ACT 4: JoJo Scene 3

14th July, 1988

7:35 pm

The boys have left the hostel to go party with senior officers, leaving Jojo and Zechat alone in the hostel.

Zechat walked to JoJo's corner.

ZECHAT:- ( he sat down on Jojo's bed) that's all of them. They have all gone.

JOJO:- have you checked Every Corner?

ZECHAT:- yes I have. we are the only ones in hostel.

JOJO:- OK... so what now? ( The atmosphere is relaxed, but tension builds as they shared a deep gaze. The unspoken understanding between them bridged the gap. Zechat's fingers traced the outline of Jojo's jaw, a silent invitation. In that tender moment, hesitation gave way to the magnetic pull of desire. With a shared breath, they leaned in, their lips meeting in a tentative kiss that spoke of longing and discovery. Jojo's fingers gently traced the lines of Zechat's back, assisting him to pull off his shirt as Zechat's hand travels down to Jojo's waist pulling down his trousers. They both fully laid down on the bed and continued the action under the blanket.

The hostel door aggressively swings open.)

HOSTEL MASTER:- (raising an eyebrow) What's going on here?!! (Joshua and Zechat quickly separate, a sense of unease filling the room.)

JOJO:- (stammering) Uh, we were just...

HOSTEL MASTER:- Shut up!! so... The two of you are doing gay...and you want to become ex-boys?!! (He gave them a disapproving look) now listen to me. Both of you should get up from that bed exactly the Way You Are. don't even wear any clothes just follow me exactly the way you are. I am going to report the both of you to the commandant right now!! Now follow me to the guardroom! That is where you both will sleep for the night!!!

JOJO:- ( they both got up from the bed only wearing boxers and knelt down in front of their hostel master) sir please....

HOSTEL MASTER:- shut up!! if you dare beg me, I will kill you. now!! start moving. (Joshua and Zechat exchange worried glances as he escorted both of them to the officers quarters and locked them in a guardroom)

The next morning.

10.am

The hostel master walk towards the guardroom alongside the commandant and two other officers.

HOSTEL MASTER:- ( he removed a punch of keys out of his pocket and opened the Guard Room) Oya both of you out! ( Joshua and Zechat got out of the guard room still wearing only their boxers and knelt down on the ground nervously in front of the Commandant. The atmosphere is tense)

COMMANDANT:- Last night your hostel master caught both of you exhibiting immoral activities.

Despite the fact that you both are to pass out tomorrow, this act can not be overlooked.

There is no place for homosexuals in the army or anywhere in Nigeria for that matter.

I hope you are aware that this is the end of your military career because from this moment on both of you have been dismissed from Nigeria military school and terminating every right you may have in joining the Nigerian army. Your hostel master has already make telephone calls to your Guardians at your various residence on your crime. You both will not participate in the passing out parade with your classmate tomorrow because you are no longer NMS boys. So without any further ado, go back to your hostel, pack your things and leave the school premises at once.

11. am

Jojo and Zechat a passing through the school gate wearing regular civilian clothes and carrying their army pattern metal iron trunk on their head.

ZECHAT:- ( he stopped walking and dropped his iron trunk on the ground) Jojo let's run away together

JOJO:- ( he stopped walking too and dropped his iron trunk on the ground) what?! to where?

ZECHAT:- anywhere... anywhere but home. you heard what the commandant said, our hostel master has already contacted our homes. if we go back home we will be in serious trouble.

JOJO:- I know but there's nowhere else to go.

ZECHAT:- ( he held his hand) Jojo please come with me. we will find a way to survive together.

JOJO:- ( he began to cry and he separated their hands) No. I can't come with you. This is too much. I can't handle it.

ZECHAT:- yes you can. yes we can

JOJO:- ZECHAT STOP!! I can't go with you! me and you are not supposed to have this feelings that is why God is punishing us now. And more punishment will come if I go with you.

ZECHAT:- look around! we are now civilians in a military regime, of course more punishment is coming just by being a citizen of Nigeria but if we are together...at least the suffering will be easier.

JOJO:- Zechat no...

ZECHAT:- (teary-eyed) Please, don't do this. ( he then grabbed Jojo and hugged him tightly)

JOJO:- (he whispers to Zechat's ear) I need to go home Zechat. ( he then pulled himself out of Zechat's grabs, picked his iron trunk and walked away without looking back, leaving Zechat devastated at the school gates.)

Later that day 3:35 p.m.

Jojo arrived at their blue rusted Gate. He took a deep breath and open the gate and enter the compound. Everywhere was quiet. He then dropped his iron trunk under the mango tree in the middle of the compound and walked towards the house and entered the parlor to see mama and papa with angry facial expression staring at him...

"OUR CHILDREN" written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin