January 4th, 2026.
Tintina is in a first classroom in the Residenza Napoleone III hostel in Italy standing in front of a full-length mirror putting golden Cufflinks on her white Kaftan. Vero is standing beside her wearing an ash suit with golden shoe, Kente cloth Ascot Tie, and pocket square. She is helping Tintina arrange her white and gold Agbada.
TINTINA:- ... Vero be careful with my clothing!! Don't stain it.
VERO:- abeg oo[S1] bcuz today na your wedding no mean say u be Queen of D world[s2] so don't order me around. ( she carried the Agbada ) Orya[W.1] are you ready? ( Tintina sighed deeply) you are not having second thoughts, are you?
TINTINA:- ( looking at the mirror) no I'm not. I'm just Processing.
VERO:- are you being serious right now? look, you are getting married to the woman of your dreams. 9 years ago, you wouldn't have even dared to think about this day.
TINTINA:- my point exactly. ( she sat down ) What did I do to get so many blessings this past year?
VERO:- ( she sat down and put her hand on her shoulder) Tintina relax. today is your day.
TINTINA:- but I still can't shake it off you know. Me, Tintina Henry Harrison is getting married, Today!! honestly, I'm kinda shocked.
VERO:- look, if you are in shock, better go and drink milk so that your sense Will understand that you are living in reality. ( she stood up) time is not on our side. you need to finish getting dressed. ( she lifted the Agbada as Tintina stood up) are you ready now?
TINTINA:- yes. put it on. ( Vero wore the Agbada on Tintina as the room became quiet for a moment and they both smiled ) Vero do you think I'm ready?
VERO:- ready for what?
TINTINA:- ready for marriage.
VERO:- Tintina stop asking nonsense. you are overthinking it. ever since I have known you, you have always wanted The opportunity to love someone. And today, you are getting married to someone who thinks and shares the same ideas with you. marriage is going to be a breeze for you.
TINTINA:- Thank you. I needed that.
VERO:- you are welcome. and besides, I'm angry with you.
TINTINA:- what did I do?
VERO:- ( she raised her left hand) I can't believe you haven't noticed my engagement ring.
TINTINA:- oh my God. ( she gave Vero a big hug) since when?
VERO:- Christmas Eve.
TINTINA:- wow!! so when is the day?
VERO:- June. after my birthday.
TINTINA:- oh my God I still can't believe it. congratulations!!!.
VERO:- Thank you. things are happening so fast.
TINTINA:- I know right... ( Mr. Riley walked in wearing a blue Versace suit. )
MR RILEY:- come on guys hurry up. we are getting late. ( snapping his fingers) move it!!
VERO:- Ah!! oga Riley cam dan na[S3]
MR RILEY:- Vero no vex me[s4]
VERO:- oh I see. na bcuz Bello don teach u small pidgin na en u get mouth talk to us anyhow abi?[S5]
MR RILEY:- I'm just saying everyone is already at the temple.
TINTINA:- wait are you serious?
MR RILEY:- yes! come on let's go.
TINTINA:- Ah!!! Vero let's hurry up. (she quickly walked towards the door)
VERO:- Tintina wait. you are forgetting your cap. (she quickly walked towards the door and handed a white and gold kufi over to Tintina)
TINTINA:- Oya[W1] let's go. (the three of them exit the room)...
"Anchor" written by Isa Hafsat Hamtin.
17th of May 2025.
It's morning at the Martin family stately home in Hudson. Dianna is in her room standing in front of a full-length mirror wearing a white ball gown as Lea, who is wearing a light pink Minnie gown and red heels is putting a white Lace Mantilla Veil on Dianna's Natural curly hair.
LEA:- I can't believe you're going through with this wedding.
DIANNA:- how do you mean?
LEA:- It's obvious, You are not in love with him. It's written all over your face and you are still going through with the wedding.
DIANNA:- Lea I'm tired of explaining this to you. you know why I'm marrying Chris.
LEA:- why, because you are afraid Tintina doesn't like you?
DIANNA:- aren't you guys together?
LEA:- what?
DIANNA:- don't pretend, you know what I'm talking about. I saw your Luggage outside her apartment last week.
LEA:- wait a minute, were you the one who dropped off an art box stuff in front of Tintina's door?
DIANNA:- it's called an Art 101 142-Piece Wood Art Set kit.
LEA:- wow!. you even know the numbers.
DIANNA:- ( she Folded her arms pitifully) so what happened between you two at her place?
LEA:- (smiling) nothing.
DIANNA:- Lea please. this is not the time to be Sarcastic.
LEA:- I'm serious. nothing really happened. I mean sure, I went to her place to win her over and we then made out but she turned me down. she is not interested in me anymore.
DIANNA:- ( she raised an eyebrow) oh... is that so?
LEA:- Yeah. she is yours if you want. But ...
DIANNA:- but what?
LEA:- she said she is in a quote unquote " situationship" with someone. so if I were you I would step up my game and make a move ( then she laughed) oh shit, I forgot you're getting married today
DIANNA:- ha ha very funny ( she sigh and quietly walked towards the window facing the backyard) everyone is here already.
LEA:- I still don't get why we are having the wedding in our house.
DIANNA:- dad insisted we have the wedding here. he says it would be easier... and less expensive.
LEA:- wait seriously? less expensive? dad will never change his Greedy mentality. ( they both laughed ) by the way, where is dad? I haven't seen him since I came.
DIANNA:- I'm sure he is around somewhere. honestly, I pray he stays where he is because I don't want him walking me down the aisle. I rather walk alone.
LEA:- Mum doesn't want to catch eyes with dad that's why she didn't come. if not she would have walked you down the aisle for sure.
DIANNA:- hmm.. maybe. ( she noticed Chris who is wearing Bridalaffair Black Formal Men Suit, walking through the aisle with his father, who seems Ancient but looks like he has the power to manipulate to his will) it's time Lea. Chris is waiting.
LEA:- Diane are you sure you want to go through with this wedding?
DIANNA:- honestly I don't know. Chris is sweet and compassionate and everything a woman needs but I don't want him, I mean, I did before but not now and Tintina is what I want SO BAD! but I'm afraid she won't want me back and then I lose Chris.
LEA:- what makes you think that?
DIANNA:- I kissed her.
LEA:- what?! wait, when did this happen?
DIANNA:- I think two days after the ball.
LEA:- then what happened?
DIANNA:- I Chickened out before she could say anything and since then she hasn't walked up to me to talk about it. ( someone knocked at the door ) come in!
NICOLAS:- ( standing by the door) Dianna, we are waiting for you.
DIANNA:- ok. I'm done already. by the way, have you seen our father? we haven't seen him this morning.
NICOLAS:- that's strange. ok, don't worry. I will look around for him.
DIANNA:- Thank you ( Nicholas exit the room)
LEA:- look, Diane, I'm with you 100 Percent. so whatever you Decide, I got your back ok?.
DIANNA:- ok. can you give me a minute to think alone?
LEA:- ok sure. ( she left the room as Dianna sat in silence and watched the way the guest settled. "Dear Future Husband" by Meghan Trainor started playing at the background and played all the way till she reached the aisle and walk up the altar. She then noticed Tintina Wearing a suit sitting beside An unfamiliar girl Who is also wearing a suit, with Bello and Mr. Riley sitting behind them With the entire cast members of Anchor. Everyone clapped as the Officiator Prostrated his hand downwards to order silent)
OFFICIATOR:- Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Dianna Martin and Christopherson James Jr in marriage. A wedding is just a brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen is all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. ( Dianna Coughed a little and swallowed a saliva Then fakes a smile) May you both always need one another; not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness. May you both want one another; not out of lack, but to feel the warmth of their touch. ( Dianna is Staring at Tintina sitted from afar) May you both embrace one another, not to encircle one another, but to give comfort. May you both succeed in all important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you both have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you both have love, and always find love, in the pursuit of loving one another. ( Dianna's face irk as she noticed Tintina laughing and smiling with the girl she is seating next too but dissemble a smile ) Dianna and Christopherson seek from within yourselves the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things that you must, and the wisdom to know the difference. Live each day, one day at a time, enjoying your time together, one moment at a time, Seek the wisdom of experience, learning all that you can from each other, accept hardships as the building blocks of experience, realizing that accepting both the good and bad are simply a part of being alive Strive to make as many things right as is humanly possible in your life together that you may be reasonably happy In the life you share from this day forward. Now the vows.
DIANNA:- actually, let's just skip the vows.
CHRIS:- what? are you sure?
DIANNA:- sure why not. can't wait to be your wife. ( Then she produced a crooked smile)
CHRIS:- ok then. ( He turned over to the officiator) Let's skip the vows.
OFFICIATOR:- ok as you wish. (He cleared his throat) Do you Christopherson James Jr take Dianna Martin to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?
CHRIS:- I do.
OFFICIATOR:- And Do you Dianna Martin, take Christopherson James Jr to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?
DIANNA:- ( She took a second to look at Tintina And took a deep breath)I.. don't.
CHRIS:- what?!
OFFICIATOR:- pardon? Could you speak more loudly?
THE WOMAN:- I object!!!! ( she walked towards the altar holding a little boy's hand. she is beautiful, seems to be Native American with a Pocahontas kind of hair)
CHRIS:- Catori? ( He seems shocked and confused)
DIANNA:- you know her?
CHRIS:- Yes. we were together in college. ( he turned to Catori with anger) After disappearing without telling me where you wore, 6 years later You decided to show up on my wedding day for what? !!!
CATORI:- I'm here to tell you the truth.
CHRIS:- After all these years, you want to say the truth now? you made me depressed. I had to go through therapy for 3 years !!! because I kept thinking something bad had happened to you.
CATORI:- Your father gave me a check of 2 million dollars to stay away from you and to Abort our son. He then threatened my life if I didn't do it. so I had to run away.
CHRIS:- what?! ( he turned to his father) father is this true?
MR. JAMES:- ( Wrinkled voice) Of course yes. I did it for your own good. She wanted to spoil our family image with that bastard of a child. She is nothing but a gold digger. ( He stood up and faced Catori) And I'm sure she's back for more money.
CATORI:- Oh please. I have my own tech company. so money is not my problem. ( She removed a check note from her bag) Here is your money back. ( She threw the check note at Mr. James and walked up to Chris with the little boy) Jacob, say hi to your father.
JACOB:- ( he is shy and with a cute voice ) hello.( and then smiled)
CHRIS:- ( Chris Knelt down to the boy's Height) hi ( he started crying) he has my eyes( he smiled) and my hair. ( he gave the boy a hug)
MR. JAMES:- Get away from that boy son. you have a wedding to continue...( Everyone went in shock by the sound of a gunshot).
APPENDIX TRANSLATION
[W.1] Oya! / ok!
[S1] abeg oo / oh please.
[s2]bcuz today na your wedding no mean say u be Queen of D world /Because today is your wedding doesn't mean you are the Queen of the world.
[S3]oga Riley cam dan na / calm down Mr. Riley.
[s4] vero no vex me. / vero don't get me angry.
[S5] na bcuz Bello don teach u small pidgin na en u get mouth talk to us anyhow abi? / It's because Bello has though you little pidgin you can now talk to us as you see fit right?