'Raised in Gold, Humbled by Life

That's nice. Look at this face. Honestly, God was showing off. No, this one is dangerous. Perfect skin. Perfect hair. Perfect lighting. Some people are struggling. Some people are surviving. And then there's me. As expected. Come in. 5,000 already. Wow. This should honestly be illegal. Good morning, Ma. Hmm. Morning. Your juice, Ma. What is that? Pineapple juice, Ma. Pineapple juice. Yes, Ma. Binta. Ma? What exactly made you think I wanted pineapple juice this morning? I thought... That's the problem. You thought? Did I ask for pineapple juice? No, Ma. Good. At least we agree on that. What I asked for was mango slices. Fresh mango slices. So help me understand. How did we travel from mango slices to this? I thought... Stop. Every single time. I thought... Binta, thinking is clearly not your strongest gift. Three years. One. Two. Three years. And we're still struggling with simple instructions. Honestly, if beauty could transfer intelligence, you would be doing much better. Take it away. And bring the mango. The actual mango. Not another science experiment. Sewa, did you see Chidinma's post this morning? Oh, God. The one from Bolu's dinner. No, not church choir Chidinma. Yes, I knew it. I absolutely knew it. That girl has confidence. I'll give her that. Stop. No, seriously. What? The shoes, ma. Binta. Yes, ma. If I wanted the shoes right now, would they still be in your hands? No, ma. Exactly. Stand quietly. If I don't correct people, who will? Finished, ma. What color is this? Nude rose, ma. Nude rose? Yes, ma. I asked for blush. Did I ask for similar? No, ma. Remove it. Start again. Yes, ma. Amaka, you see? They must meet my standard. Yes, I knew it. I absolutely knew it. You're late. Hmm? I was busy. No. Ma, not this again. You liked it last week, ma. That was then. And because I liked it last week, you thought I wanted it again today? Wow. Honestly, Binta, you surprise me every day. Sewa. What now? Enough. Daddy, please. I only asked a question. She's standing right there. And? You never see people, Sewa. Daddy, not today, please. That's the problem. Never today. One day, life will teach you what I cannot. Daddy, nothing is going to happen. Trust me. Daddy, you're leaving already? Sewa, my party is tonight. Important people are coming. Business leaders, government officials, people I respect. People who respect me. I don't want any unnecessary drama. I don't want any scenes. Just behave yourself. Why are you talking like that? What exactly do you think I'm going to do? Me? Have I ever embarrassed you before? I know what I'm saying. Just behave yourself. Honestly, daddy worries too much. That's what fathers do. Behave yourself as if I'm going to embarrass anybody. Your dress, ma. Hmm. Hold it properly. Sorry, ma. There you go again. Ma? Sorry, sorry, sorry. Do you have any other vocabulary? Or did they only teach you one word in school? You apologize like breathing is your full-time job. Sorry, ma. Exactly. Oh, wow. Imagine waking up looking like this. No binter. You don't understand. If I looked like me, I wouldn't sleep. I would just stand in front of mirrors all day. Your bag, ma. Oh. Try not to touch anything expensive while I'm gone. Yes, ma. Because replacing it would probably cost more than your entire life savings. Musa. Yes, ma. Why are we not moving? Now we're talking. Good afternoon, ma. Welcome to Maison Luxe. How may I help you today? You seem nervous. There it is. I need a dress. Of course, ma. My father's event is tonight. The biggest event in Lagos. Everybody important will be there. That's wonderful, ma. I wasn't asking for your opinion. I need something unforgettable. When I walk into that ballroom tonight, I want every woman there questioning her existence. Show me your best gowns. I'll show you our best collection. What do you think of this one, ma? This? You brought me this? It is one of our most popular dresses, ma. Popular. Popular means other people own it. And if other people own it, why would I wear it? Show me something exclusive. I don't wear ordinary. I am not ordinary. Now we're talking. Finally. Someone in this building understands fashion. Would you like to try it on, ma? Obviously. Excuse me. I actually came for that dress. You what? I reserved it yesterday. Actually, she did place a reservation for it yesterday. Okay. And? And it's her reservation. No. I like it. I understand. But I reserved it. You reserved it. Congratulations. Do you know who I am? No. No? You don't know who I am. Should I? Interesting. Very interesting. So let me understand this. You don't know who I am. And you're still standing here discussing a dress with me? I reserved the dress. Can everybody hear this? She thinks this is about a dress. How much is the dress? 3.8 million naira, ma. I'll pay 6. Ma? You heard me. I'll pay 6 million. Wrap it. What is funny? Nothing. I was just wondering. If money is the only way... Would you like us to deliver it to your residence, ma? Do I look like someone that carries shopping bags herself? No, ma. Then why are we discussing delivery? Good evening, ma. Welcome back, ma. Take this. Yes, ma. And Binta. Ma? That black dress is for tonight. I don't think you understand what you're carrying. That dress costs millions. Actually, it probably costs more than everything your family owns. And don't touch it with your bare hands. The last thing I need tonight is evidence that you've touched something expensive. Governor Adekunle, Chief Oduya. You have outdone yourself this year. You honor us with your presence. Chief Oduya never disappoints. Every year, this gala gets bigger. You look stunning tonight. Not as stunning as you. Chief Oduya always brings the right people together. That's why everyone comes. There we are. That's Chief Oduya's daughter. Beautiful girl. Terrible attitude. Jealousy is exhausting. There she is. Finally. Look at you. You entered like the President's daughter. Correction. The President's daughter wishes. You haven't changed. Why would perfection change? Sewa. Daddy. Come with me. Uh-oh. That voice means behave yourself. I always do. Madam. Chief Oduya. I'd like you to meet my daughter, Sewa. You've become such a beautiful young woman. Your father speaks very highly of you. I know. He loves you very much. Who wouldn't? So what are you doing these days? Shopping. No. I mean work. Work? Why would I work? My father already did that. That's literally the reward for having rich parents. There is still value in building something for yourself. Why? If someone already owns a private jet, why would they learn to ride a bicycle? You really shouldn't have said that. You really embarrassed that Governor's wife. Embarrassed? Please. She should be grateful I even spoke to her. Would you like something to drink, Ma? Why are you asking me? Ma? You've worked in this house for years. You still don't know what I drink? I'm sorry, Ma. There it is again. I'm sorry, Ma. Sewa. No, let her answer. Is that the only sentence you know? No, Ma. She knows another one. Tell me. Why are you looking down? Look at me when I'm speaking to you. Yes, Ma. We have a new sentence tonight. Sewa, let her go. She's working. Let her earn her salary. Since you're here, tell me what drinks are on that tray. Sparkling apple juice. And not one of them is what I drink. So explain to me. Why are you standing here wasting my time? Is this the best you can do? Ma. I'm sorry, Ma. Look at my dress. Sorry, Ma. No. Look what you did. I'm sorry, Ma. Sorry. That's your solution to everything. Do you know how much this dress costs? Answer me. No, Ma. Of course you don't. Because even if you worked for 10 years, you still couldn't afford it. Sewa. No, let her explain. Tell everybody why you're so careless. I'm sorry, Ma. Sewa. Sewa, don't. Since you enjoy ruining people's clothes, let's see how you like it. Sewa! Ekaro. I've had enough. I've had enough of Sewa. Come in. Daddy. Close the door. The party went well overall. Sit down, Sewa. Okay. If this is about Binta… How old is Binta? What? How old is she? I don't know. 19. 19 years old. She has worked in this house since she was 17. Every month, she sends most of her salary to her mother. Daddy, she spilled a drink on me. Did you know any of that? No. Because you never asked. Not Binta. In 24 years, you have never once looked at the people around you and seen human beings. Daddy, everybody is acting like I committed a crime. It was a dress. She ruined it. A dress? That is what you learned from tonight? A 19-year-old girl stood there crying in front of 200 people and all you talk about is a dress. You're making it sound worse than it was. I watched my daughter pour juice on another human being in front of governors, in front of people I've respected for 30 years. Everybody is overreacting. There it is, even now. You still don't understand. Daddy. I cancelled them an hour ago. What do you mean you cancelled them? Daddy, stop joking. Your apartment lease receives notice tomorrow morning. What? Your driver collects the Range Rover on Wednesday. Daddy, what is this? What exactly is happening right now? Sit down. No. No, Daddy. You don't get to do all this and then tell me to sit down. Sit. Why are you doing this? Because I failed. Failed? I gave you everything. Every advantage. Every opportunity. Every comfort. And somehow, I raised a daughter who cannot recognize suffering when it is standing in front of her. That's not true. It is. Saturday morning. Saturday? We leave Saturday morning. Leave for where? Daddy, where are we going? Pack light. And don't bother packing the Chanel. This is ridiculous. Completely ridiculous. One week. Maximum. He'll calm down. Just us? Get in the car. So where exactly are we going? You'll see. Okay. Seriously. Where are we going? Daddy. Okay. This isn't funny anymore. Daddy. Where exactly are we? Daddy. Okay. This isn't funny anymore. Daddy. Where exactly are we? You're almost there. Why are they running after us? Because they are children. Who is she? Daddy. If this is some kind of charity visit, please make it quick. This dust is already touching my shoes. Oh my God. Daddy. What is this place? No, seriously. What is this place? There are goats everywhere. Why are we here? Okay. Who is that? Daddy. This is your home. What? This is your home. Okay. Very funny. Can we go now? She is your mother. What? She is your biological mother. No. No, she's not. Daddy, stop it. Stop joking. I'm not your biological father. What? No, she's not. Daddy, stop it. Stop joking. 24 years ago, your mother was struggling. Life was hard for her. Very hard. In the end, my wife and I had spent years looking for a child. When we met your mother, we agreed to take you in and raise you. We promised her that you would have the best education, the best opportunities, the best life. And for 24 years, I raised you as my daughter. I protected you as my daughter. But today, you need to know where you came from. My daughter. No. Don't call me that. No. This is not happening. My daughter. Please. Don't. You expect me to believe this? You expect me to believe I came from here? No. Impossible. Look around. Just look around. I grew up in a mansion. I attended the best schools. I travelled first class. And you're telling me I came from here? Life was difficult then. This isn't difficult. This is poverty. Sewa. No, Daddy. Not enough. Not today. You brought me all the way here. You tell me you're not my father. You tell me this woman is my mother. And now you want me to just accept it. You don't have to accept it today. But it is the truth. Truth? Then I hate the truth. And I hate this place. Daddy? Where are you going? Home. No. Daddy, stop joking. It's time, Sewa. Maybe this place will teach you what I couldn't. Daddy, please. Please don't leave me here. Daddy. Daddy, wait. Daddy, please. Daddy, don't leave me here. I hate him. He left me. He actually left me here. My daughter Knight is coming. Come inside. I am not your daughter. Sewa, me or mommy? You are not my mother. I am not your daughter. You don't have to call me mother today. The Knight is not friendly here. Inside that place? No. I would rather sleep under this tree. Fantastic. Just fantastic. Not now. Seriously. No. Oh my God. This can't be real. Who's there? Hello? You stupid animal. Daddy. My daughter. The food is getting cold. I am not hungry. Traitor. Your stomach disagrees. I don't eat village food. That's alright. The food doesn't know that. What kind of answer is that? This is unbelievable. Fine. I am only coming because I am hungry. Oh no. It wasn't a dream. Why is that bird shouting? Fantastic. Just fantastic. Who wakes up this early? Do village people ever sleep? Good morning. I need to freshen up. Where's the bathroom? Out back. Behind the house. Wait. You mean the outdoor bathroom? Yes. Outdoor? Oh my God. Okay. Fine. Whatever. Wait. What about the toilet? The bush. The what? The bush. No. I asked where the toilet is. And I answered. Yes. You mean people actually go inside the bush? Yes. No. Daddy has lost his mind. Completely lost his mind. And now you're telling me people go to the toilet in a bush. You get used to it. Wait. Me? I need to take my bath. Okay. Where's the water? There. They're empty? Yes. And hot? The stream is down there. The stream? You fetch water there. You mean me? The stream? You're telling me if I want to bathe, I have to carry that bucket? Yes. Walk all the way there? Yes. Fetch water? Yes. Daddy has officially lost his mind. No network. No toilet. No bathroom. Now water has an address. The village is trying to destroy me. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. Yesterday I had three maids. Today I'm carrying a bucket. Strange. What? Have you never seen a beautiful woman before? Oh. Why is it so heavy? First day in the village. Let's just say the bucket told me everything. You think this is funny. A little. Wonderful. Ugh. This is so annoying. Come on. It's not that bad. I'm not laughing at you. Let the water settle first. Then lift slowly. Come. Slowly this time. If this bucket embarrasses me again, I'm leaving it here. You can do it. Wow. No spill. I did it! I mean, it wasn't that difficult. Really? Then that's the difficult part. Hey! I can carry it! I know you can. That's why I'm giving it back. If I carry it for you today, you'll still need someone tomorrow. Ada, I'm happy I met you. Honestly, you're the first person that has become my friend in this village. Sometimes, when I walk through the village, people look at me strangely. Some even laugh. I keep asking myself, what did I do? Sewa, you came here as a city girl. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you want these people to accept you, you have to learn their way of life. Its own way of living. If you truly want these people to accept you, walk with them, work with them, respect them, laugh with them. They'll stop seeing a stranger. They'll start seeing one of their own. People also notice how you speak to Mama Risi. Since you arrived, that woman has cared for you every single day. She cooks for you. She waits for you. She worries about you. The villagers see that. They simply wish you would see it too. I never thought about it like that. My whole life changed in one day. Everything I believed. Everything I knew. I never stopped to think about how she felt. I only thought about myself. My whole life changed in one day. Sometimes I still don't understand why all this happened to me. Maybe one day you'll discover that this village didn't change a lot. Sewa, can I give you one piece of advice? Of course. Accept village as your home. At least for now. Stop thinking about what you left behind. Start learning the things you've never done before. Help Mama Risi. Don't just sit and watch her cook. Cook with her. Sweep with her. Laugh with her. One day you'll be surprised how much you've changed. Ada, where I come from, I never had to do any of those things. My father gave me everything. I never even entered the kitchen. I don't know how to cook. I don't know how to farm. I don't know how to do any of these things. Please, don't tell anybody. It's embarrassing. No, don't be ashamed. Nobody is born knowing everything. Every woman learns one step at a time. And you will learn too. Thank you. Tomorrow morning I'm going to the bush to gather firewood. Come with me. I'll teach you how to cut dry wood. We'll bring it home together. Mama Risi will be happy. And that's how your new life will begin. One lesson at a time. Okay. Tomorrow, I'll follow you. But if those bees come back, you're the one running first. Ada, please tell me we're only cutting dry wood. I don't want that cutlass coming anywhere near me. The cutlass is for the trees, not for stubborn friends. We never cut fresh trees, only dry branches. That way the tree keeps living. Now, your turn. Again, don't use force. Use patience. Ada, I actually did it. See, I told you. One lesson at a time. Come, let's take it home. Mama Risi is going to be very proud of you today. Maybe, Ada is right. Ever since I came here, I've blamed everybody. Papa, Mama Risi, even this village. But, but, have I ever stopped to blame myself? Maybe, my old life made me proud. Maybe, that's why people never understood me. No, I don't want to be that girl anymore. But, have I ever stopped to blame myself? For now, and this is my home. And if this is my home, then I should start living like the people who call it home. Tomorrow, I'll do something I've never done before. No one will ask me. I'll do it because I want to change. So, it's already one month, one whole month, without seeing you. This house has become so quiet. Even your stubbornness, I miss it. I know. Right now, you probably think I don't love you. You probably think I sent you away because I was tired of you. If only you knew, sending you away was never to punish you. It was to give you something I failed to give you while you were growing up. I gave you comfort, luxury, everything. I gave you everything money could buy. But I forgot to teach you humility, kindness, the value of ordinary people. But, I believe, when you return, you'll understand why I made this decision. And on that day, you'll come back stronger than the little girl I raised. You've changed, more than I ever imagined. Brother, please wait. Yes, Mama Risi. Who should I deliver it to? Take this to Chief Oduya and tell him his daughter is ready to come home. Come in. Chief, a letter just arrived from the village. Thank you. She's finally ready. Tomorrow, I'll finally see my daughter again. I'm coming, my daughter. Sewa, I'm coming. Hold on, my dear. Come here, my daughter, Sewa. Sewa, will you ever forgive me? Please, forgive your father. Everything I did, I did for your own good. I wanted life to teach you what I... Every day you were away, I missed you. Every night, I prayed for you. Papa, you don't have to ask me for forgiveness. I'm the one who should say I'm sorry for never giving up on me. Now I understand everything. Welcome home, my daughter. Dad, good morning. Good morning, my dear. It smells wonderful. Thank you, Dad. Papa, breakfast is ready. I made everything myself. I hope you'll like it. My daughter, this is the moment I've prayed for. Not because you cooked for me, but because you learned that serving others with love is one of life's greatest blessings. I'm proud of the woman you've become. Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Papa, for believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Delicious. This is the sweetest meal I've ever eaten. Not because of the ingredients, but because it was prepared with love.