Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

It was Saturday morning, Queen having reminded Imara the previous night of their outing, Imara dutifully woke up very early that saturday morning and did her chores with speed. She tidied the house, scrubbed the tiles and did the laundry before heading for the market. She returned in time to finish her cooking for the day, and then she dashed into the bathroom for a cold shower. Dressed up in a tight fitted jeans trouser with an equally fitted jumper blouse and her braided hair well packed, she applied a moderate portion of her makeup and she was looking ravishing as she stepped out to join Queen and Fat Bukky in the sitting room. “Jeez”, Queen exclaimed “you are going to be the center of attraction tonight,” fat Bukky added as she could not hide her fear. “ may we not loose all our men to you tonight” Queen prayed, “Amen” Fat Bukky and Imara answered and they all burst out laughing“. “Whao! I’m I looking at the latest Mona Lisa of the world? Baby aren’t you looking radiant and take away” Idara remarked as she entered Queen’s flat to join the ladies, “that’s just what we’ve been saying”, Queen replied. “Any way, you are welcome to the group and I wish you best of luck”, Idara continued. “best of luck, what do you mean by that” Imara asked a little disturbed “relax, it’s just that it’s not easy neither is it a bed of rose out there, at times you meet a brutal customer or even a drug addict, my dear no matter who comes to you always be careful and say no to drugs” “and don’t ever forget your condoms” Bukky interrupted. “all these are needed in our business if you want to stay healthy and away from pregnancies, STD, or even HIV” she warned. “Yes ma’m, noted, please shall we move now Harcourt county is not close by”, Imara replied expressing her concern.

By 5pm they were all on their way to Harcourt County in Queen’s car. Traveling in Queen’s BMW through the streets bathed by the evening sun and on towards the seamier side of Brass city- the notorious docklands where a man’s pocket could be picked even in a moving vehicle, Queen turned right and joined the express bypass that linked Brass city directly to Harcourt county. As they approached the oil fields of the Garden city; Imara’s heart skipped a beat from sudden excitement that enclosed her. At last, she thought within herself, she was entering the glamourous night of this Famous city. Imara conceded the fact that she didn’t know Harcourt county despite all the information she had gleaned about it from the highly coloured magazines that were so disapproved at the reform centre. At last she was going to see the real world again after the agony of the past weeks. Her excitement was boldly pasted on her face that even the other girls noticed and smiled at her. As Queen gunned her red BMW car towards their destination, a strange feeling came over Imara as she realized that she was about to be initiated into the dark world of prostitution – sex with different men – what a life, she thought to herself. Oh God I wish I would get just one man that would fall in love with me and ask for my hand in maariage, Imara prayed. The thought of sleeping with different men was very frightening to her, she observed. She had never done this before after all Tony was the only man that she had known so far and if not for the ugly incident that destroyed their love life by now she would be Mrs Tony Farouk with a baby to the bargain.

The sound of Queen’s loud voice brought her back to present “we are almost there”, she announced. “Harcourt county is indeed a beautiful city”; Imara busted out “can’t wait to savour the sizzling delights of this city”, she added. “sorry my dear, it’s an offshore party”, Idara said smiling. “offshore party what do you mean” Imara asked perplexed. “don’t worry sweet heart you’ll see what I mean when we get there”, Idara replied “I hope it’ll be well organized? “Fat Bukky asked with concern. “Don’t have time for any childish stuff”. “Why don’t you wait till we get there”, Queen chided. Queen branched off from the road leading to the city and started driving towards escravos road. Within a short while they arrived the popular shell sea jetty. “we’re there you girls get our stuff while I secure the car I’ll join you soon”, Queen instructed “no problem”, fat Bukky replied. “are we going off in that big boat” Imara asked excitedly pointing to a big speed boat with a funny inscription on it. “yes of course “ Idara replied as they moved towards the speed boat, “it’s a lie”, Imara exclaimed in excitement, “this can’t be real, I’m sure I’m dreaming can someone please wake me up”, she said closing her eyes “you’d better open your eyes before you fall into the water cos it’s not a dream” Idara warned her . “Whao! This is just too much for me and its real, oh God! I will surely enjoy myself to the fullest “, Imara blabbed away as her excitement mounted.” you haven’t seen anything yet “, Idara said smiling, “ you just wait till we reach the main ship I’m sure you’ll faint on deck”. “careful sweetheart, the water is deep and swift”, Queen warned as the boat began to move. While Imara was busy enjoying her view and the jetty at night, Queen and the other girls were busy amusing themselves with her sudden attitude and disposition to life. Queen was glad that she had been hard on her, and seeing how it had paid off she is now back to herself again and enjoying every moment. After what seemed like eternity to Imara the boat finally got to a giant Navy ship which was the venue of the pary. “This must be the titanic I watch the film when I was young”, Imara exclaimed. “ yes this is the Africa Titanic so lets go hunting for our true love or lust after one, let just go and enjoy ourselves” Idara replied in a party mood. In no time the girls were taken on board the ship while the boat went back to the jetty to bring in more female guests. As soon as Queen and the other girls touched the deck two young men dressed in a sparkling white navy uniform stepped forward to receive them. “Welcome on board sweet ladies, how was your trip” they gestured with a warm smile. “Interesting” Imara replied with a warm smile. “Ladies please this way” as they were directed to the party floor. Immediately they entered a man addressed as captain noticed Imara’s ravishing beauty and wasted no time in his effort to get her. He beckoned to one of his boys to direct Imara to his corner while the other girls moved to the bar to help themselves with drinks. “Feel free and ensure you play your game right, it’s your night. See you tomorrow” Queen whispered into Imara’s ear before disappearing into the dancing floor. “Tomorrow, what does that mean” she thought to herself while following her host confusedly. “hello princess, you are welcome on board my ship please come and sit beside me, I’m Captain Buba” he said extending his hand in warm gesture, shyly Imara pushed her hand forward as she took her seat beside the captain. “I’m Imara sir,” she replied. “Oh what a sweet name for a fresh faced beauty like you, first time I guess” Captain Buba continued kissing the back of her hand. Imara smiled “ I must have given myself off with my attitude”she replied, “well I seem to take note of all the ladies that visit my ship, so it has nothing to do with your attitude, anyway I guess tonight is my lucky night”, captain Buba said jokingly “allow me then the pleasure of making you my personal guest for the night and afterwards….” Imara smiled quietly beside him. “sweetie I hope you are enjoying yourself, will you love to dance”, he asked, “ dance, can you dance”, she replied. “Come and see for yourself” he said pulling her up as they both hit the dance floor. After dancing for a very long time they finally returned to their seat. “So my dear what is your final answer”, he asked panting, “well not so bad” she replied casually “whaaaaat! Ok for your punishment we move to my cabin right away,” he said. Pulling her up again as the duo moved their drinks to captain Buba’s cabin. Inside the cabin Imara was treated with another round of food, meat and drinks and they discussed every topic that came to mind. “Darling less I forget, you are indeed a wonderful dancer”, captain Buba said “whoa thanks for the compliment and to be candid you performed beyond my expectation”, she replied. “You want another punishment”, Captain asked “no! No! I’m serious” she raised her hand to her defense as captain Buba pulled her close, “well thank you “ he said releasing his grip as they both burst into laughter. After drinking a lot of Champagne and gisting and sharing a lot of laughter together, they both fell asleep in each other’s embrace.

The following morning, Queen and the girls departed the MV Bakasi also known as Africa’s Titanic for the shore enroute Brass city. With a clear head Queen retrived her red BMW car and the girls piled in as she zoomed off. They arrived Brass city before midday and straightway they all went to bed still suffering from the after effects of the party. Later in the evening Imara joined Queen and the girls in Queen’s saloon to gist about their experiences. “so Imara what do you think of the party?” Queen asked winking mischievously. “Hmmm”, Imara began smilling “it was fantastic, infact I really enjoyed myself, it was beyond my wildest imagination” Imara continued. “ in fact Queen I can’t thank you enough for inviting me” she added shyly. “Baby, I hope in the midst of your enjoyments you didn’t forget your condoms?” Idara asked with deep concern, “yes o, she’s right o”, Queen added, “you know all this men are unreliable, chronic womanizers so you’ve got to protect yourself”, she concluded. “ Actually, there was no need for it since Captain Buba did not even bother to touch me, we just chatted for awhile and then we slept off.” there was silence for awhile as they all kept quiet probably to digest what Imara had just said but suddenly they all busted out into laughter, “ you are joking right or what do you mean by that” Queen queried, “you mean Captain did not make love with you throughout the night’, Fat Bukky added surprisingly, “But that’s impossible or doesn’t he find you attractive enough” Idara added sarcastically. “ what’s hard to believe in it, I said we didn’t make love”, Imara lashed out “ he said he just want to enjoy my company or do you think it is every man that rush to bed with a lady on their first date or treat’s every lady like a prostitute -----”, “ehn ehn ! Don’t insult us after all we went there to make money and not to start dating games” Idara interrupted her. “It’s okay, we just find the whole story surprising and not that we don’t believe you” Queen cautioned the duo. “ well, he said he wants us to take it easy, and that he wants me to be his mistress, so I will be visiting him from time to time since his family are not here in the country”, Imara concluded. “ whao, that is great, lucky you” Fat Bukky joined in, “so did you agree” Idara asked curiously, “yes of course that’s what I prayed for” Imara replied, “so he wants you to be his personal prostitute, then won’t he also come and visit you too in calabar”, Queen fired the next question, Imara was quiet for a while “well, we didn’t discuss that, but it can be arranged” Imara replied, “that means you now have a permanent customer, so when next are you visiting him” Idara asked “ that’s it o, in fact for this trip he gave me fifty thousand naira and I’ll be traveling to the Garden City next month, but I have to call him first”, Imara said beaming with so much excitement. “what fifty thousand bucks for doing nothing, huh, Imara you are lucky indeed , ask me why now”, Idara said pausing, “why” the other girls echoed, “good, do you know that the lousy man I spent the night with after ravaging me throughout the night only gave me ten thousand naira this morning,” Idara said, they had all burst into laughter at the way in which Idara gesticulated while narrating her ordeal. “Well I also was given the same amount but pending the time his economy improves that what he said,” Bukky also added. “ oh my God, you girls are very funny, anyway at least my man was kind enough to give me thirty thousand naira, so I guess my economy was better than yours”, Queen contributed, “by the way why are you ladies complaining can’t you see that Imara is prettier than us and fully endowed, also she caught the biggest fish at the party”, Queen said giggling, “Imara sweetie, don’t mind them please tell me more, but why did captain want you to call him before coming”, she asked. “Well, he said so that he will prepare for my coming and he promised to get me an handset before my arrival”, Imara replied glittering. “Whoa, a handset, that’s great, please remember us in your paradise o”, Fat Bukky jokingly added and they all laughed again.

The days went by like a wind, while Imara on the other hand was busy shopping in boutiques, visiting salons for facial treatments and fixing her nail all in preparation for her next visit to the Garden city. Her wardrobe boasted of new dresses, shoes, and bags to match. She was content at the moment with the attention she enjoyed from Captain Buba so she did not join Queen and the other girls to walk the street of Brass city in search of customers. “Thank God my prayer was answered” she thought to herself, “maybe by now I would have slept with more than ten men”.

Immediately it was first of the following month, Imara with the express permission of Queen Kados was able to use her phone to put a call through to Captain Buba. Buba was glad to hear her voice and accused her of not calling before then, Imara apologized, immediately and asked when he would like her to come over, plans were concluded immediately for her to fly down to Harcourt county by weekend. Before the end of that week, Imara got her flight ticket. She was billed for the Saturday midday flight to Harcourt county. It was a wet Saturday morning, so Imara decided to go solo in her tight fitted jean trouser and a round neck sweater bringing out her perfect shape and contours and also protecting herself from the cold. “I’m sure you won’t need the sweater once you are in the arms of Captain Buba”, Idara teased as they all bid her safe flight as she rushed through the checking and loading counter of Air peace airlines to the departure terminal to board her flight since they arrived the airport a little late, and the call to board had been made once, so there was little time for farewell chat.

On board the Boeing 727 aircraft belonging to Air peace airline and being a twenty minute flight in no time the air taxi landed on the runway of Harcourt county airport and Imara disembarked with other passengers. She also moved to the luggage line and in no time her box appeared and the gentle man standing close by, admiring her reached out to help her remove her box. “Please let me sweet lady, I don’t want anything to happen to this your delicate nails” her admirer said “I’m Engineer Ken” he continued “and my pretty lady.”

“Imara” she replied “I’m happy to meet you this is my card Please do call me” he concluded as Imara strolled away from him. “Men, with their problems at the mere sight of a pretty lady they begin to have ideas on what they would love to do to the lady’s body. Men really need help” she thought to herself as she walked towards the arrival lounge with other passengers. Captain Buba was on hand to pick her so she rushed into his arms on sighting him. “Welcome, my princess, hope you had a nice flight?’ Captain Buba asked, Imara smiled shyly, “well, the flight was short and smooth, Thanks” Imara replied. Helping her with the luggage, hand – in – hand they both walked to the car park. As they approach a navy blue Toyata Prado V8, an officer rushed to open the door and with a salute they both slid into the back seat and the officer rush to the drive’sr seat and drove out of the park into the Harcourt county traffic. “princess, I was scared you will not turn up” captain Buba said, “ God forbid, But why, how can I keep a gentleman like you waiting” Imara replied “we had an agreement , and I don’t like disappointing, besides I like you very much” Imara concluded. “Thanks and I like you too, that’s the sweetest word I’ve heard today,” Captain Buba replied smiling, “have you been this way before?” captain asked as they turned into the officer Quarters, “sincerely I’ve never been to Harcourt county before aside the off shore party you invited us to”, Imara replied shyly “whoa that’s serious and unacceptable from a sweet lady like you were have you been hiding all this while?” captain Buba asked “In Brass city of course” Imara replied smiling “anyways thank God I found you in time and that means it’s going to be a busy week” Captain concluded, while Imara just smiled.