What Happened To Us

UTRA 1

INT.  THE UGO'S HOUSEHOLD.

"Amaka walks into Chidinma's room."

AMAKA
Chidinma!

CHIDINMA
(Angrily opens her eyes which were suffering from lack of sleep)
Oh, God what is it, Amaka?

AMAKA
Mummy said I should wake you up.

CHIDINMA
Go!
Leave me alone!

AMAKA
You are going to be late.

CHIDINMA
Oh God, leave me alone, Amaka!

AMAKA
No!
(Opens the Curtin's)

CHIDINMA
(Covers her eyes from the sun rays)
What is your problem?
(Gets up angrily)
Is something wrong with you?

AMAKA
(Smiles)
Very good, now you are up.
(Walks out of the room)

"Chidinma falls wide on the bed in annoyance."
___________________________________

INT. DINING ROOM

"Mrs. Ugo turns to Chinnaza who was running around."

Mrs. UGO
Chinnaza!
What did I tell you?
(Chinnaza gazes at her)
Now sit-down!

CHIKE
Come, here.
(Lifts Chinaza from the ground, and places her on his lap)
Why are you running around, eh?

Mrs. UGO
(Turns to Amaka)
Where is your sister?
I thought you said she was up.

AMAKA
Maybe she went back to bed.

CHIKE
Go and wake her up, jor.

"Chidinma sluggishly walks into the room."

Mrs. UGO
Madam, what is wrong with you?
Do you want to miss the train?

CHIDINMA
(Turns to Amaka)
The next time you come into my room without my permission again you won't like what I will do to you.

AMAKA
(Smiles at Chidinma)
Speaking of your room, where are the keys?
You know it's going to be mine now that you are leaving for UNIPORT.

CHIDINMA
That's never going to happen.

CHIKE
Yes, it will.
You are leaving so it's only right that you give it to her.

Mrs. UGO
(Drops a plate of rice in front of Chidinma)
Have you packed all your things?

CHIDINMA
(Rolls her eyes in irritation)
What's there to pack it's not as if Bro Chike bought all the stuff I need.

CHIKE
I know dear, but you have to bear with me you know I just paid your acceptance fee and I still have your school fees to pay before the end of the month.

CHIDINMA
Hmm, whatever.

Mrs. UGO
Don't be that way na.
At least be thankful and happy that you gained admission, my baby girl is now a student of UNIPORT.
(Smiles)

CHIDINMA
What's there to be happy about?
It's not like I want to go to UNIPORT.
You and bro Chike made that choice yourselves.

CHIKE
I thought we had settled this, Chidinma.
There is no way I can afford to send you to a state school; besides we are not from Lagos which may make it difficult for you to get admitted there. You know how political and tribal the system has become.

CHIDINMA
What happened to UNILAG?
Isn't it a federal school too?

Mrs. UGO
Chidinma Lagos is far.
I can't allow you to be that far from home.
UNIPORT is a bit close, and the school is good, abeg try and understand us this is for your good too.

AMAKA
(Turns to Chidinma)
Why do you want to go to Lagos self?
I don't like that place.
(Picks up the glass of water in front of her)
God knows I won't want to be far from home.

CHIDINMA
Of course, I don't expect you to understand, you are still in Ss1 you are still ignorant.

AMAKA
Ss2!

CHIDINMA
Whatever.

Mrs. UGO
That's enough finish your food!

_____________________________________

INT. THE EMEH'S RESIDENCE.

"Gen Emeh walks and follows Mrs. Emeh into the sitting room."

GEN EMEH
Stop right there, Woman!
You do not walk out on me whenever I'm talking.

Mrs. EMEH
(Turns to Gen Emeh)
Do I look like one of your soldiers that you can intimidate?
Why do you always find a way to make us argue all the time?

GEN EMEH
So now I am the problem, abi?
All I said was I do not like it when you pray loud at night.
Do you want to pull down my roof?

Mrs. EMEH
Why can't you see that I am doing this for the family?

GEN EMEH
At the expense of my sleep?
I have no problem with your prayers but keep it down.
At least be considerate, na.

Mrs. EMEH
So, you are saying I am not considerate?

GEN EMEH
Yes, you are not.

Mrs. EMEH
I don't blame you, oh.
It's that Devil inside of you that is using you.

GEN EMEH
And you think it's your loud prayers that will take you to heaven?
I love God too so don't get me wrong.

Mrs. EMEH
You are wrong!
The book of Mattew chapter eleven verse twelve says the kingdom of God suffered violence and the violence takes it by force.
So do not ask me to be gentle with my prayers.

"Steph walks in with her luggage."

STEPH
Mummy, I am ready.

GEN. EMEH
(Points at Mrs. Emeh)
This conversation is not over.
You are lucky I am leaving for Lagos today.
(Walks out of the house.)

Mrs. EMEH
Can you imagin your father telling me that my prayers are too loud.

STEPH
Hmm.
Mummy but you know Daddy actally has a point.

Mrs. EMEH
Ehh?
So you want to join him to sin against God?

STEPH
Ahh, Mummy it's not like that, oh.
All I'm saying is that you don't have to be too loud God is not deaf he will hear and answer your prayers.

Mrs. EMEH
Shout up your mouth!
Rubbish.

STEPH
Ahh, sorry, oh
Nor vex.

"Mrs Emeh sighs and walks out of the scene."