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Strapped
/strapt/
• Short of money. ________________________________

Being broke is a different world on its own. It could let you do a lot of things. Kill, steal, destroy. To cut it short, being broke meant being the devil and I'm not being overly dramatic.

Love of money they say is the root of all evil but trust me, poverty is the dogoyaro. I've been looking for someone to cut soap for me but na by soap? What if I run mad or worst, thunder to strike me.

No one knows me, hoping for them not to either. Poverty runs in my family and might continue if I don't stop it soon.

But first, a proper introduction should be done. Hi, I'm Hope Prince but officially changed my name to Cherry Jesus.

Sometimes, I wonder why my parents named me Hope. What was I hoping for? My parents, parents' relatives, ten siblings and whatever blood relation there was, were all poor and my Parents sat down in their own convenient time to name me Hope? So laughable.

Let me not get started with Prince. How my grandfather found such fine name was beyond me. Looking at my background, no one will close their eyes and dash us royalty.

These were the reasons I decided to change my name. Cherry was more modern-like and sophisticated for a girl like my taste and Jesus? Well we all do need that nigga in our lives.

"Who be that person wey carry my pant?!" I closed my eyes with a long sigh. This was the specs of living in a face me - I fight you compound. You don't need television in your room. Just come out of your house like me and enjoy the show in 4k.

"Christabelle, come out o. Them don steal Mary pant." My roommate Christy merged out of the room within seconds, breathing like she had just ran a marathon. She was putting on a spaghetti stripe tank top that showed so much cleverage as her nipple poked against her top. Won't forget about the washed Jean bumbshort she decided to match with the top, which barely covered her ass cheeks as she took the space beside me while popping gum from her mouth.

Christy loved revealing cloths. No one was complaining, knowing she had the perfect body for those outfits.

"Wahala no too much? Who come do this one?" Christy asked like I knew the answer to such question. "Mary go para sha o."

"She don even start." Christy like I said, was my roommate. How we met, was so funny. I was twenty-two while Christy, twenty-four. We were both graduates and matured hustlers. Christy being the potential ashawo she was, got her the expensive iPhone, Apple watch, Apple laptop, expensive cloths, jewelries, shoes and wigs.

I remembered when I wanted to be a part of her work, so I got up early the next morning with my wrapper and towel so I could have my bath in our infectious public toilet. All of a sudden, grandfather appeared and slapped me. I woke up from sleep sweating like a Christmas fowl, while scrapping the idea of ever being a harlot out of my head. But how on earth would I hustle when no white collar job was forth coming?

"I swear, anybody that stole my pant should better vomit it before I travel to ekpoma and come back with seven days charm." Christy and I looked at each other, then back at Mary.

Mary was a tenant at our compound. She had a pretty shape but I couldn't say the same for her face. She was also dark- sorry, I made her sound fair. She was also black, gaining the nick name ancient of days from Christy and I.

"Em.... Sorry o, Mary." Christy called, gaining Mary's attention. I knew right there and then she wanted to look for trouble. "Abeg describe your pants for us. No be say I dey laugh you o but you know, we fit see am and we no go know."

Mary cleared her throat, giving Christy her infamous glare before she spoke on. "Well, it's an old pant so it's no longer white but brownish white. B-But that's because it's old o." She added the last part quickly so no one would judge her. Too late. "And holes dey but them no too plenty."

Is that one pant?

"Na human being pant be that?" Baby, a boy at our compound, voiced my thoughts out. He was pretty close to Christy and I and how he had the name Baby, was a story for another day.

Christy stood up, letting out one of those her ashawo long hiss. I got up too, to follow Christy to our one room but stop inbetween the door to turn to Mary. Hated she had the same name with my sister. "Person steal that pant you no go church go give testimony. Even the thief sef fall my hand. You wan thief pant you no thief better one."

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Christy had just her lace red pant and bra on as she stood in front of the mirror while putting on a cherry red lipstick against her lips. She had business tonight.

I searched through my gallery to kill time as a thought occurred to me. "Abeg Christy send me those pictures we took at that five star hotel."

Shocking? I know. Last week, Christy had a client. He took us to an expensive resort to spend the whole week! We took several pictures before coming back to this infectious excused of a compound.

Like look at were we lived in. House walls covered in fungi, even inside our room were so scattered because neither Christy nor I, had the time to clear it. The walls were also peeling, forcing us to sweep the floor every hour.

"Check your whatsapp, I've sent it." The only phone I was using was Infinix hot7 and I managed to have that all thanks to Christy.

"Ehe, how far." Another thought came into mind. "How far the job opportunity you been dey talk dey Twitter?" I asked while scrolling through the images she had sent me own whatsapp. I too go fine.

"I forwarded links to you," Informed Christy as she placed a skimpy red gown, followed by high dark boots. It was already nine o'clock. To Christy, that time was equivalent to six o'clock for every office worker. "You said you were going to your village this weekend, right?"

I hissed, as I got reminded of that. Meeting my mum and dad and ten siblings, was already giving me a headache.

There was no money on ground yet dad didn't stop scoring till mum opened a football field. I was the first child, responsibility on my head was just too much. If you see any first child on the road, hug and dash them money. It's needed.

"Yes...." I dragged, feeling the bitter taste in my mouth. Christy laughed, noticing my expression through the mirror.

"Abeg no squeeze face too much before you look like acient of days." I laughed out at that, feeling a bit at ease. "I'm leaving darling."

"Buy barbecue when you're coming in the morning," I announced once she reached for the door. "And abeg, use protection."

"Roger that," Christy did the peace sign, before stepping out.

I wore my slippers and stepped out to receive fresh air. Even Baby wasn't around. Probably went out for a smoke with his friends. I sat on the compound well and scrolled through the images again. Wahala for who no fine. After scrolling through the pictures, I decided to select just three to post on Twitter with the caption; Out with my girl. Earn your cash so you won't depend on a man.

Fake life too go sweet. I was rehearsing for when I finally blow. I had a hundred and three thousand followers on Twitter. All guys asking me out from different places. Pfft! Most only wanted to eat my money. If only they knew.

Smack!

Looking at my palm, I saw the squashed mosquito but no blood tainted on it. Sapa, nice one! Because I no get money I slap mosquito blood no come out.

I opened the link Christy had sent to me before she left. Opportunities for jobs were there, but of minimal wages. I kept scrolling and scrolling till I saw one.

Body guard needed, a hundred thousand naira for the first month.

Hundred- what?!

I fumbled with my legs till it got to my slippers and once I saw the bulb outside flick orange, I fought the urge not to kneel down and thank God.

Up Nepa!

I rushed to my room and stood in front of the mirror. I wasn't too slim. Though my shape wasn't as nice as Christy's, I still had nice set figure. Could I protect someone? I haven't even protected myself finish.

I sat on the floor and plucked my phone with my cord before the power goes out, while reading the requirement in my head.

Must be a graduate. I was a graduate.

Must be diligent. I was diligent.

Must be responsible. I was responsible..... I guess.

Must be ready to risk their life. Okay we all knew no one could die for anyone. We weren't in the Romeo oh Romeo, where are thou my Romeo and Titanic Era.

He must be at least five foot nine and above. I was five point eight which was considered tall, knowing I was taller than most guys. But that was nothing. That could be worked on. Heels dey.

Must have experiences. I had no experience but I could- wait, what?

He!

What sort of riddance was this?! I was no he, I was a she. She!

How on earth could they make a boy a requirement? How on earth could I get this job?!

Right now, I was way beyond STRAPPED.

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Let's hear it from the brain stormers. They need a boy and Hope, is obviously a girl. But she needs this job so much. What do you think she should do?

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And wait for the next update Happening on Friday.

Update schedule : Tuesday & Friday

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Words count : 1724

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-Eddy 💜