Story Of The Day-: Loving Again.

SCENE 1. RESTAURANT – DAY

HADIZA
I am anxious, Chidi. My adrenaline is running faster than usual.

CHIDI
Mine too… I have had some of the best moments of my life with you, Hadiza. The truth is,
without you, there wouldn’t have been a me.

HADIZA
Come on baby, you had everything in you. I have just been here to support.

CHIDI
You have done more than just support.
You have literally turned a street man with less than ten thousand to his name
to a man with over thirty million.

HADIZA
Allah be praise!

CHIDI
And that’s why this is harder for me than I thought it’d be…

HADIZA
What’s that?

CHIDI
I have dreamt a million times of a life with you forever.

HADIZA
Me too…

CHIDI
I have seen me at seventy
with you by my side

HADIZA
Awwwn….

CHIDI
But like they say, our ways aren’t always the ways of the Lord. I have
wronged you, Hadiza, I have wronged the entire essence of trust and love. And I hope you’d be able to forgive me.

HADIZA
What have you done, baby?

CHIDI
I am expecting a child with another woman

Hadiza’s stunned face as Chidi continues talking.

And we are getting married in a fortnight.

CHIDI
It wasn’t supposed to be like this, Hadiza, it was meant to be a fling. Just one fling,
then she got pregnant.

SCENE 2. HADIZA’S HOUSE – SITTING ROOM – SAME DAY

Hadiza still devastated. She stays numb for a while and starts scattering things in the room. Then sits on the floor and sub profusely.

SCENE 3. CHIDI’S HOUSE – SITTING ROOM – SAME DAY

Door opens as Chidi is ushered in by Amaka (35).

AMAKA
How did it go?

FADE
Chidi just goes to sit dejected as Amaka shuts the door, smiles before going to him.

AMAKA
Babes, how did it go? Did you do it? (Chidi nods). Why then are you like this?
Wait, you are not happy that we are going to be together henceforth without hiding?

CHIDI
I am only said that I have hurt a woman has done absolutely nothing wrong to me but
give me everything that I have today.

AMAKA
God has his way of sending helpers to us, Chidi. Hadiza was your helper and one meant
to bring us together. I don’t see why you should be disturbed.

CHIDI
I will be in the room
Chidi starts leaving as Amaka makes to go with him

CHIDI CONT’D
Alone, Amaka, please. Amaka stops as he goes inside.

FLASHBACK

SCENE 4. HADIZA’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – DAY

An excited Hadiza is playing games with Chidi. She wins and start dancing in victory as Chidi laughs at her steps. Moment later they are dancing together

SCENE 5. HADIZA’S KITCHEN – MOMENT LATER

Hadiza is frying meat while Chidi is telling her something that is obviously exciting her. He distracts her and steals a piece of meat and runs out as she laughs.

END FLASHBACK

SCENE 6. HADIZA’S HOUSE – SITTING ROOM – NIGHT

Hadiza’s paled face and goes wide to reveal her friend Pearl (33) seated with her.

PEARL
I am very sorry, Hadiz,

HADIZA
To think I liked her and was willing to help. I didn’t know she was sharing
my man with me behind my back. Why am I over trusting? Why, Pearl?

PEARL
Don’t blame yourself for this, Hadiza, this wasn’t your fault. Chidi and Amaka were just wicked.

HADIZA
Chidi, how could he do this to me? After everything we went through!
The fights with my parents and all!

PEARL
I guess it was never meant to work out between you two that’s why. As for Amaka,
I had no idea Amaka was seeing Chidi. I know she repeated talked about a man,
but I didn’t know it was yours.

HADIZA
Even if you did know, you didn’t force his dick into her.

PEARL
Come on, there was no way I would know

and let it continue. Not only because you are my friend, but because the
first time she met him, was through me.

FLASHBACK

SCENE 7. PEARL’S APARTMENT – GATE – DAY
Chidi is in the car with Hadiza.

CHIDI
Babe, call Pearl… We have been waiting here for almost fifteen minutes.

HADIZA
I am sorry, babes. Let me call her again.
Pearl and Amaka emerge through the gate and join them.

HADIZA CONT’D
Girl wetin hold you inside nah

PEARL
Sorry for keeping you guys. I was waiting for my friend.

HADIZA
Your friend!

PEARL
Chill. You think you are the only friend I have. Well, Amaka insisted on
coming with me as she didn’t want to be home alone. Hope you don’t mind, Chidi?

CHIDI
Not at all.

PEARL
Thank you. Amaka, my best friend Hadiza and her man, Chidi. Guys, Amaka, my late
elder sister’s best friend. Amaka just relocated to Enugu from Abuja and will
be staying with me till she gets her place (They all greet). Let’s go
before the movie starts. Chidi drives off.

SCENE 8. RESTAURANT – DAY

Chidi parks and alights just as Amaka emerges from the building.

AMAKA
Hi

CHIDI
Hi… Nkechi…..

AMAKA

Amaka

CHIDI
My bad! I am pretty bad with names.

AMAKA
It’s obvious. How is your wife?

CHIDI
My girlfriend you, mean? Hadiza is fine. And Pearl? Haven’t seen
her in a couple of days now.

AMAKA
She is out of town for a few weeks. Leaving me with boredom in her apartment.

CHIDI
Come on, Enugu is too big and exciting for you to be bored. Go out and have fun.

AMAKA
I’ll try.

CHIDI
See you around.

AMAKA
You too.

Chidi goes in as she walks away.

END FLASHBACK

SCENE 9. BAR – DAY

Chidi is seated with Ejike. Ejike is the same age with Chidi.

CHIDI
And we met again and again and talked
about stuff which led to other stuff.

EJIKE
But man, you slept with her without protection, that was careless.

CHIDI
I know, right? But it was just once.

EJIKE
Nobi two times them de carry HIV or give woman belle na. Why then
didn’t you have her abort it?

CHIDI
You think I didn’t ask her to? Come on, Ejike you should know me better. I did
everything to have her abort it but she refused. Instead, she threatened to tell
Hadiza herself. I couldn’t stand it.

I talked with my mom about it and she instantly called and interviewed her.

EJIKE
How convenient. She has never supported your relationship with Hadiza for
religious reasons (pause). So what now?

CHIDI
A week from today, I am tying the nut with Amaka at the magistrate court.

EJIKE
I can only imagine what’s going on with Hadiza right now. Poor thing.

CHIDI
I don’t even know what to do to make her see how sorry I am, bro. I am even ashamed
to face her. Which is why I haven’t been able to go pick my stuff from her place.

EJIKE
Maybe you should give her some thing to get acquainted with the new development
because that girl might do something drastic if you go close to her now.

CHIDI
No, Hadiza isn’t like that. She is too soft to harm anyone

EJIKE
Don’t be too sure, Chidi.

SCENE 10. CHIDI’S HOUSE – COMPOUND – DAY

Pearl is standing squarely with Amaka by the entrance

PEARL
How heartless can you be, Amaka? All you asked for, was where to patch till you
get a place. How dare you do this to my friend? There are over a million men
in Enugu. Why Hadiza’s only one?

AMAKA
I am not with Chidi because I planned to. It just happened and I couldn’t help it.

PEARL
Your inability to help it has stolen everything from that poor woman. She has
been nursing that relationship for five years. Five hard years, Amaka.

AMAKA
I am sorry, Pearl.

PEARL
That isn’t for me, it is for Hadiza. Or better still, leave her man alone.

AMAKA
I can’t. I love Chidi and we are having a baby soon.

PEARL
Then I am sorry too, Amaka. You will have to leave my house.

AMAKA

Pearl…

PEARL
I don’t want to see at my apartment again. Out of respect for my late sister,

I’ll send your stuff over. Goodbye

AMAKA
You didn’t have to say it. I am getting married to Chidi in a few days so I will
sure pack in with him once it is done.

PEARL
How shameless can you be?

AMAKA
If being shameless is going for what I want and staying happy, then I’d rather be the
most shameless human being alive.

PEARL
Why couldn’t you find that happiness in someone else? Or better still, build
yours with another man. you are a fine lady so getting your man to love you
wouldn’t had been a problem at all.

AMAKA
That’s what I just did, Pearl. I just
got me a man who loves and makes me happy.

PEARL
Talking to you is a lost case. Just make sure you come pack
your stuff before the end of tomorrow.

Pearl goes inside.