MY DAUGHTER EMMA, ULASI JOSHUA IKECHUKWU [all ebook reader TXT] 📗
- Author: ULASI JOSHUA IKECHUKWU
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with all my energy. I knew I had put myself in danger by rescuing the babies, so I had to keep running to save my life. I knew the terrain quite well. But one of my pursuers was so swift that it became more and more difficult to outrun her while carrying the two babies.
NINA: Did she catch up with you?
MR. KING:Yes she did. She snatched one of the babies from beneath my arms, and still ran after me with so great a speed. But I had to keep running. I couldn’t stop to look at her face because the rest of the mobs were forcefully advancing. As we approached the city, some of my pursuers slowly began to back off, so I looked upon the face of this woman who was right behind me. It was one of the doctors who came with us from Europe!
NINA: So she outran all the angry men in the crowd.
MR. KING:They said she was the strongest among all the doctors. She worked for hours on her feet without having a rest. She was married years ago, but had no child. The police eventually arrived at the village to rescue the rest of my colleagues, but we were flown back to Europe in separate flights, so I lost contacts with them for some time.
NINA: What of the doctor who snatched the baby from beneath your arm?
MR. KING:I was told she later adopted the baby. It was the baby boy whose life she saved. Their mother was murdered by the angry mob, and their father died before they were born, so the authorities in Africa did not hesitate to finish the paper work needed for their adoption. The doctor adopted the baby boy, while I had to adopt the baby girl.
NINA: (In a milder tone) I guess that baby girl is Emma. But how could she be white when her mother and father were from Africa?
MR. KING:I simply do not have an answer to that question. Maybe the doctors will have a better explanation. Emma’s mother was the only pregnant woman who was expecting a baby when we arrived in Africa. The other biologist suffered miscarriage in her ninth month. And left Africa three days before Emma was born. There was this strong friendship which developed between her and Emma’s mother though.
NINA: So where is that biologist now?
MR. KING:I don’t know her whereabouts. She did not inform the group about her departure. I suppose she felt so sad after the miscarriage. She must have thought it came as a result of tedious work, so she quit.
NINA: I’d love to see her someday.
The old man’s voice became weaker as he explained to the nurse all that happened. At this time, Emma was approaching her father’s sick bed with a doctor who had arrived. But they were quite late, the man had died.
SCENE 3: INT. STILL IN THE MENS’ WARD. EVENING
The Doctor walks into the ward. Nurse Nina quickly covers the old man up with a white cloth and kept Emma from seeing the ugly sight.
EMMA: Here is the doctor nurse Nina. I hope my father will be alright.
NINA: Please wait in the other ward, Emma.
Emma waited in the other ward which was empty. She waited with excitement that at last her father’s life will be saved. It was not quite long before the doctor came to her.
DR. KATE: I have something to tell you, Emma. I’m afraid it is not good news, so you have to prepare for the worst.
EMMA: (In an alarmed tone) what happened to my father? Is he alright? Is he dead?
DR. KATE: He is dead!
EMMA: (Crying as she spoke) I don’t have anyone else. I shall have to be alone in this world.
DR. KATE: Emma, nurse Nina told me something else that I would like you to hear. But you must have some rest and a meal first. You look tired.
SCENE 4: INT. AT THE DOCTORS HOUSE. EVENING
DR. KATE: You are welcome to my house, Emma. Here is the fridge. There is your room. If you need anything, please tell me. Tomorrow we’ll go to Santha Elementary School for your enrolment. You have to study hard to excel.
EMMA: Yes, Dr. Kate.
EMMA: Where is your husband Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: I have no husband.
EMMA: But you have a son
DR. KATE: Yes. I once had a husband. We were married for six years, but we had no children, so he asked for a divorce. Now he lives in America with his new darling.
EMMA: Do they have children?
DR. KATE: Not yet. It was later discovered that he had health problems. He knew it quite well, but he blamed me for not being able to give him children. Now his new wife can’t give him children either.
EMMA: So Steve is not your son then.
DR. KATE: Steve is not my son. After my husband left, I specialized in pediatrics. I found a job in a specialist hospital. I was well paid. After some years, I had a concern for children in poor countries. I went to Africa and the Caribbean on humanitarian missions. That was how I had Steve.
EMMA: Did you get married to someone else in the Caribbean?
DR. KATE: No. I remained unmarried till now.
EMMA: How then did you have Steve?
DR. KATE: I adopted him.
EMMA: Does he know that he was adopted?
DR. KATE: Yes. I told him two years ago, after someone in his school told him he had no father.
EMMA: Did he cry when you told him?
DR. KATE: No although Steve is a boy, he is growing into a man. He has no problems with the fact that he was adopted. But I’m beginning to think that I have to keep him away from troublesome people. He complains of being embarrassed in his class with questions about his father.
EMMA: Maybe he needs a change of school.
DR. KATE: That is exactly what I have in mind.
EMMA: Maybe he’ll be okay with me in Santha Elementary School.
DR. KATE: I think he should.
EMMA: Maybe he’ll be my brother.
DR. KATE: You must go to bed now, because you have to wake up early tomorrow for your new school.
EMMA: Good night Dr. Kate.
SCENE 5: AT SANTHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MORNING
ANITA: Your daughter seems to be quite brilliant. We’ve had brilliant girls in the school. But these days, they prefer other elementary schools in the city. Her face seems familiar. How old is she?
DR. KATE: She will be ten next November. I’m sure we’ve met, but I can’t remember where exactly it was.
Emma raised her mouth to the doctor’s ear and whispered
EMMA: In the hospital. She provided the phone with which we called you.
ANITA: I’m glad you enrolled earlier. Registration ends next week. The boys and girls are preparing for their entrance exams.
DR. KATE: I have a nine year-old son whom I want to enroll in your school as well. I want two of them to be in the same school. When are the fees due?
ANITA: In two days
DR. KATE: I have my cheque book with me. What is the account name?
ANITA: No. Late payments are accepted in cash only.
DR. KATE: I’ll see you tomorrow then. Thank you very much.
ANITA: It’s my pleasure Dr. Kate.
DR. KATE: Oh how did you know that I’m a doctor, Ms. Anita?
ANITA: I listened while Emma whispered to you.
DR. KATE: But she didn’t mention that I’m a doctor.
ANITA: (Ponders for a while and quickly answered) It is clearly written on the cheque book you drew from your purse. I have very good sight. I see the details in every tiny letter.
SCENE 6: INT. AT THE DOCTOR’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
DR. KATE: So you recognized the Head Teacher.
EMMA: Yes she provided the phone for the call in the hospital. She is a kind woman. I think I already have a friend in the school.
DR. KATE: You can never tell who a kind person is in just one encounter. Friendships are built over time, not in a moment. That was kind of her to give up her phone though. Ms. Anita looks quite familiar. I think we’ve met before, but I can’t remember where exactly we met.
EMMA: She must have seen you walk into the hospital to treat my dad.
DR. KATE: No she left before I arrived. And there are other things too. Did you say that she provided the phone with which the nurse called me?
EMMA: Yes. Is there any problem Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: Not really. I’m just wondering that her phone number seems familiar too.
EMMA: Did you know Ms. Anita, Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: I’m not quite sure, Emma. But everything about her was just so familiar: her voice, her face, even the way she wrote. I’ll watch her more closely when we go to the school tomorrow for the payments.
SFX: A sound of the school bus was heard outside the house, and in a few seconds, Steve comes into the house.
EMMA: Hi, Steve.
STEVE: Hi, mom.
DR. KATE: How was school today?
(Steve answers in a low and unexcited tone as he walks into his room)
STEVE: Cool.
DR. KATE: Why do you look so sad?
STEVE: I’m not sad mom.
DR. KATE: Then what is the problem?
STEVE: There’s no problem mom. I just want to be left alone.
Emma whispers quietly to Dr. Kate, but the words are heard by Steve who was just stepping into the sitting room.
EMMA: I guess he doesn’t like his school.
STEVE: Did you see the Head Teacher at Santha Elementary School today mom?
DR. KATE: Yes we saw her this morning. She said Emma will register tomorrow since registration ends next week.
STEVE: Santha Elementary is a mixed school mom.
DR. KATE: I know that quite well Steve.
STEVE: That means both boys and girls can attend the school.
DR. KATE: So what are you trying to tell me Steve?
STEVE: I’m trying to say that Emma and I can attend Santha Elementary.
DR. KATE: Why do you think so Steve?
STEVE: At Santha, I’ll have a lot of space for playground.
DR. KATE: But the playground in your school is larger than that of Santha Elementary.
STEVE: Yes, but there are other things mom.
Dr. Kate watched his son with excitement and asked
DR. KATE: Other things like what?
There was silence for ten seconds until Emma spoke quietly.
EMMA: Other things like nobody asking Steve about his father. That means less time spent in answering stupid questions.
STEVE: And more time spent in hard work.
DR. KATE: I think both of you are right. Steve you’ll also register at Santha Elementary tomorrow.
EMMA: That will be great Dr. Kate.
ACT 2
SCENE 1: INT. AT SANTHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MORNING
SFX: A knock at the Head Teacher Office.
ANITA: Come in please.
DR. KATE: Good morning Ms. Anita.
ANITA: Good morning Dr. Kate. I suppose you’re here for the registration.
DR. KATE: O yes! Here are the fees.
SFX: Some sounds of unzipping of a bag and counting of notes.
ANITA: That’s twice the amount Dr. Kate. I thought we said nine hundred.
DR. KATE: But that’s for two pupils.
ANITA: Oh! You want to enroll the boy as well.
DR. KATE: That’s right. He’ll also be in third grade.
ANITA: Very well then. Please fill these two forms on their behalf.
SFX: The sounds of papers being packed together on a desk.
ANITA: How old is the boy?
DR. KATE: He is nine. His name is Steve.
NINA: Did she catch up with you?
MR. KING:Yes she did. She snatched one of the babies from beneath my arms, and still ran after me with so great a speed. But I had to keep running. I couldn’t stop to look at her face because the rest of the mobs were forcefully advancing. As we approached the city, some of my pursuers slowly began to back off, so I looked upon the face of this woman who was right behind me. It was one of the doctors who came with us from Europe!
NINA: So she outran all the angry men in the crowd.
MR. KING:They said she was the strongest among all the doctors. She worked for hours on her feet without having a rest. She was married years ago, but had no child. The police eventually arrived at the village to rescue the rest of my colleagues, but we were flown back to Europe in separate flights, so I lost contacts with them for some time.
NINA: What of the doctor who snatched the baby from beneath your arm?
MR. KING:I was told she later adopted the baby. It was the baby boy whose life she saved. Their mother was murdered by the angry mob, and their father died before they were born, so the authorities in Africa did not hesitate to finish the paper work needed for their adoption. The doctor adopted the baby boy, while I had to adopt the baby girl.
NINA: (In a milder tone) I guess that baby girl is Emma. But how could she be white when her mother and father were from Africa?
MR. KING:I simply do not have an answer to that question. Maybe the doctors will have a better explanation. Emma’s mother was the only pregnant woman who was expecting a baby when we arrived in Africa. The other biologist suffered miscarriage in her ninth month. And left Africa three days before Emma was born. There was this strong friendship which developed between her and Emma’s mother though.
NINA: So where is that biologist now?
MR. KING:I don’t know her whereabouts. She did not inform the group about her departure. I suppose she felt so sad after the miscarriage. She must have thought it came as a result of tedious work, so she quit.
NINA: I’d love to see her someday.
The old man’s voice became weaker as he explained to the nurse all that happened. At this time, Emma was approaching her father’s sick bed with a doctor who had arrived. But they were quite late, the man had died.
SCENE 3: INT. STILL IN THE MENS’ WARD. EVENING
The Doctor walks into the ward. Nurse Nina quickly covers the old man up with a white cloth and kept Emma from seeing the ugly sight.
EMMA: Here is the doctor nurse Nina. I hope my father will be alright.
NINA: Please wait in the other ward, Emma.
Emma waited in the other ward which was empty. She waited with excitement that at last her father’s life will be saved. It was not quite long before the doctor came to her.
DR. KATE: I have something to tell you, Emma. I’m afraid it is not good news, so you have to prepare for the worst.
EMMA: (In an alarmed tone) what happened to my father? Is he alright? Is he dead?
DR. KATE: He is dead!
EMMA: (Crying as she spoke) I don’t have anyone else. I shall have to be alone in this world.
DR. KATE: Emma, nurse Nina told me something else that I would like you to hear. But you must have some rest and a meal first. You look tired.
SCENE 4: INT. AT THE DOCTORS HOUSE. EVENING
DR. KATE: You are welcome to my house, Emma. Here is the fridge. There is your room. If you need anything, please tell me. Tomorrow we’ll go to Santha Elementary School for your enrolment. You have to study hard to excel.
EMMA: Yes, Dr. Kate.
EMMA: Where is your husband Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: I have no husband.
EMMA: But you have a son
DR. KATE: Yes. I once had a husband. We were married for six years, but we had no children, so he asked for a divorce. Now he lives in America with his new darling.
EMMA: Do they have children?
DR. KATE: Not yet. It was later discovered that he had health problems. He knew it quite well, but he blamed me for not being able to give him children. Now his new wife can’t give him children either.
EMMA: So Steve is not your son then.
DR. KATE: Steve is not my son. After my husband left, I specialized in pediatrics. I found a job in a specialist hospital. I was well paid. After some years, I had a concern for children in poor countries. I went to Africa and the Caribbean on humanitarian missions. That was how I had Steve.
EMMA: Did you get married to someone else in the Caribbean?
DR. KATE: No. I remained unmarried till now.
EMMA: How then did you have Steve?
DR. KATE: I adopted him.
EMMA: Does he know that he was adopted?
DR. KATE: Yes. I told him two years ago, after someone in his school told him he had no father.
EMMA: Did he cry when you told him?
DR. KATE: No although Steve is a boy, he is growing into a man. He has no problems with the fact that he was adopted. But I’m beginning to think that I have to keep him away from troublesome people. He complains of being embarrassed in his class with questions about his father.
EMMA: Maybe he needs a change of school.
DR. KATE: That is exactly what I have in mind.
EMMA: Maybe he’ll be okay with me in Santha Elementary School.
DR. KATE: I think he should.
EMMA: Maybe he’ll be my brother.
DR. KATE: You must go to bed now, because you have to wake up early tomorrow for your new school.
EMMA: Good night Dr. Kate.
SCENE 5: AT SANTHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MORNING
ANITA: Your daughter seems to be quite brilliant. We’ve had brilliant girls in the school. But these days, they prefer other elementary schools in the city. Her face seems familiar. How old is she?
DR. KATE: She will be ten next November. I’m sure we’ve met, but I can’t remember where exactly it was.
Emma raised her mouth to the doctor’s ear and whispered
EMMA: In the hospital. She provided the phone with which we called you.
ANITA: I’m glad you enrolled earlier. Registration ends next week. The boys and girls are preparing for their entrance exams.
DR. KATE: I have a nine year-old son whom I want to enroll in your school as well. I want two of them to be in the same school. When are the fees due?
ANITA: In two days
DR. KATE: I have my cheque book with me. What is the account name?
ANITA: No. Late payments are accepted in cash only.
DR. KATE: I’ll see you tomorrow then. Thank you very much.
ANITA: It’s my pleasure Dr. Kate.
DR. KATE: Oh how did you know that I’m a doctor, Ms. Anita?
ANITA: I listened while Emma whispered to you.
DR. KATE: But she didn’t mention that I’m a doctor.
ANITA: (Ponders for a while and quickly answered) It is clearly written on the cheque book you drew from your purse. I have very good sight. I see the details in every tiny letter.
SCENE 6: INT. AT THE DOCTOR’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
DR. KATE: So you recognized the Head Teacher.
EMMA: Yes she provided the phone for the call in the hospital. She is a kind woman. I think I already have a friend in the school.
DR. KATE: You can never tell who a kind person is in just one encounter. Friendships are built over time, not in a moment. That was kind of her to give up her phone though. Ms. Anita looks quite familiar. I think we’ve met before, but I can’t remember where exactly we met.
EMMA: She must have seen you walk into the hospital to treat my dad.
DR. KATE: No she left before I arrived. And there are other things too. Did you say that she provided the phone with which the nurse called me?
EMMA: Yes. Is there any problem Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: Not really. I’m just wondering that her phone number seems familiar too.
EMMA: Did you know Ms. Anita, Dr. Kate?
DR. KATE: I’m not quite sure, Emma. But everything about her was just so familiar: her voice, her face, even the way she wrote. I’ll watch her more closely when we go to the school tomorrow for the payments.
SFX: A sound of the school bus was heard outside the house, and in a few seconds, Steve comes into the house.
EMMA: Hi, Steve.
STEVE: Hi, mom.
DR. KATE: How was school today?
(Steve answers in a low and unexcited tone as he walks into his room)
STEVE: Cool.
DR. KATE: Why do you look so sad?
STEVE: I’m not sad mom.
DR. KATE: Then what is the problem?
STEVE: There’s no problem mom. I just want to be left alone.
Emma whispers quietly to Dr. Kate, but the words are heard by Steve who was just stepping into the sitting room.
EMMA: I guess he doesn’t like his school.
STEVE: Did you see the Head Teacher at Santha Elementary School today mom?
DR. KATE: Yes we saw her this morning. She said Emma will register tomorrow since registration ends next week.
STEVE: Santha Elementary is a mixed school mom.
DR. KATE: I know that quite well Steve.
STEVE: That means both boys and girls can attend the school.
DR. KATE: So what are you trying to tell me Steve?
STEVE: I’m trying to say that Emma and I can attend Santha Elementary.
DR. KATE: Why do you think so Steve?
STEVE: At Santha, I’ll have a lot of space for playground.
DR. KATE: But the playground in your school is larger than that of Santha Elementary.
STEVE: Yes, but there are other things mom.
Dr. Kate watched his son with excitement and asked
DR. KATE: Other things like what?
There was silence for ten seconds until Emma spoke quietly.
EMMA: Other things like nobody asking Steve about his father. That means less time spent in answering stupid questions.
STEVE: And more time spent in hard work.
DR. KATE: I think both of you are right. Steve you’ll also register at Santha Elementary tomorrow.
EMMA: That will be great Dr. Kate.
ACT 2
SCENE 1: INT. AT SANTHA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MORNING
SFX: A knock at the Head Teacher Office.
ANITA: Come in please.
DR. KATE: Good morning Ms. Anita.
ANITA: Good morning Dr. Kate. I suppose you’re here for the registration.
DR. KATE: O yes! Here are the fees.
SFX: Some sounds of unzipping of a bag and counting of notes.
ANITA: That’s twice the amount Dr. Kate. I thought we said nine hundred.
DR. KATE: But that’s for two pupils.
ANITA: Oh! You want to enroll the boy as well.
DR. KATE: That’s right. He’ll also be in third grade.
ANITA: Very well then. Please fill these two forms on their behalf.
SFX: The sounds of papers being packed together on a desk.
ANITA: How old is the boy?
DR. KATE: He is nine. His name is Steve.
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