ONE WRONG TURN
EPISODE 8
As soon as the gate-man saw us, he beckoned on us to hurry up. I was quite amazed, that means this happens often. We quickened our pace, and entered the gate house.
I saw two other girls inside the house, I couldn’t tell which class they were, because they were no longer on their uniforms.
One was putting on blue jean trousers, with a pink shirt, with a slightly opened neck line.
She was busy applying make up, she hardly noticed our presence. Her companion seemed a little more decent, she was uneasy and shy just like me.
They finished their make up, and handed 1000 naira note to the gate man.
He stepped outside, opened the gate and looked around for a while. When he was sure no one was in sight, he beckoned on them to proceed. They both walked briskly across the gate and out of sight.
It would be really difficult for anyone to spot them, because the rear gate was quite far from the main school compound, and it was shielded by trees and tall grasses.
It is rare for anyone to use the rear gate. It is mainly used during the morning hours, to ease traffic.
As I stood and watched, I began to understand how the whole process works. The gate man was merely making money off the girls. He collects, a fee of 500 naira from each girl, and allows them escape unnoticed. The gate house was their changing room. The gateman even keeps their uniform safe when they are gone.
It all seemed like a safe plan, at least for now.
“Here, put this on” Sarah ordered, as she handed me a pair of leggings and a yellow top.
I struggled into the trousers. It felt really weird, I had never worn trousers before, my mum doesn’t like it on me, even if she wears.
Hannah opened her school bag, and brought out a box containing make up accessories, and handed them over to me.
I held on to them, not knowing what exactly to do with them. I have never used make up before. This was a whole new experience for me.
Sarah noticed my dilemma, and came to my rescue. She applied the make up on my face, layer after layer. I felt like a different person already.
I grabbed a mirror from the box, and looked at my face. I couldn’t believe how pretty I was.
The red lipstick matched my earrings, the handbag went with the shoes. Everything looked perfect. I wished I could look like this every day.
Sarah brought out her phone, and dialed a number. I guess she called Matthew.
Few minutes later, we heard the sound of a car horn just outside the gate.
The gate man came out, looked around as usual, to make sure no one sees us. He signaled us to go. Hannah handed over a thousand naira note to him, as we made our way outside.
Sarah waved me farewell with a smile on her face, urging me to have fun. She did not go with us, because I had borrowed her cloths.
A car was packed just outside the fence. I recognized it, it was the same car from Sunday.
The door opened, and I sat in front. Hannah took the back seat. There was someone else at the back, a boy. I haven’t seen him before. But judging by his appearance, he was in his late twenties.
I turned towards Matthew at the driver’s seat. He smiled as my eyes met his.
“You look beautiful honey”
“Thank you” I replied, almost blushing.
He introduced me to the boy at the back, his name was Joseph, he was a cousin of Matthew, who just returned from his NYSC.
I turned around and greeted him in English. He extended a hand, and I gave him mine. He drew my hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of my palm.
“You are such a pretty lady” he said, staring down my body.
I was a little embarrassed
“Thank you sir” I replied, trying to turn around quickly before he tears of my clothes with his eyes.
Matthew started the ignition, and drove straight ahead. I had no idea where we were going, or what we were going to do. Matthew simply said we would hang out.
I raised my head and looked at the rear view mirror, I could see Hannah and Joseph. They were kissing lustfully and engaging in some ungodly activities with him which really irritated me and feel like slapping her.
My heart began to beat faster. I felt the tension building up in my head. Only then I realised what was going to happen that day.
I was deeply terrified, I didn’t think I wanted to do this anymore. But it was already too late, as Matthew pulled over and stopped the car.
As we all alighted, I kept turning from side to side, I could not risk being seen by someone who knows me or my parents.
One would have to look closely to recognize me though, because the make up and trousers made me look different entirely.
This part of the city was unfamiliar, I have never been here before. It was somewhere around Lekki road.
The building was large, and booming with activities.
It is one of the numerous places to have fun in Lagos. A really magnificent building, containing a cinema hall, hallmark supermarket, a gaming center, and different fast food joints.
I was quite excited to be here, I knew I would have fun without doubt, but what would happen afterwards, I wasn’t sure. We made our way into a section of the plaza, it was a fast food segment.
We occupied a table for four.
Matthew and I sat side by side, facing Hannah and Joseph. A waiter came around, and we made our orders.
I waited patiently for everyone to make their orders first, I wanted to be last because I had no idea what to order. I was quite lost. I have not eaten at a fast food before.
The orders came eventually, I had a plate of fried rice and chicken with five alive.
Hannah ordered the same, but with a bottle of smirnoff ice. The guys opted for local dishes.
Joseph requested for a bottle of coke, while Matthew took a can of lacasera. As we ate, we discussed various topics. I was starting to feel a little more comfortable.
Joseph dominated the conversation, he spoke quite fondly of his university and NYSC days.
He was a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University. He wasn’t shy about admitting that he was a “rugged” man in school.
I became a little scared of him. For once I noticed his “rugged” appearance. His red eyes and dark lips gave me the impression that he is a smoker.
I stole a quick glance at Hannah, she had been actively involved in the conversation, asking questions and laughing when there’s nothing funny.
She didn’t seem scared of Joseph as I was. But I could tell from the conversation that both of them had only met today!
Occasionally, Joseph would run his hands through Hannah’s lap. She would simply look at him and give a smile of approval.
I was irritated every time I saw this, this I really chose this kinda lady as friend?, they were in public for crying out loud. It made Hannah look like a prostitute. But she didn’t mind.
My displeasure was written all over my face. Joseph must have noticed this as he turned attention to me.
“So Ruth, how old are you?”
” I’m 16,”
“Ah! you are a big girl nau, just relax and enjoy yourself okay? There’s money to be spent. You ll go home loaded”
As soon as he mentioned money, Hannah gave him a peck. I started wondering, is it all about the money?
If she will let him do those nasty things because of money, does that not make her a prostitute? And what about me?
I turned my attention to Matthew, he seemed quite indifferent. He took my hand and told me to relax.
We finished our meal, and Joseph took care of the bills and we headed out of the restaurant. We took the stairs upwards, and entered hallmark. The entire complex fascinated me.
The store offered all kinds of consumer items, there was a lot to desire. I stood for a while, looking round and round. Not knowing exactly what I was supposed to do.
Joseph and Hannah walked towards a different direction, out of sight.
Matthew put his hands around my waist, and pulled me forward as we continued walking. I felt special, but I was still a little shy. I wasn’t used to such public display of affection.
“So what will you like to buy?” Matthew asked, pulling me closer to himself.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted, I have not been out shopping before. My mum buys everything I need.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I want anything, I’m okay” I replied politely
“Oh come on, I have to buy something for you today, something to prove how much I love and adore you”
Seeing he wasn’t going to give up, I looked around the section we were standing in, trying to pick out anything that may interest me.
“There,” I said, pointing towards a glass shelf containing wrist watches.
We both walked towards the shelf.
There were different brands of wrist watches carefully arranged, with price tags on them. I examined each price tag carefully, the cheapest was #4500.
I looked up at Matthew, and shook my head, indicating that I didn’t want the wrist watch anymore. I thought they were too expensive to buy.
“What?” Matthew asked with a puzzling look on his face
“They are too expensive” I replied
“Oh, don’t worry about the price baby, I can do anything for you, even if it means paying with my life”
I blushed a little and thanked him, his words made me fall in love with him more.
I pointed at the cheapest wrist watch, he open the shelf and brought it out.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 9
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