Shomama – Episode 8

SHOMAMA – EPISODE 8

ARINZE S. CHIJI

 

SCENE 1

SHOMAMA’S HOUSE

THE LIVING ROOM

(Thelma, Shomama and Tolu sit quietly staring at one another)

Tolu

(Clears her throat)

Are we just going to sit here doing nothing? It’s been two days since the news broke and the media is having a field day about the whole secret wedding. I didn’t leave my grieving spot in Mauritius to come and sit here o! We should be breaking heads and limbs by now.

  Thelma

(sighs)

Thanks for being here…

Tolu

You are welcome!

                                                                                             Thelma

Calm down na… why your blood too dey hot? You weren’t the one jilted!

Tolu

Oh really? My mother, Shomama was jilted and that is all I need to feel the same way. I’m sorry you don’t feel the same way.

                                                                                             Thelma

What! are you seriously questioning my grieving method? I am not as dramatic as you. I think before I act. We all can’t be irrational.

                                                                                                Tolu

…and where has your rational thinking gotten you to?

Shomama

(shouts)

Quiet girls! Let me think…

Thelma

Sorry mum…

Tolu

Sorry ma, but we don’t have the luxury of that one now. He hasn’t called you to explain and when Thelma called the mansion. Guess who picked? Mariam! Mariam is back at the mansion!

Thelma

Spare us the details. We know that already.

Tolu

Why do I get the feeling that I am not needed here?

                                                                                             Thelma

Oh gosh! It is not always about you! Maybe you should go home to your husband and explain to him why you’ve been away for a month!

Tolu

Really?

(The doorbell goes off. Thelma goes to open the door. It is Bam)

Thelma

What do you want?

Bam

I need to speak with your mother.

Shomama

(Already on her feet and in tears)

Go away Bam!

Bam

(Lets himself into the house)

Let me explain…

Shomama

I just made up my mind. You don’t need to explain anything to me. Just leave!

Tolu

Ha!

Thelma

Bam, please you are making her upset. You have to leave.

Bam

(Shouts)

What is wrong with you ladies? At least hear me out!

Shomama

(Shouts)

You don’t come into my home demanding things. I have been asking you to hear me out for the past two days! How about that? Go back to your crazy life and leave me out of it. I am ready to be free. Chief Bamidele Maxwell, go to your wife!

Thelma

Sir, please leave.

Bam

I just need you to hear me out!

Shomama

Why? So that you can say you were forced into marriage.

Bam

Yes! I was forced! I was arm twisted! I was blackmailed!

Shomama

(Rolls her eyes)

Unbelievable! Thelma, see this man out. I will be in my room.

Thelma

Sir, you heard the lady.

Tolu

(Shouts) stop! What the hell is wrong with you two women? Are you that daft? I used to think you guys were intelligent. This man here is saying something important, you are walking away and you are seeing him out. If you can’t see the cracks in the wall, I can see it and it has gotten bigger. Can we hear him out, please?

(An awkward silence as Shomama and Thelma look away in shame)

Bam

Thanks, Tolu.

Tolu

Make it worthwhile.

Bam

Bamax helped the ministry of tourism cover up a three hundred million naira fraud. Julian was instrumental in leaving no trail at the office. He kept the documents in his room. We got rewarded for doing it. Josephine got to find out about it and threatened to report to the EFCC. She was out to ruin me. She got Mariam involved, who broke stole the documents and the rest is history.

Thelma

Wow!

Tolu

Double wow! So this is the missing puzzle. I have been disturbing my little head for the past one month.

Shomama

…and you couldn’t tell me? What happen to no secrets? What happened to telling each other everything? This doesn’t change anything. More than ever before, I need to stay away from you.

(Leaves for her room)

Thelma

This is too much to handle. I… I… am speechless.

Tolu

It’s normal.

Thelma

Hey! I don’t like that sub.

Tolu

I don’t know what you are talking about (to Bam) I think you should leave these two women for now. They will come around. Let me talk to them.

Bam

Tolu, I’m counting on you.

Tolu

(Smiles)

It will only get better. Trust me.

Bam

(Nods)

All right. Bye girls (he leaves)

Tolu

So… Thelma…

Thelma

Tolu, go home to your husband. You owe him an explanation. It’s the least you can do. Folarin has been worried sick about you. You hardly communicated with him while you were away. Go home!

Tolu

Is this what it has gotten to? Fighting dirty?

Thelma

This is not a fight. Do what is right! If you are going to leave Folarin, do it. Let him know where he stands. Julian would not like this one bit!

Tolu

Wow! Dirty fighting has gotten to another level. How nice! What do you know about Julian? You never really liked the guy. Respect the dead and stop lying. I know what you are driving at. Yes I had feelings for Julian. I felt a certain way whenever he was around. He is gone now and I feel like a widow. I think I should go and tell Folarin what I just said! Bye Thelma

(Leaves in anger, slamming the door)

SCENE 2

PLANDOTTE COSMETICS

(Thelma is locking up the store. Folarin creeps up on her. She jolts in shock dropping the keys on the floor)

Folarin

I’m so sorry! (Bends to pick the keys and gives her)

Thelma

(Collects the keys)

You scared me.

Folarin

I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.

Thelma

(Looks into his red eyes)

Are you okay? You don’t look good.

Folarin

It’s Tolu. She came home yesterday.

Thelma

Oh! That should make you happy. Right?

                                                                                             Folarin

She said she wanted a divorce. She packed her things and left the house.

Thelma

No… no… why would she do that? She…

Folarin

Thelma… you are her friend. Help me understand this. Where did it change? She spends a lot of time with you. Has she ever mentioned anything that I did wrong? I really don’t understand any of this.

Thelma

Do you know where she went?

Folarin

York view hotel.

Thelma

(Sighs)

I will talk to her. You have to remain calm. Everything will be fine.

Folarin

Are you saying this to make me feel better? She was really serious when she asked for a divorce. In her eyes, I searched for the Tolu I once knew, but she was gone.

Thelma

Tolu… can be crazy at times. I know she loves you. I will head over to York view right now. You have nothing to worry. I don’t like seeing you this way.

Folarin

I am shattered.

Thelma

Don’t say that. (Rubs Folarin’s shoulder gently)

   SCENE 3

YORK VIEW HOTEL

THE LOBBY

(Thelma approaches the receptionist’s desk and smiles)

Thelma

Hello… good evening.

Receptionist

(Smiles)

Good evening. Welcome to York view. Would you like a room?

Thelma

No, thanks. Actually, I am here to see my friend.

Receptionist

Is she expecting you?

Thelma

I am her friend.

Receptionist

Okay. Room number.

Thelma

(Grins)

I don’t know it. Her name is Tolu Awotunde. She came in last night.

Receptionist

(Checks her computer)

I am sorry. There is no Tolu Awotunde here.

Thelma

Are you sure?

Receptionist

(Nods) Yes

Thelma

Okay. Thanks (begins to walk away and turns to face the receptionist) Sorry, please. Can you check for Tolu Julian?

Receptionist

Madam…

Thelma

Please…

Receptionist

(Types into the computer and looks up after a few seconds)

There is a Tolu Julian in room 32.

Thelma

I knew it! Can you ring her room? Tell her Thelma is here to see her.

Receptionist

She didn’t look too good last night when she came in. She was snapping at every one. It was really annoying.

Thelma

She is going through a lot.

Receptionist

Everyone is going through a lot. We don’t need to wear it like a fragrance. At least she can afford to check into this hotel.

Thelma

I get your angle.

(They watch as a lady come down the stairs towards the desk)

Receptionist

She is here!

Thelma

Yes. Tolu!

Tolu

Thelma! What are you doing here? Did Folarin put you up to this?

Thelma

Tolu… that was unfair! You are being irrational. Are you insane? Julian is dead and gone. Are you ending your marriage because of some lustful desire?

Tolu

Shut up! You don’t know half of what you are saying?

Thelma

Did you sleep with Julian? You slept with Julian!

Tolu

(Slaps Thelma)

How dare you! What do you take me for? Respect the memory of Julian. He was a perfect gentlemen and would never condescend to sleep with a married woman. Make an attempt to understand this woman in front of you and don’t jump into conclusion!

Thelma

You are sick. Go home to your husband! Wake up from this mirage and move on! Folarin deserves better!

Tolu

…and that is why I am letting him go! (Shouts) don’t you get it! (Falls to the ground crying)

Thelma

(Stoops to lift her)

Tolu… stop crying.

Tolu

I am horrible.

Thelma

No, you are not.

Tolu

I miss Julian.

Thelma

I miss him too.

 

SCENE 4

THE MAXWELL MANSION

JOSEPHINE’S ROOM

(Josephine is tossing and turning in bed, sweating. Mariam enters with a tray of hot cocoa and crackers)

Mariam

Oh no! Not again

(Places the tray on a dresser and goes to the bed to gently awaken Josephine)

Josephine

(Sits up suddenly, gasping)

I need water! (Rubs off sweat from her forehead)

Mariam

I have hot cocoa here.

Josephine

Get me water from the chest fridge over there.

(Mariam goes to bring a bottled water from the fridge and hands it over to her. she uncaps it and gulps down its content in seconds)

Mariam

Is it the dream again?

Josephine

(Nods)

This time around. Julian was strangling me. I can’t take it anymore.

Mariam

(Inaudibly)

Evil ones don’t sleep.

Josephine

What did you say?

Mariam

Nothing ma… I think you should see a doctor.

Josephine

Really? A doctor? Are you kidding me?

Mariam

No… I mean. There are pills for virtually everything. This could be some panic attack or anxiety disorder or something. It definitely has a medical term and a pill can solve it all.

Josephine

You might be right.

Mariam

There is no harm in trying.

Josephine

Where is Bam? Has he gone out?

Mariam

Not yet. He is having breakfast in the dining room.

Josephine

I think I should join him. It is one of the perks of being married. I mean, family breakfast.

Mariam

I guess so.

Josephine

I will be downstairs in a few minutes. Take the tray downstairs.

Mariam

Yes ma

(Picks up the tray and leaves)

Josephine

(Rubs her eyes and opens it to see Julian standing at the door)

Blood of…. What are you doing there?

Julian

Why mum?

Josephine

No! You are not real!

(Closes her eyes shaking her head. She opens her eyes to see no one. She jumps out of bed and makes to wear her flip flops when her phone rings.)

Josephine

Fatai I have told you not to call this number again! Haven’t you received your balance?

Fatai

It has finished. I haven’t gotten jobs recently.

Josephine

(Laughs)

I know your type. You think you can blackmail me? It can’t work. I was born in Ebute Meta o! Forget all these paparazzi o! I… I… I… mo razz gan!

Fatai

That one you are saying is your business. I am downstairs. Come and give me money for food o.

Josephine

Downstairs where?

Fatai

The mansion of course!

Josephine

You must be out of your mind!

(Mariam runs into the room)

Mariam

Madam, Fatai is in the mansion. He is here for trouble

Fatai

I presume Mariam has confirmed it for you. Come downstairs!

 

AUTHOR’S NOTES

You are highly appreciated for passionately following. We are close to the end. Quick question. Do you think Tolu is overreacting or needs more time to process Julian’s death? Fatai is back. Is this the end for Josephine? You can share your thoughts. I have a huge announcement in Episode 10!

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