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ACT 3

Scene 2

A street in Lagos mainland
(ST John Clinic)

{Entered Doctor Faith and Ubong}

{The Doctor comes out from the ward}

UBONG

Doctor, please how is she? don't tell me I lost her, please Doctor, how is she?

DOCTOR FAITH

Mr. Udoh can I see you in my office please?

UBONG

Ok ma
(Both in Mrs. Faith office)

DOCTOR FAITH

Please, sit.

UBONG

(sitting) Ma, please how is she?

DOCTOR FAITH

Well, we thank God that the damage didn't cost her her life. But it did cost her something that both of you would have loved and cherished.

UBONG

My God , Doctor what is it please tell me

DOCTOR FAITH

There is a possibility that you wife fell very hard on her stomach and she also suffers from high blood pressure. She's only in her early 20s, how is it possible that she's suffering from HBP? Is she thinking too much or stress too much?

UBONG

(sighing) I know Doctor, it's kind of my fault but tell me, what happened to my wife? What did we lose?

DOCTOR FAITH

Did you know that you wife was almost two month pregnant?

UBONG

What! Doctor, I didn't know.

DOCTOR FAITH

Well, she lost it due to the fall.

UBONG

(in shock) ahh!. Doctor please can I see her?

DOCTOR FAITH

No you can't. Your wife is sleeping and she really needs the rest. You can come back in the evening to see her but; we will be admitting her tonight. Will that be ok?

UBONG

(Coming back to his senses) yes, yes it will.

DOCTOR FAITH

Ok. If you will excuse me, I need to get back to work

UBONG

Ok ma, thank you ma.

(Leaves the office and pacing the waiting room soliloquising)

Kai God, which kind wahala be this eh? Shebi I for chop that food? Ahhh! Afterall God know say I no tell am say I wan chop pepper soup oo, na trouble I just dey find and now shey I don see am? See how I use my hand pour sand sand inside my garri, pikin way I dey find I use my hand kill am. Ah God watin I go do? I gree say na punish you wan punish me because the money wey I make na e I use take pay for accident wey I cause. Na wa oo God. Why she no tell me say she carry belle? How I wan take face Uyai na. and that her ye ye friend, Toyin? The worst na make her sister, Ime, hear. That one no go let me drink water drop cup, even as I know say she no too like Uyai, na me she hate pass and she no go like make anything happen to Uyai. Watin I go do?

[Interpretation: My God, what kind of problem is this? I could have eaten that food, God knows I didn't tell her I wanted pepper soup I was just looking for her trouble and now I've seen it. I've use my hand to destroy the child I wanted. God what will I do? I understand you just want to punish me, because the money I earn, I use it to pay for the accident I cause. My God, why didn't she tell me she was pregnant? How will I face her now? and her stupid friend, Toyin. And the worst of them all is if Ime, Uyai's sister get to hear, I won't hear the last of it. I know she dislike Uyai, but he hate me more. She wouldn't like anything to happen to her sister]

[Exit]

{Enter Uyai, Ime and Toyin}
(The evening of the same day in the Clinic)

IME

I told you that you should leave Ubong but you are too stubborn to listen.

UYAI

Eyen eka mi, you know the circumstance surrounding my marriage.

[Interpretation: my sister]

IME

What circumstance, ehh? Yes, daddy used you to pay off his debt but dad is dead. Or he's as good as dead.You can leave if you want too.
If I remember correctly, you are not legally married to this husband of yours the only payment he did on your head was the money dad owed him and no paper was signed. Why can't you be smart for once and use this your head. You are beautiful and you are young. Guys will crawl for you to be theirs and they will be willing to cherish you. Why can't you put yourself out of this misery and leave this good for nothing man? Now see what he has done to you, he has turned you into an old woman, that you are already having High BP. Uyai, this is one. The next is early death for you.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Ahh, Olórun Máje

[Interpretation: God forbid]

UYAI

Ime, I hear you. Yes maybe I'm lagging but Ubong is still my husband. I Know I might not be using my head but I love him.

(Toyin shaking her head continuously)

IME

Ahh, your road is far but it's your road. I can't make that Journey for you.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai, pele. Olórun ló mo èyí tí ó dájú

[Interpretation: Uyai, sorry. God knows best]

UYAI

Thank you my friend. Thank you for being with me today. And you too Ime, my heart rejoice seeing you here. How is the family?

IME

We thank God. Sam is fine; he traveled to Ghana for business, leaving me with the four stubborn boys to care for. You should come and see them at least. Take it as a break from your husband.

UYAI

Thank you Ime. I will definitely do that.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai, this is for you. Ubong dropped this for you.

UYAI

Ubong was here?

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Yes he...

IME

I gave him just a piece of my mind. He should better pray I don't see him again because I will give him the whole of my mind .

UYAI

Ime....

(all laughing)

It's been a while I haven't heard from Eno and Idara. How are they?

IME

Hmm (sighing) those your two stupid sisters are really something

UYAI

Why, what happened?

IME

Well, Eno is HIV positive and as for Idara, she died in an accident on her way to Kogi state to see Austin, her secret boyfriend. If not that I saw one of the letters he sent her, I wouldn't have known who he was.

UYAI

This can't be true

IME

Oh it is. You better believe it and don't think about it. You need to eat

(collecting the food from Toyin)

UYAI

This news is...(interrupted)

{Enter Edidiong and Utibe}

TOGETHER

Good Evening aunty Ime, Mrs. Afolabi.

IME AND MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Evening.

IME

How are your parents?

TOGETHER

They are fine, thank you

EDIDIONG

Uyai, we heard what happened. I hope you are fine now?

UYAI

I'm better now thanks.

UTIBE

The lord is your strength, ok?

UYAI

Amen

[Exit]

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