Love and Lust

Chapter one cont'd

I could not read her lips but I did hope that something positive

would come out of the conversation. Finally, she ended her

conversation over the phone and walked back to me.

“So, I just called my friend and he wants to meet you.” She

scanned me with her eyes from my head to foot and frowned

slightly. “This your hair and clothes look somehow sha.”

“Meet me?” I asked. “What does that have to do with me

getting to Lagos?”

“Don’t worry, he will help you. Just do what he says.”

“OK, when do I have to meet him?”

“He is a very busy man but he said Saturday will be fine. Pick

two dresses from that rack and try them on. I will lend you my

black wig too,” Rita said.

“Thank you, but I don’t have any money to pay for the dresses,”

I said.

“Don’t worry, I’m not selling them to you. Consider them as

gifts from me. When you get there, please be well-mannered and

act classy. And don’t tell him your real age,” she added. “Got

that?”

“Yes. I’m so grateful Rita, but I hope I don’t have to do

anything if I don’t want to?”

“Are you accusing me of being a pimp? Abeg o, I’m just helping

you. What I am doing is giving you connection o. What you do

with it is your own choice.”

“Oh okay, thank you very much. God bless you. So, this your friend right?......“His name is James,” she cuts in. “He’s an older guy in his 40’s,

but he’s cool and very rich. He’s not from here, he just lives here

because he works with a multinational here. I’ll text you the

time and place of meeting, as well as his number. Finish your

drink and come choose your dresses,” she said.

I emptied the glass quickly and went with her. After looking at

all the gorgeous dresses on display, I picked two beautiful ones.

“Thank you so much, Rita,” I said as she wrapped up a black

wig with the two dresses and handed the bag to me.

“You’re welcome my dear.” She counted five N1, 000 notes,

placed them in an envelope, and handed it over to me. “When

you’re going to see James on Saturday, please take a cab, and

not a bike.” At that, we could not help but burst into laughter.

I arrived home tired and hungry. As usual, no one in the house

had prepared any food. Everyone was waiting for me to handle

the chores. My sixteen-year-old twin siblings, Michael and

Martha, were seated at the dining table doing their homework.

As soon as I walked in, the demands began.

“Sister Cecilia, please help me with my homework.”

“Sister Cecilia, I am very hungry, we haven’t eaten anything.”

“Sister…”

This is the story of my life, day in, day out. I have become a

glorified house girl in my own home, and my parents have no

desire to see that my present status changes. I honestly can’t wait

for Saturday. I am hopeful things will go well. I can’t wait. At

last, my dream of going to Lagos will become reality