MORENA
Episode 9
(Balacar middle school)
Miguel: Hey Akeela.
Akeela: (sadly) Hey
Miguel: I didn’t see you after clas-s yesterday. How was your test?
Akeela: It was not fine. I only did just one question and I wasn’t even sure I got the answers right. I wish I was as smart as you.
Miguel: Listen, Akeela. You are smart. Infact, Everyb©dy is smart but not everyb©dy is serious or has time to study.
Akeela: I guess you’re right.
Miguel: I could share some of my study ti-ps with you and we could also be studing together if you like.
Akeela: That’s actually a great idea. So where’re you heading to now?
Miguel: The pavilion.
Akeela: Won’t you come to the cafeteria?
Miguel: I don’t have money for lunch.
Akeela: Don’t worry, Let’s go. I’ll pay.
Miguel: Okay
(Miguel and Akeela head to the cafeteria)
***********************
(Meanwhile)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: Morena, Did you hear what happened to Andrew?
Morena: What?
Nina: The manager said he’s going to deduct Andrew’s salary.
Morena: Why?
Nina: Apparently he was ”ma-king noise” yesterday which is against the restaurant’s policy.
Morena: Awwnn, I feel really bad for him.
Nina: Yeah me too. And it was all because of Cecilia, Andrew helped her cook her client’s food and she promised to share the ti-p given to her with him but later she refused to do so and their argument alerted the manager.
Morena: I used to wonder why almost everyone here hates her, But now I know why.
(Later)
Rafael: (To Andrew) Its alright bro. Don’t worry, Later we can go and plead with the manager
Morena: Yeah, And Nina and I will vouch for you.
Andrew: Thanks guys.
(Cecilia pas-ses by and Rafael calls her attention)
Rafael: Hey! Come here!
Cecilia: (rudely) What is it?
Rafael: Do you realize that all these is happening because of you?
Cecilia: And how is it my fault?
Rafael: as-suming you had just shared the ti-p with Andrew as you promised, There wouldn’t be any problem.
Cecilia: Really?
Rafael: Yes! Now look at what you’ve caused, Andrew’s salary is going to be deducted. You’re so wicked, arrogant, selfish, self centered…
Cecilia: Shut the hell up! Who gave you the audacity to talk to me that way. Who the hell do you think you are? You better respect yourself and mind how you talk to me or else there’ll be severe consequences.
(She leaves them)
Andrew: (To Rafael) Just forget her. She’s not worth our time.
(Later)
Nina: I’m so happy he listened to us, Your salary is still gonna stay the same, Thank God.
Andrew: Yeah me too.
Rafael: Just make sure you stay away from Cecilia from now on.
Andrew: Definitely! Trust me, I’ve learnt my lesson.
***********************
(That evening)
Morena: Good evening Uncle.
Uncle Roberto: Welcome back my dear.
Morena: (sees his packed luggages) Uhh, Uncle, Where’re you going?
Uncle Roberto: I’ll be traveling to Chiles for an important meeting, I’ll be away for about a week.
Juan & Juanita: We’ll miss you dad.
Uncle Roberto: I’ll miss you both too. Don’t worry, Daddy won’t be away for long. (To Aunt Maria) I want you to take care of the house while I’m gone.
Aunt Maria: No problem darling.
(They hear car horns)
Uncle Roberto: Ohh, My cab has arrived. Its time to leave. (He k!sses his wife on her forehead) Take care of yourself and the kids.
Aunt Maria: I will. Safe journey.
(Uncle Roberto hvgs them before he leaves )
Juanita: I miss Daddy alre-ady.
Aunt Maria: Don’t worry. He’ll be back soon.
(Morena attempts to go into her room)
Aunt Maria: Hey! Where do you think you’re going?!
Morena: I was about to go shower.
Aunt Maria: Shower? Who do you think is going clean the whole house?
Morena: Ohhh, That’s not a problem. I can do that after I shower.
(Aunt Maria walks to Morena and sl@ps her)
Juan: Mom!
Morena: (she holds her cheek in shock)
Aunt Maria: You’re must be very stupid if you think that you can come into my house, sleep un-der my roof, eat my food and even drink my water without doing nothing. (She drags Morena to the kitchen)
(In the kitchen)
Aunt Maria: (she hands Morena a sponge) Take…
Morena: (she collects it)
Aunt Maria: You see all these plates and pots? I want you to wash them sparkling clean. When you’re done, Clean the sink, the faucet, walls. After that, Come and meet me in the living room, I have a host of all other chores for you to do.
Morena: Yes Aunty.
Aunt Maria: Good! I won’t allow an outsider come in here and destroy my home!
(She leaves the kitchen)
*************************
(Next Morning)
(Aunt Maria goes to Morena’s room amd sees her dressing up)
Aunt Maria: Good. You’re up alre-ady. Hurry up, You’re taking my kids to school.
Morena: But Aunty, I have to go to work early today.
Aunt Maria: (she gr-abs a wh!p) Girl do you think I’m pla-ying with you?! (she walks towards Morena)
Morena: It’s ok, it’s ok. I’ll take them to school.
Aunt Maria: Better. (She hands her $5) That’s for the transport fare.
Morena: But Aunty, it won’t be enough.
Aunt Maria: So? Aren’t you working? Add your money to it. Just make sure my kids get to school early!
(She leaves the room and Morena watches her in bewilderment)
(Meanwhile)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: I wonder why Morena is late for work. I just pray she gets here before the manager does.
(Daniel enters the kitchen)
Nina: Hi Daniel.
Daniel: Nina hey
Nina: (sees what he’s holding) What’s that?
Daniel: It’s a gift. For Cecilia.
Nina: You wanna propose to her or what?
Daniel: Hold up, I’m not proposing to her yet. I just want to give her this gift.
(Just as Daniel goes to meet Cecilia, Morena enters the kitchen)
Daniel: Hey babe. I brou-ght something for you.
Cecilia: Awwwnn that’s so sweet. What is it?
(Daniel takes out a bouquet of flowers and gives it to Cecilia)
Cecilia: They smell so nice. So what else did you get me?
Daniel: (confused) What else?
Cecilia: You know, Money, chocolates, sweets, teddy bears, gift cards…
Daniel: I only got you flowers.
Cecilia: (angrily) That’s it?! All you brou-ght for me are these cheap flowers?!!!
Daniel: Babe, Calm down…
Cecilia: Shut the hell up! You don’t tell me how to act! (looks at the flowers) I don’t nee-d this for goodness sake, Other guys are giving their girlfriends money and proper gifts and here you are, Giving me flowers. Now what am I supposed to be doing with them? Smelling them? Ugh, You’re cheap and stupid.
(Cecilia throws the flowers at Daniel and leaves the kitchen)
MORENA
Episode 10
(Chuks Restaurant)
Morena: Daniel, It’s alright…(she pats him on the shoulder)
Daniel: (sadly) I’ll be at the dining area.
(He leaves the kitchen)
Morena: I can’t believe Cecilia did that to him.
Nina: It’s not the first time.
Morena: Really?
Nina: Yeah. It’s as if she doesn’t love him at all, All she ever wants from him are money and gifts. I blame Daniel for asking her out in the first place, Cecilia is just a gold digger.
Moena: But I feel really bad for him. He didn’t deserve that.
Nina: He should’ve known better. Anyways, Where were you since?
Morena: I had to take my aunt’s children to school before coming to work.
Nina: You’re lucky you c@m£ on time. If there’s one thing the manager hates, it’s tardiness.
************************
(That evening)
(Aunt Maria br@ids Juanita’s hair)
Juanita: Mom. I want to ask you something.
Aunt Maria: Go ahead sweetheart.
Juanita: Why do you hate Morena?
Aunt Maria: Ohhh sweetheart, I don’t hate her.
Juanita: But you always shout at her and order her to do many house chores and you even sl@pped her yesterday.
Aunt Maria: Listen, Let me tell you something. Do you know that Morena is trying to steal your father’s affection from you and your brother?
Juanita: What? How?
Aunt Maria: All the money your daddy has, He’s using it to get many good things for Morena, neglecting you and Juan.
Juanita: But that’s not fair.
Aunt Maria: Exactly. So I’m doing all these so she wouldn’t succeed with her aim in ma-king your father neglect you and your brother.
(Meanwhile)
(Morena returns from work and Juan goes to welcome her)
Juan: Welcome back Morena.
Morena: Thank you Juan. Where’s Juanita? She didn’t come to meet me.
Juan: Ohhh she’s inside with Mom.
Morena: Alright then (she hands him a bag) On my way back, I bought you and Juanita lots of sweets and biscuits.
Juan: Wow! Thank you so much!
Morena: You’re welcome. Go and share them with your sister.
Juan: I will.
(Later)
Juan: This maths as-signment is so tough.
Juanita: Go meet mom, She can as-sist you with it.
Juan: Don’t worry, I’ll go meet Morena. She teaches me very well and I usually un-derstand her explanations.
(Juanita watches in despair as Juan goes to Morena’s room)
Juanita: Mom! You won’t believe what just happened.
Aunt Maria: What is it?
Juanita: Juan complained about how difficult his as-signment is and when I told him to come and meet you to as-sist him with it, He said he was going to meet Morena because her explanations are better than yours.
Aunt Maria: Do you see what I told you? Not only is Morena trying to steal your father’s affection, She’s also trying to turn your brother away from me. Do you see how wicked she is?
Juanita: Yes mom. What do we do about it?
Aunt Maria: Follow me!
(Aunt Maria and Juanita go to Morena’s room and knock on the door)
Morena: (from inside the room) Come in!
(Aunt Maria and Juanita enter the room)
Aunt Maria: Why was the door locked?
Morena: Ummm, I always lock my doors.
Aunt Maria: Your doors? Since when did this place become your house, Huh?!
Morena: I’m sorry Aunty.
Aunt Maria: Sorry for yourself. The next time you lock this door, I’m gonna make sure I teach you a lesson you’ll never forget…. By the way, Why did you tell Juan not to come and meet me for his as-signment?
Morena: (confused) I didn’t tell him that. He c@m£ to me himself.
Aunt Maria: Are you saying i’m lying?
Morena: No I’m not.
Aunt Maria: Stay away from my children! I don’t want you corrupting them! (To Juan) Come on honey…
(Aunt Maria, Juan and Juanita leave the room)
Morena: I wonder why Aunt Maria’s attitude towards me has changed all of a sudden….
*************************
(Next Day)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Nina: Wow, You c@m£ very very early today. Are you running away from home?
Morena: Well I had to leave the house earlier than usual so my aunt wouldn’t ask me to take her kids to school, If I did then I’d have been coming to work late.
Nina: I un-derstand…What about your parents?
Morena: My dad stays in Balacar and my mom… (sighs) She pas-sed away many years ago.
Nina: Ohhh you poor thing (she hvgs Morena) I’m so sorry….
(Meanwhile)
(Daniel goes to meet Cecilia)
Daniel: Babe, What’s up?
Cecilia: (sighs) What do you want? Are you here to give me more cheap ugly flowers?
Daniel: Look, I’m really sorry about that. I just wanted to make you happy.
Cecilia: Well you failed in achieving that. If you want to make me happy then get me proper gifts and money!
(Cecilia gets up to leave but Daniel holds her back)
Daniel: So do you forgive me?
Cecilia: Have you gotten me the gifts yet?
Daniel: But babe…
Cecilia: Ugh, Let go of me. (She frees herself) Don’t t©uçh me until you get me what I want.
(Daniel attempts to k!ssCecilia but she sl@ps him ha-rd in the face)
Cecilia: Are you insane? How dare you try to k!ssme? Look, Until you get me what I requested, Don’t t©uçh me, Don’t talk to me and don’t even think about k!ss!ngme! Broke as-s fool!
(At this point, Morena intervenes)
Morena: Did you just call him broke? Daniel works ha-rd everyday just to plea-se you and you call him ”broke”? Even if he’s broke, You’re the one who str!pped him of all the money he has with all your frivolous requests.
Cecilia: Excuse me? Who invited you here?
Morena: I invited myself because its high time someone stood up to you and put you in your place. You’re act too impulsively without even thinking of the outcome of your actions. If you don’t have feelings for Daniel, Let him know and st©p ma-king him feel un-dera-ppreciated.
Cecilia: I’m not suprised you’re defending him. You’re both losers.
Morena: Come on Daniel…
(Morena takes Daniel away from the kitchen)
To be CONTINUED