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"Favour! I am Favour, What about you?"
I replied, Jonathan.
I had initiated the conversation by walking up to the lady sitting quietly and alone. I beckoned to know why she wasn't dancing like everyone was..
Her reply was she didn't know how to.
I knew there was more, but I offered to teach her how to if that would cheer her up.
She refused.. And I returned to where I was sitting with my new guys..
She kept looking at me from where she was and each time, I beckoned that she come over.
Shortly, I stood up and headed for the club, since the outdoor karaoke was coming to an end, my guys were in the club already.
BTW, I had told my guys that I wanted to go to a club, I sorta pressured them into taking me. It is somewhat a thing on my bucket list of things I wanna do and never do them again. I have been to parties but never to a club, so I wanted to know what it was like. This I will tell you about in another story.
I was waiting to enter the club when someone came, grabbed my hand and beckoned that I follow her to a place away from the loud music.
I oblige, and soon we were sitting on chairs outside the gate..
She drew close, told me she liked me and asked if I also liked her. I lied.
It was at this point she told me her name, a name I had assured myself was pseudo.
We tried to get to know each other, but I lied most of the times. You don't expect me to tell the truth to someone I met at a party. But she seemed to be very truthful.
"I'm 23, I belong to a Royal family, I'm from Anambra" (she didn't have the L-factor, I expected she will say Anambla). The thought that ran through my head made me laugh and she asked to know why I was laughing.. I said no reason.
She went on..
"I have two kids.. A girl and boy. Six and two years respectively".
She spoke good English, yet was only trained to secondary school level.
"I'm hoping to buy jamb form next year and my daughter has been crying that she need a skirt and other things, January is coming..." She kept talking and crying.
Her palms were in mine all through.
Then she said
"You can't like me, I'm a runs girl. I came here to do runs so my kids can enjoy. I need money. Where do you stay?"
I now understood.
She wanted me to take her home, but I instantly made her know it can't happen.
I opted to give her money, but she said she loves to work for her money. This way, she knows it's not free money and whatever jazz on my money would be of less effect.
I opted to get her a job here in Calabar. Calabar carnival had made me meet some people who instantly liked me. And although I had lost the carnival adjudicator's contact, I still had a few that could get her working for the carnival commission.
I also told her of hotel options here and at Ikom, at least, even if she wants to continue with her runs, it will seem more cooperate there and she will get richer clients.
But for reasons best known to her, she preferred her way of hustle.
Now I'm wondering, is it that hard to take a sex worker off the street.
I went back in and joined my guys in the club. She followed me. We danced, then she went, lit a cigar and came back saying, "you are too innocent to be here".
Yes I am! I know this. We were not brought up wrongly at home. Most of my moral and religious convictions are what my Mother and older siblings had instilled in me. I am the only one with an over excessive social life.
I didn't tell her all these though.
She went on to continue dancing and looking for who to take her home. The time, 1:46am.
Shortly, she left with a certain guy that I'm sure isn't up to 22years of age.
And we too left. 2:10am.
At the junction, she came, threw her arms all over me and I shook my body so she let go.
She asked if I was angry with her, I said no, of course I had no reason to be.
She said..
"Thank you! But this is my new life now."
I was mute.
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
I told her no..
"Why?"
I stayed mute and started walking away.
When we got to where we would sleep, I could not. Favour's plight was on my mind.
I thought of how possible it is to take every prostitute from the street. If they are willing.
Favour is a problem to herself, the country is a problem to her, reality knows how well to be harsh to some.
I didn't cry. I didn't sleep. I lay on the sofa till daybreak.
I have nothing or whatsoever to do in a club or ill gatherings ever again. Not a statement of regret, but just like I stated earlier, it's a one time thing.