STRIPPED

Chapter two

Presently two doctors came in followed by a nurse. They debated on some issue among themselves before they moved close to her bed.
"Hi" the nurse greeted. A bald doctor started discussing the patient's situation with his partner. Marya could only manage to mumble a faint hi.
"We are really sorry for what happened.....miss Melly"he started looking at the stack of papers he held in his hand.            " However you should not be worried because you will only be here a few days.We have done some x-rays on you, no broken bones; luckily for you the police came earlier, had they delayed..."
"You are weak Marya,you need some rest," said the nurse.
The doctor and intern left happiness registered on their faces,their patient had come to. The nurse introduced herself as Sheila. She served breakfast and gave Marya some drugs to swallow. She left and came back to change the sheets. She explained to Marya what she would do and held her hand. Instinctively, Marya trusted her.She hoisted herself as the sheets beneath her were changed. She then sat with ease as Sheila helped her holding her by the waist.
"Good,you're much easier than most when it comes to this procedure." Sheila congratulated
Marya smiled. Sheila gave her the remote advising her to watch some TV. Marya flipped through channels but found none of the airing programs particularly catchy. Then she stopped,letting the remote fall onto the bed where she slept. There it was,all there on national television. A title appeared in block letters at the bottom if the screen:
DRESS:ERHICS OR FASHION
The host of that morning show read messages,tweets and Facebook posts. Many condemned the action yet others still felt-no they didn't feel-they were heartless saying 'our women should dress properly'as if they owned those women. Someone who didn't identify by name claimed that the public strippings were noble deeds and should happen across the continent. Marya choked as those words were read.She stared unbelievingly at the screen. The clip of her being stripped was played. She was horrified as she saw what was done to the lady on the screen;that lady was her. She cried with emotion;anger and hatred boiling within  her at the same time. She switched it off and quietly wept until she fell asleep.
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John Kay Ogutu.Name. Senior news anchor for a national TV network. He presented the 9 o'clock bulletin, a prime job. Besides he went for big interviews with important personalities. On the fateful day he was going through the stories at seven in the evening when the title "Woman stripped in Kayole" caught his attention. He went in to read the details and asked to see the clip. He slammed he laptop he was using and cursed. He went to the director's office angry and confused. It took time before he put in words what he had just seen"Sir,my girlfriend has been raped. I need to see her"
He put on his coat and drove mechanically to the Nairobi Hospital many questions on his mind. It is only when he parked that he realised that he might know where Marya could be.
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Transport was sometimes a nuisance especially when traffic prevailed for a good part if your morning. Marya never liked being late for anything. Nowadays radio show hosts were nice enough to let listeners know of the traffic situation along various roads. Marya decided to take a motorbike and take a cab for the remainder of the journey. She sat on a motorbike facing the front. She gave word and the bodaboda guy kicked his right leg behind instinctively,restarting the little engine and guiding the motor to the intended destination.
The operator had helmet and a heavier jacket under his reflector vest plus big sized gloves and a pair of boots. Marya held him tightly by the waist but he did not object;most women usually did. He intently studied Marya from his side mirror. She was beautiful,he could see. But she was dressed a little too provocatively. He would have started a conversation with her but he didn't have the will to do so.Being it was still early in the morning,he felt a bit reluctant. Furthermore he would have problems focusing the bike should he have engaged in a chat.Her beauty was bewitching; so he just kept grim. He dared not turn to look behind,unless he wanted to be turned into a pillar of salt.
Marya felt a slight chill as the motorbike Speeded waving in and out of the almost stationery line of vehicles. They missed a few potholes here and there but the ride was as good as smooth. Marya admired the skill of the bodaboda operator,he rode well enough he wouldn't hurt a fly while at it. The air brushed past her legs and her cheeks making her shiver. Finally the motorbike pulled into a larger part of the estate with a shopping centre. There was an open square where other motorbikes, bicycles, tuktuks and taxis were parked. And around the square there were various business premises;general goods shops, small cafe's as well as salons. But Marya did not go to such. Her income privileged her to obtain her services at more affluent places.
She disembarked from the motorcycle leaning on the operator for support. She finally climbed down and paid her fare. Then the bike and its rider sped off leaving a cloud of dust. Somewhere not so far away, she had a whistle and she turned to see where it came from.