Robi "Mila" Marwa first appeared on 15 December 2020 and last on 3 February 2022]]. She was portrayed by Ruhtxjiaïh Bèllènéa. She is also the daughter of Nyangi Marwa, sister and legal guardian of Kioni Marwa and girlfriend of Iqra Ahmed.
Backstory[]
Robi didn’t know she was gay for sure until she was sixteen. She recalls the girl she fell in love with being the most beautiful girl she’d ever seen. When she told her mother, it was January, her mother laughed at her and told her their god doesn’t believe in that, then she stopped the car and told Robi to walk home, in the cold snow. By the time she reached home, Nyangi had phoned the pastor who recommended her conversion therapy to make Robi “normal”. After this Robi ran away and changed her name to Mila, never wanting her family to find her.
Mila was subjected to female genital mutilation when she was a very young girl. Her mother told her she was going to see an aunt she had never met. They were ushered by a woman into back room, with some other girls and their mothers. There was a strong smell that she only later realised was disinfectant. When the process was complete, her mum handed her a doll for "being a good girl.". Mila mentions that it still hurts, she still gets infections, nightmares and she feels like she can't have a relationship.
Storylines[]
Mila arrives in Walford on 15 December 2020. She competes with Kim Fox for the cocktail job at The Prince Albert. Mila argues with Kim, and they end up accidentally dropping a bottle on the floor. Kathy Beale decides to employ her because she was honest about the mistake.
On 26 February 2021, Kim Fox sets Mila up on a date with Iqra Ahmed and tries again on 9 March 2021. When she wants to make things official with Iqra, she tells her that her name is actually Robi and she now uses the name Mila to make sure her family don't find out she is with a woman due to them being homophobic.
In April 2021, Mila's mum showed up to try and get her to come home and be married off. However, Mila ignored her and kicked her out and told her she has 'done enough for this family'. Then on 24 May 2021, Mila's sister, Kioni, visits wanting to spend the day with Mila and to ask her if she wants to go on holiday with her and their mum. When Kathy allows Kioni to stay for dinner, Mila asks if she can stay here for a while but Kathy tells her no. When Mila sneaks Kioni in her bedroom, she comes downstairs telling her she burnt a hole in her duvet only for Kathy to be there and realise that she is still there. Kathy is furious but lets Mila explain herself. She tells her that she knows that Kioni isn't going on a holiday but that she is now of age to have FGM (female genital mutilation). Kathy asks how she knows this and Mila says "because its the exact same thing that happened to me".
Mila, Iqra and Kathy work together and her mother, Nyangi Marwa, is arrested. She and Iqra gain custody of Kioni and live together in no.41.
In January 2022, Mila's girlfriend Iqra leaves the Square to take up a new job, leaving her and her sister alone in 41 Albert Square. The two later join Iqra in Bristol when they gain custody of her.
List of appearances[]
Quotes[]
First line: “Hi! Mila, I’m here for the trial. Kathy said she’d leave a list of cocktails to make” (said to Kim Fox on 15 December 2020)
“I’m Gay! That’s not a choice!” (Said to her mother Nyangi Marwa on 1 June 2021)