Her Innocuous Ways

Chapter seven

           Her Innocuous Ways
               
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Lara sat quietly on a high sleek metal  chair at the Young Man's clubhouse. The darkness allowing her a moment of anonymity dissipated quickly as she was spotlighted by the dashing lights illuminating the club house.

Standing up from her chair. She slowly dug her heels into the red carpet as she swirled her hair extension in a slow languorous rhythm. The flashlights were calculated to produce an heightened effect on anyone watching her.

Dancing slowly with eyes shut to prevent her from locking them with anybody present that might know her.

After about fifteen minutes, the MC rose up and charged the  house with the usual "Give it up for sexy diva!"

Smiling at her accomplishments as she heard the echoing voices around her and  saw people jamming their palms together. She swirled her hips left and right as she exited the stage leaving the smoke filled room.

Honestly, the pay at the Young Man's club was more than OK. It was simply impressive. But somehow, taking the evening job as a dancer felt so wrong. She could almost feel it in her bones.

At the dressing room, she hurriedly removed her costumes. After washing the makeover from her face, she changed into a loose checked gown, tied her scarf and  started ransacking her handbag in search of her Bible when DJ Glossy strolled into the room.

"Girls! Girls! Can I have a moment with sexy diva please?" DJ Glossy announced clapping as he strolled into the room.

Lara watched quietly as the last of the girls stormed out of the dressing room.
"I have been meaning to speak to you about a raise. Honestly, girl you deserve it" he added confidently.

"I can't work during the day time. Can I have my pay?"

"Yes" DJ Glossy  replied. Opening  his brown leather wallet, he counted Six notes of five hundred naira and gave them to Lara.

" I like you sexy diva! You know that? You are always straight forward. It's OK to stay till morning, if you want to." DJ Glossy said over his shoulders as he strolled graciously out of the room.

Checking the table clock, she discovered it was almost one in the morning. Ignoring the sick feelings in her gut warning her that walking home was a bad idea, she left anyway.

"Hey Sexy!" One of the men outside the club leered at her waving something like naira notes in the dark.

As the man drew nearer, Lara could smell the stench of liquor on his breathe. "Sexy! I like you na. Fine baby" he called after her.

"Stay where you are!" A loud voice said before flashing an a very bright torchlight on her face.

"Oga, E kowon. Awon omo buruku.. Oya.. Get inside the car" one of the policemen said pushing her into their patrol car.

Lara was exhausted from her tears. She wished she had listened to DJ Glossy. The thing is Pharez birthday is today. She had seen it on his Facebook page and the only logical thing for her to do as his fiancée was to celebrate with him. Her plans to surprise him was what made her leave the club at the time she left.

Whispering a word of prayer, she felt warm tears flowing freely down her chin. How was she going to explain herself to her parents? What would she say has brought her out at one am in the morning? Oh God!

Pharez would truly be disappointed in her. She had planned to get him a shop rite cake from her evening duty's money.

After her pleading proved abortive, she decided to keep her cool.

             ************

"Good morning Chacha"

"Morning Dara"

Dara explained how she had tried Lara's line severally and hasn't been able to get through to her. She needed her friends to wear blue  clothes to school that morning.

"Dara, it's your birthday not hers. Am sure she's somewhere wasted and tired from doing whatever makes her come to school past ten."

"I was hoping to introduce her to Faramola. Now that he's become more like a special person to me.You know?"

Chacha did her best to calm Dara down. However, she wasn't happy about Lara's  recent behaviors. First, it was Mr Famous, now, it's lateness to class.

She decided to tell to call Faramola that morning to wish him a happy birthday.

Listening to his exuberant baritone as he sang her a happy birthday song, she found herself smiling uncontrollably.

Faramola had watched her  grow up. He'd seen her evolve to the lady she was today. Yes lady! Nobody would call her a small girl at twenty  and one. Funny how their bitter- sweet relationship had ended in a genuine friendship.

"Four O'Clock it is!"  She whispered before ending the call. She felt really blessed.