The Identical Triplets

Act l Scene lll - Everyone has a Destination

Setting: The Adeyemi family house. The breakfast has ended. The dining table is being cleared while everyone prepares to leave for the day's activities.

(At rise, Grace clears the table. Mrs. Adeyemi carries the empty dishes into the kitchen. The twin brothers are putting on their shoes. Deacon Adeyemi is checking the contents of his briefcase. Esther holds her Bible while Bella scrolls through her phone.)

MRS. ADEYEMI: Grace, don't forget to stop by the market on your way home. We need tomatoes, pepper, onions and palm oil.

GRACE: Alright, Mum.

MRS. ADEYEMI: And don't let anybody cheat you.

GRACE: I won't.

ESTHER: Mum, I'll be coming home a little late today. We have choir rehearsal and youth fellowship afterwards.

MRS. ADEYEMI: That's my daughter. Always doing the Lord's work.

BELLA: (Without looking up from her phone.) If they give awards in heaven, Esther already has one reserved.

ESTHER: Better than collecting awards from the streets.

BELLA: (Smirking.) At least the streets don't pretend to be perfect.

DEACON ADEYEMI: Girls... enough.

(The room falls silent.)

KEHINDE: Bella, where are you going today?

BELLA: Out.

TAYO: Out where?

BELLA: Since when did "out" become a village that needs directions?

(The brothers laugh.)

KEHINDE: One day we'll follow you and find out.

BELLA: Please don't. You'll get tired before I do.

(Grace smiles as she folds a tablecloth.)

Bella's phone vibrates.

She glances at the screen.

The smile on her face disappears.

She immediately declines the call and slips the phone into her handbag.

Grace notices but says nothing.

DEACON ADEYEMI: Alright, everyone. Be careful wherever you go, and remember that the name you bear is more important than the clothes you wear.

ESTHER: Yes, Daddy.

GRACE: We will.

BELLA: (Softly.) I'll try.

(Deacon Adeyemi smiles, kisses his wife lightly on the forehead, and walks towards the door. The twin brothers follow him.)

TAYO: Bye, Mum!

KEHINDE: Bye, girls!

ALL: Bye!

(The men exit.)

Mrs. Adeyemi watches them leave before turning to her daughters.

MRS. ADEYEMI: Esther, don't forget your handkerchief.

ESTHER: Thank you, Mum.

MRS. ADEYEMI: Grace, lock the back door before you leave.

GRACE: Okay, Mum.

MRS. ADEYEMI: Bella...

(Bella looks up.)

MRS. ADEYEMI: Whatever you're doing out there... don't bring disgrace to this family.

(Bella forces a smile but says nothing.)

Mrs. Adeyemi walks into the kitchen.

Grace looks at Bella for a moment.

GRACE: Are you okay?

BELLA: (After a brief pause.) I'm fine.

GRACE: You've been saying that a lot lately.

BELLA: Maybe because it's true.

(Bella picks up her handbag and heads for the door.)

ESTHER: Aren't you going to tell us where you're going?

BELLA: You'll know when I come back.

(Bella exits.)

Grace watches the closed door thoughtfully.

LIGHTS FADE.