ACT 6: SAMUEL
15th July, 1988
Young SAMUEL is fast asleep in bed in the boys' room. The room is dim, with only a small night light glowing faintly. JoJo kneels next to the bed, gently shaking Samuel's shoulder.
JOJO:-(whispers)
Wake up, wake up, Samuel... how are you?
YOUNG SAMUEL:-(rubbing his eyes, drowsy and confused but managing a smile as he sees JoJo) JoJo? Is that you? (He reaches out and hugs JoJo tightly, his voice filled with joy )
When did you get here?
JOJO:-(smiling) Not long ago. Just wanted to see you. (Samuel is still holding onto him when suddenly a faint scream is heard from the parlor. Samuel's smile fades as he looks toward the door, confused and alarmed)
YOUNG SAMUEL:-What was that? (JoJo is quiet as he pulls Samuel in for another hug. But the scream grows louder this time. Samuel pulls away from the hug, still drowsy but managing to sit up straight. His curiosity and concern are growing. He looks at JoJo, but JoJo stays silent, smiling. Ignoring JoJo's silent plea, Samuel slides out of bed, his bare feet touching the cold floor. He walks toward the door. He opens the bedroom door and steps into the hallway, the sound of the screams now much clearer, coming from the living room.He glances back at JoJo, who remains in the bedroom, standing by the bed still smiling. Then he continues, moving toward the parlor. He walks into the parlor with sleepy eyes, yawning.) What's going on?
(He opens his eyes fully to see their father sitting in a chair, looking sweaty and speechless. Helen is standing by the entrance door. Martina, Patrick, Victor, and their mother are crying in a circle on the floor. In the middle lies JoJo, eyes closed and not moving. He takes a step back in shock and runs back to the boys' room, hoping to see JoJo, but the room is empty.) JoJo... JoJo?
"OUR CHILDREN" written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin
January 26, 2026
On the hill in Shintaku, facing Lokoja Confluence.
Cloudy skies. Rain falls steadily on SAMUEL, PATRICK, and MARTINA as they stand silently, each dressed in black as rain taps against their umbrellas. They stand before a freshly covered grave: the grave of their brother, VICTOR. Beside it, another grave, covered in weeds and grass, bears the name JOSHUA.
SAMUEL:- (sobbing)
I remember Papa being an angry man... and with what you've said, it's very possible Papa used his bare hands to end Jojo's life that night. (He turns to Patrick with teary eyes) Does Helen know about this?
PATRICK:- (softly)
I told her everything... over the phone.
MARTINA:-(she turns to Patrick, her voice barely above a whisper)
Did she say she's coming...? (The sound of an approaching car disrupts the moment, drawing their attention. An Uber car pulls up. HELEN, also wearing black, steps out, opening her umbrella as she shields herself from the rain. Helen walks toward them, joining in the quiet grief. She embraces Patrick and Samuel, but when she reaches Martina, Helen pauses and looks at her straight in the eyes for three seconds. Then Helen grabs her and hugs her tightly, both breaking down into tears.)
HELEN:- (speaking softly as she wipes her tears)
I heard your daughter, Tintina, got married. Congratulations.
MARTINA:- (her voice trembling)
Thank you... (she hesitates) It was a lesbian wedding. (Then she smiles.)
HELEN:- Oh, I know that part. (She smiles as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a blue cardboard envelope. She looks at her siblings with a mix of hesitation and resolve.)
When JoJo was alive and was in military school, we used to secretly send letters to each other.
MARTINA:-What do you mean "secretly"?
HELEN:- Everything Thomas told you at the wedding is true, which fits the puzzle. JoJo was gay... and I knew about it because he knew I'm gay too. This was our little secret that we shared through letters. But I'm sure after being expelled, he came back home and things got out of hand. (Looking at the envelope) This... this is the last letter Jojo sent me before he died. I haven't read it until now. But it's time. I want to read it in front of everyone. These are his last words. (They all brace themselves as she carefully opens the envelope. She takes a deep breath and begins to read as her voice trembles.)
Voice Over.
Flashback to 14th July, 1988
5:30 pm, NMS Boys Hostel. Jojo and Zechat are sitting opposite each other on Jojo's bed as Jojo writes a letter to Helen.
JOJO:-(The letter)
Dear Helen,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. How is everyone back home? How are Mama and Papa doing? Victor, Patrick, Samuel, and Martina, I hope they're doing well.
It feels strange writing to you the day before graduation - it's hard to believe tomorrow marks the beginning of the next chapter of my life. I wanted to share my plans with you and keep you updated on what's ahead for me.
After I pass out from military school tomorrow, I'll be moving to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Central Kaduna to continue my military career. Zechat and I are both committed to staying together as we move forward. It's not going to be easy balancing the demands of the military and our personal lives, but we're determined to make it work.
I miss all of you, and when I have the chance, I'll come visit. The only time I'll have available is during Christmas. Until then, know that you're always in my thoughts.
Please send my love to everyone and take care of each other. I'll write back when I can. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. Say hi to Esther for me.
From your big brother,
Joshua
(Helen finishes reading. There is a long, heavy silence, the rain continuing to fall around them.)
SAMUEL:- (breaking the silence)
Wait, who is Esther?
HELEN:-(she smiles)
She was my first girlfriend and now the vice governor's wife.
PATRICK:- (in total shock)
Wait!! You mean the current vice governor of this state?!... Oba Emeka Usman?!
HELEN:-(she laughs)
Yes. (Patrick gasps and falls into silence in disbelief.) She broke up with me back then because of family pressure. She felt like she needed to get married for her family because she was an only child... Anyway. (She reaches into her coat pocket again and pulls out a small, green travel passport. She holds it out to Samuel.)
This is for you, Samuel. It's time.
SAMUEL:- (He looks at the passport, then at Helen, understanding slowly dawning on his face. He takes the passport, clutching it tightly. After a pause, he turns to Patrick and Martina.)
I don't want to stay here in Shintaku anymore. There's just... too much memory, too much loss. I've been thinking about it for a long time. I want to start a new life, away from here. (He takes a deep breath, his emotions raw. Helen gives him a small, encouraging smile. The siblings stand in silent agreement, their bond unspoken but strong as they turn their attention back to the graves of Victor and Joshua. The rain continues to fall as they mourn together, tears blending with the rain, the weight of their shared grief filling the air. The sound of the rain tapping against their umbrellas is the only sound that breaks the silence.)
FADE OUT....
The end.....
.........................
"Many people recognize that children eventually grow into adults, but not enough realize that adults are, in essence, still the children they once were. I don't focus on engaging with the adult in front of me because I understand that, despite their grown appearance, it's the child they once were who still inhabits that body.
We need to learn how to interact with ourselves as we would our child self.
we are all our children."
ISA HAFSAT HAMTIN
12th October 2024