Shomama - Episode 5




SHOMAMA – EPISODE 5
Arinze S. Chiji

SCENE 1
JOSEPHINE’S CONDO
THE LIVING ROOM
(Josephine walks in from the kitchen with a can of malt drink. She gives it to Fatai who is seated on the soft sofa)
Josephine
Like I said, I want a clean job. It is supposed to be a lesson. Nothing more.
Fatai
I understand ma, but the outcome can’t be controlled. If I tamper with the brakes, whatever happens is left to elements beyond my control.
Josephine
What do you mean? Stop this grammar that is beyond your pay grade.
Fatai
Says who? I am a graduate from the University of Lagos.
Josephine
Bravo! Let us organise a party! Oga, get the work done and save the akokite effect for someone who cares. I am not wowed!
Fatai
When should I expect my first payment?
Josephine
Once Mariam confirms that you are in the Maxwell compound, you get your first alert. The second payment comes when I see the news on national television. You can go now.
Fatai
(Grins)
Okay… I will deliver. Just keep to your word.
Josephine
You should worry about getting the job done.
Fatai
Good day ma
(he stands and leaves)
Josephine
(Dials a number)
Mariam. Fatai is on his way. Once you see him working on Julian’s car, beep me.
Mariam
Yes ma.

SCENE 2
PLANDOTTE COSMETICS
THELMA’S OFFICE
(Tolu sits in front of Thelma. They share a bucket of crispy chicken from KFC)
Tolu
You didn’t let me tell you what I saw yesterday at the mansion.
Thelma
Oh that’s true… you know, with the whole merriment I got carried away. Julian is really fun to be with.
Tolu
Julian? I told you so… please don’t let me digress.
Thelma
That’s a lie! You told me to be careful around him.
Tolu
I was just looking out for you. I have something to tell you. It’s about Mariam.
Thelma
What about her?
Tolu
She is the one feeding Josephine. I caught her in the kitchen giving every detail of what transpired in the mansion. Original live update o!
Thelma
Are you sure?
Tolu
This one that you are looking at me like this. You don’t believe me?
Thelma
It’s just that…
Tolu
I told you not to let her fool you. I knew something was off the moment I saw her. Mariam is the mole. Do you remember when she spontaneously offered to get a champagne and I handed her phone?
Thelma
Vaguely…
Tolu
She dropped her phone the first time she was in the kitchen. I picked it up and went through it. That girl is a big sell out.
Thelma
Is that worrisome?
Tolu
Are you seriously asking me this question?
(Thelma’s phone rings)
Thelma
It’s Shomama. I wonder why she is calling.
Tolu
Probably to gloat about a new restaurant Bam took her to.
Thelma
They’ve really been persistent with these dates. My mama don date pass me sef!
(They laugh as Thelma swipes to answer)
Hello? Shomama!
Shomama
Oh dear! Where are you?
Thelma
I am at work Mrs Maxwell. (Giggles)
Shomama
Abeg stop! This is not the time. Adunni is in the hospital.
Thelma
(Opens her eyes in shock)
What?
Tolu
(whispers)
What happened?
Shomama
I don’t know. Fikayo just called, she said her mother was slipping through consciousness and unconsciousness.
Thelma
Do you mean fainting? Mummy speak English now.
Shomama
I don’t know! I think it’s more than that. It’s the disease. She is going into remission and might not survive it.
Thelma
Oh god!
Shomama
I have called Bam and he will be at the hospital. I would like you to tag along. It’s the same hospital where Fikayo was admitted.
Thelma
Okay. You don’t need to ask I will be there. I need to lock up.
Shomama
What of your manager?
Thelma
I fired her. She isn’t the right fit. I will be coming with Tolu.
Tolu
(whispers)
Which Tolu? To where?
Shomama
All right. See you soon.
Thelma
Yeah (hangs up) Adunni is in the hospital. She is dying.
Tolu
As in dying real die or what? She has been dying for a long time, it’s hard to keep up.
Thelma
My goodness! Can you use the mouth filter once in a while?
Tolu
Not around you dear. So, we are going to her death bed. So sad. One moment you happy, the next you are mourning.
Thelma
Right?
Tolu
Yes! But this one that I’m wearing flowery dress to her death bed, do you think it’s appropriate? I mean I should have worn black
Thelma
(Shouts)
Nobody cares! Please, carry your purse let us go. I need to lock up.
Tolu
You need to get a replacement o! You can’t be locking up Plandotte all the time. We need to talk about you sometimes. I mean, have you rebounded since the Christmas incidence?
Thelma
I am barely running this place. Like you said, it’s a discussion for another day. Let’s get going.


SCENE 3
ST MALENS HOSPITAL
THE PARKING LOT
(Thelma and Tolu alight from the car)
Tolu
(Sights Mariam a few meters away)
Thelma! Look, that witch is here!
Thelma
Who? (looks closely) Mariam? When did she graduate to a witch?
Tolu
(shouts)
Hey! Mariam!
Mariam
(turns and walks towards them)
Hello… good day ladies.
Thelma
Hello… how are you Mariam? Have you seen Adunni?
Mariam
Yes. I came with Chief Bamidele. Your mum is also inside. Fikayo, ireti and Fikayo’s husband are at Adunni’s bedside.
Tolu
…and you are going to call your mistress to inform her so that she can join the party.
Mariam
I don’t know what you are talking about. I choose to ignore you. I need to get food for everybody. You would have to excuse me… (Walks away)
Tolu
She is at it again. She go dey go message wey them no send am. Who eats in this kind of situation?
Thelma
Calm down!
Tolu
I hope you are seeing this. Let’s go inside abeg!



SCENE 4
ST MALENS HOSPITAL
ADUNNI’S WARD
(Thelma and Tolu enter to see Fikayo, Bam, Shomama, Ireti and Doyin watching over an unconscious Adunni with sad faces)
Thelma
Fikayo…
Fikayo
(looks up and tears run down her cheeks)
Thelma…
Thelma
(moves to hug Fikayo. Once they meet in an embrace, the tears are uncontrollable)
Be strong sis… please be strong.
Fikayo
How? I don’t know how to be strong?
Bam
Doyin, please take them outside.
Fikayo
No! I want to stay here! I want to be here when she breathes her last breath.
Shomama
Oh dear, lets remain positive. Your mum is a strong woman and will pull through.
Fikayo
No! I am accepting this now. This is inevitable. Death is inevitable.
Bam
(shouts)
Doyin take your woman out!
(Doyin moves to take Fikayo out)
Fikayo
Leave me alone! I am going nowhere.
Ireti
Fikayo…
Fikayo
Nobody should call my name. I am not the problem here. Tell death to leave this place, not me!
Tolu
(Calmly)
I have not been around Mrs Adunni for long, but yesterday I was able to connect with her on a different level. She wouldn’t want this rancour at this time. The last thing we need now is a commotion. We are allowed to grieve whichever way that pleases us. Let us respect our emotions and Mrs Adunni. It is the least we can do at the moment.
(Brief silence)
Fikayo
I need some air.
Thelma
I will be coming with you.
(They leave)
Bam
(Checks his phone)
Julian is on his way.
Shomama
Okay…



SCENE 5
ST MALENS HOSPITAL
THE WAITING ROOM
(Fikayo rests her head on Thelma’s laps. Thelma strokes her hair gently)
Fikayo
I don’t like feeling this way. Thelma i... i... i…
Thelma
Shhh! don’t say a word. There is healing for all.
Fikayo
I love her so much.
Thelma
We all do.
(Mariam walks in with two big nylon bags. She stops in front of the ladies)
Mariam
What happened? Has she passed on?
Fikayo
(hisses)
Mariam
Did I say anything wrong?
Thelma
Mrs Adunni is a strong woman. She is going nowhere.
Mariam
Okay o. it’s not like I was wishing her dead or something. I was only wondering…
Thelma
It’s fine. Just go in and attend to those who might find solace in food.
Mariam
Oh! I got something for you and your friend.
Thelma
Really? Give it to Tolu…
Mariam
What? I’d rather drop it here.
                                                                                             Thelma
Do whatever you want dear. Honestly, I don’t care.
Mariam
(Nods and smiles)
I understand. Let me get going (goes into Adunni’s ward)
Fikayo
Is she normal? Nobody asked her to get food. Who would eat in this kind of situation?
Mariam
Cut her some slack. She is only trying to make everyone comfortable.
Fikayo
She has achieved the opposite.
(Julian walks in. he spots the ladies and is soon in front of them)
Julian
(sad smile)
My sisters.
(Fikayo is the first to stand. She hugs Julian as Thelma stands too)
Thelma
It’s nice to have you here Julian.
                                                                                               Julian
Where else would I be?
Fikayo
My mum is going to die.
Julian
Stop saying that. This is just a minor setback. I am sure she will come out stronger and better.
Fikayo
Not this one! She has refused treatment. It’s as if she has given up already. This is too much for me to handle.
Thelma
(Gently rubs Fikayo’s back)
Fikayo? Stop na
Julian
Think about the bundle of joy growing inside of you. You need to make your body conducive for her.
Fikayo
It’s a ‘him’. It’s going to be a boy (smiles)
Julian
(Laughs)
You see! That’s what you should be looking forward to. Have you gone shopping for your baby?
Thelma
Julian is right. Fikayo, take easy. We are not telling you how to grieve but have it somewhere that there is hope.
Fikayo
Thanks guys.
(They hug as Mariam reappears)
Mariam
(Clears throat)
This is a good sight. Siblings united!
(They break the hug)
Julian
Mariam, how are you?
Mariam
I am fine. How did you get here? Your car?
Julian
Uber. Why?
Mariam
Oh! It’s nothing. Don’t mind me.
(Doyin appears, his head down)
Fikayo
Doyin what is it?
Doyin
She is gone.
Fikayo
(Screams and falls to the ground)
Nooooo!

Author’s note
Hello, thanks for reading and following this story. You are appreciated. Leave your engaging comments. I would really love to hear from you. The drama continues.

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