THE CHAMELEON, THE DRUNK & THE FOOL
A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS
ACT IV
SCENE ONE
The next day at Farah’s residence. Farah is in the store ready to get the money so she can take it to the bank. She opens the drawer and finds nothing there to her utter amazement.
Farah
(Beginning to panic)
“I am sure I left it here yesterday. Where then could it be?” (She continues to search frantically and soon turns everywhere upside down. She searches every inch of the kitchen, the bedroom, the living room, toilets and bathroom, Mimi’s room in fact, everywhere, to no avail. By now she is a blubbering mess, her whole countenance in disarray. It still hasn’t occurred to her who the real culprit is.)
“Oh God, where could I have kept this money? No one else knows of this hiding place except me so how? I need this money to complete Mimi’s next term school fees, my hospital fee, bills, yeh mo gbe oooo!” (While lamenting, an idea occurs to her. She begins to track in her mind, every one of her movements since yesterday) “Abi did someone break in without my knowledge?” (She checks all the windows and doors and finds no signs of a break-in. That’s when she realises that she wasn’t entirely alone the day before.) “Could it have been Isma’il? But he left yesterday before I kept the money or did he come back and I didn’t know?” (Frantically, she locates her phone and dials Isma’il’s number. He picks up after the third try.)
Farah
(Trying to sound calm.)
“Isma’il please can you… did you see my money in the house before you left?”
Isma’il
(Snickering and obviously inebriated.)
“Ehn ehn, I thought you said you don’t have money?”
Farah
(She can hear noises in the background: bottles clinking, men and women shouting etc. Isma’il’s smug tone convinces her he is the culprit. Her heart almost stops as she imagines what Isma’il is doing with her hard-earned money.)
“Return my money, you shameless man! How did you even know where I kept it…”
Isma’il
“Oh quit your whining woman! You and who needs it? Are you not alone over there? Besides, I will return your money jo. If you had given me when I asked, I wouldn’t have needed to take it the way I did, so blame yourself for that bit. Anyway, I will use it for my business venture and will return it when it is tripled, don’t worry…”
Farah
(Losing her cool.)
“You had no right to take that money! We need it to SURVIVE you foolish man…”
Isma’il
“Don’t insult me jo, you stingy woman. I said I will return it abi you are deaf ni? How much is it gaan sef?”
Farah
(The money was a few thousand short of 500k so it was a lot of money. Deciding to change tactics, she tries to clamp down on her anger. )
“I am no longer angry. Just tell me where you are and I will come and get the rest ehn, please my darling husband…”
Isma’il
“Don’t worry I will call you when I am ready.” (With that he ends the call.)
Farah
(Shocked)
“Isma’il! Don’t end the call o. Isma’il!” (She tries to call him back but the number is now switched off.) “God, where do I start from? Where do I go from here?” (Coming to terms with how bad her situation is, Farah slumps to the ground and cries her eyes out. Curtain.)
*****
SCENE TWO
A few weeks later. Huda’s residence. She is on her way back from seeing Farah off. The two had struck a friendship since their last meeting and Farah often visited her at home. As she rounds the corner to their street she spots Bilaal.
Huda
(Excited)
“Bilaal!” (She rushes to catch up with him.) “What are you doing home so early? I thought you weren’t due home until 7 pm?”
Bilaal
(Smiling, waits for Huda to catch up.)
“I wanted to surprise you. Wait how come I didn’t pass you by on my way?”
Huda
“Oh, we must have passed you while in the car. My friend Mrs Farah was here. Remember I told you about her.”
Bilaal
(Nodding)
“Yes, I do remember. It’s a shame we missed one another, I would have thanked her properly for her help and for keeping you company while I was away. ”
Huda
(It seems like she recalls something and her expression hardens)
“Abi o.”
Bilaal
(Notices that her countenance has changed.
“Darling what’s the matter?”
Huda
(Shrugs)
“Nothing. Just thinking about how someone else is talking over your duties.”
Bilaal
(Sighs)
“Come on don’t be like that. You know it can’t be helped.”
Huda
“Spare me jare. I am tired of that line. “
Bilaal
(Tries to hug her)
“Huda please. Canwe not do this now? I am tired and hungry.”
Huda
(They are at their door now. She opens the door using it as a pretext to evade his hug.)
“Let’s go in so you can eat then. Abi sebi that’s more important to you than your wife being pregnant and alone.”
Bilaal
“That’s not fair and you know it.”
Huda
“Excuse me? I don’t know anything o. All I know is that you are usually not here when I need you. And even when I call you are sometimes not available, saying you are too tired etc.” (At this point she remembered a conversation she had with Farah) ‘When next he comes home, ask if you can come stay with him or at least visit him at work. If he agress then he has nothing to hide, but if he says no, then my dear, you have to be on your guard because he is definitely doing something shady.’ . Huda decides to test that theory.)
“Can I come stay with you next week? Or at least visit you. I know you complain about eating well and all. I could use that opportunity to cook or bring you some food. “
Bilaal
(Exasperated)
“I have explained many times that it’s not a good idea. Huda, please stop acting childishly..”
Huda
“I’m not acting like a child!”
Bilaal
(Holds palms up in a bid to placate her)
“Okay, ok, I am sorry, love.” (Changes the subject) “The vendor should deliver the baby crib and mattress next week right?”
Huda
(In a small voice)
“I didn’t make the order.”
Bilaal
(Shocked)
“Why.? You don’t like it? Is it the crib or the mattress that you don’t like? We can ask the vendor tho change it”
Huda
(Recalling another conversation she had with Farah) ‘See ehn the day a man starts asking you to use your money to fulfil any of his responsibilities, is the day you are doomed. No matter how sincere his promises, he will never return the money o. So the best bet is to refuse. Under no circumstances should you agree to do that okay?’
“I just didn’t want to use my money for something you should be doing.”
Bilaal
“But sweetheart I explained that I would return it. Every penny. I only want us to save up for your surgery so it won’t be like last time. Wallahi I promise you…”
Huda
(Shaking her head)
“Sorry, but I can’t accept that. How do I know you will keep your promise? If you are a responsible man as you claim to be, you will find a way without asking me for help. Or aren’t you a man enough after all?”
Bilaal
(Staring at Huda as if he’s seeing her for the first time)
“Huda where is all this coming from?”
Huda
“I guess my eyes are open now. I will serve your dinner now.” (With that she walks into the kitchen, feeling pleased with herself. That night and for the rest of his stay Bilaal slept on the couch. Curtain.)
SCENE THREE
Huda’s Residence.
It’s the week after the confrontation and Farah has come to visit her. Bilaal had returned to work. Huda is feeling guilty about her behaviour towards him but Farah is on hand to drip more poison into her ears.
Huda
(Sighing)
“I just feel bad about it all. Maybe he has no secrets and he will really return my money?”
Farah
(Snickers)
“No way. You don’t need to feel bad dear. Chin up! You did good. Don’t worry he will come to his senses and produce that money.”
Huda
(Hopeful)
“You think so?”
Farah
(Smiling)
“I know so. In the meantime, I would like you to find a way to get to his workplace. You must unravel the mystery of why he doesn’t want you there.”
Huda
(Hesitant)
“But what if there’s no mystery and it’s just as he claims?”
Farah
“Tsk, tsk, you are so naive. Listen this happened to one of my friends. She was in a similar situation as yours. Turns out her husband had married another wife and was hiding her someplace else. She found out too late. But you have a chance to find out now if it’s not too late already.”
Huda
“Ok I will pay him a surprise visit.” (She takes Farah’s hands in hers) “Thank you so much sis Farah. You have been such a good friend. I don’t know what I would have done without your companionship and words of advice.”
Farah
“I am glad I could be of help. Speaking of which, I need a favour from you, seing as you are a good friend.” (They both giggle.)
Huda
“Anything. As long as it’s within my power I will help you.”
Farah
“Well, I need to make a payment but my card has an issue that hasn’t been resolved. Could you help me with a little cash so I can sort it out? I will return it as soon as the card issue is resolved in two days.”
Huda
“Of course. How much do you need?”
Farah
“Oh, it’s just 250k. I hope it’s not too much?”
Huda
(The amount is the exact amount as her savings but she is trying to impress Farah so she agrees.)
“No, it’s not a problem. I will go in and bring it for you now.”
(The lights dim as Huda goes in to fetch the money. Curtain.)
© Hafsah bint Nurein
2024
