Fatuma (Hadithi za Kumekucha: Fatuma)

Come on let's go.

Mom, let me finish this one thing.

Neema.

The land won't farm itself. And no one will do it for us.

Mom, wait a bit.

Let's go now!

We'll start here.

What's the matter now?

Thorns!

Careful, it's toxic.

And we can't afford injuries right now.

It hurts. And it's my writing hand!

Are you thinking of writing right now?

How will you go to school when we have no food?

Let's go. Keep going.

It doesn't matter what I say.

Mom doesn't think any good can come from schooling.

It's not true, Neema.

She's worked so hard to get you here.

As usual.

I used to top my class.

I was top at Mathematics, English and even Physics but now

I'm nowhere because I have no time to study.

Is it only household chores that are causing all this?

Yes, I do everything.

Especially since the baby was born.

I thought maybe there was another reason.

Like what?

You’re a beautiful girl, Neema.

You know...

Your mother has a lot on her plate.

Tell her to come by. I'll try talk to her.

I will try, but you know how my mother is.

Her burden is hers alone to bear.

Try to talk to her.

I’ll try.

Knock, knock.

Gentlemen, welcome!

Welcome. You’re very welcome!

-Thank you. -You're very welcome.

I’ve been sitting here waiting for you.

Hello.

-Hello young man, welcome. -Thank you.

So pleased to finally meet you.

Gentlemen, have a seat.

Let me get us some drinks.

Welcome. Fatuma!

Fatuma! Fatuma, my dear!

Did you brew the liquor?

Who are those people?

They are here for discussions my dear.

To discuss what?

A promise of sorts.

A promise?

What sort of promise?

We must treat them well.

Listen, in fact…

We’ll treat them like family.

Okay?

Neema?

Please bring us some liquor. We're waiting, okay?

Gentlemen! This is my wife.

She's one of the best brewers…

So if you take this,

and add it to this, you get that.

I don’t get it.

Okay. Let’s do it again.

I’m going to fail.

Why are you losing hope?

Look here. Do you see these two numbers?

They’re connected, you can't separate them.

Where have you been?

I was at Senyinge’s, treating my cut.

Please! Did that really take all day?

I passed by the school.

To write down what they'd written.

Finish hanging the clothes I have other chores to do.

Okay. I see father has guests today.

Can I see that hand?

What did Senyinge say?

She's fine. She says it’s been too long.

But mother, you should go visit Senyinge.

Even if it’s just to get out of the house or even off the farm.

I don't take my problems to others Neema.

And neither should you.

Okay.

How many times have I told you?

If you want something to be done, it's fine.

But you have to start it on your own.

Don’t depend on others to help you.

Fatuma! We need more drinking water.

These folks that are…

Neema. You’re back?

I’m back.

Good, very good.

Why are you so untidy my child?

Wipe yourself up dear.

There are people who've come to meet you.

-Me? -Yes.

Let’s go.

Gentlemen! Here is my daughter.

Neema, darling, please say hello to Mr Mbao.

I know you don’t need one who's too educated.

But she’s the top math student in her class though.

Where did you find them?

I didn’t find them.

They know this is a good family.

And who is this Cleopas?

You met at the bar, right?

What questions are they?

Who do you think I am?

Honestly, I don’t know who you are.

Maybe at the bar they know you better.

It was a very long day.

Long, right?

What do you think our daughter thinks of this arrangement?

Fatuma…

Neema is already a woman now.

You see her yourself.

So just because she has breasts,

she must go and marry a fisherman?

Who told you he’s a fisherman? He’s a farmer just like us.

A farmer just like us?

Remind me when was the last time you touched a hoe?

Why are you going too far?

You are shameful. She’s still too young and still in school.

I don’t want a debate.

Neema is a grown up and is ready to be a wife.

She's still a child and still in school.

That's enough!

You have nothing but greed for money.

Go, I'm used to it.

What did you do to me?

I told you, I know a lot.

It’s delicious.

I’m glad you like it.

And it's why I gave you the thigh.

-Manyusi… -Mmm hmm.

I’ve been meaning to discuss something for a while.

I want to go to school.

What?

I want to study hotel management.

Now why do you want to study?

I need a certificate to get a job. And for studies I need money.

More money?

I’ve looked into it.

It’s a good school that's in Madunga.

And it's the best.

It looks expensive.

Even for me?

How many shillings?

One million.

I'll be right back.

Manyusi! Manyusi…

There’s no way I can find that much money.

For a young man it’s a lot

but not for someone with experience.

Sheena! I have a wife and four kids.

And every one of them is hungry.

How can I get that kind of money? I can’t.

You’re joking.

You just want me as your side dish. You don’t respect me.

Sheena, baby, what's up now?

Let go of me! Wash your hands.

Sheena, if I didn’t have a wife I promise--

Empty promises! I gave you my young body.

You’re the air I breathe Sheena, please.

Let go of me!

Sheena I love you…

Lies!

You came into my house like a snake. Get out!

Get out!

Time is up. Put your pens down.

Neema!

What’s this?

I’m sorry.

How can I mark a paper that looks like something died on it?

I’m very disappointed, Neema.

It’s time for you to wake up.

-Where are you going? -None of your business.

That one over there.

Hurry up, we could get caught.

What are you doing?

Danny, it’s the owner! Let’s get out of here.

I got you today.

Ali! It’s not funny you know.

So I did that for nothing?

Can’t you take a joke?

You know Neema, your fate is always in your hands.

So they can't force you to marry. You have a right to complete school.

The guy came home to see me.

Your fiancée?

It’s not like that!

You said it was like that. What’s he like?

Old.

Around 30 years old.

-Handsome? -What?

Like me?

He’s not my type.

If you had seen him.