KUJU and the GIRLS

The scene opens at 8:30am on a Monday morning. The English teacher Mr Hassan is seen standing in front of the class with a fair skinned, slim, handsome and timid looking boy with glasses on and clad in a simple dress and a black back pack.

TEACHER: As we can all see, we have a new student here named Kuju. What do we say to him? (smiling)

CLASS: Welcome Kuju (smiling)

He motions to them quite timidly and awkwardly. Some of the facial expressions of the students begins to change from a smiling face to an expression of disgust.

TEACHER: (Faces Kuju) do you have anything to say to the class?

He shakes his head in disapproval.

TEACHER: Alright you can go in. (motions him to a vacant seat). So, last week, I gave us a presentation to work on. I want group A to come out with their presentation.

Group A begins to file out from a corner of the class where they were gathered rehearsing for the presentation. The group is made up of three girls and a boy. Gold who is the class captain and head of the group comes out with an air of authority and pride. She looks so shiny and sparkly with her fair skin, well ironed uniform, expensive wrist watch, gold bangles, shiny shoes and a sweet fragrance. Ezenne on the other hand who is also a member of the group keeps on admiring the new boy. She looks at his curly dark hair, brown eyes, cat eyes, small nose, fair shiny skin and pink lips. She wondered why a guy can be this handsome yet so timid.

Kuju sat at the left hand corner of the middle row against the wall leading to the door of the class. He feel very uncomfortable because he thinks that all eyes are on him. He tried to keep his cool but his feelings still wouldn't ease. He noticed that everyone around him appears extravagant and richer than he is. He was pre-informed at home that he was going to a school for rich kids. He only managed to be here due to a sponsorship he got from the manager of a multinational company who witnessed his brilliant performance at a math competition. He feels he doesn't match up here because he clearly looks below their standard. However, he decided to stay away from trouble and any embarrassing situation in order to survive here for the remaining two years he has in secondary school.

After the presentation, Ezenne excuses herself to the health office for a check-up, while the class continues.

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It 12:00pm the same day. It has been series of lectures. Its break time now and some members of the class are out for break. Kuju sat there still feeling uncomfortable. He has food but is too uncomfortable to bring it out. A group of students are at the corner at the back of the class and he feels their eyes are on him as they converse with one another.

Few minutes later, his belly begins to rumble and the break period is almost over. He swallows his fear and brings out his cooler of food. As he does that, he begins to hear those students giggling, but he goes ahead anyways and starts eating.

As he eats, some students starts returning to the class. He starts feeling uneasy. Ezenne enters and sits beside him. It happened that she is his seat partner. She took her bag and placed it on the desk to get her bottle of water. Ezenne is a pretty girl as well. She appeared clean and high-classed as well. She smells really nice, fair-skinned and a well-developed body shape and figure.

EZENNE: Hey

KUJU: Hey

EZENNE: Kuju, right?

KUJU: Yes

EZENNE: I'm so sorry, I couldn't quite remember the name the teacher mentioned 

He just smiled 

EZENNE: I'm Ezenne and I'm your seat partner. (Smiles)

KUJU: Oh, okay. I loved your presentation. It was nice.

EZENNE: Thank you (she smiles)

(She paused for a while) (Kuju continues eating)

EZENNE: Why didn't you go out for break?

KUJU: Well, I have my food and…i don't really know my way around here…so….going out would be pointless.

EZENNE: (checks her watch) it's barely 20 minutes to break-over, I can take you around if you want.

KUJU: Uhhh….thanks…but I'm…good

EZENNE: It's just a tour, nothing awkward.

KUJU: I know… but… I have to finish this food.

EZENNE: (looks into his cooler) 20 minutes won't be enough to finish this food.

Kuju shrugs

EZENNE: Moreover the students here aren't that nice so this would have been a good opportunity to know your way around here so you won't be fooled by those students.

KUJU: So… you're the only nice one… around here then.

EZENNE: See… (hesitates) you know what, suit yourself.

She stands and starts walking out of the class

KUJU: I'm just kidding, I'm sorry.

She walks out

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Its 12:30pm. The scene opens with Gold at the front of the class.

GOLD: Mr Bayo asked me to collect the Agric assignment. Please pass your notes to the front.

While the students were passing their notes, another teacher walks in. They all greet and the lectures starts, while Gold excuses herself with the notes. 

Since break over till two periods after, Ezenne didn't speak to Kuju nor look at him. She totally ignored him and Kuju understands, so he waits till after classes and tries to start a conversation.

The teacher leaves the class and the class becomes rowdy. Kuju keeps on watching Ezenne. He wants to talk to her but does not know how to. He thinks of tapping her but just can't make up his mind as he holds his breath through all of this, feeling so uneasy.

He finally taps her and starts a conversation

KUJU: Hey

EZENNE: (turns to check if she was obstructing or inconveniencing him) sorry (she adjusts herself and turns away).

KUJU: Ezenne (he whispered)

(no response)

KUJU: Ezenne (he tapped her back)

EZENNE: Yes? Hope no problem?

As he looks into her eyes, he goes blank for a moment. 

"I hope this isn't a bad idea" he says under his breath.

He doesn't know the words to start with. He wants to start explaining to her but immediately feels she may not give him audience, so he ends up starting with an apology

KUJU: I'm sorry.

He says with a very sorrowful look in his eyes as they both maintain eye contact.

EZENNE: You're sorry? (looks confused) About what?

KUJU: About earlier.

EZENNE: (looks confused) What happened earlier? 

KUJU: I'm sorry for how I spoke to you during the short break, please forgive me.

EZENNE: (Scoffs) There's nothing to be sorry about o, I'm the one who couldn't just mind my business. If I had minded my own business, it wouldn't have happened. So don't worry, I have learnt my lessons. (turns away)

KUJU: (he sighs) Ezenne, please. I just resumed today, we cannot start off this way. I made a huge mistake and i'm really sorry about it. Please don't make me hate myself for this. Please, if not for anything but for the fact that I'm just resuming today, please give me another chance. I want to make it up to you. I really appreciate your kind gesture, I really was the one who messed up.

EZENNE: (she turns and sighs) it's okay. I forgive you. 

(Kuju smiled, then she smiled too)

KUJU: Thank you.

EZENNE: So you will not call me a bad person.

(They laugh)

EZENNE: But on a more serious note, please don't do that again o. I wasn't angry but I felt so embarrassed and offended. So I just decided to mind my boundaries.

KUJU: Please don't. I want us to be friends, please. (he says with a sorry look)

EZENNE: (she looks into his eyes and sees how sorry he is and smiles) Alright (she hugs him)

No one saw that coming not Kuju and definitely not the whole class as they all chorused "awwn". Kuju looks stunned. He didn't know how to react but had to embrace her in order not to embarrass her the second time. After the hug, he turns forward quickly to hide his embarrassment as the class kept taunting. Suddenly, the bell rings for long break.

EZENNE: (she turns to him) Can we go for the tour now?

KUJU: (Still looking very uncomfortable) okay (reluctantly)

Then she pulls him along as they exit the class.

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Its 2:15 and it's still the long break period. The scene opens on Ezenne and Kuju sitting on a low fence in the school compound. They had just completed the tour round the school. They look like they have bonded with each other. Kuju now seems more comfortable than how he was when he came.

EZENNE: So that's all the important places in the school. I'm tired. You will naturally find the rest on your own.

KUJU: What kind of tour guide is this? (he says with a smile on his face).

EZENNE: What? (she says with a joking frown as she opens both hands like she is enquiring for something)

KUJU: You promised to take me round the whole school and now you're tired.

EZENNE: Ehn, I can't come and kill myself na. (1)

KUJU: Who send you work before? (2)(he smiles)

EZENNE: You know, I actually thought you were a shy guy. When I saw you, I was like, 'how can a cute guy like this be this shy?' but since this small tour that I took you, I now know that you are a bad guy, a pretender.

KUJU: (He laughs) What about you? (he looks at her sarcastically)

EZENNE: Me I'm a good girl o…. (pauses as she sees him looking at her doubtfully yet sedutively) I'm a good girl na. (He keeps staring at her like that) See carry that your evil eye abeg

KUJU: What happened to my eye, is it drawing you? (*)

EZENNE: Drawing kwa?! Dey play. (3)

KUJU: You just said I'm cute. I'm entering your eye abi? (4)

EZENNE: Na you sabi (5) (she says trying to hide her true feelings) 

Kuju laughs

KUJU: You know when I came here, I felt really anxious, restless, uncomfortable…but with you…. I just feel….at home.

Ezenne smiles and turns away trying to hide her blush.

EZENNE: Really?

KUJU: Yeah

EZENNE: Hmm… I'm glad I make you feel that way. (she bows her head and begins to play with her fingers) I don't really have friends around here, 'cos everyone around here seems to be either be a bully, proud or just… too much. I've faced so many things from some of our classmates. Sometimes I wonder why some of them hate me so much. So I just mind my business around here.

KUJU: Hate you? Why would they hate you? What did you do to them?

EZENNE: I don't know. See ehn (6)… this school is just somehow sha (7). You just have to be careful with our classmates sha.

KUJU: Hmm…. (pauses) who's that fair girl that presented first in your group.

EZENNE: hmm… Gold. She's the class captain. What about her?

KUJU: Nothing, she just seems… different.

EZENNE: In what way?

KUJU: I don't know…she looks kinda… (sucks teeth) she just dey do pass herself sha. (8)

EZENNE: Exactly what I've been saying. Someone who just came today has noticed it, our classmates who have been here for years are not seeing it or they are seeing it and have chosen to kiss ass. Her own is just too much. (rolls eyes) Her parents are richest in our class, so what do you expect. (pauses) She is even one of the reasons why I told you to be careful.

KUJU: Really? Tell me about this na (9)

EZENNE: See I'm not someone that likes to spoil people at the back, so they won't say you heard anything from me. Just heed to my advice. A word is enough for the wise.

(bell rings)

EZENNE: let's get back to class.

She hurries off before kuju could even stand up. She left him with a lot to think about and he wonders why she is keeping so much information from him. 

They had classes till school over. 

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Three weeks later. The scene opens in the classroom. Ezenne is not in school today. The math teacher is seen standing at the front of the class about to announce the test score.

MR OPE: Today, I will be announcing the scores of the students who came first five (pauses). The first will shock you. (he smiles). I'll be announcing from the fifth upward as I always do. (clears throat) Adama enyoojo, Blessing oduwole, Mary Agumba, Ifeanyi Chukwuma…. (takes a dramatic pause) …you won't believe who came second this time… Gold Sylvester. (pauses to take the reaction of the class)

The class gasps in shock. Gold looks stunned. Some students started discussing amongst themselves.

MR OPE: (smiles) I know you will be shocked just the way I am (grins from cheek to cheek). Wait until you hear who came first… (takes another suspenseful pause)…. KUJU!

"What?!" "how?" "ah-ahn!"(10) "how come?!" and other reactions stem in from the class. The class starts getting rowdy as everyone looks at Kuju. Kuju looks motionless and expressionless in all of these and tries to avoid any eye contact. Gold looks shocked as keeps on staring at Kuju with an eye of unbelieve.

MR OPE: I'm shocked as well because he just resumed with us this term and has never had any experience of my kind of tests and he broke the jinx. I'm really impressed. Your hands together for Kuju

They all clapped while Kuju remained silent.

MR OPE: Kuju keep it up. So that the end of the class. Gold please come and pick up these scripts and distribute them. (leaves)

Gold goes to the front desk to collect the scripts and starts distributing them. When she got to Kuju's seat to give him his script, the following conversation starts.

GOLD: Kuju welldone. Nice one (she shake hands with him)

Kuju remained quiet 

GOLD: I see why Ezenne has been throwing herself around you since you came. Did you guys know each other before here?

KUJU: No, and no one is throwing themselves around anyone, she's just a nice person.

Some students at the back reacted "Nice indeed".

Gold smiles

GOLD: Anyways, just be careful sha.

She walks away

"Careful?" Kuju thought. "What's with this school sef?"(11) "What's going on in this class?" "What are they not telling me?" "What do I need to know?" "What am I missing here?" Kuju keeps pondering.

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It's breaktime. The scene opens in the classroom with only Kuju and Gold remaining. Gold is operating her phone, while Kuju is seen pretending to read but is actually observing Gold. He has been bothered ever since she spoke with him and he has been looking for the perfect opportunity to meet her. 

"This is the right time" Kuju thought. "But what if someone walks in" he argued within himself. "What if ignores me, you know how proud she is." "She won't talk to me I know." "Lemme just see how she reacts, if I say 'hi' and she behaves somehow, I'll just leave her." He gets up and goes to the front of her seat. He begins to think that it would be a stupid idea to just say 'hi'. "Won't she begin to see me as a fool? That I just left my seat to say, hi?" he thought "doesn't make any sense." 

It's already too late, he's in front of her. He begins to brainstorm for an excuse to defend himself with in order not to look stupid.

KUJU: Uhm… Hey (he says still believing she's going to ignore him or reply with disdain)

GOLD: (she looks up) Hi. How are you?

Her facial expression isn't showing any form of disdain, it rather shows a mixed feeling of surprise and warmth. Kuju isn't expecting this. He thought she was going to ward him off with a strong look or something and that would have been his cue to leave. Now he has to say something meaningful. He thinks of asking her to explain what she meant by telling him to be careful with Ezenne, but doesn't know how to start.

Now he realises she asked "how are you?". After the awkward pause, he replies

KUJU: I…I'm…I'm good.

GOLD: (smiles but seems to have noticed his awkward behaviour) Are you okay?

"God, is she smiling?" Kuju thought. "What am I seeing right now?" "she's so sweet, Gosh!". "What am I feeling right now?". "And she's so beautiful". He's stunned and at the same time admiring her. He never expected this behaviour, especially with all Ezenne had been telling him about her for the past three weeks. This unexpected behaviour of hers is making her beauty look more clear to him now.

KUJU: Uhm…Ah…yeah…yeah, I am. (pauses)

He chuckles. She chuckles too. Then they look at themselves for a moment.

KUJU: wow…

Gold keeps smiling and staring at him.

GOLD: (smiles) what?

KUJU: Nothing… I just wanted to say 'hi' (he leaves)

Gold keeps looking at him surprised. She chuckles and goes back to operating her phone. Kuju goes back to his sit feeling stupid, surprised, palpitations and a sweet tingling from his heart and round his body. He goes back to pretend to read but all he's seeing is her face, her smile, her sweet attitude. He still can't believe what he experienced and wishes to experience it one more time. He's starts feeling something really strong for her and couldn't help himself. All he wants now is to be with her, but doesn't want to push It so he won't end up embarrassing himself.

Some moments later, Gold starts walking towards the door then this conversation starts.

GOLD: Why do you always seem nervous and timid?

KUJU: Me? I'm not o.

GOLD: (she stops at the door and sits on the desk at the front row by the door) You have always been like this since your first day in this school.

Kuju starts feeling *uncomfortable and mesmerised by her presence and looks but tries to keep his composure.

KUJU: So you have been watching me.

He tries to maintain eye contact with her but couldn't because her stare was piercing and mesmerising.

GOLD: Yes, I have been watching you.

"Men, her confidence and audacity is not girly at all." Kuju thought.

KUJU: Wow!

GOLD: What did you want to tell me then? (she keeps staring into his eyes like she wants to see through his soul)

KUJU: Nothing (he lied as he keeps trying to avoid eye contact)

GOLD: You and I know you are lying.

He remained silent.

GOLD: Kuju!

He remained silent 

GOLD: Do you have a crush on me?

"Whaaat?!!!" "How did she jump from that to this?" kuju thought "This girl"

He is actually feeling something like that but "how can I just say that kind of thing this early?"

KUJU: Ah! (he chuckles)

GOLD: What? I'm not your type?

KUJU: Ah no oo… (he changed his mind and thought about seizing the opportunity to tell her how he already feels) okay… I… think you're beautiful, intelligent and… just so… domineering. Which makes you more… attractive

GOLD: Which means…?

KUJU: (looks confused) Which means nothing.

She looks at him for a while, then stands and turns to leave.

GOLD: hmmm… so this is what you wanted to say?

KUJU: well… not really… but… never mind 

GOLD: Well I believe in being outspoken. If you have something bottled up you may lose what you want. I'm going out for break and I suggest you do too, because if anything gets missing, we tend to accuse the last person in class. (leaves)

KUJU: Ah! (jumps up and leaves)

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She keeps on going like she doesn't know if anyone is behind her, walking with her grace and aura of pride. Kuju observes her from behind. Her figure, features, skin, outfits, hairdo, perfume. Everything just speaks pride and he begins to compare what he is evaluating now to what he evaluated earlier. Gold on the other hand knows that he is behind her and feels that the reason why he has remained behind is because he wants to keep admiring her, so she lets him have his way and decides not to talk to him in order not to distract him from what she feels he wants to do.

He follows her from behind. He sees this as an opportunity to speak with her and spend more time with her. He decides to bring up the question just to start up a conversation.

KUJU: Gold (he calls)

GOLD: Yes? (she turns and stops)

KUJU: (walks up to her and faces her) (sighs) I've been meaning to ask you something

GOLD: What's that?

KUJU: When you gave me my script, you mentioned something about Ezenne. You said I should be careful. What is that about?

GOLD: Never mind. (she turns and starts walking away)

Kuju follows her

KUJU: Why are you guys keeping this from me? (gold stops and faces him) What should I be careful of? Why warn me about something when you can't tell me what it is? How am I to prepare myself?

GOLD: So she has started telling you things, hasn't she?

KUJU: She only asked me to be careful.

GOLD: About who? (her eyes getting intense)

KUJU: A…a….about the class….that's all.

She stares deep into his eyes then continues walking. She knows he's lying but decides not to stress it, but then changes her mind.

GOLD: She told you to be careful about me, isn't it.

KUJU: Just like how you're telling me to be careful about her. Is anything the matter? I need to know. You guys should stop keeping me in suspense.

GOLD: See, it's not in my place to tell you about forbidden things. Also, I hate being in so much drama. Moreover, you guys are already good friends so I wouldn't want to come between you two. All I can tell you is, be careful. If you notice, everyone behind you disapproved of your "nice" (she air quotes) description of her. That alone should be a note of warning to you. She might have told you a lot of things about me, but it's your call to believe or not. That's it.

Kuju sucks his teeth and sighs.

GOLD: See I really have to go now, see you later.

Kuju just stands and watches her leave. This time not for admiration but frustration.

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It's 8:30pm that same day. The scene opens with Kuju and Ezenne at home chatting with each other on whatsapp.

KUJU: Ezenne, how are you doing? I didn't see you in school today. (8:30pm)

EZENNE: i'm good. I wasn't feeling too well. (8:32pm)

KUJU: Oh. What happened? (8:49pm)

EZENNE: I was just weak and vomiting. (8:50pm)

KUJU: How do you feel now? (8:55pm)

EZENNE: A bit better. I'll resume tomorrow. How was school today? (8:55pm)

KUJU: Stressful as usual. (9:03pm)

EZENNE: I know say notes go dey wait me like this. (12)(9:10pm)

KUJU: Before (13) (smiley emoji) (9:30pm)

EZENNE: You'll help me write o. (9:32pm)

KUJU: Dey play(14). After writing all those notes today, you expect me to rewrite again, time and energy that I should be using to write the notes for the next day. (9:34pm)

EZENNE: Kuju na, why are you this harsh. I just told you that I wasn't feeling well today, or is it my fault that I fell sick? At least return the favour for the niceness I showed you when you resumed (9:36pm)

Kuju looks at the message with disgust. "what's this one saying?"(15) "na you give yourself work na(16) or did I force you or ask you to take me round the school, you wanted to do it and I only granted your wish. Which one you kon dey feel entitled?" (hisses) 

KUJU: Alright, I will try and help you, but you too should also consider how stressful this will be on me. (9:45pm)

EZENNE: I know. I'll make it up to you. Thank you. (9:47pm)

KUJU: You're welcome. (10:00pm)

EZENNE: So what's the latest news in class. (10:01pm)

KUJU: I topped the class in the math test. (10:10pm)

EZENNE: Serious?! (10:15pm)

KUJU: Yes. (10:20pm)

EZENNE: Wow! That man's test is always very hard o. it took even Gold two terms to adjust to his standard. How did Gold take it? (10:22pm)

KUJU: I knew you would ask. Well she congratulated me. We actually kept each other's company today. (10:25pm)

Now Ezenne looks at the message with disgust. "Ehen so because I'm not around you're already following another girl." "I said it that this guy likes this Gold, with the way he talks about her". "This useless Gold sef, taking away every guy that comes around me in that school" "well, if you don't let me have this one, then maybe what I did to the other one I will do to this one too." "no shame about this, if I can't have kuju, no one will". 

She starts feeling so envious and angry and couldn't keep it to herself.

EZENNE: You kept each other's company, how? (10:27pm)

KUJU: We were just chatting almost throughout the day, it turns out she isn't as bad as you think she is. Maybe the both of you should just come together and resolve whatever beef you both have and become best of friends, because I don't see why you guys are quarrelling. You both are actually nice people. She's actually very sweet. (10:30pm)

Ezenne screamed in anger when she read the part "sweet". She boiled even more. 

She read meaning to the part of resolving whatever beef she and gold has and decided to use it as a medium to vent her frustration.

EZENNE: Wait, did you say, Beef? What did she tell you about me? (10:40pm)

Kuju realises that trouble was already looming with this question and tries to dowse the tension by being careful with his words.

KUJU: Nothing. We didn't talk about you at all. (10:41pm)

Ezenne isn't buying it. She uses the voice note feature this time.

EZENNE: You think I'm stupid, right? You come into my dm to tell me you and Gold spoke throughout today and now you're saying "BOTH" of us should just come together and settle the beef we have. Both of us, and you think this doesn't sell that she has mentioned something to you? And you can't tell me. You that I take as a friend?! (10:44pm) 

Kuju looks at the message in surprise. "Ah-ahn, wetin dey worry this one na"(17) "Her own is getting too much o, what is this?" "What's with all this friend and entitlement stuff?" "See don't make me clear your doubt o, cos you won't like what I will tell you, I'm only doing mr nice for a reason o" 

KUJU: What are you even insinuating? How does this prove that she actually spoke about you? You claim you take me as a friend, yet you call me a liar. (10:50pm)

She reads his messasge and didn't reply anymore. Kuju starts to wonder what may be going through her mind right now. He is also surprised at her behaviour and begins to think she's not normal. He sends other messages and reads them without reply. Then he realised that something was wrong and we can only find out what it was tomorrow. For now, he can only give her the benefit of doubt that she slept off while reading his messages.

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HI FAMS. MORE WILL BE POSTED WHEN I SEE HOW THIS TURNS

GLOSSARY

Ehn, I can't come and kill myself na. (1)

I can't stress my stress myself out 

Who send you work before? (2)

Did anyone ask you to do it?

is it drawing you? (*)

Is it charming or attracting you?

Drawing kwa?! Dey play. (3)

Charming? Keep deceiving yourself

I'm entering your eye abi? (4)

You want me right?

Na you sabi (5)

That's your business

See ehn (6)

Actually 

this school is just somehow sha (7)

This school is just abnormal or weird

she just dey do pass herself sha. (8)

She's too pompous

Tell me about this na (9)

 Tell me about it right now

"ah-ahn"(10)

Exclamation 

"What's with this school sef?"(11

What's with this school really?

I know say notes go dey wait me like this. (12)

I know lots of a notes are piled up for me 

Before (13)

Of course

"what's this one saying?"(15)

What nonsense are you saying?

"na you give yourself work na(16)

You brought the work upon yourself 

"Ah-ahn! wetin dey worry this one na"(17)

Exclamation! What's wrong with you?