OVER BLACK:
SUPER: SEPTEMBER 2027
FADE IN:
EXT. NGO BUILDING – DAY
A small white building with a signboard that reads; “HEALING HEARTS NGO – We help you fight your battles.”
A LITTLE BOY, 8 years old, is kicking a soccer ball on the lawn.
INT. NGO BUILDING – SAME TIME
A small reception; a couple of benches and the receptionist’s cubicle. The TV is on but on mute. The RECEPTIONIST; an elderly woman in her fifties, signals to ADEOLA, 16 years old, who is the only occupant of the benches in the reception. Adeola is wearing a baggy Jean trousers, a cardigan, socks, slippers, and a face cap.
RECEPTIONIST
Please, come with me. Madam is ready to see you now.
ADEOLA
Thank you ma.
She stands up and follows the receptionist down the hallway.
INT. NGO BUILDING – DELILAH’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
DELILAH, 27 years old, is sitting behind a desk. She’s scrolling through her tablet with utmost concentration. She is sporting braids with beads, and her face is bare of makeup, except lipgloss. The door opens and the receptionist walks in with Adeola.
RECEPTIONIST
Tomi. Here she is.
DELILAH
Thank you Mrs. King.
Mrs. King nods and leaves the office. Delilah waves her hand at one of the two uncomfortable-looking chairs in her office.
DELILAH
Please have a seat.
Adeola sits on the left chair and winces visibly when she tries to rest her back.
DELILAH
I’m sorry about the chair, we are low on funds at the moment.
ADEOLA
Then how do you run this place, and hire the lawyer?
DELILAH
Well, the lawyer is volunteering. Her own token to our cause. As for the funding, I use my salary.
That’s why we only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I spend the rest of the week at work. So, how may I help you today Miss…
ADEOLA
It’s Adeola and I don’t even know what I want you to do for me.
DELILAH
That’s okay. So, what is the problem?
Adeola doesn’t respond for a few seconds, suddenly she starts crying. Delilah does not look surprised, instead she pushes a box of tissues towards Adeola, who takes it with a muttered ‘thanks’.
ADEOLA
I’m just 16, waiting for admission. And now I’m pregnant and no one will believe he forced himself on me. He’s the Senior Pastor’s son and he’s above reproach.
DELILAH
(sighs)
Does anyone knows you are
pregnant?
ADEOLA
No. I can’t risk that. My dad is the Assistant Pastor and he and mum will kill me. I’m just 16, this is going to ruin my life forever.
DELILAH
Your life cannot be ruined.
ADEOLA
Easy for you to say. You weren’t pregnant as a teenager. Your life
is perfect.
DELILAH
I’m sure you saw that little boy playing ball out on the lawn.
That’s my son and I had him when I was 19. Let me tell you about it
all and why I started this NGO.
EXT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – EVENING
SUPER: SEPTEMBER 2019
A young Delilah, 19 years old, on low cut, is sitting in front of the building with TWO GIRLS. They are laughing, when a BOY, 22, walks towards them. He hugs the other two Girls respectively, and then waves at Delilah.
GIRL 1
Haha, are you fighting with Delilah ni? Why didn’t you hug her
also?
GIRL 2
E be like say no be this compound you dey. Shey you no know say Delilah no dey allow person touch am? Especially man.
DELILAH
Abeg, na God I take beg you. Let’s not start on this right now.
BOY
I came to ask Delilah about her trip home. Have you confirmed whether you’re going or not? Because we are starting the group
studies this Friday.
DELILAH
Let me just go inside and call my
sister. I’ll be right back.
She stands up and walks up the staircase attached to the side of the house.
INT. DELILAH’S ROOM – EVENING
The room is a typical student’s room; a mattress on the carpet, books on a table, and clothes on the hanger.
Delilah is on a call with her sister. Her sister’s voice is audible through the phone:
SISTER (V.O.)
Tomi! You said you don’t want to
do what?
DELILAH
(into the phone)
I really don’t want to go home for Uncle’s baby’s christening.
SISTER (V.O.)
Tomi, I have always known you to be an ungrateful girl. A man that practically raised and sponsored us since you were just 5 years old after mum and dad died. There’s nothing he does that you’ve ever supported. Haha kilode?
DELILAH
Sister, it’s not like that. It’s just that I’m afraid of him. He used to hurt me.
SISTER (V.O.)
So because of a few canings as a child? What could he have done to you that would warrant such hatred? Even if he’s eyeing you, that man has tried. See, I will not let your selfishness ruin things for me. I need money from him and we both know he’ll only give it to me if he’s in a good mood. So, I won’t let your absence
ruin his mood.
DELILAH: Yes ma’am
SISTER (V.O.)
Good! I expect you to be home this weekend. And don’t forget, no matter what he has done or will do, he is family and we always forgive family no matter what. Bye.
There’s a beep tone, signaling the end of the call. Delilah drops the phone and stares quietly.
EXT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DAY
A black Lexus jeep stops in front of the building. UNCLE,
40 years old, and Delilah, alight from the car. Delilah is carrying an overnight bag while Uncle is carrying a swollen mall leather bag. They take the stairs attached to the side of the building.
INT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DELILAH’S ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Delilah walks into the room and drops her bag. Uncle follows and starts looking round the room.
UNCLE
(he extends the bag to her)
Take this. I got them for you actually.
DELILAH
No thank you sir. I’m fine.
UNCLE
Hmm Tomi or should I call you Delilah? I see that’s what you named yourself all over social
media.
DELILAH
I’m sure aunty will be expecting you already. Thank you for coming
to drop me.
UNCLE
Um… actually, I think I should
stay a bit. I mean, your hostel is so dry, we didn’t even see a single soul as
we came in.
DELILAH
That’s because today is Sunday and they’ve all gone to church. I would really like to rest now sir.
Uncle moves closer to her. He tries to touch her, she doges the attempt.
UNCLE
Hmm, Tomi. I don’t know why you are always forming for me. We both know you like it and you want it. How old are you again? 19? I think it’s time you graduated from these baby tricks to the main deal. What do you think?
Delilah moves back until her back touches the wall. There are streaks of tears on her face as Uncle approaches her slowly.
DELILAH
Please sir. Please don’t do this. Please.
UNCLE
Come on sweetheart, you know you want it. Don’t I get a little compensation for all my hard work? I pay your fees, I feed and clothe you and your sister.
He grabs her and pushes her towards the bed. She lands on her right arm and screams. Uncle unbuckles his trousers and lowers it. He kneels behind her and raises up her gown.
INT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DELILAH’S ROOM – NIGHT
Girl 2 walks into the dark room. She switches on the light and draws back in fright when she sees Delilah lying on the carpet.
She moves closer to Delilah and shakes her awake. Delilah opens her eyes and tries to sit up but is unable to. Girl
2 discovers Delilah’s right shoulder is swollen.
GIRL 2
Chimoo oh! Delilah! Wetin happen?
DELILAH
I fell down the stairs on Sunday.
GIRL 2
And today is Tuesday. Ha Delilah! You dey this room with this kind gbege for hand and you no gree talk? Your uncle nko? Na before or
after he commot?
Delilah is silent. She looks away and Girl 2 claps her hands in mockery.
GIRL 2
Wetin Musa no go see for gate? In fact I dey suspect that your uncle. Because e no get time wey you go him place wey you no go carry one strange injury follow body. Na every time you no dey see
road?
DELILAH
I told you that I am a clumsy being.
GIRL 2
I no know wetin that one be oh. My own be say, you go carry this your flat yansh tomorrow morning. We go waka reach health center, make dem fix am for you. I go con dey sleep your room for night, so I go fit dey monitor your progress. You dey hear me so?
Delilah only nods in response. Girl 2 seems happy with her answer.
EXT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DAY 6
Delilah is sporting a sling on her right arm as she walks towards a man, SERGEANT, washing his clothes beside the staircase. He appears to be in his forties. He is whistling along to a song coming from his cell phone.
DELILAH
Sergeant oh. How you dey now?
He raises his head and pauses the music with a smile.
SERGEANT
Ha, lady Delilah. Madam wey fall Samson alone. I salute you oh.
He mocks a salute.
DELILAH
You don start this your play again.
SERGEANT
Ha, aunty Dee, wetin happen? Who con break your hand like this?
DELILAH
I fall down for this step oh.
SERGEANT
With this your shikini body? Ehyah doh oh.
DELILAH
Abeg, I get question for you oh. E dey important.
SERGEANT
Oya now.
DELILAH
If dem rape person, but she no too get evidence. Especially if the thing don dey use style happen before. How the person go do am for police case?
He hisses and sits down on one of the steps.
SERGEANT
Which kind nonsense talk be that? Something wey don dey happen no be today? All these girls and their useless lie sef. How man go rape you one time, you go still go back for more? Abi she dey enjoy am she
no wan talk.
DELILAH
I’m not asking about your sentiments. I’m asking about the general consensus in the police
force.
SERGEANT
Na nonsense consensus. No be the reason for the shit wey that musician wife dey yarn against that innocent man of God? Hin dey talk say the man rape am, no be one time. Haha, make una dey fear
God now.
DELILAH
Will it hold in a police case or not?
SERGEANT
E no go hold. No evidence and we all know say she dey lie. Go social media, go Facebook, you go see say people dey lambast all these lying girls anyhow.
Shameless lots. Even if person rape you, why you go dey talk am on top social media. Una no get shame?
Delilah is quiet. She mutters a thank you to him after heartbeat and walks up the stairs.
INT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DELILAH’S ROOM – NIGHT
Girl 2 is scrolling through her phone in the dimly lit room. Delilah is asleep on the bed. Suddenly, she starts muttering in her sleep. Girl 2 turns to look at her. She begins to shake furiously with tears running from her face. Girl 2 drops the phone and starts shaking Delilah who springs awake with a shout.
GIRL 2
Delilah for Christ sake. You dey make me fear oh. You no fit sleep, you no fit chop. You go sleep, na bad dream go still wake you. Shey I no go carry you go see prophet like this?
Before Delilah can respond, she lurches, stands up and runs to the bathroom. Her retching sound is audible in the room while Girl 2 looks on with worry. Delilah returns to the room and picks up a bottle of water. She takes a swig and sits on the carpet.
GIRL 2
My sister, I dey go buy pregnancy test for you tomorrow. I no fit
talk again.
Delilah does not respond as a tear runs down her cheek.
INT. TWO STOREY BUILDING – DELILAH’S ROOM – DAY 8
There are clothes everywhere and Delilah is sitting on a pile in the corner. She looks at something beside her; a pregnancy test strip reading positive. She sighs audibly and picks up her phone. The dial tone is audible and after a while the person picks up. It is Sister.
DELILAH
Hello Sister.
SISTER (V.O.)
Hello Tomi. What is it? You don’t sound well.
DELILAH
Sister.
(beat)
I am pregnant.
There is silence on Sister’s end while Delilah starts sobbing.
DELILAH
Sister, can you hear me? I’m pregnant and if you search your heart, you know whose it is. And you know it didn’t happen willingly.
SISTER (V.O.)
Oh my God Tomi. How did this happen? How?
DELILAH
You wouldn’t help me. After all, he’s family and he can do no wrong.
SISTER (V.O.)
Tomi no one can hear of this. It would ruin us. Think of what people would say. You cannot keep that child oh. Oh my God.
Delilah ends the call abruptly and slides the phone away.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COURTROOM – DAY 9
SUPER: NOVEMBER, 2027
A small crowd is visible and they are all staring at a YOUNG MAN being led by the POLICE. They put him into their car and drive away. The car passes beside Delilah, 27, her son, and Adeola. They watch the car drive off and Adeola wiggles a wave at the exiting car.
ADEOLA
Wow, I can’t thank you enough. Who knew it would be possible to get me justice? For some reason I feel like I’m on the path to recovery.
DELILAH
You are. Getting justice sets you on that path. Knowing your enemy is behind bars makes you feel better.
ADEOLA
What happened to your uncle?
Delilah smiles and draws her son closer.
DELILAH
Not all battles can be won Adeola. But with the help of the First Lady partnering with my NGO,
I’ll help others fight theirs.
ADEOLA
Ha, yes! That social media campaign did you good. Who knew a lot of people would speak out like that? Men and women alike.
DELILAH
And your parents?
ADEOLA
They are still not happy that I chose to disgrace them and fight
against ‘the body of Christ’”
She makes air quotes when she said body of Christ. Delilah laughs and her son looks between the two ladies.
DELILAH
I just want you to do something for me.
ADEOLA
What is that.
DELILAH
First, I want you to keep coming to see our therapist. Second, I want you to lose your baggy clothes and socks. Rape isn’t about the way you dress. You can adorn hijab and someone will still be crazy enough to hurt you. It’s not you, it’s them. Third, please, don’t hold all men accountable for the deed of one man.
ADEOLA
That’s a lot of things.
DELILAH
Fourth, I want you to lose the suicidal thoughts. If I could survive the depression, the emptiness, and pain, trust me, you will too. Promise me you’ll try.
ADEOLA
I promise!
Delilah hugs Adeola and her son wiggles in between them to join in the hug.
FADE TO BLACK:
“DO YOU KNOW WHO AN ABUSER IS? IT IS ALWAYS SOMEONE YOU NEVER EXPECTED. SOMEONE YOU TRUSTED EVERY BIT. LET’S STOP SHAMING THE VICTIM, THEY ALREADY FEEL BAD ENOUGH INSIDE THEM. WATCH YOUR CHILDREN, WATCH YOUR FRIENDS, SOMEONE MIGHT BE PREYING ON THEM.”
