Chereads / Behind Bars / Chapter 22 - Episode 20(Dilemma)

Chapter 22 - Episode 20(Dilemma)

INT. HOSPITAL

"Mrs. Asika gently opens her eyes."

Mrs. ASIKA

Uche!

(In a soft and gentle voice.)

UCHE

(Turns to her bed.)

Mum!

(Pulls his chair closer to her.)

You scared me!

Mrs. ASIKA

My son

(Attempts to touch Uche.)

UCHE

(Pulls his hand towards her)

I was afraid something would happen to you.

Mrs. ASIKA

I am fine, my son.

(Manages to smile as she struggles to keep her eyes open.)

UCHE

I'm sorry I left.

This is all my fault I shouldn't have left you with that monster.

Mrs. ASIKA

No, it's fine, son.

This wasn't your fault I should have listened to you and divorced him long ago.

I'm sorry I put you through all of this.

(Tears stream down her tired cheeks.)

UCHE

It's fine, Mummy.

You were only trying to keep us together.

Mrs. ASIKA

I just didn't want you to grow up without a father.

I thought with him around, you would not have to feel your father's absence anymore.

(Lifts her trembling hands and places them on Cheta's Cheeks which were already covered in tears.)

UCHE

Mummy, stop crying, that's enough!

I know your actions were purely out of love even though they didn't turn out as you wished.

Mrs. ASIKA

I'm sorry I brought that monster into our lives.

UCHE

And I'm sorry I left you alone with him.

And don't worry, the baby is safe. I will never leave your side again.

"Nurse works into the room."

NURSE

Oh, you are up.

(Turns to Mrs. Asika)

How are you feeling, Ma?

Mrs. ASIKA

I am fine just this terrible headache.

NURSE

Okay, I will give you something for the pain. Any other thing?

Mrs. ASIKA

No, I am fine.

UCHE

(Turns to the nurse)

Is it normal for her to have a headache?

NURSE

(Smiles at Uche)

Yes, it is, you said she fell with her head so with time the pain will subside. But I will give her something that will help with the pain.

UCHE

Alright, thank you.

NURSE

You are welcome.

(Adjust the drip bag hung beside Mrs. Asika's bed.)

___________________________________

HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM.

"Ella sees Cheta walking towards her direction."

ELLA

Hey!

CHETA

How is she doing?

ELLA

The Doctor said she would be fine. Uche is with her now.

(Sights the blood stain on Cheta's shirt.)

You should have changed your shirt!

CHETA

(Notices the blood stain.)

Damn it!

ELLA

(Take off the long sleeve she is wearing)

Put this on, now!

CHETA

(Gazes at the pink feminine sleeve)

What?

There is no way I am putting that on.

ELLA

You have to cover up that blood stain!

CHETA

I am not wearing a lady's top.

ELLA

Are you stupid or what? Do you realize this could implicate you?

CHETA

I don't care I am not...

ELLA

(Interrupts Cheta)

Shut up and put it on, now!

(Throws the cloth at him.)

CHETA

(Gazes at the bedazzled top.)

Omo, watin be this?

I can't wear this, Ella.

Look at it, na.

ELLA

Don't piss me off, Cheta!

Put on the damn cloth!

What's your problem self?

"Cheta reluctantly puts it on and sits on the chair in front of him."

CHETA

Are you happy, now?

ELLA

(Sits down and turns to Cheta)

Whatever

What did you do with the body?

CHETA

I hid it.

I couldn't get rid of it in broad daylight.

ELLA

Where did you hide it?

CHETA

The less you know, the better!

ELLA

Okay, oh.

CHETA

(Notice her trembling hands)

Are you okay?

ELLA

(Turns to Cheta)

Is that a trick question or what?

Of course, I am not okay.

Uche just killed someone, and we are helping him cover up the crime.

CHETA

And so?

ELLA

What do you mean by "And so?"

He killed someone, Cheta!

CHETA

It was self-defense!

Besides, that animal could have killed Uche's mother.

ELLA

Still doesn't change the fact that what we are doing is wrong!

CHETA

So, what do you suggest we do?

Report him to the authorities and watch him rot in jail.

ELLA

Who says he would go to jail?

It was self-defense, remember!

All we have to do is include that in the report.

CHETA

This na Naija Ella! I nor believe say na you dey talk this one.

You think they would believe our story?

ELLA

I don't see why not!

That is exactly what happened.

CHETA

The truth doesn't matter in court.

They find a way to pin this on Uche.

ELLA

(Takes a deep breath)

Look, all I'm saying is that what we are doing now might come back at us later.

Karma dey real, Cheta!

CHETA

We have been dealing drugs for a long time now we have broken several laws, but we are still here free as birds. Karma is just an allusion.

ELLA

This is different.

(Rest her back on the chair.)

CHETA

See, I get that you are scared and that's okay but we are doing what is best Uche right now and you know it!

ELLA

I don't know, Cheta.

I just have a bad feeling about this.

CHETA

Nothing will happen, Madam chill abeg.

____________________________________

INT. THE UFUOMA HOUSEHOLD.

"Mrs. Ufuoma notice the front door is wide open."

Mrs. UFUOMA

Ahh, who dey this house by this time

(Rushes into the house and sees Zara holding tight to an AK47)

Jesus, please nor shoot me.

(Falls on her knees)

ZARA

Mama, relax I am not....

"Zino walks in and interrupts Zara."

ZINO

Mama, calm down, this is Zara my friend, she is not going to hurt you.

(Turns to Zara.)

Put the gun away.

Mrs. UFUOMA

(Gazes at the gun.)

Your friend na police?

Why she carry gun?

ZINO

Mama, don't worry, I will explain everything later for now we have to leave!

Mrs. UFUOMA

Leave? To where?

ZINO

I will explain on our way there.

"Ovie comes out of Mama's room with a box of her clothes."

OVIE

This is the last box. I think this should be everything.

Mrs. UFUOMA

Watin dey happen where you dey carry my box dey go?

OVIE

We will explain everything to you later, Mama.

Mrs. UFUOMA

Why? Watin dey happen.

OVIE

Mama, just trust us.

This is a matter of safety.

"Zara Pick up her gun immediately she heard the sound of a vehicle."

ZARA

(Looks outside through the window then turns to Zino.)

I think the van is here.

ZINO

What do we do, Kome isn't yet back.

OVIE

You guys can go ahead, don't worry I will wait for her and follow behind with my car.

ZINO

No, we have to go together. I can't risk leaving you guys out here without protection.

ZARA

Zino, you can go with Mama me and Ovie will wait for Kome.

ZINO

Alright, guys let's get these things into the Van.

"Zara and Ovie carry the bags outside."

Mrs. UFUOMA

(Turns to Zino)

Zino, follow me talk, watin dey happen?

ZINO

Mama, everything is fine.

Don't you trust me?

Mrs. UFUOMA

Why I nor go trust you? Nor be me carry you for belle for nine months.

ZINO

Then relax, Mama.

I promise you I will tell you all about it once we get to where we are going!

(Holds her by the hand.)

We have to go now.

_____________________________________

EXT. FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

"Ovie closes the back door of the Van."

OVIE

That's all.

ZINO

Are you sure we are not leaving anything behind?

OVIE

I double-checked the rooms; this is all that we will be needing.

"Mama pulls her head out of the window of the Van."

Mrs. UFUOMA

You carry Kome laptop bag?

OVIE

Yes, Mama, I did.

(Turns to Zino.)

You guys have to go now.

ZINO

Okay

(Turns to Zara)

Take care and make sure nobody follows you!

ZARA

Sure!

"Zino rushes into the van. Ovie and Zara watch the Van drive away."

OVIE

(Look at his watch)

It's getting late, where the hell is this girl?

ZARA

Don't you think we should go and pick her up from school?

OVIE

What if she is already on her way here?

ZARA

We can leave her a note instructing her not to panic and wait for us to return.

OVIE

That's a good idea. Let's do that.

_____________________________________

INT. FRANK'S RESIDENCE.

"Ngozi gazes at Frank's family portrait hanged opposite his bed."

NGOZI

Your Mum is exceptionally beautiful.

FRANK

(Attempts to light a stick of F8.)

I know, right? That is where I got my looks from.

NGOZI

(Smiles and turns to Frank.)

Show off.

FRANK

What? That's the fact and you know it.

NGOZI

Whatever!

(Sit on the bed.)

FRANK

You know that is the truth.

NGOZI

Oga e don do.

FRANK

(Goes closer to Ngozi and begins to tickle her)

Oya admit it.

NGOZI

(Laughs out uncontrollably)

Stop, please.

Frank stop.

FRANK

Admit it.

NGOZI

Fine, you are cute.

FRANK

(Leaves her)

Crazy girl.

NGOZI

(Hits him on the hand)

Don't ever try that again.

FRANK

(Leans over her)

Or what?

(Gazes into Ngozi's grey pupils)

What else can I do to have you to myself?

NGOZI

(Stammers.)

I... don't

FRANK

I will do anything to prove to you that I am worthy of your love, Ngozi.

(Caresses her front hair and slowly leans over towards her lips)

NGOZI

(Gets up)

I have to go now, it's already late, my Mum might begin to worry.

(Gets up and walks to the front of the mirror to adjust her clothes)

"Frank slowly gets up from the bed and walks up to her."

FRANK

Why are you fighting your feelings?

We both know you feel the same way I do.

(Slowly wrap his sweaty and hairy hands around her waist.)

NGOZI

Because you are bad for me.

FRANK

(Switches his tone of voice as he whispers into her left ear.)

What is wrong with me being bad for you?

The most important thing is that I am bad to only you.

(Slowly kisses ear down to her neck and navigates his hands towards her boobs.)

NGOZI

(Fights the sound of his seductive voice in her ear and the feeling of his hands around her boobs.)

Frank, stop... I have to go home.

FRANK

Shhhh!

Close your eyes.

(Ngozi sees herself closing her eyes as the sweet suffering from Frank's touches continues.)

I will treat you nicely and make you feel things sweeter than the climax of your imagination.

I will finger your thoughts and imagination till all of you want me inside of you.

NGOZI

(Moan softly as Frank slowly makes it to her brown nipples, picks them at their tip and rubs softly.)

Frank, you are a bad boy.

FRANK

(Take off her shirt to get more access to her boobs)

You belong to me in every way. Do not fight it let me in.

"Ngozi turns around and begins to kiss him."

NGOZI

Don't stop!

I'm all yours.

I want you inside of me!

"Frank grabs onto her boobs and begins to suck on her aroused swollen nipples. He pulls down her skirt and pushes fingers into her pant and reaches for her dripping cherry."

NGOZI

Frank don't stop.

(Takes off her pant)

I want you inside of me, now!

"Frank pulls her to the edge of the bed, lifts her legs over his shoulders, and burry his tongue in her bosom."

NGOZI

Oh, Frank, don't stop.

(Grabs frank by the head.)

FRANK

(Sluggishly kisses her stomach and finally makes it to her lips as he simultaneously pets and rubs the surface of her swollen dripping cherry.)

Keep your eyes open, look into my eyes.

NGOZI

(Tears roll down her cheeks)

Frank!

I want you inside of me, please.

Frank, please.

FRANK

Shhh

(Places his right index finger across his lips as he brushes through her Cherry and slowly push his aroused pride inside her warm walls.)

NGOZI

Frank, it hurts.

"Frank ignores her and goes in and out of her tight walls."

FRANK

(Look into her eyes)

You are so tight.

(Notice something warm dropping on the sheet, look down only to see Ngozi bleeding.)

Jizz!

NGOZI

It hurts

(Turns to the left side of the bed as she tears up.)

____________________________________

EXT. ROAD.

"Looks outside the window."

OVIE

Where could she be?

ZARA

Maybe she's still in the school compound.

OVIE

But school has closed.

(Sights Kome and Isio walking down towards the car.)

That's her.

(Rushes out of the car.)

Kome!

KOME

(Lifts her head)

Bro, Ovie, what are you doing here?

OVIE

Get into the car!

KOME

I want to get something from Isio.

OVIE

Be fast about it!

KOME

It's at her house. Her place is not too far from here.

OVIE

Forget about it!

Get into the car, now!

KOME

But I need it for school tomorrow.

"Zara comes out of the car."

ZARA

Kome, get in!

"Kome reluctantly goes into the car."

KOME

Bro Ovie, please, I need it.

Her place is not far from here.

OVIE

(Turns on the car engine)

Not another word from you!

Simple instructions you cannot obey.

(Puts the car in motion.)

ZARA

(Turns to Ovie)

That's enough, let's just get out of here.

"Kome spots the gun beside Zara."

KOME

Sister Zara, is that a gun?

ZARA

(Turns to Kome)

Your sister will explain everything to you when you see her.

KOME

(Turns to Ovie)

Bro Ovie what's happening?

Why does she have a gun?

OVIE

Relax, I will explain everything to you once we get to where we are going.

___________________________________

INT. HOSPITAL.

"Uche walks into the waiting room."

ELLA

How is she doing?

UCHE

She's okay but she's sleeping now.

(Sits down.)

ELLA

How are you?

(Rubs his back with her palm.)

UCHE

I'm good.

ELLA

Cheta is in the restroom.

UCHE

His back?

How did it go?

ELLA

He said he couldn't dispose of the body in broad daylight, but he hid it where nobody would see it.

UCHE

(Breaths heavily)

Okay.

ELLA

Are you sure about this, Uche?

UCHE

I don't understand.

ELLA

Getting rid of the body could complicate things.

UCHE

So, what do you suggest we do?

ELLA

I think we should come clean. It wasn't your intention to kill him.

It was self-defense so you wouldn't go to jail.

UCHE

We both know the law doesn't work that way. It's not that simple.

ELLA

I know, Uche but what we are about to do could make matters worse. What if someone discovers what we have done?

"Cheta walks into the scene."

CHETA

Nobody will find out if we all keep our mouths shut.

ELLA

(Turns to Cheta)

Nothing is hidden under the sun, Cheta. What if the police decide to investigate it?

CHETA

The police cannot investigate a murder that never happened.

They can only do that if they find the body!

ELLA

(Turns to Uche)

So, what do we say when people begin to ask questions about your stepfather? What do we tell your mother?

CHETA

We can work on a story later but for now, we have to get rid of that body before it's too late.

ELLA

(Turns to Cheta)

A story? What the hell Is wrong with you Cheta?

CHETA

I should be asking you that question. What you are asking us to do might put Uche behind bars for a very long time.

ELLA

You think I want that for him?

Or I don't care?

CHETA

You might not say it, but your actions say it all.

ELLA

How dare you?

UCHE

That's enough guys!

I understand that you are both just looking out for me, but we have to do what's best for everyone.

(Turns to Ella)

Reporting this might get you and Cheta into trouble, you are both too involved already and it's already too late to retrace our step.

ELLA

So, you are going ahead with Cheta's plan?

UCHE

Yes, but I want us to be on the same page.

ELLA

I still think you are making a terrible mistake but whatever you decide, I will support you.

UCHE

Thank you.

____________________________________

INT. BUHIGH PRISON.

"Efe leans over the cell door."

MOHAMMED

(Sees Efe's shadow)

Who is there?

EFE

Go back to sleep it's me.

MOHAMMED

(Looks at his watch 2 AM)

Why are you still up?

EFE

I can't sleep.

MOHAMMED

Hmm, you are worried.

EFE

(Sits on the ground)

I'm still finding it difficult to come to terms with my death.

MOHAMMED

Don't say that. You are not dying.

I believe you will find a way out of this.

EFE

How?

Big Shark Boys are probably coming up with a dozen ways to kill me.

MOHAMMED

That may be true, but it doesn't mean they will succeed.

EFE

(Chuckles)

Have you seen the number of boys he has on his side?

MOHAMMED

(Get up and sit close to Efe)

You nearly defeated the strongest known man in Bu High Prison. Do you know nobody knows what it feels like to drop a punch on Big Shark? But you do.

EFE

Shouldn't that be more reason for me to be scared to death?

MOHAMMED

Yes, it can but it could also be a reason for you to realize that there is more to you than what meets the eye, and knowing that is more than enough reason for you to believe in yourself and trust that Allah will find a way to get you out of this.

EFE

(Smiles at Mohammed)

You are one hell of a motivational speaker.

MOHAMMED

(Chuckles)

I guess so.

EFE

If all Muslims had a tongue as sweet as yours, you guys could take over the world.

MOHAMMED

Sadly, I am who I am, and nobody can be me.

(Gets up)

You should get some sleep, my boy.

Allow tomorrow to unfold as she pleases.

Allah shall be with you.

EFE

You mean today?

MOHAMMED

Whatever. Get some sleep.

(Fall back to his bed)

EFE

Sure, I will.

____________________________________

INT. ZINO'S WAREHOUSE.

"Zino sits down."

ZINO

So that is my story.

KOME

So, you are saying The New Gates, the popular pharmaceutical company that we all know, are the ones responsible for the F drug series and you once worked for them?

ZINO

Exactly, Kome.

KOME

Wow!

ZINO

And they are the ones responsible for what is happening to Efe. Probably their way of getting back at me for leaving them.

But I promise you all that I am going to get revenge and get Efe out of this.

Mrs. UFUOMA

No, my daughter no revenge. All I want is your brother's freedom.

I already lost your father. I can not lose you or Efe.

ZINO

(Knees in front of Mrs. Ufuoma)

Mama, they did this to us. They have to pay for what they have done.

Mrs. UFUOMA

(Tears roll down her cheeks)

I know, but vengeance belongs to God my daughter.

All I need from you is to use all you have to get your brother out!

No revenge, you dey hear me so!

ZINO

(Reluctantly responds)

Yes, ma.

Mrs. UFUOMA

(Wraps her trembling palm around Zino's cheeks)

No revenge or killing. Promise me!

ZINO

(Takes a deep breath)

I promise you, Mama.

___________________________________

INT. ROOM.

'Ovie walks in."

OVIE

How are you holding up?

ZINO

I'm fine. I'm just worried about Mama.

OVIE

Mama will be fine. She is a strong woman.

So, you lied about the whereabouts of your money and assets that you got as retirement from the company.

ZINO

Did I?

OVIE

Zino!

There Is no way you could afford this place with the peanut the church pays you.

ZINO

True. How could I let go of all of this when I knew that this day was going to come?

It was just a matter of when.

(Folds her hands across each other.)

OVIE

So, what are your plans?

ZINO

Plans?

OVIE

(Chuckles as he gazes at her)

Come on, Zino, I know you like the back of my palm. Your eyes scream it, nothing will take that burning hunger for revenge inside of you. Not even Mama's tears and words.

ZINO

Before I go after Von and the company, I want to know exactly how all of this happened.

First thing tomorrow morning, I will be flying to The US to figure out how Efe got himself into this.

OVIE

Don't tell me you believe what that idiot told you.

There is no way Efe was part of them. I checked out the warehouse yesterday and there was no sign of illegal activities. Just a normal regular warehouse.

"Kome walks in."

KOME

He was involved with them.

"Zino and Ovie turns to Kome."

ZINO

What? How?

KOME

I don't know how deep he was, but I am going to tell you all I know.

It started when I caught Efe with the drug dealer at my school.