Uchenna had been told about our car tragedy and had suggested to initiate us from ‘Boys to Men’. According to him, our action was laudable and deserved to be celebrated. Michael, Nuru and I were 15, 16 and 15 years respectively. Uchenna was far older than us, but his shameless attitude did not qualify him for the title, ‘Bros’ or ‘Brother Uchenna’, as we addressed others who were even less his age. It was so normal to call the 35-year old, by his name.
The whole car drama faded too soon, especially because my father did not punish me for my role in the accident. The issue was literally swept under the carpet, because Michael’s dad had told Nuru’s and my parents that they should not worry, as regards contributing to fix the damaged car. As I listened to my dad and Michael’s dad from the room, I heard Michael’s dad say, “We should be thankful that they did not kill themselves. What would we have been discussing today?” I nodded in agreement and hoped my dad would not kill me later, himself.
On our way to Sabrina Motel, Uchenna had warned us to be watchful, “Make sure your neighbor or anybody you know, don’t see you going in” he said. He walked into the motel’s narrow gate, looking back at us to follow his lead. We all walked to the bar, and occupied a table for four. Michael, Nuru and I had to share a bottle of big stout, because we had to ensure that we reserved enough money to pay for the service we came for. “Can you see these girls strolling around?” Uchenna asked. “If you see anyone you like, just walk up to her and say, how far?” He went over all the things he had told us while we were at the local joint… “Don’t forget to ask for condoms. They always have”, he chipped in.
I was the last to get a girl. Choosing was difficult; all the ladies were 'matured'. I wanted a girl with big butts and big boobs, but the one I saw looked older than my mom. I eventually saw one coming out with a client. She wasn’t as old as the first one I saw. She had huge boobs, but her behind was not as big as I wished. I just had to go after her, before someone else picked her.
“Good evening aunty”, I said.
“Evening, how you dey?” she replied.
My words were scripted according to what Uchenna told us. The only part that did not align with the script was where I said ‘Good evening aunty’.
As I stepped into a fairly lit room with the lady, I felt sweat roll down my forehead. A rough looking bed covered a major space in the room. Obviously, she had not arranged it after her last client. There’s a cloth hanger on the wall, and a rack behind the door, where she displayed cans of beverages. The ceiling fan blew hot air, and the only window on the right side of the room was covered with a double layered curtain.
“Ca can I ha have a co-co-condom, please?” I stuttered.
“Shwwoo! You be JJC for here?” she replied.
Confused, I lied “No! Why?”
“Because you never pay me; you come dey ask for condom” she said. The sneer on her face was visible in the almost dark room.
Uchenna had told us earlier that they ask for money before anything but we should be careful so they don’t take advantage of the fact that we were young. I thought of insisting to ‘do’ first, before paying, but something just asked me to flow with the tide. Especially when she sat on the bed, and asked me to come closer. “Oya pull”, she said, “and where my money?” as she reached for my ‘thing’.
I handed her three new twenty Naira notes and demanded for a balance of ten Naira immediately. She inspected the notes with her bedside lamp, and drew out an old ten Naira note underneath the lamp and handed it to me. I had to squeeze it in my palm to focus on the goal.
As a growing kid, I was not very curious about sex. I was probably preoccupied with so many other mischiefs. Hence, the short time I spent in this hotel room, opened my eyes to a different part of life. I wasn’t feeling anything as I pumped in and out of her. I remember pausing to press her boobs and how she had shouted at me to stop. “I resemble ya babe? Na breast you come press here, abi na fuck? Abeg do quick, make you stand up from my body jor”. I didn’t like her attitude, but I didn’t care; I continued. Uchenna had instructed not to stand up, until we ‘released’.
Orgasm didn’t feel strange, as sometimes, I had wet dreams, but the lady pushed me off immediately I came. I even tried to hold a simple conversation as I was dressing up, “you are such a fine girl, so why are you doing this?” A line that was Uchenna’s idea, when he was tutoring us. “Leave my room before I shout ‘Ole for ya head”, she replied. I couldn’t understand her frustration, but I left anyway.
Nuru and Uchenna have been back at the bar already, waiting for the rest of us. “Where is Michael?” I asked.
“He is not out, yet”, Uchenna replied.
“But he went inside before Nuru and me,” I said.
“Yes na! E dey happen”, Uchenna replied, as he nodded to 2Pac and Dr. Dre’s “California Love” playing from the bad speakers of the motel.
Michael eventually came out, looking harassed. It was so funny. I wanted to ask him why he was there for so long, but I thought to leave it for later. We all sneaked out of the motel behind Uchenna.
I was supposed to be afraid and running home from the motel, because it was a few minutes to 9pm, and my parents would have been looking for me, but I didn't. We all walked silently back to our hood, with each person signing out at the front of his house.
To be continued…
