What Happened To Us

UTRA 3

INT. TRAIN

"Steph turns to Chidinma."

STEPH
So, you are not going to talk to me, abi?

CHIDINMA
Why should I talk to the person who put me in this position I'm in right now?

STEPH
I have apologized a thousand times already, na.
Ehh, forgive me.
(Wraps her arms around Chidinma's left arm)

CHIDINMA
You should have just kept your mouth shut about this whole UNIPORT of a thing.

STEPH
But you know my Mum would still have told your Mum all about it.

CHIDINMA
Don't try and pacify me, Steph.

STEPH
No, I'm not.
I'm just saying.
You self.

CHIDINMA
Abeg, leave me.

STEPH
I said I'm sorry, na.
Besides what do you have to lose?
At least we are going to school together shouldn't you be happy about that?

CHIDINMA
At the expense of my dream school?
Hell, no.

STEPH
What is it about that LASU that you like, self?

CHIDINMA
That's none of your business do I need a reason to want to go there?
I just know I will love it there.

Mrs. EMEH
(Turns to Chidinma)
Chidinma, have your brother been able to pay your acceptance fee?

CHIDINMA
Yes, ma.

Mrs. EMEH
Alright, because your Mum was complaining about the portal being down the other day.

CHIDINMA
Oh, we were later able to get it done.

Mrs. EMEH
Alright.

____________________________________

"Mrs. Ajayi appears to be in distress."

Mr. AJAYI
Honey, are you okay?

Mrs. AJAYI
I'm fine I just need to adjust.

Mr. AJAYI
(Assists his pregnant wife in adjusting)
Are you sure you are, okay?

Mrs. AJAYI
I'm much better now.

AYO
(Mr. Ajay's three-year-old daughter turns to him)
Daddy, I'm hungry.

Mrs. AJAYI
But you just finished eating egg roll and biscuit don't stress me, oh.

Mr. AJAYI
Don't worry baby we will soon get to Port Harcourt you hear?
You will eat when we get home.

AYO
(Weeps subtly)
Okay.

Mrs. AJAYI
Madam, don't start what is wrong with you?
(Slaps her hard on the back)

"Ayo cries out loud"

Mr. AJAYI
(Pets her)
Sorry.
Oya stop crying.
(Gazes outside the window of the moving train)

_____________________________________

"Kunle appears irritated by Ayo's continued weep."

KUNLE
Make them control that pikin, na.

FRANK
I just tire.
How far you don post that content?

KUNLE
Omo, no oh. Network bad.

FRANK
Meaning you would have to wait till will get to Port Harcourt.

KUNLE
Yes, oh, my guy.

FRANK
(Screws through his tablet.)
Wow, guess what, bro?

KUNLE
What is it, Frank?

FRANK
Natron now has a branch in Nigeria.

KUNLE
Is that something to be happy about?

FRANK
Ah, yes oh
This means our educational system will improve especially the science department.
Technology will advance.

KUNLE
(Chuckles)
Dey play.
So, for your mind, you think say this country go ever dey better?
Oga better open your eyes this is just another way for your government to steal public funds.
Just look at both of us for example. I am a petrolum engineer graduate and you are a medical doctor but where the work? If nor be say your Papa leave that small clinic for you, omo you for see shage.
Look at me, I ended up becoming a blogger.

FRANK
Guy even still we have to stay positive things can still change.
Guy na Natron we dey talk about for here, oh.

KUNLE
Even if it's the biggest company in the world that opens a branch in Nigeria, your government will still find a way to make sure they ruin it. Those people are greedy animals, they do not care about me and you.
Abeg wake me up when we arrive, I won sleep nor be all this one you dey talk.
(Closes his eyes)

____________________________________

INT. THE UGO HOUSEHOLD.

"Chike walks into the sitting room"

Mrs. UGO
You are back?

CHIKE
Yeah.
(Sits down)

Mrs. UGO
Hope you waited for Mrs. Emeh before you left.

CHIKE
Yes, ma.

Mrs. UGO
Have the train moved before you left?

CHIKE
They were about to.
Ehen before I forget, Uncle Ben said he sent you some money this morning.

Mrs. UGO
Oh, yes thirty thousand.

CHIKE
Alright, please use it to get some things we need in the house.

Mrs. UGO
Hmm, that money is no longer available.

CHIKE
Ahh, why?

Mrs. UGO
I sent it to Chidinma alongside an extra thirty-five thousand.
You know she needs a new phone.

CHIKE
But Mummy we should be worrying about more important things.
Remember we haven't paid her fees.

Mrs. UGO
I know, but you know she needed a new phone.
Abeg do not make a big deal about it. Just let her have it.

CHIKE
Hmm, okay, oh.
(Gets up)
I'm off to work now.

Mrs. UGO
Alright, please take care of yourself and drive carefully.

CHIKE
I will
(Walks out of thr scene.)

___________________________________

INT. TRAIN.

"Chidinma wakes Steph"

CHIDINMA
Wake up we have arrived.

STEPH
That was fast.

CHIDINMA
For you it was
You were asleep most of the time.

Mrs. EMEH
(Turns to them)
Oya, come down.
Or you want me to come and carry you guys?

CHIDINMA
(Comes out from the train)
Sorry, ma.
(Looks at the time on her phone, 8 AM April 17th, 2026)
This phone has started again.

"Frank walks up to Chidinma"

FRANK
Please what's the time?

CHIDINMA
Oh, sorry mine isn't correct.

STEPH
It's 11 AM.
(Steps out of the train)
What?
Ahh.

CHIDINMA
(Turns to Steph)
What is it?

STEPH
My time just changed immediately after I stepped out of the train.

CHIDINMA
Same, here, and the date too.
April 17th, 2026.

FRANK
Same thing over here.
(Turns to Kunle)
Kune, what's your time?

KUNLE
The same thing.
(Receives some notifications)
Why am I getting notifications from 2026?

FRANK
What?

Mrs. EMEH
There are no Uber drivers today.
(Notice a huge change in the environment)
The station is too scanty.

_____________________________________

"Mrs. Ajayi gazes around the station"

Mrs. AJAYI
This place they too quiet today, oh.

Mr. AJAYI
Not a single soul.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Turns to a sign board adjacent to her)
Honey look at that.
It says 2026.

Mr. AJAYI
Not possible
Ahh, I can recognize that seat.
(Walks towards the seat)
This was where I bought Ayo's Eggroll this morning,

Mrs. AJAYI
Ahh are you sure?

Mr. AJAYI
Yes!

Mrs. AJAYI
But that isn't possible.

Mr. AJAYI
I'm certain this is the place.
Only that it looks so unkept like it has been abandoned for a long time.

Mrs. AJAYI
This is getting creepy.

Mr. AJAYI
(Sights a young man standing far from the train)
I can see someone; I will be back let me see if he knows anything.

Mrs. AJAYI
Abeg carries your daughter follow body.
(Slowly struggles to sit down)