E-mail:drumbeats@dvercity.com Snail-mail:DverCITY, Inc., P.O. Box 1244, Tallahassee, FL 32302 Questions /Comments: Webmaster Revised -- June 5, 2001 |
 |
Episodes 1 through 17 were submitted by da_blaqueen@blackplanet.com
|
|
|
Episode 17 - for archives click here, #16, #15Ronald, and Abdul are in the library when they see Jermaine come in with a girl. Abdul: Yo, Ragga. Check this out. Ronald peeks over his book. He sees Jermaine and the girl. Ronald: What do you think? They are still watching when the girl kisses Jermaine on his lips. Ronald and Abdul stare at each other in disbelief. Abdul: My conclusions are precise. I'm always right. ******************************** Jermaine parks his car and he is walking to Samirah's place when Tyson gets out of his car and comes up to Jermaine. Jermaine: Hey, what's up man? Jermaine puts out his hand for a grip. Tyson stares hard at Jermaine. Jermaine: Is something wrong? Tyson is about to punch Jermaine when Samirah calls them. Samirah: Jermaine, Tyson! Samirah runs to catch up. Tyson is breathing hard. Jermaine starts smiling. Samirah: Hi, what are ya'll doing here? Jermaine holds her hands and kisses her. He gives Tyson a mean look. Tyson feels his heart drop. Tyson: Queen, what's up? Where ya heading? Samirah points to his pager and cell phone. Samirah: Are they turned on? Jermaine checks his cell phone and his pager. They are turned off. Jermaine: Oh, my bad. Jermaine and Tyson look at each other. Jermaine and Tyson: Well, uh, umm… Jermaine moves closer to Samirah pulling her closer. Jermaine: Wanna go out tonight? Samirah giggles and pushes Jermaine further. Tyson feels uncomfortable. Tyson: I'll be leaving now… Jermaine looks at Tyson. Tyson: You need your time alone. I'll start working on the
project.
|
Gina, Ann, Sandra, Tara, and Samirah are at Lillian's room.
Lillian: I swear if Mike talks to me, I will melt.
Tara: What are you doing with someone like Mike? Girl, he is straight
pimp.
Lillian: Your point?
Tara rolls her eyes.
Ann: Tara, you need a white boy or something?
Tara: If they gentle and honest, maybe.
Samirah: Come over to my school. You'll probably like it.
Everyone giggles.
Gina: Don't you feel silly there?
Samirah: Where, my school? Like how?
Gina: If I were the only black, I would feel awkward.
Samirah: Well, I guess it's about time I get used to it.
Sandra: Got any guys for Tara?
Everyone laughs.
Tara: Ha ha, very funny.
Samirah: There was this one guy who keeps bothering me.
Lillian: Who?
Samirah: This blond guy in my class. Keeps asking me if I would
go out with him.
Gina: Doesn't he know about Jermaine?
Samirah: I rubbed that in his head. He just won't quit.
Ann: Send Jermaine in to give him what he deserves.
Samirah: He's nice though, just…
Gina: Ooh. You gon' cheat on Jermaine with a white guy?
Everyone laughs.
Tara: What's wrong with a white guy?
Everyone stops laughing and looks at Tara. Tara stares back.
Samirah: They're just not like black guys.
Gina: I dunno. They're not thug enough?
Tara: You girls need to get your senses checked.
Samirah: Honestly, Josh isn't bad looking…
Everyone throws a pillow at Samirah.
Ann: Get that phone. Call Jermaine up.
Samirah: C'mon people. I wouldn't do that.
Tara thinks: Well, he would definitely cheat your behind.
****************************
Gina and Samirah leave the company. They walk to Gina's room.
They listen to Outkast's "Ms. Jackson" on the radio.
Gina: Samirah, I'm gonna ask you something. If you don't like it, just tell me to shut up.
Samirah looks at Gina.
Gina: You like Jermaine?
Samirah: Why?
Gina: Just wondering. Both of you are cute together. But…there
are slight differences.
Samirah: What?
Gina: It's just my observation, so correct me if I'm wrong. It's
just that…it seems you are holding back on him.
Samirah: Holding back?
Gina: Okay, I'mma keep it real with you. He asked me if you ever
get down. But don't tell him I said this to you.
Samirah: Don't worry, I won't tell him.
Gina: He's wondering if you like him or not. He's worried about
you not trusting him. So, are you a religious person or you don't
like him?
Samirah: I like him a lot. He's great, but I also don't know him
well enough.
Gina: Jermaine really likes you. I don't think he'll be a two-minute
brother to you. And Jermaine will look for love somewhere when
his needs aren't met.
Samirah: You think so?
Gina: I'm afraid so.
Samirah: He hasn't talked to me directly. Besides, we've been
seeing each other for about two weeks only.
Gina: Girl, time's changed.
Samirah: But…it's all about my culture.
Gina: You know, I never thought about that. I keep thinking you're
American.
Samirah: It's hard. Should I please him or the society that I
come from?
Gina: If you're asking me…please him for sure!
They both laugh.
Gina: I guess he has to understand you and your society, that's all.
Samirah sits back and sighs.
Samirah: Agh! I hate this.
Gina: Chill, everything will turn out fine.
Samirah: What do you think I should do?
Gina: I dunno. And I'll keep my mouth shut. Don't want your mom
flying here and dealing with me.
They both laugh.
Samirah finishes presenting her biology project. Everyone exits class. Samirah is looking for Tyson in the crowd. Josh catches up with Samirah.
Josh: Impressive presentation.
Samirah: Thanks, Tyson helped out a lot. So don't give me all
the credit. Yours was great too.
Josh: Samirah, can I talk to you?
Samirah stops walking and faces Josh.
Samirah: Sure you can. What's up?
Josh: I'm sorry about the way I acted the other day.
Samirah: It's okay. I figured it was biology.
Josh and Samirah laugh.
Josh: I'll walk you.
Samirah: Okay.
They walk down the hall.
Josh: Are you seeing Tyson?
Samirah: No. I…
Samirah's beeper goes off. She looks at it and smiles when she sees Jermaine's name.
Josh: Who is it?
Samirah: It's the guy I'm seeing. And it's not Tyson.
Josh: Oh, so you have a boyfriend. (Pauses) He's black, right?
Samirah looks at Josh.
Samirah: Josh what's the matter.
Josh stops and looks at Samirah. He takes a deep breath.
Josh: I guess I like…liked you, that's all.
Samirah thinks: Oh my!
Josh: Sorry if I offended you in any way…
Samirah: Josh, I'm sorry if I ignored you…
Josh: No you didn't do anything. It was me.
Josh pauses.
Josh: If I have asked you out, would you have gone out with
me?
Samirah: Do I have to answer that?
Josh: Is it because I'm white?
Samirah: Josh!
Josh: Just tell me. Then I won't fall in love with black girls
anymore.
Samirah thinks: Oh dear.
Samirah: Josh, you are a very nice guy. Why would I let race get
in the way?
Josh: I still think you would have not gone out with me.
Samirah: Almost all the schools I have been to were predominantly
white.
Josh: So…?
Samirah: So, I get along with non-blacks just fine. C'mon, it's
the year two thousand.
Josh: Have you ever dated a white guy?
Samirah: Not really.
Josh: Would you?
Samirah: What are you trying to get at?
Josh: I just want to know if you would have gone out with me.
Samirah thinks: What does it matter? I got a man!
Tyson bumps into Samirah and Josh.
Tyson: Hey people!
Josh: Hi. I'll talk to you later, Samirah.
Samirah: See you, Josh.
Tyson looks puzzled.
Tyson: Why is it that every guy who talks to you goes away
when I come around?
Samirah (smiling): I really don't know.
Tyson: How did it go?
Samirah: Thank you very much, Tyson. You're the greatest friend.
Samirah hugs Tyson.
Tyson (smiling): Glad to help out.
Gina and Samirah are in the living room waiting for Jermaine and Abdul.
Gina: Girl, those fellas are the cutest we can get with now.
Samirah remains silent for a minute.
Gina: What's up?
Samirah: Why am I doing this? Do I really want to start a relationship
now? Is this for real or is it just a game?
Gina: Chill girl. Everything will be fine.
Samirah: You know, I really don't have that much trust in guys.
Gina: Samirah, you are being paranoid.
Samirah: You blame me for being paranoid?
Gina: It's just a date.
Samirah and Gina hear a car park. They rush to the window. When they get to the window they are surprised at the way they just reacted. The girls start laughing.
Gina: Do you like him?
Samirah: I really don't know. (silence) What about you? Do you
like Abdul?
Gina: I had a slight crush on him.
Samirah: Girl, we are trippin' bad.
Gina: I know we are. It's as if we're in high school.
Samirah: No. It's more like middle school.
They lean against the wall trying not to stare out the window. When they hear a car door shut, they take a peek. Jermaine is dressed normal, his pants sagging, his chains and rings, his Afro, and his baggy t-shirt. Samirah feels her heart leap. Abdul is dressed more semi-formal.
Gina: Abdul had a hair cut. He looks good in the low cut.
Samirah walks away from the window. She looks at herself in the mirror by the room divider. She has her hair straightened. She looks down at her long red skirt and then she looks at her long sleeve black top. Her veil shaped her hair well. Her light makeup fits her well.
Gina: They're coming up. Do I look fine?
Samirah turns and looks at Gina. Gina's hair is trimmed shoulder length and she has small clips in her hair. Her violet knee-length skirt looks adorable on her and her black top makes her look elegant. The dark eye shadow highlights her eyes.
Samirah: You look just perfect.
Gina: You look great too. I mean we all know we are fine.
The two girls laugh.
The bell rings. Samirah opens the door. Jermaine looks at her.
Jermaine thinks: This girl is too fine.
Samirah thinks: Fine, fine, very fine!
Gina: Hold up! Where's Abdul?
Jermaine: He went back to the car to check something. You can
go down if you want.
Gina: Sure, I will.
Gina goes downstairs.
Samirah: Hi. How are you? Come in.
Jermaine: How am I? I am standing here with the most beautiful
woman I ever met, and you are asking me how I am?
Samirah thinks: I better not show him I am flattered.
Samirah: Are you coming in?
Jermaine thinks: I wish.
Jermaine: It's okay. Let's just get going. Gina and Abdul shouldn't
be waiting.
Jermaine holds Samirah's hand and they walk downstairs to meet Gina and Abdul.
*************************
Tyson and Ronald are over at Abdul's dorm room. Ronald and Abdul are playing a game on Play Station. Ronald just told Tyson what he heard about Jermaine's plan.
Tyson: I know, man. He already asked her out. Samirah told
me yesterday.
Ronald: So, what did you tell her?
Tyson: Nothing. She just asked me what Jermaine's like. I told
her he was okay.
Ronald: What? Tyson…
Tyson: Well what did you want me to tell her?
Ronald: That he's a playa and he knows nothing about being committed.
Tyson: Chill, Ragga. They ain't getting married.
Ronald: You know Samirah is too nice to be with a guy like Jermaine.
Abdul: I'm so glad Gina is my girl.
Tyson: Can you believe that punk?
He slumps down on the couch.
Abdul: Why are you so up tight about Samirah?
Suddenly Abdul pauses the game. He looks at Tyson and then at Ronald. Abdul looks at Tyson with narrow eyes.
Ronald: What's up, Dool? Why did you stop the game?
Abdul starts laughing and shaking his head. He gets off the floor. He stands and looks at Tyson and then at Ronald.
Abdul: Ragga man, Ragga boy. Our boy here is in lu-uve.
Tyson: What tha…?
Abdul: Shut up, Tyson! Don't deny it.
Ronald: Damn, Abdul you're right.
Tyson: What are you guys thinking?
Abdul: I don't know, but I know who you thinking 'bout.
Ronald: Samirah, Samirah, Samirah. So she's the girl messin' Tyson.
Abdul: You blame him? She's all that! Sorry Tyson, but she is.
Tyson: Whateva.
Ronald: No wonder you have been…different.
Tyson remains silent and avoids eye contact with them.
Ronald: C'mon, out with it.
Tyson hesitates.
Tyson: Aiight fine. I dig her.
Ronald, Abdul: Ha Ha.
Abdul: What about Layla?
Tyson: She's great to be with. But Samirah is different.
Ronald: Why were you keeping it from us?
Tyson: I just didn't feel like saying anything.
Abdul: You go to the same school. Why didn't you ask her out before
Jermaine?
Tyson: Guys, we are talking about a girl who is from a first class
home.
Abdul smacks Tyson up the head.
Abdul: What are you saying? You don't wanna go out with a babe
who's richer than you?
Tyson: It's not that. (rubbing where Abdul smacked him) How can
I support her? I ain't as rich, as in doing things for her.
Ronald: You know Samirah better than us, and we know she ain't
like that.
Tyson looks down and says,
Tyson: Jermaine would do a better job at that. But he ain't
the type to treat her well. She needs someone who is serious and
committed.
Ronald: True.
Tyson: Another reason why I didn't want to get in a relationship
with her is she needs a decent man, someone who doesn't freak
around as much. She needs a strictly decent man.
Abdul: Damn, bruh. You got it bad.
Tyson: I really care about her.
Abdul: We all do, Tyson. I'll form a double date with Samirah,
Jermaine, Gina and me. I'll try my best to look out for her.
Ronald: Abdul, we can't be following her around. She's got her
own sense.
SAMIRAH - Sure. Hey, you're the man. You arrange everything.
"Samirah be a good girl and always be cautious."
A woman is talking to a young lady in a blue "jallaba" with a matching blue scarf on her head. Samirah belongs to a family consisting of eight members. She is the fourth born and the second girl. The woman is talking to her seventeen-year-old daughter who will be going to the United States of America for her university.
Samirah is the typical Fulani girl. She is always identified as a Fulani "yarinya" anywhere in Nigeria. She looks neither like her mother nor father. Most people say she is a combination of both. Samirah was watching television in the living room, on the third floor of their house, when her mother came in. The living room is a big room with cream leather chairs. The curtains are dark brown, which match with the room divider.
Mrs. Kamil is wearing a blue "buba". She has up to eight gold bracelets on each arm. Her earrings, necklace and rings are matching with the bracelets. Mrs. Kamil is giving her daughter last minute talks.
"You should be at home before Magreb. Then always pray on
time…" Mrs. Kamil advises her daughter.
"I will. Don't worry, I should be able to take care of myself…"
"That's what you think. Everyone has a weakness in something."
"Huh?"
"You just mind yourself and ignore bad company."
"Having bad company is unavoidable. There might be at least one who…"
"You heard me right, girl," says her mother with a stern face. "You choose your friends wisely."
While in the United States a middle-aged man is telling his family of four that he had some news.
"I have something very important to tell you," he tells his family with no expression on his face, "It is about Tyson's school".
His whole family looks up at him. They are having dinner when Mr. Thomas brings up the subject. His wife is a very attractive woman in her thirties. She has sharp eyes, and her hair is put in a way her eyes are gleaming out. Tyson, their first son, has his father's masculinity and height, but his eyes are like his mother's. His rich chocolate complexion is also inherited from his mother. His little sister, Monique, is lighter than he is and she is the exact carbon copy of her mother.
"Mr. Tyson Jamal Thomas, you are now a proud student of Capri University."
The whole table erupts with joy. Mr. Thomas jumps and hugs his son with the greatest force. Mrs. Thomas sits back in her seat with her hands clasped together. Monique gets up and starts jumping up and down.
"I knew I could go it. Haha!" yells Tyson.
"Of course! You got the Thomas blood in you. Right in there is a Thomas blood," says his father, as they start play boxing. Mrs. Thomas gives her husband a look.
"I have got to call Da Man and Ragga. Thank you God! Thank you Mom and Dad."
As Tyson darts out of the room Monique calls out after him, "You're welcome!"
Samirah is at the airport with her family. Some relatives also come to wish her well. One of her mother's sisters already starts crying. They arrived at Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport at Abuja after midnight. Samirah's heart is pounding each time her departure time came near.
Samirah looks at her relatives. They are about twenty who come
to see her off. Some of them came all the way from southern Nigeria.
Her close extended family, she thought. So big yet bonded with
love and understanding. Yes, sometimes there were little conflicts
and little gossips but family love has held them tight. She starts
reminiscing on the fun times she had with them. She starts thinking
about how she is going to miss them.
Will I ever experience such homely care when I am away to a land
I know only few people, Samirah thought. Her only relatives in
the United States live in California and Texas. Her cousin in
Texas is married to a Cameroonian who works in Mobil. Her other
relative is a thirty-six year old lady who lives by herself. Samirah
feels good to know she is not going to be alone. But it would
still be different.
Mrs. Thomas is in the kitchen cleaning up when her son comes in.
"Momma, do you know how excited I am?"
"I can tell, Dear."
"I am so happy to get that scholarship. It feels so good."
"Did you tell your friends?" asks Mr. Thomas as he steps in the kitchen.
"I told Ragga. He was thrilled. Da Man wasn't home…"
"It is past eleven and getting to twelve. Where would he be on a Sunday night? That boy is just so…"
"He could be somewhere fun." whispers Tyson with a shrug.
Mrs. Thomas turns around and looks at her son. Tyson feels a blow coming on.
"Tyson you are very much aware that the University you are going to attend is not an easy one. You would have to study and focus because you are trying to maintain a G.P.A. You would have to cut down hanging out too much."
"Momma, I got it covered. Trust me."
"Flight 277 boarding may begin"
Samirah feels a sting in her chest. Her throat runs dry and
she can feel the tears gathering in her eyes. Her parents are
looking very proud. Samirah hugs them, then she hugs her other
relatives. When Samirah reaches the final gate, only her parents
and an aunt are allowed to pass. Her aunt is a very pretty plump
lady with a sweet smile.
"Samirah, don't forget the little chats we had. Respect yourself
and take care."
Samirah smiles at her Aunt Habiba's words. Her and her Aunt would stay up all night discussing about issues involving teenagers worldwide. Samirah could tell her Aunt anything. Even Samirah's own mother knows very little about what they talk about. Samirah viewed it as an African thing, when a niece is closer to an aunt, and a nephew is closer to an uncle. Samirah is aware that in Africa, family is very precious and therefore highly respected.
Samirah turns to her parents and smiles at them.
"We trust you", said Mr. Kamil. "Behave and lock your house good."
Everyone laughs at her father's statement. It seems like Samirah
is standing there for hours. She feels herself walking towards
the tunnel to the plane. She turns and sees her relatives that
were not allowed to escort her all the way to the final gate.
They all wave, most of them in tears. She glances at her father,
mother, and aunt.
Samirah is on the plane and she is seated near the window.
"Welcome aboard Nigerian Airways…"
Samirah can see her family on the veranda of the airport. She
waves at them. She is not sure whether they saw her or not, but
they start waving back. She starts thinking about all the advice
her family members gave her. Each and every one of them told her
a little something. She starts thinking about not disappointing
them and honoring them. She loved the way her parents looked at
her. They were proud.
I would not like to see their faces sad and angry, she thought.
I don't want to offend them in any way. To disappoint her entire
family would be drastic. She whispered a prayer.
"Oh God, guide me through the right path."
"So, we got ourselves a preppy little boy in the click," says Abdul eying Tyson.
"Oh no! The world is gonna end!" wails Ronald waving his arms in the air.
Tyson and his friends are strolling together through Tyson's former neighborhood. Abdul still lives in the neighborhood in his own apartment and Ronald lives with his cousin not far from Abdul's house. Tyson, Ronald, and Abdul had always been tight friends ever since they were in high school. As for Tyson and Abdul, they grew up together. Even after Tyson's family moved, Tyson always stayed true to his neighborhood where he had grown up. It is his favorite hang out.
"So, have you checked to see if any blacks gon' be there?" asks Abdul
"Excuse me sir, am I going to be the only black?" mimics Tyson, "Naw! Man, I can't ask them that."
"I swear man, if I was you, I'd ask away."
"Yo! It's not like I am gonna live there forever. It ain't a problem."
"Whether you be a punk or a skunk, we got your back for sure," said Ronald.
Tyson playfully punches Ronald.
"Are you at campus?" asks Abdul.
"Yeah…"
"Ooh! You gonna get a white room mate. Haha!
"Aww, shut!"
"No, really man. You gonna share a room with Van Beek…"
"Or maybe even a guy who is anti-rap," interrupted Ronald.
Ronald and Abdul keep making fun of Tyson, while Tyson just laughs with them.
Samirah enters her new apartment. Just a little dusty, she
thought. About a month ago her parents and her small sisters were
at her apartment helping her fix it up. Samirah sits down on the
leather couch. She looks at the family picture on the wall, above
the television. She sighs, and then she gets up to look around
the apartment.
The apartment is painted light blue. It has flat little blue glass
lamps on the wall and ceiling. The dining table is pale blue with
matching chairs. As Samirah goes in the kitchen she notices that
the cabinets were also of a blue color. She goes through a short
hall to get to her room. Her bed is a queen size with blue bed
sheets and covers. Her wardrobe has a blue handle and a blue edge.
"Is it me or is everything in this house is blue?" she asked herself looking around.
Samirah looks at her self in the mirror and suddenly realizes she is wearing her blue "jallaba". Her eyeliner is also blue and her earrings have blue on them. She even has a blue ribbon tied at the end of her hair.
"Okay. Chill. This has nothing to do with symbolism," she says as she walked towards the bathroom, " I am not feeling that blue."
She was relieved to see the bathroom had green tiles, green knobs and green shades. She looks around the bathroom, and she feels a little better because green is her mothers favorite color. For some reason green makes her mother happy. Samirah starts feeling good inside and she smiles. She opens up a shower crème. Samirah immediately frowns at the crème when she sees that it is blue.
Tyson looses hope in finding a black person. He thinks, Damn!
I am done for. I went through three classes and no black person.
I feel like an outcast. They keep staring at me as if I owe 'em
somethin'. All right stop talking to yourself and focus before
you trip or somethin'. I wonder where the sociology class is.
Ah! There it is.
Tyson sits at the back of the class. This time he does not even
bother to look around. He just sits down and brings out his notes.
"Aww man! I can't believe it. No black person in sight. I am gonna loose it. Chill, girl. You are going to survive," Samirah keeps on muttering under her breath.
"It gonna be cool. Think clearly. Don't fall. I hate this place. There should be at least one black person, or even half black. I really don't care. C'mon America. All the blacks you got and not one here."
Samirah is walking through the hallway looking for her class. Samirah looks up at a room number. Okay, sociology, right class, she thought. As she enters the class she drops a notebook. Everyone looks up and stares at her.
"Young lady, you are late," says the professor.
Samirah does not look at anybody, "Uh…I…was
lost."
She thinks, Damn it! First day and I already mess up. Just what
I needed. I can't believe this idiotic book did this to me. I
will make sure I burn it. I really just wanna get outta here.
Miserable. Samirah focus on what you are doing.
Tyson smiles as soon as he sees Samirah. He feels like going over right away to talk to her. He watches her gracefully walk to the nearest seat. She sits down and crosses her legs. He notices how everyone is staring at her. She is wearing dark blue jeans with a red sleeveless shirt and a very light red transparent top. Her wavy hair is tied in a ponytail.
At the end of class Tyson rushes after Samirah.
"Hey, what's up…" Tyson's speech slowly fades as Samirah turns around and looks at him in surprise.
"Oh! Hello. I'm Samirah."
"I'm Tyson. So how long have you been here?" asks Tyson trying to keep his cool.
"I just got here yesterday. Freshman."
"Word? Me too."
"I am too glad to meet you..."
Tyson looks at her with curiosity. I better not say anything about blacks. I think she is not all black. She is pretty, though. I wish I have all my classes with her. Her eyes are so dazzling.
"Tyson, right?"
"Uh…yeah. Sorry. I wasn't thinking right."
"I just asked to see your schedule. You alright?"
"Great, just fine."
Tyson hands her his schedule. She looks at it and smiles.
"We have four classes together. This is just too good. I wonder if anymore blacks are around?"
Tyson smiles at what she says and he asks,"So are you from around here or some other state?"
"None. I'm Nigerian."
"Are you an American citizen?" asks Tyson as he eyes Samirah well.
"No, I'm not. Look, is it all right if talk on the way to class? 'Cuz, I don't want to be late again."
E-mail:drumbeats@dvercity.com Snail-mail:DverCITY, Inc., P.O. Box 1244, Tallahassee, FL 32302 Questions /Comments: Webmaster Revised -- June 5, 2001 |
|