CHAPTER 6 SCENE 41 – EXT. FRANK’S HOUSE – MORNING
Selena, Amarachi, and another friend, Nkem, stand outside the gate. Selena knocks anxiously, while Amarachi pounds harder, calling out.)
AMARACHI
Frank! Come out! You can't throw them away like this!
(The gate creaks open. Frank steps out, arms crossed, face cold and unreadable.)
FRANK (calm but firm)
Amarachi, this does not concern you. Stay out of it.
SELENA (pleading)
Frank, please… just hear me out. I swear, I didn't do this.
FRANK (shaking head)
I've heard enough. It's over, Selena. You and Abigail should move on.
AMARACHI (angry)
Frank, you're being unfair! You—
FRANK (cutting in, sternly)
I'm done talking. I have business to attend to. You should all leave.
(He turns, walks to his car, and starts the engine. As the car moves slowly, he rolls down the window, looking at Selena for a moment. Then, he pulls out a bundle of cash.)
FRANK (coldly)
Take this. At least you won't say I left you with nothing. Use it and transport yourself back to the village, I will come and see your people soon.
(Selena stares at the money, her lips trembling. She steps back, shaking her head.)
SELENA
I don't want your money, Frank. I want my family back.
(Before Selena can react, Amarachi quickly grabs the money from Frank's hand.)
AMARACHI (grinning)
Since she doesn't want it, I'll take it.
(Frank scoffs, rolls up his window, and speeds off, leaving Selena standing in shock as tears run down her face.)
AMARACHI (angry)
Selena what are you thinking, you and I know that you need this money, and you refused it. Hmmm nah wah ooh!
Please keep this money for yourself and your daughter.
(Amarachi put the money into Selena's bag.)
FADE BLACK.
SCENE 42 – EXT. MAZI ACHIFUNA'S COMPOUND – NIGHT(Selena and Abigail arrive at the village, exhausted. The compound is small but neat, with a thatched kitchen to the side. A wooden chair sits under a tree, and an elderly, blind man, MAZI ACHIFUNA, sits there, holding his walking stick. He turns his head as he hears footsteps approaching.)
MAZI ACHIFUNA (softly)
Who goes there?
SELENA (voice trembling)
Papa… it's me.
(Mazi Achifuna's face lights up, but then he frowns as if sensing something is wrong.)
MAZI ACHIFUNA
Selena? My daughter? Why are you here at this hour?
(Selena drops her bag, rushes to him, and falls to her knees, placing her head on his lap. She sobs uncontrollably. Abigail stands beside her mother, looking confused and afraid.)
SELENA (crying)
Papa… Frank threw us out! He accused me of killing our baby!
(Mazi Achifuna tenses, his grip on his walking stick tightening. He slowly reaches out and touches Selena's face, feeling her pain through her tears.)
MAZI ACHIFUNA (angry but controlled)
That man… he did not even have the decency to call me. He did not ask me if my daughter is capable of such evil.
(Selena sniffles, shaking her head.)
SELENA
He wouldn't listen to me, Papa. He believes the worst of me.
MAZI ACHIFUNA (softly, reassuring)
I know you, my daughter. You can never do such a thing. Your heart is too kind, too pure.
(Selena hugs him tightly. Mazi Achifuna gently strokes her hair.)
MAZI ACHIFUNA
Wipe your tears, my child. You are home now. No one will chase you away from here.
(Selena nods, wiping her eyes. She then turns to a middle-aged woman, MADAM EBELE, who stands nearby, watching the scene with concern.)
SELENA (to Madam Ebele)
Aunty Ebele, I… I can't afford to pay you anymore. You have done so much for my father, but I have nothing left.
MADAM EBELE (sighing, sympathetic)
I understand, my dear. But I will stay a few more days to help you settle in.
(Selena nods gratefully, but she looks worried about the days ahead.)
FADE TO BLACK.
SCENE 43 – MONTAGE(A series of visuals depicting the stark contrast between Frank's new life with Rita and Selena's struggle in the village.)
INT. FRANK'S HOUSE – NIGHT
(Frank and Rita sit at a lavish dining table, feeding each other food and sipping wine, laughing. Rita strokes his face, whispering sweetly into his ear.)
EXT. VILLAGE FARMLAND – DAY
(Selena holds her blind father's hand, guiding him through the farm. Abigail follows closely, carrying a small basket. They work hard, their clothes soaked in sweat.)
EXT. MAZI ACHIFUNA'S COMPOUND – EVENING
(Selena prepares food in a traditional outdoor kitchen. Smoke rises from the firewood. Mazi Achifuna sits in his wooden chair, while Abigail kneels beside him, carefully washing his feet with warm water.)
INT. SELENA'S HUT – NIGHT
(Selena wakes up suddenly, rushes outside, and vomits. She leans against the wall, breathing heavily, looking terrified.)
FADE TO BLACK.
SCENE 44 – EXT. FRIEND'S SHOP – DAY(Selena sits inside a small shop, fanning herself. Her friend, ADA, watches her with concern.)
ADA
Selena, you look pale. What is wrong?
SELENA (hesitates, then whispers)
Ada… I think I'm pregnant.
ADA (shocked)
Are you sure?!
SELENA (nods, voice shaking)
I've been vomiting… I don't know what to do. Frank has abandoned me, I have no money, and now… a baby?
ADA (firmly)
Selena, don't even think about it. You must keep this child.
SELENA (frustrated, holding her head)
But Ada, how will I survive? I can barely take care of Abigail, and now another child?
ADA (holding her hand, reassuring)
God will provide. You are not alone. And look, let me make your hair for free. Maybe looking good will lift your spirits.
(Selena smiles weakly as Ada starts working on her hair, trying to cheer her up.)
FADE TO BLACK.
SCENE 45 – EXT. MAZI ACHIFUNA'S COMPOUND – NIGHT(Mazi Achifuna sits outside as usual, but his breathing is heavy. He clutches his chest, struggling. Abigail notices and runs to him.)
ABIGAIL (panicked)
Grandpa! Grandpa, what is wrong?!
(Selena rushes out from the kitchen, dropping a bowl as she sees her father slumped in the chair. She screams and runs to him.)
SELENA
Papa!! No, no, please stay with me!
(Mazi Achifuna tries to speak, but his eyes slowly close. He takes one last breath... and then, silence. Selena and Abigail scream in anguish.)
FADE TO BLACK.