But I will be fine when I get some rest this weekend.
She continues to lie in a STEADY tone, without stuttering, staring at her food while she speaks, in a bid to avoid looking at Uche in the eye.
UCHE
I know you too well. You’re lying to me.
Chioma looks up at Uche.
CHIOMA
What?
UCHE
You know that thing you do, when you avoid staring at people while lying to them, so you wouldn’t stutter while talking?
Chioma doesn’t say a word.
UCHE (CONT’D)
You just did it.
Chioma doesn’t break her silence. Rather, she looks away to the meal before her, and continues eating. Uche is blinking RAPIDLY as he stares at Chioma like an x-ray machine trying to expose the lies that take refuge beneath her skin. Chioma looks up again.
CHIOMA
You don’t believe me. Do you?
Uche doesn’t kill his stare.
CHIOMA (CONT’D)
You know that thing you do, when you blink rapidly and try to dissect someone with your eyes, because you don’t believe them?
CHIOMA (CONT’D)
You’re doing it.
Uche laughs, in an attempt to let go of his suspicion, and stir the dinner towards a lighter mood for the marriage proposal he’d planned for the night.
Amara is feeling unsettled. It appears she hasn’t swallowed the food in her mouth. She locks her mouth tightly with her right hand, trying not to throw up the content on the table.