RAG DAY!

OBLIVION 3

Alas they got to their destination, two women pounded yam furiously in a large mortar in front of Iya Gold’s bar. (MADAM GOLD FOR DELICIOS FOOD, BREKFAST, LUNCH AND DINER, said the signboard). A hole-riddled curtain of silk partially concealed the interior from the curious outside eye. Cigarette smoke was everywhere accompanied with lewd music. The smell of alcohol was all over the atmosphere. Men and women making out in dark corners. This was Sodom itself. Her legs were beginning to feel like lead-weights, and she ached painfully in all the joints.

“Come inside” the girl had beckoned on Bimpe, helping her with the bag. Bimpe hesitated a little bit. Little did she know that stepping into that enclave her life would never remain the same.

Her Aunt; Madam Gold had introduced her to the world of prostitution at the age of sixteen, she meted out to her the cons and pros of the game.

“this is how I survive, there is no other way, this is the only way” Madam Gold had said. Plainly, without cutting any corners. Bimpe was giving a room in the brothel.

“I would link you to wealthy men, men of substance. And whatever they gave you, you have to submit it to me” Madam Gold had warned. Bimpe had no option but to carry on.

“Are you still a virgin” Madam Gold had asked

“Yes ma” Bimpe replied visibly shaken. Madam Gold let out a loud laugh.

“At this your age, you no sabi anytin”

“I would teach you don’t worry”

One night Madam Gold had brought her to the table of one of her favourite customer. “Make sure you make him happy” she had whispered and left. The man, He had looked like an over-sized base drum with a fat head and very thick lips. He had a pot belly that made him unable to see his toes. Bimpe was dressed in a see-through mini-skirt, she sat beside the over-sized man and his friend who also brought a companion. They two men were chatting over numerous beer bottles. The smell of beer reminded her of what her poor father would always bring home during the Christmas feat. And if it even meant using credits her father would always bring back beer home.  From their discussion, Bimpe could decipher that; the over-sized man was a 40-year-old painter and his companion was a drug-peddler, and human trafficker, who connected young girls to European countries.

“You a beautiful girl…” the human trafficker had said to Bimpe “would you love to go to Europe?” Bimpe shook her head in the negative. The man let out a hoarse laughter.

“if you behave well, I would personally take you to Europe” the man restated.

“she is mine tonight…” the over-sized painter had told his friend, “when am done, you can even take her to Asia” they both let out a frenzied laugh that shook their table.  The over-sized painter immediately gulped down the remnant of alcohol in his mug and gestured to Bimpe to stand up. Bimpe hesitated for a while, fidgeting with her hands. Nevertheless the man stood up, held Bimpe hands and dragged her gently up. His friend hailed him as Bimpe led the way to her room.

The man had re-emerged from the room, with red-hot face, swaying his heavy protruded belly as he searched effortlessly for Madam Gold. He found her talking to one of her customers. Immediately Madam Gold saw him, she knew there were trouble. She stood up and dragged him to one corner. He was panting seriously, struggling to catch his breathe.

“Return my money for me” The over-sized man had finally said, blinking his eyes severally in the process. His eyes were bloodshot.

To be continued....

The above story is a part of the Oblivion story, which is among the short stories collection of Random People, written by Okechukwu Best

About the Author: Okechukwu Best is a philantropist, a poet, an activist, a writer. He hails from Anambra State, a student of Political Science in Federal University Lafia.  Best is a strong crusader for Human Rights and Biafra Emancipation. Random People is his first novel, yet to be published.