5

Driving into the city, I wished someone informed me earlier to lower my expectations.

The experience was rather cold and aggressive and contrarily to what I expected.

A group of policemen in their liveries stopped our car and ferociously requested for Malika's papers which he confidently took out from the pigeonhole and handed them, to my utmost surprise, they weren't really after the papers, they were after his money and could have taking a charge from him as a sort of compromise had it been they were expired or he didn't have them.

Left with no other option, they became humble instantaneously.

"My man, please. We've been on this road all day under the hot sun, could you cheer up our situation?"

Malika didn't look like he was going to have it as he frowned his face and all the muscles of his chins disappeared behind his jawbones.

"Officer, I wish I could help, but I don't have cash on me now, maybe next time?"

After a few seconds of consideration, they signaled us to move ahead and Malika wound up his window and drove away.

"Group of hungry zombies in uniform. I'm still mad at how the petrol prices is climbing up the Kilimanjaro and you want me to break my bank for you as if I was the one that kept your asses on the roads. Mtshw."

He vexed as he took the right path of the T junction with a very mean face. And for a second, I flashed back to why he came into the car after his encounter with the petrol attendant almost very red.

The fuel hikes was beginning to affect both the poor and the rich.

The many vehicles that was seen maneuvering the road, including the trailers, tricycles and coasters trampled heavily on the poor tarred roads as most of it was giving up already by separating from itself, creating potholes and very destructive accidental sites in the near future.

The roadsides was tautly stretched by women who sold fruits and vegetables and by vulcanizers who would be praying for some vehicles to develop flat tires in the course of their movements.

It was crazy how everyone wanted to get by quickly regardless of the size of what they were driving causing a congestion right before the roundabout. We sat on the traffic for about thirty minutes before we got a clearer road and started moving again. At this point, I could here my stomach wambling and I began to regret why I didn't allow Malika to buy me something to eat, I could really use the treatment now.

Soon enough, we arrived at a very three storey building with so many windows, I wondered how many rooms it housed. The fences around it was very short, I could painstakingly sit on them and beside the building was a very big and beautiful hotel. It was when Malika took me into the house that I understood what it was actually.

A brothel, but it was built in such a way that everyone shared a common space in each of the three floors.

Walking beside Malika who was trying to make me feel comfortable by holding my hand and carrying my bag, I couldn't help but develop cold fingers from looking around the very strange environment.

"Listen, eerrh... what's your name again?"

"Tee."

I couldn't believe he just forgot my name, it actually made me realize that I wasn't special in any way and maybe this was how most of the girls was brought into the brothel.

"Right. Tee, my boss just texted that he won't come back to the office this night and he instructed that you be giving a place to sleep. First thing tomorrow morning, I will take you to him, okay?"

"Okay. Uhmm..... I'm hungry, Malika"

I didn't fail to inform him because there was apparently no way I could sleep without having something to eat, I'd die.

"Oh, about that. I will inform Madam Abena to get you something. I hope she haven't slept off though."

When we entered the second floor, I was met with a group of ladies, each person with her personal characteristics. When they saw Malika and I standing before the door, they fixed their gazes on me even those painting their faces, getting ready for the night's work almost dropped their brushes, the stares were so cold, I felt like I was being judged for doing something very very abominable.

"Malika show spoiler. Who is this one again? how do you even meet all these girls for god's sake?"

One of them who appeared to be the oldest blurted out her thoughts.

"The same way I met you, Salle."

Malika replied her with caution visible in his tone and she kept quiet and folded her hands below her chest, seething in anger. Having their attention, Malika started.

"Everyone meet Tee. She will be staying here for the night, I'm not sure about tomorrow. So, please, be nice. I mean, Kanata is aware of her already and he wouldn't smile at anyone of you if you lay a single hand on her this night or make her uncomfortable in anyway. Goodnight."

He made to leave but I didn't want to let go of him. In the middle of my predators he was like my saviour, but he had to go.

"Hey, trust me. You will be fine. Abena will bring your food upstairs, okay?"

Suppressing my tears as he handed me my travelling bag, I nodded and at once, he left.