TWO

Bewitching.

A sight for sore eyes.

An enchanting view.

The Shayo club turned out to be everything the cool kids (aka truants) painted it to be. While my eyes wandered over the beautiful décor etched into this place, I pleaded with myself to forgive myself for ever thinking they were overhyping the description. This place had indisputably weaved its way to the number one spot on my list of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stepped foot in my entire life.

The place was packed for a Monday night. People were everywhere; in the VIP booths, the bar lounge and even on the dance floor, but because of how well the room was sectioned off, the place didn’t look overcrowded. The architect and interior designer just basically used this place to show off their expertise. Everything here was crude perfection at its finest; the frippery, lighting effects and even down to the resonant sound of Rema’s voice blasting through the speakers. I felt like Alice in Wonderland as I sauntered into the middle of the hall with Lola right beside me, my girl who lived for moments like this, smiling from ear to ear.

“Oya oh, madam, hand over your phone”.

I was expelled from my admiration high by Lola’s intrusive demand. “Why?” I shot back in the same commanding tone she’d used.

“Because I know you, Ajuri Daniels. You’re going to start reading a novel whenever you have the chance”.

I opened my mouth to counter that statement but she sealed my words back in my throat by dipping her hand in the back pocket of my jeans, brought out my phone, dropped it in her bag and then, stuffed her stupid list in my hands. “There. That is the only thing you should be reading right now so you’ll have the main reason for our being here at the back of your mind”.

Ahh! Was she being serious right now? Remind me to never ask Lola for help concerning things like this ever again. I made a terrible mistake.

“Lola, don’t you think you’re overdoing this thing at this point? Seizing my phone is completely over the top”. I started to complain but my attempt was just as fruitless as having a conversation with a dead fish. Lola’s attention had wavered from me ages ago and was now fixed on a tall man with a comb etched to the side of his very high afro, walking over to where we stood with a bright smile on his face. Okay, maybe we’ve moved back in time ‘cause who on earth still roamed around with a comb hanging on their afro? The last time I saw that look was in the old-school drama our drama group performed in our church during the family weekend last year November.

“Who’s that?” I leaned to whisper the words in her ear so she could hear me.

“My ex”. She whispered back, her eyes glimmering with anticipation as they followed his every movement. That had to be the someone who knew someone who knew someone who knows a bouncer here, put differently; the person who’d helped her get the tickets.

“What?!” I visibly recoiled, unable to mask my shock. “Your ex?!” How? How on earth was she ever comfortable dating someone like that, someone who looked like he was in his early thirties? I was genuinely curious too. What did she address him as while they were together? Did she address him as Uncle, the exact word I would have referred to him as, If I’d met him under different circumstances?

I said nothing as I watched them hug, a very intimate one that made one thing clear. They weren’t over each other.

“I love your dress”. He told her in a low deep voice as he trailed his fingers up her dress.

Great! I just ended up being the third wheel in my own birthday celebration. Where does this happen, please? Am I not supposed to be the centre of attraction here? The horny man didn’t even spare a glance my way, not even bothering the least to acknowledge my existence as he ogled my friend.

Bile snaked up my throat when his hands moved to her ass, groping her hard as he kissed her neck. My mind waved the white flag then. I would end up throwing up if I don’t leave here right now.

"Umm....Lola, if you need me, I’ll be at the bar lounge”.

“No problem”. She replied me with all her interest fixed on her ex she’s still dating.

Heaving a sigh, I made my way away from the dancefloor, struggling past the throng of sweaty bodies and throwing a bunch of ‘excuse-mes’ and ‘sorry’ till I got to the bar lounge. The bartender flashed me a warm smile, raising a glass to the air just as I flopped down on the stool but I shook my head, declining his offer politely. I wasn’t here to drink, I just needed a place to sit and chill while I wait for Lola to be done living it up.

The bartender gladly turned back to his friends seated beside him and continued his conversation with them.

I shifted my eyes back to the list Lola had squeezed into my hand. Do people actually do things like this? Dance with strangers? Are they not scared of hepatitis B? Kissing Strangers? What if the person has gingivitis?

God forbid.

I stuffed the paper in the pocket of my jeans. I’m sorry Lola but there’s no way I was going to fraise my health all in the name of fun. I guess I was left with the only option available, having my own definition of fun. There was nothing going on in this hall that interested me. Nothing at all. Why do people even go to clubs? There was absolutely nothing to see or enjoy here, just a place to come and sweat and also take other people’s sweat back home. If I ever get married to a man who clubs, which I pray deeply in my heart that I don’t, he would have to look for a place to wash before coming home to me. I can’t risk having anyone’s sweat on me. Disgusting.

My eyes swept around the club, watching how the people on the dancefloor rocked against each other like they would never have the chance to do this again till they die. They moved and wiggled their bodies, surrendering to the rhythm, and letting the music shield their mind from all the troubles and worries of this life, just for one night. Can never be me though. My documentaries and sci-fi novels always do a wonderful job of helping me take a break from reality whenever I wanted to. If only they would agree to give it a try.

Lola and her ex were at the farther end of the hall. His hands were all over her body as she swayed and moved her hips against him. Her eyes were closed and a satisfied look rested on her face. I’ve always wondered how that felt; being touched by a guy I liked and having his hands all over me. I’ve never been that close to a guy before.

My gaze shifted to the other corner of the room and my breath hitched in my throat when my eyes locked with the most intense dark brown eyes ever. Everything ceased to exist in my world as his eyes bored into mine. Right now, it was just me and him.

He was sprawled casually on one of the booths across the room with three other boys. They were laughing and drinking as they played cards but his attention wasn’t on them, it was firmly rooted on me. I tilted my head to the side as I tried to figure out what his game was but his poker face rewarded me with nothing.

I finally forced my eyes away from his piercing stare, swallowing thickly as my eyes lingered on the bar counter. The sound of my pulse pounding in my ears was now even louder than the music and the chatters of the bartender and his friends

Jesus. That was intense, so intense that my skin was coated with goosebumps and my heart was racing in my chest. No one has ever looked at me that way. It was like he was trying to see through me, down to the inner depths of my soul.

Was he still staring at me?

I gave in to the urge to find out and scooted around again. My stomach fluttered when I found his eyes still fixed on me.

Geez, what was his problem? Does he know me? Even if he does, it’s very rude to stare. He should know that.

I quirked an eyebrow at him in question, silently asking him why he was staring at me.

The corners of his full lips curled up in a smug smirk at my reaction and my heart crashed against my chest at the sight. I’d been too bothered by his intense stare to notice that this guy wasn’t only beautiful; he was captivating.

He was the exact kind of guy mama warned me about.

The ones that effortlessly brought butterflies in the belly and weakening of knees.

The Maduka Okoye and Jordan Tucker kind of guys.

She described them as the heart’s nemesis. She always said, “Don’t ever fall in love with a beautiful boy. All they’ll do is shift your panties and leave you with a broken heart and a child you didn’t ask them for at the end of the day. They feel they can treat girls anyhow they like because they look good”.

I tore my gaze away from him and this time, annoyance tickled my skin. His unending stare was starting to stir up nervousness and uneasiness in me. Even if I turned away, I could still feel his eyes digging holes into my back.

I need to leave here. Yes, that's exactly what I would do. I'd head over to the toilet, sort myself out, head out and meet Lola so we would leave. This place was boring anyway.

I rose to my feet and ambled over to the toilet, keeping my gaze in front of me as I did and ignoring my body’s urge to spare a glance his way.

My heart was still thudding in my chest even when I got to the toilet and the muscles in my legs were quite weak. This was enough proof that he was bad news. How can his stare have this much effect on me? I shook my head, dismissing the thought. There was no use thinking about him.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. Despite my internal disheveled state, I looked totally fine on the outside. My braids were still neatly styled in a ponytail and my edges were perfectly laid out in their curves. The only thing that seemed off was my lipstick which had faded a little from how I’d been licking and biting my lips. It wasn’t that noticeable so I ignored it.

I was the only one in the toilet and I used that opportunity to talk some common sense into me. I gripped the edge of the washbasin and took deep long breaths to calm the irregular beating of my heart before I started my pep talk.

“Okay, Ajuri. Calm down. He's just a guy. We see guys every day. He's nothing special. When we get back there, we’ll just go and meet Lola and drag her home. Don’t ever look at him for any reason. No matter what”.

I exhaled a long breath and smiled, feeling much better and relaxed after my mental pep talk. A new rush of energy settled in me as I pushed open the toilet door. I wasn’t going to let a stranger mess up my mind tonight. This was my birthday. I was in charge.

I was just a few steps away from the toilet door when I heard noises at the farther end of the corridor. I halt in my tracks and listened closely to know what was going on. The sound of a male grunting and moaning from pain was the first thing I heard followed by muffled voices and the stomping of feet. They’re beating someone up.

My brain's instructions were loud and clear; turn around and leave, Ajuri, but curiosity had me taking slow and delicate steps to the scene, ignoring my brain's warning and being careful enough to avoid being seen. The scene was even more disturbing. A boy was on the floor, terribly injured and bleeding profusely from his eyes and nose and four other guys were gathered around him, stepping on him with their heavy boots. My face screwed up in disgust and I draped my hand over my mouth to muffle the gasp that left my lips.

What the actual fuck?

Wasn't a club like this supposed to have top security to prevent cases like this? Someone was getting beaten to death and no one even knew about it. Shayo club, my ass. Total eye candy without soul food.

One of the guys knelt on the injured boy’s stomach and more blood spurted out of his mouth. Nausea shot up in my throat, prompting me to turn away from the sight and I relaxed against the wall with my hand still covering my mouth. How can someone do that to his fellow human being? These guys deserve death and that’s what they will get when I...

“What are you doing?” A voice demanded me and I jerked around to find the guy who had been staring at me back in the club hall, now right behind me. He opened his mouth to speak again and I quickly trapped the sound with my hands, covering it over his mouth. What the fuck was wrong with this guy? Does he have a death wish cause that's exactly what's going to happen if these monsters hear us?

A loud yelp escaped me when I felt a sharp pain in my palm and I wrenched my hand away from his mouth. The idiot just bit me!

“Are you insane?”. I hissed through gritted teeth.

He folded his arms on his chest. “Let’s see. I happen to know the leader of that gang and he’s coming here because he’s heard us”. I didn’t need to turn around to know he’s saying the truth. The sound of footsteps coming from behind me confirmed everything. Dread twisted in my gut and the hairs at the back of my neck rose like yeast. That guy would kill me without a second thought.

I grabbed his arms just as he turned to leave. “Wait. Please, don’t tell him I was spying. I’ll do anything you ask”. My voice was desperate and pathetic but I was too scared to care. My life was at stake here. Mama would never recover if I die. She hasn’t even gotten over my mother’s death.

A smirk curved his lips just as the guy neared us. “Luckily for you, those are the exact words I wanted to hear”.

(Ben. You’re back? What are you looking for here?) “Ben. Ahh, you dun come back? Wetin you dey find here?”. He asked in Nigerian pidgin, revealing two broken teeth at the front row of his brown teeth stained from tobacco and weed. Terror seized my heart at the sight of him. He was a terrifying bulky man with ugly tattoos all over his arms and knife scars arrayed on the left side of his face.

“Oh, I came here for a quickie with my girlfriend and then we saw you and the gang”. Ben tossed out the words offhandedly as he threw his hand over my shoulder and tucked me underneath his arm. There was a fuzzy tingling in my chest, which was probably my stupid romance-starved heart trying to latch onto this personal record-setting moment; the very first time in my entire life I was being addressed as someone's girlfriend, but I ignored the feeling. This wasn’t a big deal of any kind so there was no need to get psyched. He was just doing it to save me.

I fought the rising panic in my chest, feigning a smile and acting as natural as I could as the man’s cadaverous, vacant eyes fell on me and raked over my body.

(She’s a hot one) “She be better one”. My eyes fell on his bulky muscles which shook as he spoke. This man was capable of knocking me out with just one slap. Imagine if he had caught me videoing him, the thought of what he would have done to me made me shiver.

I don’t miss the way Ben’s grip tightened around me as the scary man's eyes roamed over my body. This was all Lola's fault. I shouldn’t have worn this dress. This man’s eyes on me were making me sick.

“What happened?”. Ben asked, nodding over the man’s shoulder at the guy who was still being beaten by the rest of his gang members. I noticed that he was trying to divert the man’s attention from me and it worked.

My breath escaped my lungs in a quick sigh of relief as the man finally turned his eyes from me to the scene.

“Stupid man”. The man spat with a tone laced with venom. “In rape my sister last week, remaining small she for die. We finally catch am here today”. (He raped my sister last week, she almost died. We finally caught him here today).

“What? That’s terrible! He deserves what he’s getting then”. Ben said and I spared a glance at the injured boy. He was now sobbing as he clutched his stomach in pain, coughing out more blood. At this rate, he might end up bleeding to death. “I’ll leave you to continue your business then. Greet Aminat for me”.

The man nodded. “Okay, na. We go relate later”. (Okay, then. We’ll see later).

My heart sagged in relief when Ben finally hauled me away from the scene. The sympathy I felt for that injured guy was now replaced with complete hostility. He was no different from the guys who were beating him up. How dare he rape a girl to unconsciousness? Serves him right for ruining a girl’s life.

I was wrenched back to my own reality when Ben led me into a room which was empty except for a pool table, a wine bar and a club sofa. The sound of Simi's So Bad, one of my favourite songs, did nothing to soothe my nerves. I was now conscious of the fact that I was completely alone with a guy who was friends with a notorious gang leader.

“Now, let’s get down to business”. He told me as he lowered his lean athletic frame to the club sofa across the room, sitting a few steps away from where I stood. It was hard to ignore the way the black t-shirt and trousers he was dressed in complimented his smooth caramel skin glistening under the disco lights.

“Hope you’re not thinking about backing out because those guys are still out there”. He waved it in front of his face.

“No. No”. I shook my head furiously in emphasis. “No. I’m not. What do you want me to do?”

He dropped my phone beside him, relaxed further on the sofa and crossed his legs over the other, his ankle resting on his thigh.

“Entertain me for thirty minutes”. He announced to my greatest surprise with a sinister smile etched on his sculpted face.