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INTRODUCTION
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Loosing is not an option for me. Life has taught me a lot; life has taking a lot too. It a fight to win cause if God is for us who can be against us?

Sometimes, I want to just disappear, but then I realize, I’m not alone. It’s not easy I must tell you. Well, the things I do for love.

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ACT 4

Scene 1

March29th, 1996

A street in Lagos mainland

(Uyai’s apartment at green gate)
{Entered Uyai and Mrs. Toyin Afolabi}

{It’s been a month since Uyai’s incident and Ubong is yet to return home}

(Uyai is sitting outside frying groundnut)

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai, how are you?

UYAI

I bless God, I’m fine.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Have you heard from your husband or has he come home?

UYAI

No, I have neither seen him nor heard from him.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Hmmm, won’t you search for him or something?

UYAI

(Exhaling) Ah, Toyin, I won’t oh, he will come home when he see it fit. If I look for him, what if he does not want to see me? My friend, I can’t risk it.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

You are right. So, let me join you

UYAI

Thank you please (pointing at the chair behind the water drum in front of her apartment) you can bring that chair so you can sit.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

O, ok thank you

[Entered Jennifer]

JENNIFER

Una, I greet oo.

[Interpretation:Greetings]

UYAI

Good morning Jennifer. How was your night?

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Na who be una? (Clapping her hands sequencially) So, na so dem dey greet elders for your village abi?

[Interpretation: who are you referring to 'you people?' Is that how they say greetings in your village?]

JENNIFER

See me oo. Na wattin bad for wattin I talk na? if I no greet na,  same you go say Jennifer no get manners. Shoo, abeg - abeg - abeg, make you no come use your reggae spoil my blues dis morning. Madam Uyai, better person. (hissing at Toyin) How body?

[Interpretation: can you imagine, what is bad in what I said? if I don’t say my greetings to you, is this same you that that will say Jennifer don’t have manners. Please and please don’t ruin my morning. Madam Uyai, a good woman. How are you?]

UYAI

Ah, we thank God o, Jennifer. Body dey inside cloth.

[Interpretation: We thank God. I am fine]

JENNIFER

Ok. We Thank God. Abeg dey well oo (looking at Mrs. Toyin with a bad eye) you sef madam Toyin stay well. I go see una wen I come

[Interpretation: Ok. We Thank God. Please stay well. And you too Mrs. Toyin, Stay well. I’ll see you when I return]

UYAI

Ok dear. Take care of yourself.

[Exit Jennifer]

(Returning her gaze to Toyin)

You could have replied her greetings at least. I don’t even know why you two don’t get along too  well

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai, Jennifer did not say any greetings to me. And I don’t have any beef with her just that her way of life is what baffles me. Do you not see how she dresses anytime she goes out? Even what she’s wearing today, it’s Insane.

UYAI

Hmmm.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

She goes around seducing all the young men and even the old. Forgetting that if every man brands her as a prostitute it will be hard for her to settle down.
Can you not remember the event that transpired between Jennifer and Nkechi, her first roommate? She ruined Nkechi’s life not only by snatching her intended husband but also planning with a guy to rape her, who would have succeeded by the way if Nkechi didn’t stab his left foot and ran out of the house that night. Her plan was to brand Nkecht a cheater so she can have Chris all to herself.

UYAI

I remember that day. Their quarrels were endless. But I didn’t pay attention to them and unlike you who knew every details, I didn’t. If I may ask, how do you manage to know?

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Words go around.

UYAI

How are you sure they were true? Besides it is more of hearsay than so-sure.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Well we’ll never know, right?

UYAI

Yes. It seems you worry about Jennifer’s careless lifestyle, have you tried counseling her in your own little way or better still, have you tried interceding for her through prayers?

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Why should I speak to deaf ears? I’m sure I have important things to pray about than praying for her

UYAI

Toyin, don’t talk like that. Don’t be callous. You can intercede for her. You care enough for her to change, who knows maybe she wants to change but don’t know how.
She just needs someone to point her in the right direction.God forbid she dies today and goes to hell, which could have been prevented if you had just tried. Don’t you think God will ask you?
When you are faced with God, what will you tell him you prayed for, that was more important than winning a soul for him?
What if because of this singular act you suffer the same damnation? Let us not be ignorant that people need to be led to the truth. We need to pray for them so that the HolySpirit will guide them and change them.

In the epistle of ST Paul to Timothy (1 timothy chapter 2 verse 1)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving thanks, be made for all men”
The Holy Spirit did not lead Paul to say for some men or for believers only but for all men.

Please Toyin let’s not be selfish. It is good that you worry about her wellbeing, even Jesus Christ, being a High Priest was touched by the feelings of our infirmities.

Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15

“for we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all point tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai my friend (smiling), no matter what you go through, wherever you are, you are always ready to evangelize. Just like how you where evangelizing to that man in the market two weeks ago, your husband saw you and got the wrong idea. I remember that night, how he beat you up because of it yet, you didn’t stop. Hmm, (exhaling) you are a good person indeed.
Thank you. You always put others first before you; I will learn that from you. Thank you for educating me. You have changed my perspective. Seriously, I’ve never thought of it that way. You are a good friend indeed.

UYAI

(Laughing) you are welcome. Every day we learn. Hope you are coming with me to the seminar?

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Ah ah, (confused) what seminar?

UYAI

Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten? The marriage seminar
Holding in church next week? The church is inviting…

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Ohhhhh, (interrupting Uyai as she remembers) that seminar, I remember. Of course, I’ll be there. We can even go together.

UYAI

Yes we can

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

.No marriage is perfect. We all need God in our marriages and also good advice from the right people.

UYAI

Yes and good advice we shall get, Amen.

MRS. TOYIN AFOLABI

Amen ooo.

(Both laughing)

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