ACT 5: Spin-off of ANCHOR:- The wedding part 2

July 2018 NEW YORK CITY

Patrick is in an apartment seated on his couch, surrounded by books. His phone rings, and he eagerly answers it.

PATRICK:- (excited) Martina, how are you?

MARTINA:- ( voice trembles, tears evident in her words) Patrick, I don't know what to do. I don't know who to call

PATRICK:- (concerned deepens as he leans forward. softly) Ah!! Martina What's happened?

MARTINA:- (she sniffles) It's..it's Tintina

PATRICK:- what Happened to Tintina?

MARTINA:- we...we went to pick her up from school on her graduation day (she sniffles) then the principal of her school told us that... she has being engaged in some...(voice trembles) lesbian activities.

PATRICK:- (gently) Martina is that why you are crying? being a lesbian is not a bad thing.

MARTINA:- but Patrick, it is a sin. God forbids it!

PATRICK:- ( he laughed) so if God tells you to kill Tintina for being a lesbian will you do it? ( Martina was silent) Answer now...

MARTINA:- well in the Bible God ordered Abraham to Sacrifice his only son...

PATRICK:- Ah!! I didn't ask you to quote the Bible for me. I know the Bible already. I'm asking you what you will do?

MARTINA:- ...no.. I wouldn't.

PATRICK:- you see. She is still your child. There are a lot of things about life you and i don't know but one thing is for certain is that Tintina is still the same wonderful person. You just need to understand her.

MARTINA:- well...I don't think I can convince Henry to let her come home.

PATRICK:- what do you mean?

MARTINA:- after the school principal told us about... Tintina, he refused to take her back home, he disowned her then and there.

PATRICK:- And you left her there?!

MARTINA:- (nervously) Patrick, I'm was confused. I didn't know what to do. I still don't know what to do.

PATRICK:- so now where is Tintina?

MARTINA:- I think she is staying at her friend's House

PATRICK:- you think?!!

MARTINA:- look, even if I wanted her to come home Henry won't allow it. He might end up chasing me out of the house too because these days he's becoming unpredictable.

PATRICK:- ( he sighs) ok Listen. I'm here in New York on study leave for 2 years, Let Tintina come stay with me here in New York. It's safe here.

MARTINA:- Well Alright, I'll make arrangements...

September 2025

Patrick is seated at his home office in his big house in kogi state, scrolling through Facebook and stumbles upon a picture of Tintina and Dianna "engaged". He quickly dials MARTINA's number.

MARTINA:-Hello, Patrick ?

PATRICK:- (excited) Martina, I have good news! Tintina is engaged!

MARTINA:- (surprised) Engaged? That's wonderful news. I didn't know she was seeing someone. what is his name?

PATRICK:- HER! Her name is Dianna. They look happy together. I thought of you immediately. You should come to their wedding!

MARTINA:- ( hesitates, her voice tinged with uncertainty) Oh...Patrick, I'm not so sure about attending.

PATRICK:- Martina I know you are still not comfortable with Tintina being a lesbian but

this is an opportunity to get to know and celebrate her, she has come a long way. She'd love to have her mother there and Besides, the Dianna girl she's marrying is very rich.

MARTINA:- (softly) oh...is that so?

PATRICK:- yes oo. The girl's father was a millionaire, he recently passed away so she inherited a lot of wealth. The wedding is not going to be a small thing. you will miss a lot if you don't come.

MARTINA:- Ah!! you don't mean it?

PATRICK:- ( he smiled) hmmm I tell you my sister... And don't worry, I'll help you with the arrangements for the travel when is time for the wedding. just make sure you also come with Kuti.

"Our Children" Written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin.

January 4th, 2026.

A wedding temple in Italy.

VERO:- (she opened the Temple door) please, come in Mis Martina ( As she opened the door, Martina walked in with her son Kuti who is wearing black suit)

TINTINA:- Mama?! Kuti?!

MARTINA:- ( she smiled ) Tintina my baby girl ( Tintina also smiled as she stretch fourth her hand) come give your mama a hug ( Tintina happily walked to her mother and brother as they gave each other a big long worm hug then a tall man with grey beards and bald head walked in wearing white kaftan)

TINTINA:- Uncle Patrick?!!( she hugs her uncle and she began to cry) I can't believe you all came.

KUTI:- don't cry little sis... you are getting married for God sake. ( they all laughed)

TINTINA:- I'm just so happy right now. where is papa? ( Kuti and Martina's smile faded) what's wrong?

MARTINA:- your father took another wife, so I left him.

KUTI:- we left him.

TINTINA:- mama I'm sorry.

MARTINA:- it's ok my child.

KUTI:- Tintina we are so sorry we let papa leave you behind on your graduation day.

TINTINA:- no it's ok. I mean you are here now. I couldn't be more happier

MR RILEY:- sorry to spoil the moment but somebody should better walk mis Harrison down the aisle because we are running out of time. ( they all laughed as Tintina held her mother's arm as the large door opened. Everyone is standing as Tintina and her mom began to walk down the aisle. As they reached the alter, Martina noticed and began to stare at Thomas who is wearing a white turtleneck sweater inside a black suit, standing beside Lea who is wearing black and gold sleeveless dress with golden shoe. Martina then let go of Tintina as Dianna smiled as Tintina joined her on the alter. Dianna is wearing black and gold Agbada with golden shoe and golden kufi.)

OFFICIATOR:- please be seated ( everyone then sat down including all bridesmaids and best men) Welcome family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered today to celebrate the union of Miss Dianna Martin and Tintina Henry Harrison . We are all here to support this commitment of love and to share the joy of Dianna and Tintina as they choose to spend their lives together...

MARTINA:- ( she then quietly sat next to Thomas who is seating in front ) hello?

THOMAS:- yes? ( then he smiled)

MARTINA:- I can't help but say, you look very familiar.

THOMAS:- ( still smiling) well I get that a lot.

MARTINA:- no no, I'm certain we have met before.

THOMAS:- ok? from where, if I may ask?

MARTINA:- Nigeria?

THOMAS:- ( he laughed) ok. when specifically? because I have been away for a very long time now.

MARTINA:- back in 1994, you came to my family house in kogi state wearing an NYSC Corper uniform asking about my late brother.

THOMAS:- you must be mistaking. In 1994, I was posted to Lagos as a lieutenant in the army. there was no way I would have had the chance to go to Kogi state and besides, what's your brother's name?

MARTINA:- Joshua...Joshua Kotin.

THOMAS:- Joshua Kotin? ( his eyes then became wide open) ... wait a second, Jojo is your brother?

MARTINA:- yes he was actually. But he has been dead for a long time now.

THOMAS:- ( his eyes were even more wide open) I'm so sorry to hear that. I didn't know.

MARTINA:- how don't you know? I told you he died when you came to my family house looking for him.

THOMAS:- I'm sure you must have came in contact with my twin brother Zechat that day.

MARTINA:- oh! well,that explains things. ( awkward silence emerged) how do you and Zechat know my brother?

THOMAS:- we were classmates in Military secondary school Zaria.

MARTINA:- oh I see.

THOMAS:- by the way, how did Jojo die?

MARTINA:- ( her eyes became wet) It's Complicated

THOMAS:- oh! it's ok. ( awkward silence emerged again)

MARTINA:- so where is your brother anyway?

THOMAS:- ( he smiled ) well, It's Complicated. ( then he raised an eyebrow)

MARTINA:- ( she laughed a little) ok fine. When I was 16, On the 15th of July, 1988 ( she then took a deep breath) I came home after fetching water from the Stream to see my Brother lifeless on the floor and my father standing beside him.

THOMAS:- oh my gosh!

MARTINA:- till this day I'm still not sure what really happened. I use to ask my father about the incident and he always remain silent about it. To his dying grave my father never told us what happened to Jojo. When Jojo died my mother had a stroke. A year later she also died.

THOMAS:- sorry for your losses.

MARTINA:- it's ok. It's a long time ago.

THOMAS:- Wait did you say on the 15th July, 1988?

MARTINA:- yes.

THOMAS:- on the 16th of July, was our passing out parade or was suppose to be.

MARTINA:- what happened?

THOMAS:- my brother and JoJo were dismissed because...

MARTINA:- because of what?

THOMAS:- amm.. ( he clears his throat) because they were caught having immoral sexual intercourse together in the hostel. ( Martina froze ) among the three of us I was the only one who passed out on the 16th.

MARTINA:- oh my God ( she almost began to cry but she composes herself remembering that she is in an event then she sniffed her nose) so what about your own brother?

THOMAS:- oh nothing much. he was suffering from stage 3 of brain cancer so he shot himself on the head.

MARTINA:- I'm sorry to hear that...Would you excuse me for a moment?

THOMAS:- Yeah sure ( miss Martina stood up and walk towards her brother Patrick who is seated at the back )

OFFICIATOR:- Today, you gain an equal partner that will be your confidant, your defender and your motivator through all of your aspirations and goals. You will celebrate each accomplishment, provide peace through every setback and most importantly, give love in life's both big and little moments.

Dianna and Tintina, please join hands and face each other. ( Dianna and Tintina did as they were told) and now say to each other your Vows...

MARTINA:- ( seated next to Patrick) Patrick we need to talk.

PATRICK:- ( facing the wedding aisle) about what?

MARTINA:- about Jojo ( Patrick then Focuses attention on her) did you notice me talking to that man ? ( she points at Thomas)

PATRICK:- yes I see him.

MARTINA:- that is Diana's uncle and he was JoJo's classmate back in military school.

PATRICK:- you don't mean it

MARTINA:- yes.

PATRICK:- (his phone rang) it's Samuel ( he pick the call) Samuel how are you?

SAMUEL:- ( on the phone crying) Patrick .. Victor is..

PATRICK:-Samuel why are you crying what happened to Victor?

MARTINA:- put the phone on loudspeaker

( Patrick then put his phone on loudspeaker)

SAMUEL:- the prison where Victor have been locked up called me to identify him ... Patrick.. Victor... is dead.