Sorry for not posting yesterday, I've been trying to enrol for the NIN stuff. Two wasted days! 😪 It's been very annoying! Standing for hours with no results, mehn......

Whenever I get back, I'm usually too preoccupied with chores I left at home, after that, I'm always too tired to type!

I'm very very sorry!

Chapter 7

Unedited

Uche got off a call smiling, "What?" Her friend, Ud asked, "You don get the room number?" She asked and Uche nodded. "Godwin say na three men dey wait..."

"Make I call Cynthia now, if she go like show"

"Osas go do the job"

"You sure say the babe go fit deliver?"

"I no too sure but na one day person dey use learn asewo"

"Make she no spoil our parole oh"

Osas entered into a taxi with Uche andher colleague Ud who stared repulsively at the cloth she had on then she passed a purple gown to her. "Change up"

"Why? No be just to go the place way I go spend the night? "Look nice, no dey waka follow person like village girl." Uche replied and Ud rolled her eyes.

She was already having bad vibes already!

"Sorry but the gown look small, e go tight oh" she complained then she looked at the driver wondering how she'll change up with him seated at the front seat.

Osas became disturbed after they stopped by at the hotel. "Why we dey drop for hotel?" "Shebi you dey find place way you go spend for one night. Ehn, na hotel we find for you now, abi Ud?"

"Make she dey ask question dey go"

After they walked into the hotel, Uche and Ud had a meeting with the guy who connected them with the deal. He handed keys to three rooms to them.

"So.... where are the clients?"

"They're in a meeting but soon they'll be with you guys shortly" he replied now looking at Osas whose eyes wandered around the beautiful looking hotel.

"No wahala" Uche replied now trailing his look. "Na the third girl be that?" "Yes" "Why she resemble JJC like this, she go fit deliver?"

Ud gave Uche a 'I told you' look and she rolled her eyes. "She go fit" "Them go meet with you later." He answered still giving Osas a look as though he wasn't too certain of her.

"No shaking, everything dey settled" she assured and he walked away.

"I no sure for this babe"

"I just want help the babe" she replied and they both walked towards Osas. "Room 30" Uche said to her handing the key to her. "Na only me go sleep there?" "Yes" she lied and Osas smiled.

"See, Open the door, just enter, feel yourself, no lock the door. Room service go enter come serve you" Uche replied hoping Osas doesn't ask more questions.

Osas raised her brow now confused. "Make I no lock door, why?" "Them dey call am hotel, room service. Na them dey bring food come for you, anything way you need"

"I dey like lock my door"

Ud rolled her eyes, "Abeg Osas, you dey waste our time. The world doesn't revolve around you abeg!" "You don vex?" Osas asked and she hissed looking away then she pulled Uche's hands away.

"Lock the door after you don do room service!"

"If you like!" Ud yelled and Uche laughed.

"I just hope this babe doesn't fuck things up. I would have called Cynthia" Ud complained still skeptical.

"Una thank you oh!'" Osas yelled then she dragged her luggage still struggling to walk from how tight the gown was. It was as though the skirt will rip off in any moment.

She couldn't wait to enter into room, get the gown off, cry her eyes out and then take her bathe; and she did it in that particular order!

She got out of the bathroom in a white towel to find an old man seated in bed topless with his pot belly protruding from the white singlet he wore.

She didn't even hear him come in!

"Hello sexy" he licked his lips as though a sumptuous meal was been presented to him. Her eyes widened in shock, "Oga, you don enter wrong room oh" "I think I'm in the right room" he stood up winking at her.

"Isn't this room 30? Ah Han! I have never ever been sure of anything in my life. See your fine face, your fine body, your fine laps, I can't wait to dig in" he rubbed his palms against itself.

She immediately shut her eyes on realizing Uche just set her up. "Uh...." Her gaze immediately scattered in search of her luggage which was laying against the wall, not too far from her.

"Normally, I don't usually ask people for their names but as you can see, I'm already excited and I like you in particular. I can be generous to women I like, so what's you name?"

"My name?"

"Yes" he replied and she started calculating the distance to the door. She didn't bargain to sleep with anyone! "Osas"

"Osas! Omo Benin! (Benin girl)" He laughed and Osas scratched her hair.

"My name is Chief Akinola Bello, I am a very good politician. So.... Why don't you get comfortable and take that towel off"

"Get comfortable as how? I being tell you say I no dey comfortable? I no even dey comfortable say I dey tie towel for stranger front, naim I go naked feel comfortable. Oga you try but I am not interested."

"I don't understand" he moved closer to her and she moved back.

"I no sign up for this kind parole" she paused, "Parole as how?" "I no be asewo. I just.... Story dey behind as I take land for this hotel....Them don pursue me commot for house way I being dey stay before. All I being need na just place to spend the night and my friends carry me come here" she explained hoping the man will have pity on her but he only kept quiet staring at her.

Then he slowly busted into laughter. "So you think just because you've told me this sob story, I'll what? melt and have pity on you? No! See, I can help you but all you just have to do is scratch my back"

Osas exhaled, "Just to scratch your back alone? I go scratch am, even scratch your leg join" she replied and he laughed. "Which village was this one brought from? I'm not talking about that kind of scratch, I meant..... Scratch....." He noted raising his brow continuously, "You know now" he added and Osas shook her head finally understany him.

"See" he opened up a brief case opening it up to reveal some money. "I told you that I can be generous and...." he took out some wads of it now handing to her.

Osas swallowed hard on staring at the money. It was tempting alright but was it worth it?

"I'll treat you right and if you treat me right" he wrapped her hands around her waist but she pushed his hands away.

"Sir... I'm sorry but I can't do this"

"Nibo? (Where?)" He asked tightening his grip, "Wo see, you haven't seen nothing! Where do you want to go to? You're not going anywhere"

"Sir, please leave me alone" she yelled and her memory immediately flashed back fifteen years ago when she raped.

Leave me alone! She could heard her sixteen years old self scream. She also remembered when her strength failed her!

There was no way she was going to let another man have sex with her again forcefully! The thought of it irritated her!

"Nibo? Mo gbọdọ ni ibalopọ pẹlu rẹ. O ti ri nkankan (Where? I must have sex with you this night. You haven't seen anything!)"

"This one you're just shouting Nibo Nibo, Sir, leave my hands. The only thing I'm respecting is your age. If you don't want trouble Sir, please leave me alone"

"You want me to let go of this sweet thing" He kissed her neck grabbing a palmful of her ass. She raised her knee against his crotch then she pushed him to the bed. "You dey mad?" She asked the man who was now groaning in bed.

"Oloriburuku ni omo yii sha"

"You sef na buruku! I say I no wan do, na by force? You ....you chop craze?" She stammered then she carried held on tightly to the towel that was about falling off.

He quickly reach out for his phone, "Ti e ti ba e! (You're finished) Wait till I have you arrested! You'll rot in jail!"

Osas hurriedly and angrily pulled her luggage out of the room. Her deepest wish was to bump into Uche and give her a dirty hot slap. She knew she wouldn't be able to control herself from slapping the life out of her.

People stared at her as she walked out in towel.

Osas sat on the ground by the roadside, then she leaned her head against her luggage busting into silent tears. Bowing her head made her oblivious to the on lookers that couldn't help but give her judgemental stare while others took pictures and videos.

Her phone rang but she refused picking it up, she assumed it could be Imade, Omo, Folabi. She didn't want to start giving explanation, she wasn't ready yet.

What if it was Uche? She bit her lips as the caller called again. She definitely had a lot to say to her and she wasn't intending to spare her!

She rolled her eyes keeping her phone back into her hand bag.

"Are you okay?" She heard a voice ask, she looked up to see a dark slim lady dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. Her white shirt had Club High logo imprinted on it.

She sounded sincere and nice but Osas was done judging people from how nice they act. Uche was nice at first, heck! It was through her she had her first job in Lagos! She just had to ruin it by setting her up!

"I dey okay" she answered and Ejiro shrugged. She had intentions to help her but she found Osas' response rather discouraging.

"Okay now, If you say you dey okay, no wahala" she replied walking away then her mind became conflicted! Thought began to run through her mind ;

📍She wondered why the lady looked awfully familiar, she wondered where she must have met her or maybe she saw her picture somewhere

📍 She wondered what must have happened to have her sitting on the floor in her towel. She assumed something bad must have happened!

It's Lagos, wonders will never cease!

The woman seemed like she needs help, Her mind kept haunting her! Are you going to leave her behind, this way, all on her own, prone to all form of dangers? You're not that heartless Ejiro!

Ejiro exhaled then she rolled her eyes. She returned back to Osas now kneeling besides her. "Are you okay?" She asked, "I tie towel, i dey on top ground dey sit down, tears dey my eyes and you get mind ask me that kind question. I be like who dey okay?"

Good point! Ejiro answered within.

"My name is Ejiro, what happened?"

"This stupid Lagos naim happen!"

"First timer?" She asked and Osas nodded in tears. Ejiro nodded in understanding, she knew how shitty the experience could be. "What's your name?"

"Osas"

"Osas, you go like follow me go my house?"

Osas hesitated, "The last thing way I want na to pay returns for wetin I no bargain for" "Returns, how?" "Returns dey always dey. Sure say if I reach your house, one man no go dey on top bed they wait to sleep with me?"

"Why will I do that?" She asked and Osas rolled her eyes. If only Ejiro knew what she just experienced!

"Why don't you see for yourself?" She replied while she watched Osas cry.

Ejiro entered into her self contain apartment which wasn't too far away from the hotel. "Welcome to my humble home" she announced and Osas walked in looking around.

The room had a bed on the floor, there was no wardrobe. Her bags and luggages were kept by the wall.

"The house small but I dey use am manage life."

"Thank you" she muttered and Ejiro forced a smile. She had a lot question in mind but she wasn't sure whether the timing was right.

"Where make I keep the bag?"

"You can keep it with the rest bag. I hope you don't have bed bug. I dread those things oh" she replied.

"Wetin being happen?" She asked and Osas shut her eyes, she didn't know where to start. "I.... " She busted into tears now sitting on an orange plastic chair.

"You know what? You can keep it to yourself and maybe tell me when you're more comfortable and relaxed"

The following morning, Ejiro got out of bed to a smooth floor- It has obviously been swept by Osas who got out of the bathroom afterwards, already dressed in a red and yellow flower print gown.

"Good morning" she greeted and Ejiro smiled at her.

"Good morning. I see you already swept the floor, you shouldn't have" "It's the little I can do for the help way you render last night"

"I can't help but notice you mix your English up"

"I can't speak good English without making .... mistake"

"No one's perfect"

Osas laughed, "Some people go just dey laugh, sometimes, e no dey nice so I prefer to use pidgin or mix them together. Thank you for last night"

"I hope you sleep well?"

"Yes. Thank you"

"Are you going out? You're already dressed up" "Yes. Na wetin I being wan ask be that. The road back to park, if I want go, I need to know the name of the places. I still never get used to the names"

"Where are you going back to?"

"Edo State"

"Why?" She asked and she pulled the orange chair close, now sitting on it. "Lagos no nice at all. One woman way I meet been tell me say Lagos na for who him destiny dey tied to the place. I don realize say no be for me"

"How long have you been here?"

"Today be my seventh day"

"It's too early to make such conclusion"

"I dey go back"

"I was in Warri when i left because I wanted to pursue the good life; the Lagos life, just like everyone. It was hard at first but then I got by. I'm not living the best life but at least I've survived. You can survive too"

"Well, I came to look for... my siblings and also My Aunty so that I go fit find my two sisters and brothers at once" "Them lost?" "Them travel go Lagos twenty five years ago"

"That's a very long time. And they never visited? Not once?"

"No! I never use eye see them for twenty five years. But... whenever I see my Aunty, I go definitely see them. I came also, hoping I can get better life too, maybe Lagos can be nice to me but...." She trailed off, "Person connect me come Lagos and for this people house, them dey face spiritual matters and on Friday night, I make mistake send one of the witches out. The woman husband come feel say I be witch myself"

Ejiro blinked her eyes, "You said what? You sent a witch out? How's that possible?" "Long story. I get gift, I get many gift sha, one of them na to feel spiritual things, handle spiritual matters"

"Like some sort of prophetess or healer"

"Yes" she sniffled, "I come back from work yesterday evening to come meet my travelling bag for outside." "That's very cruel"

"I no blame am sha, maybe na the witch do am. I have no idea," she shrugged, "I being wan sleep for one asewo house for the compound but she no being dey house. Later she connect me to one address, from that address we con go hotel. She say na there I go sleep alone"

Ejiro scoffed, "Na set up shebi?" "Yes. Na after I baf I con see the man inside room." "Did he rape...." She trailed off and Osas shook her head. "No. I for kill am!" She replied.

"Why didn't you change up?"

"Him say him go arrest me"

"And you believed him" "All this rich people! They can do anything! I don chop shit for this rich people hand! I just run commot for the room"

"Sorry."

Osas cried, "I dey used to am, like I said, i no get luck" "Are you sure? I found you yesterday, you could have slept outside and who knows what might have happened. You shouldn't conclude on your luck just yet"

"My bad luck don start since I small. When I was small, like six years, my mother's sister took my sister and baby brother away from our house." She sniffled, "When I turn like 12 years, ma'ale carry me give one woman. Mama Loveth, she.... treat me badly, I suffer for her hand sotay ...." She trailed off then she scoffed.

"What?"

Osas scoffed, "I no dey too like that part of my life but I no been fit take am again so I commot con start to dey hustle. Na there my real life begin. See, I have to go to the park" "It's okay.. My work doesn't resume till 9 am, I'll take you to the park, you can tell me anything you want"

"Just tell me the name of the place, no stress yourself"

"Just a week in Lagos? Where do you know?"

"I no be slow person, I sabi learn quickly. You go shock the places way I don know already." "Wow, aren't you a true Lagosian?" and Ejiro replied and they both chuckled.

"Aren't you interested in finding your siblings anymore?"

"I am but the woman way suppose get information won't be around till next month. No be say I get when stay"

"You can stay here"

"Na so I think say Uche nice, she set me up. I believe too much in human beings, na wetin dey always cause my downfall."

"You don't stop believing because one person just as you don't stop being good just because one idiot messed up. Do you know how many women I've brought home? Do you know how many I've taken my boyfriends from me? How many of them are married to the men I used to call my fiancee? Two actually but It doesn't stop me from helping, does it?"

More tears rolled down Osas' cheeks, "My mom advised me to be good but good people no plenty for this world again. I no know who to trust again, no be so I think say Gee and him friends nice, when them.... rape me"

"Jesus!" Ejiro blurted out, "Is it here in Lagos?"

Osas shook her head, "No. It was when I was still with Mama Loveth, I was sixteen years old when they...." "How many guys?" "Two guys," "Did you report them?" "Yes. The police was bribed, them no arrest them and I being no get person to speak for me"

"And you're still sane?"

"I for run mad before? Life goes on"

"Most rape victim usually end up being traumatized, some of them become irritated when they're close to men. Have you been in any relationship since that event?"

Osas shook her head, "No. No be say the rape affect me, I never see that man way I want." "You've never fallen in love?" "No." "That's crazy, how old are you?" "Thirty one years old"

"And you think you're not affected by the rape. Maybe you need therapy"

"I'm not affected. Why I go allow the rape bother me when those idiots way rape me they carry on with their own life? I being make up my mind and the thing don work for me"

Ejiro stared in awe. "Wow.... That's amazing. Wait.... so you've never liked or crush on anyone before" she asked and Osas chuckled remembering her first crush. "No be crush make them rape me?"

"Oh. I'm sorry"

"It's fine. I'm over it"

"What's your plan now? Go back to Benin and do what? Do you have a job?"

"No. But, na my village, anyhow, I go survive and then I go come back one month later"

"You don't have to go back to Benin just yet. You can stay here, till you can sort yourself out, I promise that my intentions are pure and I'm not a lesbian, if that's what you're thinking" she replied and Osas chuckled softly the she shook her head, "I no wan stress you" "Its no bother, as long as you don't make me regret. Besides, you seem like a very nice person."

"Thank you" she replied wiping off her tears with the gown she wore.

"I work part-time in a mall and also at club high. It's a popular club around here. There's an opening at the bar, if you're interested"

"What do you do in the bar?"

"I work as a bar tender, it's a decent job although some people might tend to make it frustrating, the boss is harsh but they pay well. Are you interested?" "You seriously dey ask me that question?" Osas asked and they both laughed.

"Weekends are usually busy, you can follow me on Monday. I'll try to talk Ochuko into getting you the job"

Osas pressed her body against Ejiro for a quick hug. "Thank you so much!" She answered then her phone rang. After much contemplation, she answered the call.

"Will it kill you pick the damn call?" Folabi snapped and she exhaled, "It's nice to hear your voice" "It's nice to hear your voice too. You had us all worried! We heard you got kicked out and I was really worried."

"No vex. It's a long story"

"Well I have all the whole day, you better start speaking"

The guy who contracted Uche and Osas paced left and right in the hotel room then he stopped after Uche and Ud stepped in. "For where una carry that bolo from?" Chief dey vex! Him no get joy at all" The guy asked and Ud gave Uche a look then she shut the door.

"I told Uche but you didn't listen"

"I no say that girl na trouble from the moment I saw her! Chief wants her arrested and tortured, if there's a way you can get her address"

"What did she do?"

Monday

Osaze Benjamin Foundation

A young girl of about nineteen years walked into Osaze's office, besides her was her elder brother. "Good morning Sir" they both greeted him and Osaze nodded having been briefed about her reason for coming.

"Good morning to you too. You're Miss Augusta Edem right and you're Mr Alfred Edem her brother" "Yes Sir"

Osaze glanced quickly at the girl, "So I heard you had a rape encounter with a politician. Can you explain to me how it happened? Don't miss a single detail"

"I'm a two hundred level student in Unilag. A friend of mine invited us to a sit out and Chief specifically grow interest in me. According to him, he loves dark girls so.... He approached me but I didn't accept, I told him that I couldn't possibly have sex with a married man and someone old enough to be my father then i went back to the girls. The next thing I realized, my friend was discussing with this thick looking lady, they call her Shaffy. We were just drinking and having fun. The next thing I remembered was being carried by one of his men, I was tipsy but I know that I wasn't drunk cause I didn't take anything alcoholic. They kept me in bed, I didn't know what was going on, I was just simply weak" she cried, "That was when I felt someone taking off my clothes, i couldn't do anything"

Osaze looked into a file, "In your statement here, you said it was Dr. Awolowo, commissioner of special duties and intergovernmental relations" "Yes" "How sure are you? I'm sorry but these questions are necessary, you said you were tipsy so, did you see his face clearly?"

"Yes I did when he climbed on me" I begged him to stop but he didn't. He forcefully had sex with me" she answered and Osaze tightened his fist then he exhaled.

"I'll see to it he pays for his sins"

Just as Augusta and her brother walked out of the building, a car pulled up in front of them and the window of the car wind down while Morenike pushed the door opened.

"Get in" she ordered and they both stared suspiciously at her.

"My name is Morenike Briggs, I'm pretty sure you're familiar with the surname"

Augusta immediately switched into Ibibio, "She must be Mr Osaze's mother" she tapped her brother who had the same thought in mind. "Yes I am" Morenike replied and she wondered how she knew.

"I speak three languages and I understand five so, I supposed you're looking for a better representation in your law suit against Dr. Awolowo" she asked and Augusta's eyes widened in surprise.

"H....Ho How?" She stuttered and Morenike grinned. "Information is key" she replied, "Get in guys, i have a very important deal and no, I'm not going to kill you, it's going to be your choice to make" she replied and both siblings looked into each other's eyes.

"Should we enter?" She asked in Ibibio and Alfred shrugged.

"I've never been the kind to enter into cars anyhow but let's just enter, at least, we're looking for ways to get out of this mess. If she can help us, it's fine then"

"You should listen to your brother" Morenike smiled and they both turned the other way entering into the car. Augusta sat in the middle while her brother sat at the other end.
"Drive slowly Ahmed, I won't want them thinking were kidnapping them"

"Yes Ma"

Morenike turned towards then, "So are you going to help us go against Dr Awolowo?" "Even better, I'm a woman of little words and I really hate beating about the bush. I also hate it when people beat about the bush too. I called you here pertaining to Dr. Awolowo's situation"

"We're all ears"

"If you go down the lane you're treading on, you'll fail Augusta"

"How?"

"Fighting against Dr. Awolowo. I want you to drop all charges against him" "What?" Augusta asked, "Stop the car, please!"

Morenike brought out a brown envelope. "This is a sum of 500, 000 naira, for your silence. Dr. Awolowo can be more generous if you keep quiet" "I can't possibly do that, the man raped me"

Her brother quickly stretched his hands to collect the envelope and Morenike dragged it back. Augusta raised a angry brow at him, "What kind of thing is that? Why are you always doing things without shame?" "500, 000 naira. Have you ever seen such money in your life?"

"Even though!" She snapped in English, "That man raped me! Did you think I'll want to collect his money? Aren't you supposed to be my elder brother and support me?"

"See, this thing has passed. Just forget it, we're talking 500,000 naira and even more"

"More" Morenike repeated and Alfred grinned.

"All you just have to do is sign here and the money is yours?"

Alfred grinned, "Wipe that stupid grin off your face?" His sister snapped and he laughed, "Lil sister, think of this, what do you stand to gain from bringing a case against that man?"

"Justice"

"Who Justice epp? Is Justice going to help you pay your fees? No! Come on, think of this"

"Your brother has a good head on his neck, you should listen to him"

"He raped me"

"And I'm sorry for it but this money can pay your tuition fees, get you all you want. You can even sort those courses you failed, think of it Augusta" he advised and Morenike passed the document and a pen to her.

"When you sign that document, you're liable to keep shut for the rest of your life and you're not to let Osaze know I had something to do with it"

"Sign am now" he tapped her and she slowly picked up the pen signing on it. She handed the documents back to Morenike who smirked afterwards now handing the envelope to Augusta but her brother ended up dragging it.

"Augus....." He called out after looking into it, "Augus.... It's true oh"

"Don't call my name!" She snapped looking out the window.

"You're going to pick up call my son and tell him you're no longer pressing charges against Dr Awolowo. Tell him you didn't mean what you said"

Alfred removed up her sister's phone from her bag, "How you save that him number sef?" "Barrister Osaze" she answered in a low voice and then he immediately puts a call through to him.

"Hello Sir" he began and Augusta gave him a look. "This isn't Augusta," "Yes. It's the brother, Alfred" "Okay.... I hope there's no problem?"

"There is oh, we are dropping the charges against the commissioner"

"What?" Osaze asked in shock. "Why?"

"Well, we lied, he didn't do anything"

"That's a lie. Are you under duress?"

"No. See, we came ourselves and we used out mouth to testify against the man, now we're saying we don't want to testify again. What's your deal?"Sm He snapped then he hung up.

Osaze dropped his phone shaking his head suspiciously. "This can't be right, this .... They're definitely under duress!" He picked up his phone calling the security.

"Hello Gideon"

"Yes Sir"

"The young girl that just left a while ago with her brother. Did you see them leave"

"Yes Sir"

"Alone? They weren't abducted"

"No Sir but.... I saw them enter into your mother's car"

"My mother's....." He trialed off then he hung up, "Damn it!" He cussed slamming the desk.

A calll came in from Vera and he picked it up. "Hey" "Go online, something happened two nights ago, I just dropped a link from a news I saw. The picture isn't clear but It looks like that lady Osas" "What?"

"Yes."

"Is it bad?"

"See for yourself" she answered and his raced in fear. Could it be something bad? What if it it's a picture of her dead? Will he be able to forgive himself?

He turned on his data, then went on WhatsApp to check the message from Vera.

"You won't believe what happened to this woman?" Was the headline, it was opera mini means of making a topic look interesting but he clicked on the link anyways.

When the news finally showed, he saw a picture of a lady in towel leaning her head against her luggage. He recognized the luggage but he assumed it could be any luggage since the face didn't appear.

He finally saw another picture that showed her profile. "Shit.... It's Osas" he muttered leaning against his chair.

His conscience pricked him!

What do you guys think of today's update?

What do you guys think about Ejiro's selfless decision? 🤔

Mrs Morenike Briggs is looking more like a pain in the ass, who else agree? 🙄🙄🙄

When will Osas and Osaze meet again?

Can you take a guess let me know who ends up getting it right😁