SCENE 1 OPENS: MIDDAY
Narrator: A dog barks in the 'face-me-i-face-you' compound. Youths are seated in a group of two. One around the cemented Well block and the other on the veranda of one of the rooms. Their laughter and loud discussions breaking the silence. Ropes lined with fabrics sway to the harmattan breeze but the sun burns. A girl with red braids enters carrying a white box.
One of the boys at the Well: Welcome o
Diane:(she smiles) Thank you
A girl at the veranda: Ahah. Wetin you bring for us? (what did you bring for us)
Diane: It is just cake. Happy Valentines Day.
Narrator: Cheers ring out amongst the young boys and girls. Paul who'd greeted upon her arrival walks swiftly to her.
Paul: I fit see?(can I see)
Diane: (Opens the lid of the box)
Paul: Hewwww! 'Omoh Mommy'(mommy's child). So this cake is for your mother?
Diane: (nods shyly)
Paul: God will bless you ko? You be correct pikin(You're a good child)
Diane: (covers the box) Amen. Thank you.
Narrator: Paul walks back to join his peers while Diane unlocks her door noisily and disappears into the room.
SCENE 2: MIDDAY
Narrator: An elderly woman walks with a bag strapped to her shoulder. There are children playing on the narrow and sandy street. A woman sits on a pavement with her hand to her jaw.
Woman: Mama Diane welcome o.
Mama Diane: Thank you. (stops walking and puts a hand to her waist) How market?
Woman: Tor. We thank God. How business?
Mama Diane: (takes a few steps forward) I thank God. How are the children?
Woman: See them o (she gestures towards the playing bunch). They don't have any problem.
Mama Diane: (laughs). We thank God that they are well. Let me go and rest ehn?
Woman: Ah please. You need it. Have a good rest.
Mama Diane: Oooo. (she disappears into a gate)
SCENE 3: MIDDAY
Narrator: Mama Diane walks into the compound and the youths greet her.
All: Good afternoon ma.
Mama Diane: (stops walking and turns to face them) Afternoon o. You people are outside.
All: Yes ma
Paul: (stands up) How was business ma?
Mama Diane: God be praised. How is school? Hope no more strike?
Paul: Ah. No ma. We are even in the middle of final exams.
Mama Diane: Praise God. You people take care. Let me go inside.
All: Okay ma.
Mama Diane: (disappears into the room).
SCENE 4: THE ROOM
Narrator: The room is decorated with red and white balloons. There is a small table in the center hosting the cake and two bottles of non-alcoholic beverages.
Mummy Diane: Ah ah. Kini eleyi? What's this?
Diane: (gives her mother a single rose). Happy Valentine's Day Sweet Mommy.
Mama Diane: (smiling from ear to ear as she puts the rose to her nose) How did you do all this? Are roses even accessible in this place? It even smells nice.
Diane: (takes her mother's hand) Mommy, I am grateful for all that you have been doing for me. Your constant support. I know it hasn't been easy on you since dad passed away. But you refused to let your grief overcome you. You fought for me to have a future. In a few months, I'll be a graduate and that is thanks to your hard work. 'E dupe' ma (thank you ma) - (goes to kneel)
Mama Diane: (stops her) No. Get up (hugs her, sobbing slightly). Ọmọ mi ti o bukun(my blessed child). Ahh...God bless you. You shall never lack...
Diane: Amen
Mama Diane: You shall reap the works of your hands. Ọlọrun bukun fun ọ(God bless you)
Diane: (breaks from the hug and uses a hanky to wipe her Mother's tears) This is the only kind of tears you'd cry Mommy. Tears of joy. Never again of sorrow. Come (leads her to a chair). Let us cut our cake.
Mama Diane: God bless you my child. Ah. This looks delicious.
SCENE 4: IN THE COMPOUND - EVENING
Narrator: Diane and Paul stand close to the fish pond in the backyard. The dog keeps barking at them from its kennel.
Diane: This is for me?
Paul: (scratches his head) ehh. Yes. Please just manage it. I would have done more.
Diane: Don't say that. I never even expected anything in the first place. Can I open it?
Paul: (he nods).
Diane: (tears the wrap and gasps at the beautifully framed sketch of her). You made this?
Paul: Yes. Sorry I did it without your permission. I took one of your pictures online.
Diane: I love it! Thank you very much. God bless you. I knew you were an architect but I didn't think you could draw this good.
Paul: I do side jobs sketching for people. I'm just glad you like it. (clears throat.)
Diane: Thank you.
Paul: Ehm...Diane. I have been wanting to tell you something but decided to wait until now. Ehm. I like you. A lot. Is there a chance that we could...you know...be more than friends?
Diane: I don't know Paul. Please let me think about it.
Paul: Okay. But do you by any chance like me too?
Diane: (falls silent) I don't know. Maybe.
Paul: (smiles) That is enough. I can work with that.
The End
