Shomama – Episode5

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.