied knowledge.

Learn from her and stop all these petty talks.

Dr. GLORIA

If she were so perfect, how come she almost cost the school her name?

Or you want to play ignorant about what has been happening in your school.

CHAIRMAN

Who said anything about perfection?

You know this is the problem I have with you; you never listen and those unstable emotions of yours are not good for business.

This is business, Gloria, do not expect any preferential treatment.

Dr. GLORIA

You know what?

It's a waste of time trying to talk to you.

(Picks up her bag)

I'm leaving.

CHAIRMAN

Finally, you know your way out.

Dr. GLORIA

Really?

It's fine.

(Walks out of the scene)

____________________________________

INT. WINNER ACADEMY

"Mr. Daniel pull Kome into his arms."

KOME

(Smiles at Mr. Daniel)

What are you doing, sir?

Mr. DANIEL

I love you, Kome.

I have loved you ever since I set my eyes on you.

KOME

Are you serious?

Mr. DANIEL

Yes, baby.

I know this is....

KOME

I love you too.

Mr. DANIEL

Really?

KOME

Yes, I do.

I love you.

"Mr. Daniel pulls his lips towards hers."

_______. _____________. __________

"Efe places a half-eaten bush mango in front of Kome's lips as he watches her sleep talk."

KOME

(Feels a weird bitter taste as she kisses Mr. Daniel)

Why are your lips bitter?

"Efe burst into intense laughter."

KOME

(Gets up out of shock)

Efe!

(Cleans her mouth)

What is wrong with you?

EFE

(Gets up from the bed)

Someone was having a lot of fun in the dream.

KOME

(Throws her pillow towards him)

What is your problem?

EFE

Madam, you are almost late for school.

(Bits on his half-eaten Bush mango)

KOME

Get out!

(Points towards the door)

EFE

As the sleeping beauty wishes.

(Chuckles as he walks out of the room)

KOME

(Wipes her lips with her hands)

Can you imagine?

And he knows I hate bush mango.

Rubbish.

____________________________________

INT. WINNER ACADEMY.

"Isio gazes around"

ISIO

Guys, what's happening?

BEMA

Your principal called for a school general assembly.

NGOZI

You mean your mother?

BEMA

You don't have to put it that way.

ISIO

But she is your mother, na.

NGOZI

Mummy's boy

(Winks at Bema)

BEMA

Stop!

NGOZI

By the way guys, Cheta is back.

BEMA

Wow, that's good news.

NGOZI

Yes, oh.

ISIO

What happened really?

Where did he go?

NGOZI

Hmm, oga has refused to say anything oh.

He kept saying it doesn't matter that we should leave him alone and thank God he is fine.

BEMA

Hmm, that's weird.

ISIO

Very

(Noticed Kome is absent-minded)

Kome, are you alright?

KOME

I'm fine.

BEMA

You've been quiet ever since.

NGOZI

Yeah, that's true.

KOME

I'm fine guys.

I just had a weird dream.

BEMA

Wow, what was it about?

KOME

Trust me you do not want to know.

Guys, we should hurry to the assembly hall.

ISIO

Yeah, we should.

____________________________________

INT.    THE AZUKA'S RESIDENCE.

"Mrs. Azuka walks in."

Mrs. AZUKA

Maybe he will talk to you guys oh.

I don ask una friend about watin happen and where he dey since. Oga nor dey answer me well.

EFE

Mama relax don't worry we will talk to him.

UCHE

Don't worry we will figure out what really happened.

Mrs. AZUKA

Okay, I go dey my room dey rest all my body just dey pepper me.

EFE

(Wraps his hand around her shoulder)

No Walhalla, Mama go rest, abeg.

Mrs. AZUKA

Okay, no Walhalla.

(Walks out of the room)

UCHE

(Sits on the bed)

Omo, your plan work oh.

(Places both his hands on his mouth)

EFE

I tell you na.

(Gazes at Cheta who is fast asleep)

UCHE

Wow.

"Cheta slowly opens his eyes."

CHETA

Guys.

EFE

Hey, how you dey?

CHETA

Fine

Thank you.

(Tears stream down his cheeks)

EFE

Guy, why you dey cry na?

You be guy man oh.

UCHE

And you know say you fuck up abi.

CHETA

Guy, I had no choice.

Mama was dying.

EFE

I hate it when you talk trash.

You always have a choice, bro!

UCHE

Efe, calm down.

Keep your voice down.

CHETA

Maybe if you had lent me the money I wouldn't have gotten into this mess.

EFE

And you think I wouldn't help if I had the resources to?

CHETA

(Gets up)

You had it all along Efe.

And God knows you would have left the country without helping if I hadn't disappeared.

UCHE

Cheta, that's enough!

What's your problem?

EFE

(Get up)

You know what, I'm out of here.

Day after day it becomes harder to look at you because I can barely recognize who am staring at.

(Walks out of the room)

UCHE

Efe, wait.

(Turns to Cheta)

What is wrong with you, bro?

CHETA

Nothing is wrong with me.

You should ask your friend.

UCHE

Oh, please this is all your fault.

With that entitled energy and petty emotions, you carry all around.

CHETA

Well, you can go too.

The door is right in front of you.

UCHE

You are still not learning from all of these?

(Gets up to leave)

We will talk when you decide to grow a brain.

(Walks out of the room)

___________________________________

INT.  WINNER ACADEMY, ASSEMBLY HALL.

"Mrs. Iwebema picks up the mic."

Mrs. IWEBEMA

Good morning, students.

CROWD OF STUDENTS

Good morning, ma.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

I believe you are all fine.

I have gathered you all here today to address some of the recent events that have happened in the four walls of this school.

Firstly, I want to correct the narrative concerning what happened to one of our students Okafor Victoria. It has been brought to my attention that there are a lot of rumors about her whereabouts. I am here today to tell you that the whereabouts of Victoria are unknown to us as her family has chosen to keep us in the dark and has assured us that everything is fine. As a result of this, any student caught spreading a false narrative about the whereabouts of Victoria will be given a three-week suspension.

"The sound of side talks filled the hall."

ISIO

Wow.

NGOZI

This is really serious.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

Silence!!!

(The side talks slowly dies down.)

Also as regards the accident, security cameras are currently being installed in every restroom in this building and a security system has been put in place to go through your school bags and materials before stepping into the school premises. This is to protect and preserve the integrity of Winner Academy. Any student who fails to comply with the security personnel that has been put in place to carry out this exercise will be made to face the school disciplinary board.

TEGA

(Whispers to Dayo)

Guy, this woman won spoil our market oh.

FRANK

What do we do?

FRANK

Guys, not now!

We will talk about this later.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

(Adjusts her glasses)

Lastly, any student caught with foreign materials such as phones, electrical gadgets, cigarettes, and any form of drugs or stimulants will be automatically expelled from Winner Academy and will be made to leave the school premises with immediate effect. Thank you, you may now leave for your respective classes.

(Walks out of the stage)

"The hall is filled with side talks and noise."

_________________________________

INT. CLASSROOM.

"Bema sits beside Isio."

ISIO

Guy, your Mum was on fire today.

I have never seen her that way before.

NGOZI

Same here oh.

KOME

Well, I understand her.

She is the face of our school. If anything goes wrong, the board will blame her.

BEMA

Exactly, I guess that explains why she acted weird the other night.

NGOZI

Really?

What did she do?

BEMA

When I told her I was coming from the hospital, you thought I went to see Veronica.

ISIO

What? Why would she think that?

"Funke walks in."

FUNKE

Because you were one of the witnesses.

ISIO

(Turns to Funke)

Don't you think it's rude to jump into people's conversations?

FUNKE

I'm sorry about that.

(Turns to leave)

BEMA

Wait!

How did you know I was a....

FUNKE

Because I was there too, and I think I know what happened to Victoria.

___________________________________

INT. Mrs. IWEBEMA'S OFFICE.

"Dr. Ika gazes at her"

Mrs. IWEBEMA

What is it?

Dr. IKE

What are your plans?

I know you Iwebema, that curiosity in you won't let you be till you figure out what really happened to Victoria.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

(Places both her hands on the table)

You know, you are right, Doctor Ike.

But most importantly I must prove that this is somehow related to Dr Gloria.

Dr. IKE

Don't tell me we are still on this. Look I know she doesn't like you as a person, but I don't think she can come up with something like this.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

(Relaxes on her chair)

You underestimate her so much, Doctor.

I have known her longer than you do. I do not know how but I know she has a hand in this.

Dr. IKE

Alright if you say so. But what is important at the moment is to begin our undercover investigation we have to find out who did it if it's one of the teachers or students then from there we will be able to figure out how Gloria is involved in all of this.

Mrs. IWEBEMA

Hmm.

___________________________________

EXT. WAREHOUSE

"Uche walks out of the Warehouse."

EFE

Where is Ella?

We are almost late.

UCHE

She is coming with the last package.

EFE

Oh, God, she should be fast na.

Una know say I nor like to keep these clients waiting.

UCHE

She should be out in a minute.

(Opens the car door)

Bro, you know you can't leave the country without settling things with Cheta.

EFE

Abeg I nor won talk about Cheta.

UCHE

Bro.

(Lights a stick of F8)

EFE

This is what you do all the time.

You take his side.

UCHE

Guy, I'm on your side this time but still, he is our brother we have been through a lot together bro.

And you are leaving tomorrow.

EFE

Uche, please I don't want to talk about that selfish idiot.

UCHE

Hmm

(Passes the half-burnt stick of F8 to him)

EFE

No, thank you, I'm trying to stay clean.

No more drugs bro

That's one of the reasons I'm leaving.

UCHE

Okay, oh.

"Ella comes out with a briefcase in her hands and puts it in the boot of the car."

EFE

Let's go guys.

(Enters the driver's seat and turns on the car engine)

"Uche flings the smoked stick away and enters the car."

ELLA

(Pulls out Efe's gun from her waist)

You forgot this.

EFE

You know I don't like guns.

ELLA

Not all of us like guns, Efe, but we carry them due to the nature of our job.

EFE

Whatever.

____________________________________

EXT.  HIGHWAY.

"Uche turns to Efe."

UCHE

Guy you for try slow down oh.

ELLA

(Turns back)

Why?

Are you scared?

UCHE

You know that isn't it.

We almost got in trouble the last time.

EFE

Oh, please.

This na Najia nobody go stop you because say you dey speed.

Na just money dem dey fine.

UCHE

I know bro.

But don't forget we are transporting illegal stuff.

Driving recklessly makes us an easy target.

ELLA

(Turns to Efe)

So, your guy dey fear like this.

"Efe chuckles" 

UCHE

Guys I'm just being careful.

ELLA

You are scared oga.

EFE

(Spots a Hilux with some men in black)

Guys hide your guns.

(Gives his gun to Ella)

"Ella throws the gun under her car seat."

ELLA

Uche where your gun?

"Uche panics"

EFE

(Turns to Uche)

Guy, watin you dey do na?

UCHE

I don't know where to hide it.

(Sits on the gun)

"One the police officer stops them."

EFE

(Rolls down the side glass)

Officer, Good Afternoon oh.

How you dey?

OFFICER 1

I dey fine.

Where una dey go?

EFE

We won buy something for Gwagwalada market.

OFFICE 1

That na why you con dey speed abi?

EFE

Ahh, officer no oh.

Nor be like that.

OFFICER 1

So, I dey lie abi?

Who give una car self?

Where your driver's license?

EFE

Ahh, e dey here, sir

(Puls it out from his wallet, Ella reaches out to the car papers and gives it to Efe)

Officer see am.

Na my papa get the car.

This na the car papers too.

OFFICER 1

I ask you for that one.

Una go just dey do pass una self.

EFE

Ahh, officer nor vex.

OFFICER 1

Open your boot oga.

EFE

Sir?

OFFICER 2

E say make una open the boot

Abi you nor dey hear word?

EFE

Sorry, sir.

(Presses one of the buttons on the steering)

It's open sir.

"Officers 1 and 2 search the boot."

UCHE

(Whispers to Efe and Ella)

Guy, what do we do?

EFE

Shut the hell up!

ELLA

But you know we have to come up with a plan if they figure out what is there.

(Gives Efe a weird look)

EFE

No, no.

It's a no for me.

I know what you are thinking.

"Ella reaches out for the guns under the seat)

EFE

Ella, no!

OFFICER 1

Make una come down!

UCHE

Awo, oh

We are finished.

OFFICER 2

Una nor dey hear word?

Come down, jor!

"They sluggishly step out of the car; Ella puts the gun in her back "

CUT OUT:

____________________________________

INT. WINNER ACADEMY, CLASSROOM.

"Bema whispers to Isio"

BEMA

But we can't just believe what she said because she claims to be a witness.

ISIO

True but there is something strange about the disappearance of that girl.

It's either someone tried to kill her or something.

NGOZI

(Turns to Bema)

Yes, and your mother knows more than she claims she does.

BEMA

You may have a point because she was acting so weird the other day.

KOME

Why don't you figure out what she knows?

BEMA

Hello, have you met my mother?

She's like an iceberg, she won't say a thing except when she wants to. She's probably the closest person to me that I know the least about.

KOME

Hmm, that's true.

"Mr. Daniel walks towards Bema and others"

Mr. DANIEL

It seems there is something you are all discussing that is far more important than English language.

BEMA

We are sorry, sir.

Mr. DANIEL

Where are your class works?

ISIO

We are done, sir.

Mr. DANIEL

So that's why you're all disturbing my class, right?

ISIO

We are sorry, sir.

Mr. DANIEL

Sorry, for yourself.

(Notice Kome avoids eye contact with him)

Kome, how are you?

KOME

I'm fine, sir.

Mr. DANIEL

See me after class.

(Walks back to the front of the classroom)

____________________________________

BACK TO:

EXT.  HIGHWAY

"Ella reaches out to her gun as they walk closer to the boot of the car."

OFFICER 1

Come closer.

"Efe moves closer to the police officer."

EFE

Sir, hope all is well.

OFFICER 1

Why is the back of the car looking like this?

Ehh, children of nowadays.

See as una papa car be.

Una know how much for this car.

UCHE

We are sorry, sir.

OFFICER 1

Make una behave una self.

Nor dey drive anyhow.

And clean this car up!

EFE

Thank you, sir.

We will.

(Turns towards the driver's seat)

OFFICER 1

Where you dey go?

EFE

(Turns back)

Oh, sorry, sir.

OFFICER 1

Oya make una find us something sharp sharp.

(Stretches his head towards Efe)

Who senior inside all of una?

"Ella and Uche point at Efe."

EFE

(Pulls out two hundred naira from his pocket)

Officer abeg you go manage this one.

OFFICER 2

As how?

Something dey worry una?

Chock hand inside your pocket make you give us better thing.

EFE

(Pulls out a thousand naira from his pocket)

Officer this na watin we get.

OFFICER 1

(Takes it from him)

Oya before I open my eye, I nor won see una for here.

"Efe and others rush to the car."

EFE

Thank you, sir.

(Goes into the car)

ELLA

Omo.

UCHE

Guy start this car make we dey commot for here Asap!

"Efe turns on the car engine."

____________________________________

EXT. MINISTERS RESIDENCE, LAGOS, NIGERIA.

"Mrs. Wole hugs Faith"

Mrs. WOLE

Take care of yourself, baby.

And behave yourself!

MINISTER

You don't even have to worry about that one.

Mrs. Iwebema is a disciplinarian so she's in good hands.

FAITH

Daddy, please.

MINISTER

(Wraps his hands around Faith)

Faith, why are you being so stubborn?

Why can't you see that we are doing what is best for you?

FAITH

I know, Dad.

But I still don't want to go.

MINISTER

You know what?

Let's make a deal if, by the end of the term, you can come up with a significant reason why you do not like it at Winner Academy, then I promise you I will let you come back to your old school.

FAITH

(Smiles at Minister)

Really?

MINISTER

Yes, my baby.

You know I will do anything to make you happy.

Mrs. WOLE

Oya, you have to go now.

Your flight is in thirty minutes.

(Turns to the driver)

Please take care of her and make sure she gets on her flight.

DRIVER

Yes, ma.

MINISTER

Do not leave her till she gets on the flight!

DRIVER

I won't, sir.

MINISTER

Good.

(Turns to Faith)

Call us when you arrive in Abuja.

FAITH

I will.

Bye

(Waves at her parents as she goes into the car)

Mrs. WOLE

I'm going to miss her.

MINISTER

Me too.

(Wraps his arm around her shoulders and kisses her on the head)

___________________________________

INT. WINNER ACADEMY, SWIMMING POOL.

"Dayo pulls his clothes and dives into the water and swims towards Sophia's direction."

SOPHIA

(Appears shocked at the sight of Dayo)

Dayo, what are you doing here?

DAYO

Why did you kill Victoria?

SOPHIA

I thought we had talked about this, Dayo.

I have nothing to do with what happened to her.

DAYO

(Grabs Sophia by the neck and pins her to the edge of the pool)

Don't you dare lie to me!

SOPHIA

(Struggles to talk)

I have told you I had nothing to do with that.

DAYO

Shut your mouth you liar.

What were you trying to accomplish?

SOPHIA

You know there are cameras around, right?

DAYO

Luckily for me, they are still under maintenance.

Now talk!

SOPHIA

I have nothing to say to you.

DAYO

Really?

(Pushes her head into the water for several minutes before pulling her upwards)

Are you ready to talk now?

You know I can kill you here right now and nobody will know.

SOPHIA

(Coughs)

I have told you; Dayo I don't know what you are...

DAYO

(Punches her on the face and pulls her head into the water again for a few seconds before pulling her up)

Open your mouth and talk!

(Attempts to pull her back into the water again)

SOPHIA

(Bleeds through the nose)

Please, don't.

DAYO

Now talk!

SOPHIA

It's your mother.

DAYO

What does my Mum have to do with this?

SOPHIA

She made me do it.

DAYO

Why?

SOPHIA

To get back at the principal for what she did to you.

Your Mum is trying to turn the board members against her.

But you can't tell her, please she will kill me.

"Dayo appears surprised and slowly let's go of Sophia."

___________________________________

THE AJAYI'S RESIDENCE.

"Dr. Gloria paces around"

Mrs. AJAYI

Relax my friend.

(Sips the glass of wine in her hand)

Dr. GLORIA

How can I relax when that witch is yet to be out of my sight?

Our plans failed can't you see that?

Mrs. AJAYI

I can see that, Gloria.

But I don't get why you are working yourself up about this.

There are many ways to kill a rat.

Dr. GLORIA

We have tried everything will know.

Be like this rat big pass us, oh.

Mrs. AJAYI

Everyone has a weakness and we're yet to fail till we give up on this fight.

(Gets up)

That school rightfully belongs to you not Iwebema or anybody.

You have to stay strong, Gloria. Do not let what has happened discourage you. It's all a distraction.

Dr. GLORIA

(Sits down)

Yes, it is.

It's just a distraction.

(Reaches out for a glass of water on the table beside her.)

So, what's the next plan?

Mrs. AJAYI

Nothing.

Dr. GLORIA

What do you mean by nothing?

We have to....

Mrs. AJAYI

(Smiles at Gloria)

Relax, my dear.

Do you trust me?

Dr. GLORIA

Of course, I do.

Mrs. AJAYI

Then relax.

(Chuckles)

____________________________________

INT. WINNER ACADEMY.

"Mr. Daniel gazes at Kome"

Mr. DANIEL

How are you?

KOME

(Avoids eye contact)

I'm fine, sir.

Mr. DANIEL

Good.

KOME

Can I go now?

Mr. DANIEL

(Smiles)

Are you avoiding me?

KOME

No, I'm not sir.

I just have something to do.

Mr. DANIEL

Is it because of what happened?

KOME

(Breaths heavily)

About that, sir, I'm very sorry.

I didn't mean to...

Mr. DANIEL

(Pulls Kome towards him, grabs her by the cheeks and kisses her)

It's fine, Kome.

KOME

But.

Mr. DANIEL

Sh

(Places his right index in between her soft tiny lips)

But nothing.

God!

KOME

(Smiles)

What?

Mr. DANIEL

Your beauty is breathtaking.

I could barely teach today.

For a second it felt like the stars were glittering all over you. You were the spotlight of my attention.

KOME

(Shakes her head)

What does it feel like this is a dream?

"Mr. Daniel kisses her again."

KOME

What was that for?

Mr. DANIEL

To reassure you that this is real.

"Kome blushes uncontrollably."

__________________________________

INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION.

VON

Take this.

(Drops a bottle of brown liquid in his hand)

CHETA

What's this?

VON

Find a way to get that into your friend's luggage before he leaves.

CHETA

What is this sir?

TIGA

Do not ask questions!

Do as you have been asked!

CHETA

Not until you tell me what it is.

"Tiga grabs Cheta by the shirt."

VON

(Smiles)

Let him go.

(Turns to Cheta)

How much do you love your family?

Hmm, you know a man's greatest weakness is his loved one and his first love is his mother.

(One of the guards assists him in lighting the stick of F8)

Imagine all of that is taken from you.

Ngozi and Mrs. Azuka.

CHETA

Let my family be!

Kill me if you want but let them be.

VON

(Releases the smoke in his mouth)

That's all in your hands, Cheta.

Do what you've been asked to do, and your family will be just fine.

(Smiles at Cheta)

_____________________________________

"Cheta opens his eyes and gets up."

CHETA

What do I do?

(Reaches out to the liquid bottle under his pillow.)

"Ngozi walks in."

NGOZI

Hey, how are you doing?

CHETA

I'm fine.

How was school?

(Gets up)

NGOZI

School was okay.

(Touches his face)

The swellings are coming down.

Thank God.

CHETA

Ouch

(Pulls Ngozi's hands away)

That hurts.

NGOZI

Sorry.

Why are you not dressed?

Are you not going to Efe's party?

CHETA

No.

NGOZI

Hmm, it's a shame then.

You may probably not get to see him again.

CHETA

Trust me, I am doing him a favor by not being there.

NGOZI

Whatever Cheta, I'm going there now.

I think that solves the issue of who will look after Mama.

So, stay back oh, you hear me so.

(Walks out of the room)

____________________________________

INT. THE UFUOMA'S RESIDENCE.

"Mrs. Ufuoma opens the door."

Mrs. UFUOMA

Ahh, my friend.

(Hugs Mrs. Asika)

Mrs. ASIKA

Good evening, ma.

Mrs. UFUOMA

Common digwe.

Which one be good evening, Ma.

Mrs. ASIKA

Migwo, ma

Mrs. UFUOMA

Vrendo.

Ehen.

Oya come inside.

____________________________________

DINING TABLE.

"Efe opens a bottle of drink."

UCHE

Omo, we were so lucky today.

EFE

I swear.

UCHE

Shey, when I tell una, say make we slow down una nor hear me.

ELLA

Oya it's okay, you were right, and we were wrong.

UCHE

Of course, I was right.

(Reaches out for the suya on the table)

ELLA

If you like finish it.

EFE

There is more than enough for everyone leave am make e chop.

ELLA

(Turns to Efe)

So, you were planning on leaving without telling me, abi?

EFE

You know it's not like that.

I just had to be careful.

ELLA

Whatever, you are lucky you told me.

(Taps Uche)

Uche, isn't that your mom?

EFE

Ahh, she's the one, oh.

Make we go greet her oh.

(Efe gets up)

____________________________________

INT.  SITTING ROOM.

"Bema looks at his watch."

ISIO

Guy relax jor is not yet 8:30.

KOME

Don't mind him.

It's not like your mom will kill you if you don't make it on time.

NGOZI

Exactly, she knows you are here na.

BEMA

I know, guys.

But I just like to be on time I don't want my mom's Walhalla at all.

ISIO

Whatever.

KOME

(Sights Zino)

Sister Zino!

(Runs into her arms)

ZINO

(Hugs Kome tight)

My love, I missed you.

KOME

(Smiles)

You made it.

ZINO

You know I wouldn't miss it for anything.

"Ovie walks in'"

OVIE

You would have if I didn't remind you.

ZINO

(Smiles at Ovie)

Hello brother.

OVIE

(Spreads his arms open)

Come here.

It's so good to see you.

ZINO

You, too.

Where is Efe?

KOME

I think he is at the dining with his friends.

_____________________________________

"Efe opens the door."

CHETA

Hey, bro.

EFE

(Turns to Ella and Uche)

Hey guys, come look who is here.

"Ella and Uche walk into the scene."

CHETA

Guys, I'm sorry.

I know I have said a lot of things I can't take back but I'm sincerely sorry.

EFE

Come here, bro.

(Hugs Cheta)

UCHE

The next time you act crazy again, I'm going to break your head.

CHETA

(Smiles)

I'm sorry bro.

UCHE

Come inside jor before you bend neck like watin I nor know.

____________________________________

INT.  SITTING ROOM

"Mrs. Ufuoma holds Zino's hand."

Mrs. UFUOMA

So na you be this?

ZINO

Yes, oh.

Mrs. UFUOMA

You know for a long time; all my children haven't gathered together like this.

And now one is going to America and the other will return to the convent.

OVIE

Ahh, Mummy, relax.

I know Efe is going far away but this is still a good thing for us.

Mrs. ASIKA

Exactly and it is the Lord's doing.

ZINO

Oh, yes, it is.

Mrs. UFUOMA

How I wish your father was alive to see this day.

(Tears stream down her cheeks)

ZINO

Mama, that's okay.

It's a day of joy remember.

And Papa wouldn't want you to cry.

Mrs. UFUOMA

I know.

It's just that I miss your father so much.

"Ovie pulls Mrs. Ufuoma into his arms."

___________________________________

INT.  DINNING TABLE.

"They all laugh out loud."

CHETA

Guys excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.

(Walks out of the scene)

_____________________________________

INT. EFE's, ROOM.

"Cheta walks into Efe's room, brings out the liquid bottle, and squats beside one of Efe's luggage."