Bina waits anxiously in the waiting room of the family planning clinic with her best friend, Cynthia. She is uneasy, chewing her nails, and Cynthia does her best to calm her down.

CYNTHIA: Bina sweetie, it’s going to be okay. I’m here, I’ll stay with you, okay?

Bina nods distractedly. Cynthia puts her hand on Bina’s knee, looks her right in the eye.

CYNTHIA: Hey. Listen. It WILL be okay.

Bina closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She nods.

BINA: But what if…

A nurse, Agnes, arrives, interrupting their conversation. She looks at her chart and looks up at the girls. Both Bina and Cynthia look dismayed, shocked. Agnes looks strict, intimidating, and tired.

AGNES: Bina Makara? Bina Makara?

BINA: (whispering to Cynthia) Cynthia, I can’t do it. Not with her …

Cynthia squeezes her hand, and they stand up together. The nurse looks at them critically.

AGNES: Which one of you is Bina? Come come, who is Bina?

Bina clears her throat.

BINA: (timidly) Me, Ma. I’m Bina.

AGNES: I’m not your ma. Come.

Cynthia gets up and Agnes holds her hand out, stopping Cynthia from following them.

AGNES: Uh-uh, just one. What do you think this is, a party? You wait there.

Cynthia opens her mouth to protest, but Agnes has walked off, looking down at the paperwork in her hand, ignoring the girls. Bina stares helplessly at Cynthia, and looks as if she might cry. She hurries to follow Agnes, after looking once more at Cynthia with a pleading expression. Cynthia looks sorry, and takes a seat in the waiting room.

Tell us: why do you think Bina is at the clinic?