Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

As he came out with his sorry tale, she was busily working out what to charge him and how best to approach the topic. He had told her he was a sailor.

That would mean plenty money to burn, it was up to her to strike a good bargain. Then the tipsy young man gazed wistfully at her. “Let me come with you, Imara please,” he begged. She pretended as though she were considering his request. Then fixing him with her hand, dark eyes and was about to say “only if you pay me,” but Eskor brought out his wallet.” See money is no problem, Imara dear,” he said. “You won’t regret giving me shelter and keeping me company tonight”, he boasted. With a swift movement, Imara got to her feet come on, let’s go right away, she said in the professional tone she had heard the girls use. Eskor was amazed but he took her arm and they walked out of the drinking joint. They hired a cab which Eskor paid for. The cab deposited them in front of Imara’s flat and zoomed off. Based on Imara’s conditions, Eskor opened his wallet and counted out ten thousand bucks. “Sweetheart it’s all yours he said handing the money to Imara. “Thank you,” Imara replied. Then, they went to bed. Eskor’s lovemaking was rather like his person – hard but sweet. At some point in the night he wept on her bosom, and cried, “Don’t leave me, Maria,” Imara was enveloped by shame and cuddled him close. Eskor finally fell asleep but Imara lay awake for a while. The cries of lovesick Eskor had stirred that animal desire in Imara, and she longed even more for her lovely strong man who was now wasting away in a maximum security prison in Port City. By the time dawn came, Imara had fallen asleep very heavily. She woke at half past nine to discover that Eskor had left. On the dressing table was a note for her. He had to leave early so as not to miss his ship. Imara tore the note into shreds, Eskor had come easily, she thought. But on the other hand she wondered if it would always be so. At the thought of Eskor she panicked. Dashing back to the bedroom, she looked for her handbag. The ten thousand was still there, safely tucked into the corner where she had placed it the night before. Later in the day when they met at the saloon, Imara narrated her first night on the streets of Brass City and the amount it had fetched her. Idara and Bukky merely nodded their heads. This was contrary to Imara’s expectations. “What’s wrong with you girls?” Imara raged. “Nothing,” they both chorused. “We don’t want you to get carried away with the first night – which could be a fluke,” Idara said. “Many girls have been destroyed because they got careless after the first night,” Bukky chipped in. “But then let’s celebrate your first pay on the whoring business – busy a drink,” Idara requested. “You know it’s really dangerous out there,” Idara began.” You could be beaten and that’s what is likely to happen to you Imara unless you find a protector.” “Not only that,” Bukky said. “The police are likely to run you in if they catch you on the streets. “They won’t catch me,” Imara said stubbornly. “And l am not hiring nor paying any rogue to protect me.” I’m old enough to manage my affairs.” “Suit yourself,” Bukky replied as she sipped her drink. “But don’t say we did not warn you,” Idara added. Imara ignored the warnings of her friends and continued her prowling of the streets of Brass City. Luck smiled on her and her earnings increased tremendously, no longer was she living from hand to mouth. Then one night despite warning from Idara, Imara stubbornly went out on to the street that night. It was a wet night. A cold wind drove showers of rain along the damp, shiny roads as vehicles and pedestrians hurried home with a provocative strut, Imara prowled the streets for several hours – up and down the road and round, eleven – Eleven arcade. But luck was against her soon she got tired and fed up, her shoes were soaked from taking in water and her newly braided hair was a complete mess. Out of desperation to make a hit, Imara stepped out in front of a tall man wearing a dark raincoat. “Would you like someone to warn you up this cold night?” She asked coyly. The man stopped in his tracks with a look of astonishment “My dear l’m going home to my wife,” he replied before hopping into a taxi that had just pulled up. Imara crept into the shelter of the bus stop out of the wind, and stood there thinking for a while.

A voice screamed inside her to quit and go home for the night, after all they would be other days. But she ignored that inner still voice. Suddenly a car zoomed past at top speed while from the distance she could hear the wailing of a police siren as an operation fire for fire patrol van came into view. With her heart pounding against her ribs, she darted into the darker part of the bus stop. The thought of being arrested as a criminal frightened her badly. Wet and shivering, she pressed her body into the dark recess of the bus stop until she could hear the siren no longer. There was a slight rustling and she immediately realized she had company. In the opposite corner of her hiding place she now made out a figure who she could distinguish through the cigarette he was smoking. “Don’t panic l won’t hurt you,” he said reassuringly. “Who’re the black shirts after? Have you stolen somewhere or you’re just feeling cold and horny?” he asked sarcastically. As her eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, she could see a young man with a bushy hair. He was wearing a dark shirt and jeans trouser. He came over to her side. “Gracious heavens,” he exclaimed. “You look tired and worn out have a cigarette”. He passed her the packet of Benson & Hedges and lit one for her. She puffed gratefully with shaking hands. “Why’re the police after you?” he asked, putting his hands in his pockets and eyeing her suggestively. “Why’re you out at this hour?” he asked. “The police are only looking for criminals not whore – maybe you lost your nerves?” “That’s right,” she answered. She could feel her courage returning, for some reason, this arrogant young man irritated her. “Do you have a base?” he asked.”I’ve got my own flat, if that’s what you want to know,” Imara replied testily. “Fine, let’s go then,” he said. But as he took hold of her arm, she pulled away. “I earn my living from this job,” she snapped. “I’m not for free.” “Okay, l know the score,” he replied. “For goodness sake stop your pickiness and let’s get the hell out of this bloody rain.” With the young man holding on to her like a leech, Imara returned home. While Imara got out of wet clothes, her visitor was busy guzzling a star beer he had found in the fridge. Silently he surveyed the room with greedy eyes. Spotting a can of Danish cookies on the table he opened it and grabbed a handful, munching greedily and spilling crumbs on the floor. While in the bathroom, Imara rubbed her hair vigorously with a towel. I hope l will not regret my actions, Imara said quietly to herself. She was filled with apprehension about this wild – looking, grubby fellow she’d brought home. He smelled of cigarette smoke but there was some other funny smell that she could not recognize. The entire house was very quiet, certainly Bukky and Idara were busy tonight. How she wished they were around. Still she consoled herself, she had chosen this way of life and had to take what it had to offer. Emerging from the bathroom, wearing only a dressing gown and with her hair held together with a rubber band, Imara noticed that he was leaning against the door with the beer bottle in his hand and a stupid grin a his face. She glanced at his long, dirty finger nails and was appalled. “So what’s your name?” Imara asked calmly. “Why do you want to know my name?” he fired back “we’re here to make love and not ask about names” “suit yourself. In that case my money first,” she demanded sharply. “Okay! So it’s money first then back on the bed right?” he mocked. “Just a minute, let me bring out the money”. Gently he dropped the glass on the table and without warning lunged at Imara. The surprise attack paid off as he grasped her wrist so swiftly throwing her off balance Imara went down with a crash. What followed was the most revolting experience of her life. The man straddled her and then tied her hands with a rope he produced from his trouser pocket. Imara was a strong girl but she did not stand a chance against this maniac who seemed to possess the strength of ten men. For what seemed like hours, she fought like a tiger using her legs and body while her assailant was having a field day ravaging her body. At one point he pinned her down by pulling her hair and followed it up with a blow to Imara’s head from the empty beer bottle.

He continued until Imara was partially unconscious, but not so unconscious that she could not feel the discharge of filthy smelling liquid on her body as he climaxed. “Ah l guess that was lovely you can keep the change for another day you cheap slut.” Imara passed out. Idara it was who discovered her the following morning. She was amazed to find the front door wide open.” Ah ah, where could Imara be off to in such haste?” she said quietly to herself on entering her flat, Idara found her a weeping, pathetic mess on the floor. Gently she untied her hands and bathed the filth from Imara’s young body and tried hard to comfort her but at the same time she nagged her too. “Oh, Imara we warned you that day. Thank God he didn’t kill you. The man’s not mentally sound, better go to the chemist for some form of treatment.” Imara continued to sob quietly,” crying won’t help here,” Idara said sharply.” Only God knows the condition of his body, you’ll undergo series of tests to be sure…” Seconds later Bukky entered like an angry bull and cast a look at Imara lying on the sofa too bruised to move. Her eyes were blackened and lips swollen. The bruise on her head was hurting badly. Each time she moved at all, she cried in pain.” All men are bastards and l hate them all”, she muttered. “Easy luv,” Bukky said consolingly.” He was an animal and not a man,” Bukky added. “But it doesn’t harm to hate especially in our kind of profession.” “Only an animal will behave like this,” Idara said with eyes blazing.” If you were his sister would he do this?” “That is if an animal like that has any sister,” Bukky replied. The two prostitutes remained with Imara throughout the day doing their best to assist. It took one full month for Imara to fully recover from the vicious attack. She had gotten medical treatment including various tests to ensure that she was alright. Though the bill was much, with the assistance of Idara and fat Bukky she had paid her medical bills. “Don’t worry about the money,” Bukky consoled. “Your well being is more important than money.” “Yes Imara, Bukky’s right,” Idara concurred. Imara felt good having such friends around to take care of her, but she looked forward to taking care of herself once more so as to enable her friends live their own lives. She felt bad imposing on their generosity, therefore she had to do something fast. Peering out of the window, cold shivers would run down her spine at the idea of walking the streets of Brass City again. There was no way she could face it again her confidence went the day after she was attacked. In fact, she might just sell the house and leave Brass City, she toyed with the idea. But where would she go? The teenage reform centre was out of the question, so where would she really go? She wondered. And then suddenly, a fantastic idea flashed in her mind. “Klara,” she said on impulse, her old friend at the reform centre, capable strong, very reliable Klara would be the ideal protector. If she would be able to bring Klara to live with her then she could as well stay in Brass City. The thought pleased her immensely “Klara remains the key to my staying here,” she said to herself. Immediately Imara began to make arrangement to leave for Benin. It’s been such a long time, she prayed that Klara would still be at the teenage reform centre in Kondu city. With her travelling arrangements completed, Imara left for Kondu city on friday morning. Idara and Bukky escorted her to the God is good bus terminus where she boarded a Kondu city bound bus. “Take good care of yourself,” Idara said to her. “I’ll do just that, l shall return latest on Sunday,” Imara replied. “Safe journey,” Bukky called as the bus drove out of the park into the express road. Imara was not in the mood for any discussion, so she closed her eyes and allowed her mind to go over events in her life for the past one and half months. She was happy to be making this journey, getting Klara out of the centre would also mean she had fulfilled the promise she made to come back for her. She was still reflecting on her life, when she drifted off to sleep. Imara slept all through the journey, only waking up when the bus reached Kondu city by three 0’ clock in the afternoon.

Through the assistance of the driver, Imara got a cheap hotel where she could spend the night. I don’t need a five star hotel after all by this time tomorrow we should be miles away from this town, she thought to herself. On Saturday morning, Imara woke up with a sense of apprehension knowing the cause, she tried to play it down by assuring herself that Klara would still be at the centre and they will escape successfully. Towards midday, Imara checked out of her hotel room. Wearing a long gown with her hair covered by a scarf and with her face devoid of any make-up, she looked more like a middle age housewife on her way to the market than a prostitute. The taxi dropped her outside the stadium where Imara waited patiently. Punctually, at two 0’clock the procession of girls from the centre arrived the stadium. The procession seemed to have increased in number unlike during her time. Immediately Imara sighted Klara, thank God she’s still here she said quietly running hand down her chest. Klara as Imara discovered had almost doubled in terms of size and height, just the person l need as protector she observed. Imara waited while they bought their tickets and went inside the stadium. Immediately Imara got her ticket and in no time she was seated behind Klara and her groups. The girls talked and laughed as they shared biscuits and sweets as part of their outing. Imara did not make her presence known until the interval when she tapped Klara on the shoulder. “It’s Imara,” she whispered in a low voice. “No, don’t turn round yet, Klara”. Klara’s head turned slightly and her large hand shot out and gripped Imara tightly. “Meet me, at your usual place,” Imara whispered. “ Don’t let anyone see you”. In one of the toilets inside the stadium, the two friends were once again united. Klara wrapped her arms around Imara in a bear hug, “Oh Imara l was afraid l’d never see you again.” “What a horrible thing to say,” Imara replied. “Nothing can ever stand in our way.” Both women were close to tears due to emotions generated by their reunion. “So how’s life been treating you?” Klara asked. “Not bad but you didn’t bother to reach me,” Imara said. “It was not possible especially that period you ran away l was constantly being watched…” “By who?” Imara asked amazed. “The authorities of course,” Klara said. “Even the police also harassed me, but when l refused to talk they gave up.” Imara was speechless for awhile probably reflecting on what her friend had gone through trying to shield her whereabouts from matron and the police. “Anyway things have changed now,” Imara began. “I’m doing fine as a business woman and l’ve got my own flat,” she said. “Oh, that’s nice, Brass city must be a nice place to live in,” Klara said dreamily. “By the way what of Tony?” “So will you go with me?” Imara asked ignoring her question Klara was shocked. “Go with you right away?” she asked. “Of course! Why will l leave Brass City and come all the way to Kondu city?” Imara fired back. “Well l’ve no time to waste make up your mind quickly” Imara said without emotion. “I don’t have the whole day and l’ve got to get out of here before somebody recognizes me.” Klara’s face suddenly lit up in excitement, “gosh at last it’s a reality. I hope l’ll live with you forever?” she asked eventually. “Of course luv, that’s why l’ve come to take you away in fulfillment of the promise l made,” Imara replied hugging her. “But my belongings---“ “Forget them, l’ll give you enough clothes in Brass City,” she promised. “All right then let’s get out of here fast,” Klara said excitedly as they went out of the stadium, they boarded a taxi to the Transit line motor park where they joined the afternoon bus to Brass City at last Imara had found a strong and reliable protector.