Come Spring
Second Place: Fatima Asghar
Hershey High School
Characters: Zia (India), Noor (Saudi Arabia), Chinhua (China), Adna (Zimbabwe)
Zia
He just crushed it. Just like that, my guitar. He crushed it. He, not once considered my hopes and dreams. Does he even think of me as his own daughter? I don't want to be a doctor! Pitta should stop trying to make up for his mistakes through me, mama. (She pauses for a second to look at the audience as if speaking to her mother—proceeds quietly) It's because of him you were forced to leave your singing, didn’t you? I’ve seen you singing multiple times. When? While cooking, cleaning…and mostly during his absence. Oh, and you have the most beautiful voice, mother- ammi…and you gave that up? You silence your voice because of him and he doesn’t even acknowledge it? (Pauses for a change of thought)
Well, I am not you! I still see you looking at old photos wistfully. And most of all, I don't want to be another YOU, ammi. Another Amna Mumtaz, whose voice was silenced! I am Zia. Zia who loves singing. What’s wrong with singing, ammi? It is not against our religion. (the lights begin to dim) Please tell him that to stop using that excuse. It’s getting old. Oh, it’s so old. I just want to sing. I --- (Light out)
(Lights come up on Noor simultaneously while Zia’s goes out with Noor continuing the sentence. She wants everyone to know that it is NOT a big deal to drive a car)
Noor
--just tried to drive a car!! What the hell is wrong with THAT? It’s just a car! I just drove it around in the parking lot of my father’s beach mansion! I didn’t abduct one of the crown princes! Why is Saudi monarchy and his highness against women drivers? What did we do? I want all of you to know that I am the sweetest angel ever to grace this planet. Saudi government should be lucky that I was born here. Seriously, what’s wrong with a woman driving? All I did was drive from the main gate to the parking lot. It didn’t even take me 10 seconds—and I have to wait until a man permits me to drive? Egotistical, ignorant, masochistic pigs. OMG, I can't believe my brother just took off without me. He just takes off for the beach without me! (as if calling after him) Abdullah wait for me!! I want to swim too! (slowly looks at the audience with an attitude) I am an excellent swimmer. Oh yeah! Wanna bet on that? $10? WHAT?? Oh..oh...you mean me, Noor Bin Suleiman can't swim because she is a WOMAN? I am so sick of all these limitations and stupid rules and restrictions on---
(lights go out on her and quickly up on Chinhua)
Chinhua
--strong, independent, cultured and a very, VERY successful women. Because my kind is so rare these days, all I ask is a house from whoever wins—Me. Oh, I know I have an apartment, but it's not according to my taste. Personally? I want a house…a house with lots of windows! One that’s big and open and located just outside of the Hong Kong harbor, so that air can easily circulate through it.
(Pauses sighs as if breathing in the air)