TURN BACK
...Turn Back is a play that exposes one to the reality of hidden happenings to individuals and draws our attention to the fact that we need to turn away from any decision that might deprive us of reigning with Christ.
By: Temitope Adeoye
SCENE ONE
It’s evening in KOLA’s room: he is lost in thought when some sisters come to call him for a
fellowship meeting.
KOLA: (pacing
about in his room, soliloquizing) Imagine me of all people, notable member of
my fellowship. Everyone knows that when it comes to the work of God I don’t
relent; I’m very fervent – I’m in the evangelism team, welfare and visitation
team, I’m also a notable drummer among the instrumentalist in the fellowship
and sometimes take Bible study… imagine… just imagine… it is this same me that
I’m always having problem with my results. It’s either my C.A. can’t be found,
or the exam script was missing or carry over (sighs)… just moving from one
academic problem to another. Though, I’ve always been getting through, but, how
long will I continue like this (sighs heavily). In fact, I think the decision I
made some weeks ago is better and I’ll still keep to it… God himself
understands that I’ve not backslidden and I’m not backsliding, I’m only having
a recess… Yes! Just a recess… I can’t imagine myself still actively involved in
the fellowship and yet among the failures. No! No way! (He goes to sit for a
while looking perplexed, he suddenly rises from his seat looking for his phone,
he gets it and goes back to sit down. He begins to press the button of his
phone and speaks). I think I should have a date today. Yesterday dated
Florence; last week it was Ibukun. It was Monday last week I met Nkem after
having a date with Zainab… I think I should have a date with … (Two sisters
come in well dressed).
GRACE & BISI: (greet) BRO KOLA, good
evening…
KOLA: Ah! Sister GRACE and Sister BISI,
you’re welcome. (Smiling)
SIS BISI: We came to call
you for the fellowship meeting…
KOLA: Oooo…oooh! So there is fellowship
meeting today…
BOTH: (chorus) Yes!
KOLA: Alright…
Alright I’ll soon join you, you can start going so that I do not make you get
late to the fellowship.
BOTH: Ok!
We shall be expecting you… (they both leave as Bro KOLA ooks at them with a bad look, shaking his heads)
KOLA: Look
at them, fools… (mimicking them) BRO KOLA we have come to call you for the fellowship meeting… (Hisses) Nonsense! They will tie their ear even their neck
but holiness and righteousness is far from them. They ‘re the one that will go
and give the lecturers their bodies just to get some marks. They know how to
find their way and yet they come to me to call me to fellowship…. (Hisses).
Whether na their papa or mama pay my school fees for this campus. Nonsence!
Make dem dey do their fellowship when I want attend. (pauses for a while
thinking about who I should have a date with today… (Bro Banji comes in smiling
BANJI: Bro
Kola good evening.
KOLA: Ah!
Bro Banji good evening, Aren’t you supposed to be in the fellowship now?
BANJI: Yes!
Yes, I should be in the fellowship, in fact, I’m on my way to the fellowship,
but the Holy spirit asked me to check you at home and deliver a message to you.
KOLA: (Smiles
sneeringly) A message? You mean the Holy Spirit asked you to come and deliver a
message to me?
BANJI: Yes!
KOLA: It’s
alright, I’m listening
BANJI: (adjust
his voice) The Holy Spirit asked me to tell you that you have started
backsliding
(stands to leave as Bro Kola calls him back)
KOLA: Are
you going? Is that all?
BANJI: Yes...!
I have not been asked to say more than these. Once again, goodbye. (He exits)
KOLA: (His
countenance changes, looking sober) God! is this true? Wait a minute…. What has
come over me? (He pauses for a while pacing about sobbing,. He lies on his
mattress) Lord, show me your mercy. Lord! (Yawn heavily and dozes off).
SCENE TWO
The scene opens
with a display of fire from a side of the stage depicting hell as many voices
are heard yelling. From other extreme of the stage, there is a powerful
illumination where people on white garment emerge depicting heaven. A fairly
old man and Bro Kola appears at the centre of the stage as two others emerge
from “Hell” looking well tortured and tattered. The voices yelling from hell
later dies down as Baba and Bro Kola interacts.
KOLA: (looking
scared) Old man! Where is this? Who are these people on my right and left? Am I safe here? Ah! Baba, say something... Who are you? What am I doing here?
BABA: (replies
calmly)Boy, you ask too many questions. You’ll get answers to them soon... very
soon. (One of those in heaven speaks, beginning a narration).
KESHY: My
name is KESHY. KESHY ROLAND. I was born into a Christian family as the third
son and last child. It all went well for me until I gained admission into the
University to study for my first degree. I started keeping bad companies just
to feel among and have a sense of belonging to the class of the big boy on the
campus. I dated many ladies and had deflowered many of them.... I’ve aborted
for many and many had died in my hands as a result of the abortion they
underwent because of me... I lived my life recklessly without considering the
consequences... I remembered some of the so-called Christian sisters were among
my victims... they sleep with me on Saturday night and return to church on
Sunday for service appearing to be holy... (scene unveils as a Christian sister
is seen dressing up she picks her Bible and kisses KESHY as she gestures that
she is going to church).
(KESHY continues)
I
was ignorantly initiated into a secret cult. By the time I was aware of this
evil trap I could not bow out. I was promoted to becoming the leader of a
murdering squad. (He continues as light goes off the stage). I led this
murdering squad to several operations where we maimed our victims, massacre
them... we, at other cases, kill those who are stubborn. The operations were
usually fatal and brutal. I have sustained many injuries, wounds from matchets,
bullets and other harmful local charms... (Pauses and sighs) Hmmm! I remembered
a day when the “Igwe” of the Red Devils asked me to lead my boys to deal with a
final year student who was keeping a relationship with his girlfriend. That
night... that night I couldn’t help the scene... because that final year
student, Kelvin was my close friend....
LIGHT ON STAGE
(A young man
runs into the stage sweating profusely, begging and soaked in tears as KESHY
and his gang deals mercilessly with him. They end up shooting to death. After
shooting him KESHY shakes head in pity. Soft background music rises as one of
the boys pats KESHY so that they may leave the scene quickly).
LIGHT FADES
SCENT THREE
Scene opens with
light spotting DEOLA, the lady standing beside KESHY at the side of the stage,
she begins her narration.
DEOLA: My
name is ADEOLA OWOLABI... I lived my life as a rebellious and stubborn child. I
loved being stubborn and I took pleasure in such act. I kept on living this
life style until one day; I discovered I have been possessed by an evil spirit.
I was invited to join the High Class Babes on Campus. I honoured their
invitation and became a High Class babe myself. My parents, friend and hostel
mates who noticed this sudden change im me told me to quit this life style but
I turned deaf ears to them. I was taken deeper in the realm and was further
initiated to carry-out demonic assignments. We were many that were initiated.
Our assignment was... (Sighs) Hmmm! Our assignment was to sleep with men in
other to truncate their destinies. We were given calabash each so that while we
having sex with men, all their sperms release by these unfortunate men will be
transferred into the calabash... the calabash is then taken into demonic coven
in order to destroy the entire destiny and glory of such men.... (Pauses)
(Some Scenes open revealing different men that slept
with her. She continues narrating from the backstage)
SHE Continues
With
this evil assignment I began to sleep about with different men from one carpet
to the other, from one rug to the other, from one bed to the other... Many guys
and lecturers slept with me on campus. Politicians, business men and even
pastors had fallen victim of this evil assignment of mine.
LIGHT FADES
SCENE FOUR
The scene opens
with a part of the stage revealing the hell scene as one of those in the scene
begins to speak; BRO LERE begins his narration.
LERE: My name is OLALERE JCOBS... I was a
devoted christen, very fervent in the Lord... And because of my
over-zealousness in the service of the Lord, I became fanatical... I’m extremely over-righteous, I started
condemning people who were sinners, I hate them with passion. When it got to a stage I began to avoid
them... I could not see anything good in
them. They will like heaps of rubbish
that stinks to me... I Thought I was truly exhibiting righteousness not knowing
i myself, in the inside of me dwells a greater sinner than those I condemn.
Hmm! I actually have hatred, anger and pride manifest in the inside of me. In
fact, I fornicate in my heart and in secrecy I masturbate... Though, people
don’t know this, the fellowship member consider me to be a very holy and righteous
brother... I was actually carried away with myself righteousness forgetting
that the Bible says “my righteousness is as a filthy rag”... (Sighs)
LIGHT FADE
SCENE FIVE
The scene opens
with the continuation of Keshy’s narration from the backstage.
KESHY: (speaking
furiously from the backstage) Hmm! I kept on with this lifestyle even after the death of Kelvin... Ah! Kelvin, my friend, who thought he had found a woman of
his life, not knowing he had just gotten a woman that would be the reason for
his early grave. At home, my parents never knew their boy that looks innocent
at home, is a terror in school. Though, i didn’t like this life style yet, I
couldn’t bow out of this destiny destroying and blood-sucking Secret cult.
(Speaks aloud with displeasure) Even those so-called Christian brothers and
Sisters on Campus could not preach to me for once. They greet me and fear me,
some even hail me and they know fully that I’m heading towards hell... Yet!
They couldn’t come to the rescue of my soul.
(KESHY is seen on stage looking terrible some
Christian Brothers and Sisters are seen passing by, greeting him, some hailing
him while some fear him. He looks at them and shakes his head. His gang arrives
and they all leave the stage together. Narration continues from the backstage)
They never for once evangelize to me. Yet some claims to be
evangelists, Pastors among them... if not for the loving mercy of God that gave
me a second chance – a last minute grace and salvation opportunity when life
was sniffing out of me on an hospital bed after a brutal exchange of gunshot
with the police during an unsuccessful operation... one of the nurses preached
to me and asked me to accept Christ of which I did ... Few minutes later then I
closed my eyes only to open them here in paradise.
LIGHT FADES
SCENE SIX
The scene opens
with some brothers and sisters sobbing and crying as they visit a table where
Bro Lere’s big framed picture is placed and book to write their comment about
him.
(Slow music from
the background)
Aa fe O, sugbon
Jesu fe O ju
Sun re, Sun re, Sun re...
(The background song continues as each locates the
table in tears to make their statements).
JOSHUA: (sobbing) Ah!
Good Bro Lere, zealous, vibrant, and faithful.... Bro Lere, why did you have to
go at this time we need you most. I can without any doubt say that you are just
like our messiah, the only righteous brother on Campus. Sleep well and rest in
the bosom of your father.
SHEWA: (cries loud)
Ah! Bro Lere... (Sighs) Bro Lere, why do you have to die in that motor
accident... you told me you’ll come back soon, but, I never knew you were
waving me goodbye. Oh! Bro LERE, please sleep well in the bosom of our Saviour.
TOLA: (crying)
If anybody was to die, it shouldn’t be you... you of all people. Always
available to pray for people, teach them God’s word and in fact I can say I’ve
never met such a holy, righteous, committed and faithful brother as Bro
Lere.... May your soul rest in perfect peace
KAYODE: (sobbing) Our
great Bible Secretary, Brothers’ Co-ord and Head of the disciplinary unit of
the fellowship, you forever remain in my heart... Your memory can never fade
because you have fought the good fight of faith; you have finished the race and
have kept the faith... Ah! Bro Lere, we love you... A fee o sugbon Jesu fe o
ju... sunre laya Olugbala re...
FADEKE: (sobbing) As
the sister co-ord and welfare director, I sincerely miss you... Bro Lere, I can
boldly say you are without blemish and spot, even without wrinkle... When
people are looking for a righteous and holy brother you stand unique... your
life style amazes me... But I wonder why you have to leave us now? Yet I know
it is for your good... a mu olododo rele
saju ojo ibi... sun re o.
CLEMENT: (sobs) You have
successfully led the brothers in the fellowship in the Lord‘s way... you’re a
good example to emulate. Though you are strict, it’s only as a result of your
discipline. You’re very disciplined. Bro..., I covet your character. I as the
President of the fellowship am already missing you. You forever remain in our
memory. Sleep well in the saviour’s bosom. (the background song rises as others
step forward from the long queue to make their statements... the song dies down
and then Bro Lere’s voice is heard from the background)
LERE: They’re
praising me and my works, they believed I lived my life without sin and
blemish... they never knew I was only holy on my outside not in my inside... I
died instantly in a ghastly motor accident and never had the opportunity to ask
forgiveness of the sin that have erected an empire in my heart.... (Crying
aloud) Now, in hell, in this unbearable pain, agony and torment.... I just
discovered it is not good to deceive oneself that he is holy when one is
actually not... But it is too late for me to repent....
LIGHT FADE
SCENE SEVEN
A church scene unveil as DEOLA continues her narration from the
backstage
DEOLA: (continues
her narration) Many men had fallen victim of this demonic assignment. I became
a tool in the hand of the devil, an agent of destiny-wasting and destiny
destruction. I lived o my life like this on Campus for more than 3 years until
one day... i made a mistake of attending a church programme which one of my
friends who was not born-again but a church-goer invited me to. I never knew
that night was going to be as powerful as it turned out to be...
I
got my deliverance that night but... I was still sad, sad because I was asked
what is going to happen to those that have slept with me in the past... all I
could say was “Ti won ti baje ni yen” (sighs) How I wish I could locate any of
them and take them for deliverance but I can’t locate any. Ah! But I thank God
that I made heaven at last though I died after contacting AIDS. I contacted the
HIV before my deliverance and salvation. This makes me to know that forgiveness
of sin is different from consequence of sin.
LIGHT FADES
SCENE EIGHT
The scene opens with BABA and Kola; Bro Kola looks dazed by all He
has heard and seen.
BABA: (speaks
patting his shoulder) my son... My son... (Bro Kola suddenly comes back to life
from his shocks)
KOLA: BABA! BABA!
BABA! Ah! You... you... I guess you must be an angel or the Holy Spirit or esus
or God or...
BABA: (cuts
in) that’s ok, Kola.... You’re saved by grace not by your power... All you’ve
seen are pictures of the past and present of some who have gone through the
campus. They died some years ago... some had the opportunity of repenting why
others had no slight opportunity of repenting... Kola, you have backslide.
You’re only having a second chance to repent and return to the Lord your God as
a godly, committed, dedicated child of God... your academics problems and
financial constrains are only temptations to discourage you from following God.
Remember... some trust in chariots, some in horses but you must trust in the
Lord your God. Repent from the way you’ve chosen, that way that seems right to
you and return to God through His son Jesus Christ...
LIGHT FADES
WRITTEN BY: TEMITOPE ADEOYE
WRITTEN BY: TEMITOPE ADEOYE
