Writers 
Synopsis
๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ; all you need to do is to not give up. Some might say if you run out of patience, try long suffering. Aren't they fruit of the spirit?
This tells a story about a girl named Uyai who was force to marry at a young age as a collateral for her father's gambling debt. Before her unfortunate marriage, her family treated her as an outcast, a stain to the family and a black sheep. Blaming her to be the cause of her mother's death, Who died while giving birth to her. And now, in her unfortunate marriage, almost giving up in her faith, her husband becomes her personal demon in a place she must forcefully call home. What else can she do?
But amidst the torn pages of her heart, she chooses to love.
Refusing bad advice and sticking to God hoping to have the last laugh.
This is solely an African /a Nigerian-Themed Drama.
Some languages like ibibio, yoruba used mostly to make expressions while Nigerian-pidgin English are excessively used.
You'd be amazed with what lies within this book. HAPPY READING.
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INTRODUCTION
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It was 1991 when I gave my life to Christ. Before then, December 31st, 1972 happened. I had to say hello to the world.
Not my finest moment knowing the kind of world she is, as if I had a choice.
It's funny how she welcomed me into her warm bosom as a mother would, and took the woman who brought to me into this world. I thought I had a new mom but, as cruel as the world is, she left me alone with no one to love me. Not even my family.
Although, I wasn't a saint before I knew Christ but being sold out as payment for my father's debt due to his gambling habit wasn't a surprise. As the last child of the family of five and as the black sheep of the family, my fate was decided, sealed even. Only God can save me now.
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ACT 1
Scene 1
Sunday, December 31st, 1995
A street in Lagos mainland
(At God Reign Church)
{Enter Pastor and Uyai}
UYAI
(Genuflecting) Daddy, messiere
[Interpretation: Good morning]
PASTOR ATANG
Messiere nde, God bless you my daughter. Happy birthday, dear.
[Interpretation: Good morning too]
UYAI
Thank you sir. You remembered?
PASTOR ATANG
How can I forget? Uyai, how are you?
UYAI
I'm fine daddy. How is mummy? I didn't see her in church today. I wanted to ask Edidiong but she disappeared even before I could blink.
PASTOR ATANG
(Laughing a bit loud at what Uyai said about Eddy) Mummy traveled and she's returning today. I'm sure Eddy went home to await her return. How about Ubong, your husband. I barely see him in church these days. I hope all is well with him?
UYAI
(Sighing) All is well daddy.
PASTOR ATANG
Are you sure? It certainly doesn't seem like it, from the tone of your voice, Uyai?
UYAI
(Forcing a smile across her face) Daddy, all is well. I'll let him know you asked after him. Hopefully next Sunday you'll see him.
PASTOR ATANG
Okay, if you say so
(Enter Utibe)
UTIBE
Daddy, Good morning.
PASTOR ATANG
Good morning my child. What a powerful ministration you led today, you are blessed.
UTIBE
Daddy, thank you. We give all the glory to God Almighty. Uyai happy birthday, where and how are we going to celebrate it?
PASTOR ATANG
Let me leave you two plan her day. (laying his right hand on Uyai) Uyai, I pray that the blessing and favor of God rest upon you. As God has added a new year to your years, he shall renew all that is destroyed in your home. Open heaven is yours. In Jesus name.
UYAI AND UTIBE
(In chorus) Amen
PASTOR ATANG
The lord that has kept you alive shall give you the strength to survive. In this your new age, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. All that the devil has stolen shall be restored in 100 folds. All that raises his tongue against you in judgment shall be condemned.
UYAI AND UTIBE
(In chorus) Amen
PASTOR ATANG
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord raise his countenance upon you and give you peace. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and gracious unto you. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
UYAI
Amen. Daddy, thank you.
PASTOR ATANG
You are welcome my child. Go in peace.
(Exit Pastor Atang)
UTIBE
So?
UYAI
So what?
UTIBE
Are we not marking your birthday? Isn't Ubong taking you out?
UYAI
Utibe, are you really asking this or you just want to find my mouth?
UTIBE
Today is your day. I thought he would acknowledge that at least.
UYAI
Utibe, Mbok. Let's leave matters for Matthias, okay. I need to rush home now before my husband gets home. We will see ok?
[interpretation: please......]
UTIBE
Ok. We will. Please take care.
[Exit]
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ACT 1
Scene 2
A street in Lagos mainland
(Uyaiโs apartment at green gate)
{Entered Uyai and Ubong}
{Itโs 9:00pm and Ubong isnโt home yet. Uyai prayed and paced the house till she heard the heavy knock on the door}
UYAI
(Unlocking the door) Ebe mi. (holding her husband as he staggers into the house with his mouth smelling of alcohol.)
[Interpretation: my husband]
UBONG
(Still staggering) Ndisime awan. I hope your church has given you all the gifts you want, ehn, madam holy. (Slapping her hand off him)
What makes you think you are any different from that your useless family. You are as cheap as the debt you father owes me. (Tears filled her eyes as she felt her heart breaking into pieces.)
You are worthless to me. I hate you, I hate everything you represent. I hate that you have to be the first thing I see when I wake up, when I come home and the last thing I see when I go to bed.
[Interpretation: foolish woman]
UYAI
(He grabs Uyai on both shoulders, pushing and pinning her to the ground, forcefully)
Ahh, (screaming) Ebe mi, mbok. Please, Iโm sorry. Please my husband!
[Interpretation: my husband, please]
UBONG
(Ignoring her plea, he ripped all she wore. Slapping and beating her like a thief.)
Why canโt you just give up already? Abi, itโs your birthday? Iโm going to give you the best birthday gift youโll ever have.
(Still hitting her on the floor, he forcefully laid with her)
UYAI
(Sobbing) Ebe mi, nso idiok mkpo ke nam? Why do you hate me?
[Interpretation: what have I done wrong?]
UBONG
(Standing up from her) I donโt want to hear a single word from you. Rubbish.
(Exit Ubong)
UYAI
(Gathering herself up from the floor. crying) O God, I refuse to complain. I know this is a phase and it will pass. I need the strength and courage to carry on.
How long is this going to last? Why should I ask? When is not that Iโve had better days. I believe my best days are yet to come.
I didnโt choose to follow you because I had no option; but because I knew you are the way, the truth and the life. Please God show me the way oh God.
(She sobs her way to the bathroom, changed her cloth and goes back to the room. Feeling reluctant to pray, but she prays anyways)
[Exit]
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ACT 1
Scene 3
New Year
(The Well at Green gate)
{Entered Jennifer, Mrs. Toyin Afolabi and Tony}
JENNIFER
(Greedy with her fetching bag) Abeg abeg abeg, no come use your own disturb me oo. You no know where them they sell fetcher. Na so una go collect am till e tear.
[Interpretation: Please, donโt disturb me. Donโt you know where they sell fetcher? This is how you all will collect it till it wears out]
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
I no blame you, you hear, Jennifer. No be your fault. Shabi I bin get fetcher? If no be some th-i-ef (Stressing thief while eying Jennifer) wey we get for this compound way thief am, sha I go the beg you?
[Interpretation: I don't blame you. It's not your fault. I use to have a fetcher. But it was stolen if not, will I be asking for yours?]
JENNIFER
Ehhhhh, I gree. I get am before no be property. (Giving a long hiss and letting out a sound at the back of her tongue)
[Interpretation: yes, I know. I use to have it does not mean i have it now]
TONY
Jenโniโferโฆ..,shey na your happy new year be that, abi?
[Interpretation: is that how to greet happy New Year?]
JENNIFER
Wetin? Thank God you know say na New Year. No start am with borrow borrow.
[Interpretation: Thank God you know it is a New Year. Donโt start it with borrowing]
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
Please Tony, leave her. If Uyai was out here already, will I be asking Jennifer for her fetcher?
TONY
Ahh, sheโs no be bastard o.
[Interpretation: sheโs a true daughter of her father]
(Entered Uyai)
Madam Uyai, Good morning oo. Happy New Year.
UYAI
(Forgetting its 1st January) Uhhh, ah! Thank you Tony. Morning oo Toyin.
(Exit Tony)
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
Better pikin, Morning o jare.
[Interpretation: good child, morning]
UYAI
(Smiling) whatโs going on?
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
What do you think? (Hissing at Jennifer as she turned from her direction to face Uyai) Tell me you didnโt forget today is a new year.
UYAI
If I say I didnโt, I'd be lying.
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
Uyaiโฆ. I expected to see you yesterday in church for the crossover night but I knew why you didnโt show up by the time I returned home early this morning. Thatโs by the way, shey you dey fetch water?
[Interpretation: are you going to fetch water]
UYAI
Yes.
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
Abeg, I go use your fetcher when you finish.
[Interpretation: please I will use yours when you are done]
UYAI
No, wahala. But you know where I keep the fetcher, you should have carried it.
[Interpretation: no problem]
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
(Covering her mouth) ahhh!
UYAI
What!?
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
After all the drama I and my husband heard coming from your apartment last night, I didnโt want his trouble. I would have asked when I saw him leave but I chose not to.
UYAI
(Smiling) itโs ok.
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
I donโt want what Iโm about to say to look like a gossip o. You know, when I was going through my own share of challenges, you helped me.
Uyai, why do you let your husband treat you the way he does? I know you are having it rough. Green gate is a small compound we all notice your pain even as you try so much to hide it.
You are a strong woman, I envy your strength but for how long will this strength last? Take for example, your husband is JOBLESS and he is also a GAMBLER.
He robs you from the little money you get from frying groundnut and inside that same money, you also pay the rent. Do you realize that one day you will have children? Will it bring you joy if you bring them to this world to suffer?
UYAI
("No" she answered within) what would you have me do? (trying hard not to look pitiful)
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
If I say confront your husband, Iโll be wasting my time. If I say invite your family, I donโt know how your relationship with your remaining family is and some might advice against it on the base that it's not a good ethics for married couples.
I too donโt support third party o. Itโs a good thing you are a Christian. Seek good counsel from your father and mother in the Lord na. Act on them and pray hard.
Iโm tempted to say leave the marriage but, when I had trouble with my husbandโs people because of my childlessness, after ten years of marriage. You stood by me, encouraged me and taught me that Godโs time is not manโs time.
All those time you supported me, it was like you werenโt having your own storm. I remember that time you dragged me, literally to church. And all I was doing was grumbling andโฆ
UYAI
(Laughing, interrupting her.)
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
(Smiling) doesnโt it feel good seeing you laughing?
UYAI
Thank you Toyin. You are a good friend. Iโll consider all that youโve said. Iโll see my pastorโs wife on Wednesday before prayer meeting.
MRS TOYIN AFOLABI
You are welcome dear. Oya make we go fetch water
[Interpretation: letโs go fetch the water]
[Exit]
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ACT 1
Scene 4
(At Pastor Atangโs apartment)
{Entered Uyai, Edidiong, Mr. and Mrs. Atang}
UYAI
(After narrating her predicament including that of her father)
Mummy, Daddy. That is all Iโve been passing through. I would have said something earlier but I didnโt want to sound like Iโm complaining. Last night was so over bearing and my neighbor advised me to talk to you. (Sobbing) I donโt know what to do.
MRS. ATANG
(Comforting her) My child,it is ok to be weak and scared. None of us knew that this is what you are passing through. Seriously, Ndiแปnแปke. Iโmโฆ
[Interpretation: I don't know]
EDIDIONG
โฆ..I knew, only that she wonโt talk about it.
MRS. ATANG
Hmmm. My child, no home is perfect. You know that a woman build or break a home. The man is just the head. What we live in is what we built. Men with such character are not easy to reason with, it takes the spirit of God to arrest such person.
PASTOR ATANG
Thatโs true Uyai. Iโm not in support of your husbandโs actions but I can say that he is lost. And it is not easy on your own part. Donโt lose faith, God will do something.
Pray for him. If need be, fast for him. You need to save him. Donโt let anybody advise you to leave him unless you decide to.
I know it is tempting to leave because itโs hard but, remember the vows you took. For better for worst, till death do you part. Remember 1corinthians chapter 7 verses 10. The man is the head of the woman as God is the head of the man. So since your head is giving you troubles Uyai, report him to his head by praying earnestly and God being his head will discipline him and deliver him. The heart of the king, is in the hand of God.
Render your petitions to God through prayer in the name of Jesus, for Christ said
โAnd this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know he hear us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desire of himโ (1john chapter 5 verse 24)
And if I should continue, asking according to his will is just asking the right way.
โAnd in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, (Jesus Christ), he will give it you. Hitherto have ye ask nothing in my name, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be fullโฆ.(John chapter 16 verse 23-26)
And like Hannah, in 1samuel chapter 1 verse 14-20 her heart was heavy, she cried unto God and her petitions were answered.
Petitions are just remembering Who God is, what he has done and his promises he has said he will do for you in his word. And saying them back to him, giving him reasons why he should bless you.
Take Peter and John for example, when they did miracles in the name of Jesus, they were threatened and ordered not to preach about Jesus. Since the people who gave the order were the authorities, it was beyond their power. So they prayed to God, rendering their petition, remembering who God is, what he has done and what he says he will do. Putting God in remembrance as they plead their case. Bringing Godโs words back to him. We will see this in Acts chapter 4 verse 24-31.
God said in Isaiah chapter 43 verse 26
โput me in remembrance: let us plead together, declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.โ
This is not that God is forgetful, but he has given you an open check to plead your case with fact which are the promises and declaration he has made in his word about that situation,
Your situation is beyond your control.
You need to plead your case to God, bringing his word back to him.
So have faith and trust in God for he has fought your battle and won. Donโt you remember the story of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir which came against Judah? Eddy, please bring my Bible in the room. Please.
EDIDIONG
Yes daddy. (Leaving to bring the Bible and returning with it almost immediately). Here is it sir.
PASTOR ATANG
(Collecting the Bible from his daughter) Thank you. Letโs see 2cronicles chapter 20. We will see that from verse 1, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, after hearing about the people who came to fight Judah, he was scared. But what did he do? Uyai, take, (giving her his bible) read verses 3 and 4.
UYAI
โAnd Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judahโ
โAnd Judah gather themselves together, and ask help of the lord: even out of the cities of Judah they came to seek the lordโ
PASTOR ATANG
Yes stop there first. If you notice, Jehoshaphat is a king. How can a king be scared? It is because he knew the battle was beyond his power. But he did not cry or complain to God or seek bad counsel but, he fasted and Judah too because they were involved. They gathered and ask help of the lord.
They realized that only God can help them so they asked and they found, Matthew chapter 7 verses 7. If you read 2cronicles chapter 20verses 4 to 13 you will see how the king prayed to God. And you know what? God answered their prayer. And in their midst, the spirit of God came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, a Levite. And, please go through 2cronicles chapter 20 verses 15 and 17. (Pointing at Uyai to read)
UYAI
โAnd he said, Hearken ye, all Judah and ye inhabitant of Jerusalem, and thou king,Jehoshaphat. Thus saith the Lord unto you. Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this Great multitude for the battle is not yours but Godโs. (Raising his hands as a sign for her to pause)
PASTOR ATANG
You see, your Great multitude may be the Great multitude of challenges youโve gone through and you are still going through. But remember, this battle is not yours but Godโs. All you need to do is to ask God for help and leave it to God. Remember,
โAnd in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, (Jesus Christ), he will give to you. Hitherto have ye ask nothing in my name, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be fullโฆ.(John chapter 16 verse 23-26)
The Lord did not say some things, or few things but he he says, whatsoever ye ask. So you can ask anything but in the name of Jesus.
MRS. ATANG
(Nodding her head in agreement with her husband) Thatโs true.
PASTOR ATANG
Yes. Go on please. Read verses 17
UYAI
โVerses 17, ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourself, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you. Oh Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord will be with youโ
PASTOR ATANG
Oh Uyai Udoh, fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow face your battle head strong with faith, go against it, for the lord will be with you.Read verses 20
UYAI
โAnd they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me o Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in the Lord your God so shall ye be established: believe his prophet so shall ye prosperโ
PASTOR ATANG
Thatโs says it all. All you need to do is believe in God and the prophet who he has ordained.
MRS. ATANG
God does not fight a battle and lose them he has never lost a battle and he will never lose a battle, not even yours. You are victorious in a battle you didnโt fight in. For he has given you victory, thatโs make you more than conquerors. My dear, you have conquered. Believe it and hold on to that. If you continue from 21 to 23, you will see that the people sang beautifully and praised God, continuously that they all witnessed the hand of God in their favor. They saw how the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir slayed themselves till they all died. And it was victory at last for them. And they thank God.
Do you know what was amazing about that story, not only did they win a battle they didnโt fight in but, wealth was added unto them. That is the power of God. Look at all the benefit of trusting the Lord, My child. They that trust in the lord shall be like mount Zion, which cannot be removed but abideth forever.
EDIDIONG
My friend. We will pray for you, every day if we must. And you need to pray too. God will put a smile forever on your face. Donโt give up on God. He is working on your home. Sooner than later, you will witness the hand of God in your favor. Amen.
ALL
Amen.
MRS. ATANG
Uyai, it is a New Year and you are spending it in my house. Come with me to the kitchen letโs prepare something good.
EDIDIONG
Mummy, you wonโt call me?
MRS. ATANG
No. (All laughing)
UYAI
(Genuflecting) Mummy, thank you. Daddy, thank you. You have impacted great knowledge into my life. Now I know all hope is not lost. You are the only parent I have in this world, thank you for being there for me. And Edidiong, thanks for being a sister and a friend. Iโm so grateful.
PASTOR ATANG
Get up my child. You are blessed.
UYAI
Daddy, Sแปsแปรฑแป eti eti
[Interpretation: thank you very much]
[Exit]
