The Fourth Estate
Written by Ucip Zabit
Tibazpro1@gmail.com
Scene 1
It’s late at night. Mama Visa and Tabu are crawling to the hospital. Tabu is heavily pregnant, and her labour pains force her to lean against Mama Visa for support. There are heavy clouds in the sky, and Tabu’s beautiful nilotic face reflects the pain of her labour.
It’s late at night. Mama Visa and Tabu are crawling to the hospital. Tabu is heavily pregnant, and her labour pains force her to lean against Mama Visa for support. There are heavy clouds in the sky, and Tabu’s beautiful nilotic face reflects the pain of her labour.
“Try to make it my dear, we have nearly reached the hospital” Mama Visa whispers.
Tabu nearly collapses with the next contraction.
Tabu nearly collapses with the next contraction.
“ I’m exhausted Mama Visa. If I were able I would discard this load right here”.
“We’re not there yet. Being a woman is courageous. Later, you will forget all the suffering Tabu. Yes, you will forget” Mama Visa reassures her friend, placing her slender dark hand on Tabu’s shoulder.
Tabu bends over in pain, and squats down. Mama Visa looks up at the sky and the heavens open up, her large black eyes and thin slender lips curling in anticipation. It begins to rain. They continue walking into the night.
The two reach the hospital and pass through the entrance. The place is dimly lit with no sign of life around.
Scene 2
Inside the reception area of the hospital Tabu is half conscious on the floor. She is placed on an old metal trolley and is pushed into a labour ward by an old nurse with a happy face. With Mama Visa in tow, she enters the delivery room. The screams of a woman can be heard, followed by the cries of a new born baby. Outside the delivery room Mama Visa smiles to herself.
Inside the reception area of the hospital Tabu is half conscious on the floor. She is placed on an old metal trolley and is pushed into a labour ward by an old nurse with a happy face. With Mama Visa in tow, she enters the delivery room. The screams of a woman can be heard, followed by the cries of a new born baby. Outside the delivery room Mama Visa smiles to herself.
Scene 3
Inside the recovery room the next morning, Tabu is in bed resting, her slender body covered only with a worn hospital frock. Next to her Mama Visa who is holding the new born, leans over and kisses the baby, then kisses Tabu and hands her her baby.
“Congratulations. You have yourself a lovely baby boy. He’s a big boy. That’s why he was so troublesome. What are you going to call him?” Mama Visa asks Tabu.
Inside the recovery room the next morning, Tabu is in bed resting, her slender body covered only with a worn hospital frock. Next to her Mama Visa who is holding the new born, leans over and kisses the baby, then kisses Tabu and hands her her baby.
“Congratulations. You have yourself a lovely baby boy. He’s a big boy. That’s why he was so troublesome. What are you going to call him?” Mama Visa asks Tabu.
“ This was a difficult pregnancy, but in the end it turned out well. I am thankful to God. He shall be called Mateso”.
Mama Visa’s face shows concern. “ Be careful with names that bring bad luck in the future!” she snaps.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be ok.” Tabu replies as she looks at her new bundle of joy.
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