Where is the God of love?

PREFACE Is it an emotional tale of love? Or should I call it a passionately heart-warming love story? The Ultimate script "where is the God of love? by Omoyeni Adebola Daniel is a unique and affectionate love story. It is an epic based on love, desire, hope, regret and triumph. The settings Aiyedogbon village and Lagos city cleverly mirror these emotions. The story focuses on two main characters, Iwalewa and Adesewa, the duo who easily fell for a mirage, or put another way, a 'shadow' of love. Even as a boy of age sixteen, the son of a peasant farmer, Iwalewa, is able to make the princess fall in love with his personality. Adesewa, the beautiful princess of age fifteen has an hobby of going to the river every evening to play with water for an hour. She usually doesn't allow an escort but goes all alone through the thick Bush path to her love nest. Every evening, Iwalewa hides in the bush beside the river, serenading the princess with his flute. Although the princess always enjoys the particular tunes played by Iwalewa, she doesn't know who plays, hopefully, she wishes the flute player reveals himself one day. However, it is true that personality gets the heart, Although Adesewa never sees Iwalewa, she fell in love with him, or perhaps, with the tunes of his flute. One fateful evening, the princess goes to the river and fortunately sees the shadow of the boy playing the flute for her in the bush. She decides to move towards the shadow, the shadow runs and the princess chases, with a determination to see her unknown lover. Suddenly, a gunshot is heard and the bullet hits the princess, bleeding profusely, she faints, who shot at the princess? Iwalewa quickly comes back to rescue her, he mightily lifts her up and carries her to the palace. What happens when he gets to the palace? Is he appreciated or implicated? I challenge you to remain unmoved after reading this emotional script. EXT.AYEDOGBON VILLAGE-RIVER BANK-EVENING IWALEWA, a boy of about age sixteen is seen on a tree inside the bush beside the river. A good looking but poorly dressed boy. All he has in his hand is an old-fashioned flute. IWALEWA (in thoughts) Uhn, it's one year and six months now That I've always come here on this tree Every evening to play the flute for my beloved that comes all alone from the royal family every evening to play be- side the river. He reaches out his hand and cut a small branch from the tree. He forcefully throws it out into the river and watches as it creates a series of waves. He smiles sheepishly. IWALEWA (CONT'D) Although she usually enjoys my music She never knows who I am, she never sees me for one day. How then will I Make it known to the princess that a poor boy like me is in love with her? Wait, perhaps, she is in love with me too, No! IWALEWA(CONT'D) she might have only fallen in love with my Flute's music but not with me- the player. The princess, ADESEWA, a girl of about age fifteen arrives, dressed beautifully like a bride. She has beads arranged over her plaited hair and royal beads on her neck, wrist and ankles. IWALEWA (In thoughts,looking at the beautiful Princess) Behold,her beautiful eyes are like two Round turtle doves,her lips glitter like gold. Her gentle smile, like a spark of light, illumi- nates my soul. He streches his neck and moves his body to a position where he could easily see the princess. Adesewa looks around the bush, waiting to hear the usual music from her unknown flute player. ADESEWA (Looking worried) Is he not around today? Ouch! I will Seriously miss his music. Why is he not playing for me today? I really wi- sh to see him one day and know who he is, but it never happens. Won't he come ... SUDDENLY, ADESEWA turns to the back, to concentrate on the flow of THE USUAL MUSIC FROM THE BUSH as the unknown IWALEWA plays. IWALEWA (Playing the flute) Waji wawe wa soge o Waji wawe wa soge Wawetan Adesewa, wawe tan Awon okunrin ko Lee lo o Waji wawe wa soge ADESEWA (Happy) Eh! thank you dear player, I initially thought You've disappointed me today. Eh! I am happy now. She starts to dance as she bends to play with the water in the river. This continues until she finally decides to go home. She looks toward the bush. ADESEWA Dear player, thanks for today. If you can hear me, can you please let me see you today? I've been begging you for several days that at least You should let me know you for once but... She wipes her face to clean up the tears rolling down her cheeks. Iwalewa looks her with pity. He is in dilemma whether to show his identity today or not. IWALEWA (In thought) Uhn, I also wish that you see me one day. I am not also happy about your sadness. The thing is Just that I don't want trouble from the royal family especially for my father who always warn me to stay away from getting into trouble with the royal family. Tears roll down his cheeks too. Adesewa keeps waiting for her flute player to respond. ADESEWA (sad) Anyways, if you will disappoint me today again, let Me say goodbye till tomorrow. She turns to go back to the palace. Iwalewa waves from the tree as though he were seen by Adesewa. INT.KING'S PALACE-SUNSET A well decorated African palace. Looks like a twentieth century palace, with old-fashioned royal seats and traditional carved figures here and there. The queen, OLORI FADEKEMI, is seen in the palace, worried about the princess's late arrival. FADEKEMI (worried) Eeh, God, why is Adesewa so late today? I just hope something bad has not happened to her. I really don't Know why she usually insists that she doesn't want an Escort to the river. Ah! Olodumare please protect my daughter for me o. Adesewa enters the palace looking sad. The queen looks her with disdain in order to rebuke her lateness. ADESEWA Good evening mother FADEKEMI (hesitant to reply) Uhn...uhn. ADESEWA Mother, where is the... FADEKEMI Adesewa, Adesewa, Adesewa. How many times did I call You? ADESEWA Three times,mother. What happened? FADEKEMI (voice raises) Do you realize the time you are coming back home from the river? What really is your problem? ADESEWA (looking submissive) ADESEWA I am sorry mother. FADEKEMI Sorry about what? Do you know that the king would have been mad at me if not that he is sleeping in his room? ADESEWA (With low voice) Ah, please don't shout mother, I don't mean to... FADEKEMI (Voice raises more) Just keep quiet! do you know you are actually risking your Life by not allowing guards to escort you to the river? eeh, I pity you. Is it because of... ADESEWA (Interrupts with a low voice) Please mother, you are louding your voice. FADEKEMI (Frowning) Eehn, let me loud it more. Is it because you are in love with one nonsense boy you said you don't even know? ADESEWA (smiling) Yes mother, I am really in love with... FADEKEMI (scornfully) Shut up! Ninny. What do you even know about love? FADEKEMI (CONT'D) and how old are you? ADESEWA Mother, in love, age is just a number. FADEKEMI You know I've promised not to tell the king about this before, but now, I've made up my mind to tell him. Hearing this, Adesewa kneels immediately, holding the tip of her mother's wrapper, she begs her earnestly. Fadekemi looks the other side to show she is not ready to succumb. ADESEWA (crying) Uhn, Olori please don't let the king know about this, I promise I will never come back late from the river again FADEKEMI (pites her) You promise? are you sure about that? ADESEWA (still crying) Yes mother. Just then, the king, ADEWALE, comes out of his room to the sitting room. Being awaken by the unusual noise. Fadekemi and Adesewa both kneel to greet him. FADEKEMI AND ADESEWA (greeting the king) Kabiyesi o. With his face frowned, the king looks both of them. He doesn't respond to their greetings. ADEWALE (with harsh voice) Why are the both of you disturbing my reverie? Why are you both shouting as if there was a war? FADEKEMI (apologetic) My husband, we dare not disturb you. ADEWALE So, what caused the uproar? FADEKEMI (lying) It was your daughter that said she wants to drink from your newly bought palm wine. I was trying to rebuke her but she insisted. That was why I shouted on her. ADEWALE Is that so, ADESEWA? ADESEWA (looking her mother's face) Yee...Yee... Yes. ADEWALE Ah ah, Fadekemi, but why didn't you allow my daughter to take just little out of the abundant palm wine? FADEKEMI Kabiyesi, I think she is still too young to be taking palm wine regularly. Imagine the large quantities she consum- ed yesterday. Adesewa stares at her mother's lips, looking how sweet lies taste in her lips. Fadekemi looks so serious that even a god will believe her. FADEKEMI (CONT'D) That's why I don't want her to have another drink today. ADEWALE Uhn, that's thoughtful. Adesewa, wait till tomorrow before taking another drink. Little by little my daughter. Adesewa pretends as if she weren't satisfied with the king's decision. ADESEWA Oooh! Uhn.... I want to taste... FADEKEMI (with a loud voice) Eh! go right now into the kitchen and check the yam I put On fire. Adesewa moves to the kitchen looking unsatisfied. The king sits and the queen sits beside him. ADEWALE (facing his wife) Ehnn, Fadekemi. Do you remember that the day after tomorrow is the royal meeting we usually attend twice in a year at Arigbabuwo village? FADEKEMI Oh, I've completely forgotten, ah, this one will be special I will surely be the most well dressed of all queens that will be there. ADEWALE (smiling) Hmm, I know you for that. They both laugh. Adesewa calls out from the kitchen. ADESEWA(O.S.) Mother! the yam is ready to be pound. FADEKEMI okay dear, I'll be right there. ADEWALE Quickly join her because I'm seriously hungry. FADEKEMI Your majesty. She hurries to the kitchen to prepare a delicious pounded yam. EXT. AIYEDOGBON VILLAGE-IWALESO'S HUT-MORNING. Sitting on an old-fashioned sofa. IWALESO, Iwalewa's father, watches as his two wives hold an argument. ADUNNI, the junior wife is usually the aggressor who always disrespects the gentle senior wife,AYOKA, Iwalewa's mother. ADUNNI Ayoka! Ayoka! Aaayoookaaa! AYOKA(O.S.) (answers from inside) Ah, ah who is shouting my name like a barking dog like this? Ayoka comes out of the little hut. She stares at the troublesome Adunni who is already breathing heavily, prepared for a probable fight. ADUNNI (voice raised) Unfortunate being! Am I the one you are calling a barking dog? AYOKA (with a low voice) Sorry o, Adunni, I never expect you will be the one barking early in the morning. Ayoka's response provokes Adunni more. She rushes toward Ayoka as if she wants to slap her. Iwaleso drops his jar of palm wine and takes a careful look at the scene. Yet, he utters no word. ADUNNI (pointing her fore-finger to Ayoka's nose) I know you are actually looking for trouble this morning and I will show you trouble. AYOKA Am I the one looking for trouble or you?and I am not ready for your trouble this morning because I have something more important to do. ADUNNI (angrily) Stupid woman, what is more important that you are doing? Ayoka turns back to go inside but Adunni grabs her wrapper and pulls Ayoka towards herself. ADUNNI (CONT'D) (shouting) Now,why did you have to beat my little goat this early morning? I saw wounds on its back and I ADUNNI(CONT'D) am sure you are the wicked one that beat the goat. AYOKA (surprised) Eeh, what nonsense? I? beat your goat? So is this the reason you've been shouting like a mad woman since morning? ADUNNI (furious) All your family members are mad! Am I lying on you? Then if truly it is not you, I know it will surely be that your unfortunate son, Iwalewa or what the hell do you call him? AYOKA (rebuking her words) Eh! never in your life call my son an unfortunate being. Who is unfortunate between my good boy and your stupid son? Now, their husband, Iwaleso,who had been watching both of them, intervenes with diplomacy. IWALESO (moving towards them) Eh! Ayoka, enough! Why are you behaving like a shameless woman? AYOKA And why don't you talk to your mad wife? IWALESO Uhnn, if Adunni is mad, do you also need to be mad too? Is one mad woman not enough in my hut? ADUNNI (angry) Who is mad, Iwaleso? What are you saying? So are you trying to support your senior wife? IWALESO (Harshly speaking) Keep quiet! shameless being. He faces Adunni as if he were to slap her. IWALESO (CONT'D) If not that you are a fool, lacking home training, You saw me sitting right there,you didn't even greet me not to talk of coming to explain the matter to me. The next thing you did was shouting like a mad woman in front of my house. Ayoka keeps quiet to honour their husband who is still speaking. Adunni interrupts. ADUNNI (Looking condemned) Uhn,but is this how you will judge? IWALESO (Annoyed) Another word from you there again and I will give you a hot slap. If you cannot tie down your voracious Goat,then I will continue to punish it. Your goat that doesn't has common sense just like its owner. I'm actually the one that flogged it when it dipped that dirty mouth into my palm wine. ADUNNI (Looking unsatisfied) Uhn,so you are... Iwaleso raises his hand to slap her, so she keeps quiet immediately, looking condemned. Iwaleso calls his children. IWALESO (Shouting) Iwalewa! Pemisire! Omolade! You children should come here. IWALEWA (O.S.) (From inside) Yes, father! Iwalewa and OMOLADE, his sister, a pretty girl of about age fourteen, come out of the hut. PEMISIRE,Adunni's son, a lazy fellow is still sleeping on his mat. IWALEWA AND OMOLADE (greeting) Good morning father, good morning mother. IWALESO Good morning my children, where is Pemisire? During this period, Adunni is looking Ayoka with disdain, giving some gestures which mean she will still make troubles with Ayoka when their husband goes out. IWALEWA Father, Pemisire is still sleeping. Iwaleso turns to Adunni. IWALESO Can you hear that? Your lazy son is still sleeping by this time of the day. ADUNNI (Disrespectful) Ehnn, won't you allow my son to rest? IWALESO Okay o, let him rest in peace. ADUNNI (Unsatisfied with the response) Ah ah! What are you saying? My son will not rest in peace now by the power of God. Iwaleso ignores her. He turns to Iwalewa and omolade. IWALESO Ehnn, my children, I believe you have eaten well? OMOLADE Yes father, we have eaten IWALESO If you are not okay, I myself will prepare another food for you. IWALEWA Don't worry father, we are really satisfied. IWALESO Alright then, Iwalewa, I have a work for you. You will go to the farm to exhume some tubers of yam. And you will also cut some weeds in the farm IWALEWA Don't worry father, I will do everything you instruct me. Let me go and take my Cutlass and the large basket. Iwalewa goes in to do that. Iwaleso then faces Omolade to assign her some works too. IWALESO (Speaking softly) My daughter,take this money and help me get some Kolanuts at Ire Akari market. Please hurry up. OMOLADE (Kneeling) Okay father. Omolade hurries to the market. Iwaleso then faces his two wives. IWALESO (Strictly speaking) Look women, if I should hear anyone of you, especially Adunni, shouting again any day and any time. That is the day I will send the person back to her father's house. Now you two should go inside. Adunni drags her feet on the ground to show unsatisfaction. Ayoka, a well trained woman, kneels for her husband before entering his kraal. EXT. AIYEDOGBON VILLAGE-IWALESO'S FARM- AFTERNOON Working on his father's subsistence farmland of about an acre, Iwalewa is seen looking tired. He is sweating profusely. In the basket beside him are many tubers of yams he has exhumed after weeding some parts of the farm. IWALEWA (He huffs) Ah this is enough for today, I think I should stop here, at least Father cannot say I haven't tried my best. He puts on his shirt and mightily lifts the basket full of yams tubers on his head. He then bends down to pick his sharp Cutlass. SUDDENLY,THE CUTLASS slips off his hand and fell on his big toe. Greatly injured, IWALEWA loses his control and throws off THE BIG BASKET. He screams out, rolling on the ground and holding his toe. EXT. AIYEDOGBON VILLAGE -BUSH PATH-EVENING On a narrow Bush path that leads to the river, Adesewa is seen going back to the palace, sad and crying. She was disappointed that evening because Iwalewa could not make it to the river to play her his flute. ADESEWA (In thought) Uhn, I wonder why uhn...uhn.. my flute player decided to disappoint me today. I waited so long to listen to his Flute's music but I didn't hear it. What could have happened to him? On the same path, coming in the opposite direction, Iwalewa is also seen carrying the basket of yams and walking in a sluggish way due to his painful toe. He had bound it in the farm with a piece of cloth. He is also thinking of Adesewa. IWALEWA (In thought) Uhn, I wonder how my beloved, Adesewa would feel today that I disappointed her. I really do not wish to disappoint my beloved but for the accident I had in the farm. Ah, Adesewa, anywhere you are, please forgive me for disappointing you and for breaking your trust. With both of them in deep thoughts, they didn't notice each other coming from the opposite direction. SUDDENLY, IWALEWA collides with ADESEWA, once again, the basket on his head fell and ALL THE TUBERS OF YAM roll out of the basket. The two children lose their balance but Iwalewa quickly grabs Adesewa's hands to prevent her from falling to the ground. He stares into her eyes and realize it is - who? Adesewa! ADESEWA (Looking sorry) Oh, I am very sorry about that. IWALEWA No, it's okay, no problem. ADESEWA And thanks for preventing me from falling to the ground IWALEWA Oh no, you don't need to thank me, I hope you were not hurt? ADESEWA Not at all. Adesewa bends to help him pick some tubers into the basket. Iwalewa stares at how beautiful she looks. IWALEWA (In thought) Uhn, her beautiful eyes are like the morning star. Her eyes glitter like gold. The beauty of her body is Like an evening rainbow. ADESEWA (speaking) Hey, what happened to your toe here? She touches his toe. IWALEWA (Screaming) Ouch! It's painful. ADESEWA Oh, I'm so sorry. IWALEWA No, it's okay, I got injured at the farm. ADESEWA Oh, make sure you take care of it when you get home IWALEWA Okay, but why are tears on your cheeks? He softly touches her beautiful face. ADESEWA (She sighs) Uhn, I was disappointed. She looks up at the sky as if she were looking for, probably, the god of love. IWALEWA (Interested) Disappointed by who? ADESEWA By the love of my life. All this while, they are both picking the tubers of yams into the basket. IWALEWA The love of your life? And who could that be? ADESEWA An unknown lover. IWALEWA (Smiling) Unknown lover? How could that be? ADESEWA (Smiling too) Eh, you ask too many questions. They both smile. They've already finished picking the tubers. Adesewa helps Iwalewa to lift the basket up to his head. They both continue their journey in the opposite directions. ADESEWA (turns back and shouts) What is your name? IWALEWA Iwa! What is your name too? ADESEWA Sewa! They both smile and wave to each other. Then Iwalewa is seen talking to himself, quite happy that the princess is in love with him. IWALEWA (Soliloquy) Hmm, so, Adesewa is actually in love with me. She didn't know I was her unknown player when IWALEWA(CONT'D) we met. But wait, I was so foolish, why couldn't I have told her the other time? Ah, why am I even afraid to let this girl know my identity? Okay, well maybe some other time. INT. KING'S PALACE-AFTERNOON Adewale and Fadekemi are well dressed, they are seen in the sitting room at the palace, preparing to go for the royal meeting. With them are Adesewa and two guards that will escort them to the meeting. FADEKEMI (Speaking to Adesewa) Hey, please help me to bring my royal bead in my room. It's on the bed, you will see it when you get there. ADESEWA Okay mother. She goes inside the room to pick the bead. ADEWALE (to a guard) Hey, you, pack all these loads together. GUARD (Bowing) Your majesty. The king puts on the ancient crown, takes up his scepter and whisk and looks at the queen. ADEWALE You are really looking beautiful my queen. FADEKEMI (Smiling) Thank you my husband. Adesewa comes back holding the Queen's bead, she hands it over to the queen. ADESEWA (Kneeling) Have it mother. FADEKEMI Oh, thanks dear. ADEWALE Ah ah, Adesewa, is this how you will dress to the royal meeting? Why can't you imitate your Mother? FADEKEMI Ehn, she actually said she is not going. ADEWALE (Surprised, looking at Adesewa) Really? So what will you be doing at home? ADESEWA (Looking hesitant) Father, I will be reading my books at home. ADESEWA(CONT'D) Our examination at school will start soon, uhn Father, I am not going. ADEWALE Well, if you insist, I can't force you to go. It's actually better for you to be reading your books. But one thing is that, you must not go anywhere before we come, uhn? ADESEWA (Happy) Okay father. FADEKEMI Alright o, take care of the house. Bye. ADESEWA Bye mother, bye father. ADEWALE Bye. The king with the queen moves out of the palace. The two escorts follow them, carrying some loads. Adesewa is happy and jumps up, she has got another chance to visit the river in the evening. EXT. AIYEDOGBON VILLAGE- RIVER BANK- EVENING The princess is seen again beside the river, all alone, playing with the water. She speaks loudly to the bush. ADESEWA (Shouting) I am here again, where is my flute player? Won't you come to play for me today? Or why do you come late? Uhn, I really don't know whether he is a human being or a goblin, but I seriously enjoy his music. Shortly, the air breezes with the pleasing tune of Iwalewa's flute. He is here again to serenade the princess. IWALEWA Waji wawe wa soge o Waji wawe wa soge Wa we tan Adesewa, wa we tan Awon okunrin ko Lee lo o Waji wawe wa soge As usual, Adesewa starts to dance as she plays with the water in the river. Suddenly she stops dancing and stands still, she sees the shadow of the boy playing flute in the bush and decides to move closer. ADESEWA (moving towards the Bush) Eeh, I can see your shadow in the bush. Eeh I catch You today, wait for me and let me know you. Hearing this, Iwalewa stops playing the flute, jumps down the tree and starts running while the princess chases. Adesewa chases his footsteps happily and turns it to a love play. She could imagine it as two lovers chasing each other in a beautiful garden. ADESEWA (Happy) Wait for me, I say wait for me, whether you wait or not I will catch you today. SUDDENLY, A g*n SHOT is heard, and the bullet hit ADESEWA. Holding on her arms, she screams, loses control and fell on the ground. IWALEWA runs back towards her but she is already unconscious. IWALEWA (Shouting) Who shot? Who shot the princess? Ah, Adesewa, look at me, I am not running away again, I am here with you now, wake up Ah, somebody help! Help! He shouts for help but no one comes to rescue, he then puts off his shirt, ties her arm at the spot where she was shot. He mightily lifts her on the shoulder and carries her straight to the palace.