Must Read: Just Wedded

7 years ago

Must Read: Just Wedded

EXTERIOR: Couple drives into their compound from church; they alight from the car and enter the house. Charles slumps into the couch, drops his Bible on the center table. Doris goes straight into the bedroom and comes out her hand bag prepared to go out

Doris: Honey I am ready to go if you are not (Agitated)
Charles: Ready for what? Are you going somewhere or something?
Doris: Please cut it out! (She snaps) Don’t tell me you have forgotten that we have to go and see my parent!!

Charles: (Visibly angry) Now listen Woman! I never ever imagined you could be this obstinate! I thought we had settled this (Doris interrupts)
Doris: Settled what! (Yells) that you want to imprison me in the name of marriage? That I can’t go and see my Parent because I married you? What’s all this nonsense anyway? Please if you will excuse me (Walks out of the house) I will take a public transport and find my way. I am off!

Charles: Woman! If you walk out of that door! (Doris interrupts)
Doris: I am off already Mr. Landlord! (Bangs the door after her)
Charles: Doris! Doris! Doris! Come back here! (Opens the door and follows her)
Charles returns into the Sitting room, furious and agitated, he paces to and fro, sits down, gets up totally confused and disenchanted……Fades to re enter.)

Sitting room: Charles is setting the dining table, obviously expecting visitors. The doorbell rings, he goes to open the door. His uncle and the wife enter.

Charles: (Prostrating) Uncle you are welcome sir, mummy welcome ma, we have been expecting you all day.

Uncle: (Opens arms for embrace, patting Charles on the back) Charley boy! How are you? Congratulations once again, may God bless your marriage, may you not struggle to feed your family (Prayer continues as Charles answers amen intermittently) where is Doris my wife?

Isn’t she at home?

Wife: Ehn! Iyawo wa nko? (Where is our Bride?)
Charles: (Motioning to the table) Please come to the dining, so the food doesn’t get cold, we have been expecting you since after service.

(They all move and sat around the dining table)

Uncle: Charles where is my Wife or did she not hear our voice?
Wife: maybe she is dressing up abi? Please call her to come and dish the food here o! I am famished. I have been fasting all day because I planned to break the fast here.
Charles: (stuttering) Ehm, ehm, Uncle em you know, you see when we came back from church, Doris prepared all these (Gesturing at the table) in anticipation of your visit, but about forty minutes ago , her father called and told her that her mother is seriously ill and has been rushed to the hospital. In fact (Interruption)
Wife: (Panicky) What? Hospital? Kilode? Kilonsele?

This is serious o! Come on what are you still doing here? Which hospital? Daddy oya! Oya! Let us go there immediately!
Uncle: (Unusual calmness) Boy! What could be wrong with your mother in-law? (Staring deep into Charles’s eyes)
Charles: (More confused) No no! Uncle, em mummy please be calm, sit down please, everything is under control. In fact Doris has called to say all is well that I should not bother coming, she is with her mum already, she said her mum is reacting to something she ate or so, but all is well. Please relax, please. (All sits)
Uncle: But why did you not go with your Wife in the first place? She doesn’t own a car, so you could have driven her there. With such news given to her, it is totally wrong of you to have let her leave the house alone!

Wife: yes my dear, next time please don’t leave her alone in such situation. I guess you did not follow because you were expecting us abi?
Charles: yes ma! Yes uncle! You know, I was actually confused but all is well now. Your food please! Later we can talk, there is a lot of ground to cover, and Mummy how are my Cousins? Lolu and Ibidun. (Charles begins to dish the food as chatting continues)

FADE