Vagrants

Chapter 23

It was time for lunch and Damba hadn't returned. I started to worry. What kind of walk would take that long? It's been hours now and Damba hasn't returned nor has he called me that he would be late. I called his number. It rang but he didn't pick my call. Is his phone on silent mode? Is he busy? Am I disturbing him? Maybe he is in a tight situation and I shouldn't be calling him.

Then I remembered his words. I just need to stop thinking. I'll hang out with Folake and Tayo.

So, I did. But as time passed by, a feeling of uneasiness arouse in me. I couldn't ignore the fact that Damba wasn't back yet.

Folake noticed me. "What's wrong dear?"

I don't know how she knew I was feeling uneasy because I comported myself so well.

"I...Nothing." I shook my head.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

Tayo raised a brow so I told them everything.

"That's something girl." Folake shook her head. "So you won't tell us if I didn't ask?"

"No, I..."

"Are you sure you've called him?" Tayo asked.

"Yes, I did. His phone rang."

"What if you called the wrong number?" Folake asked.

"No, I..."

"You were probably panicking and might have dialed someone else's number." Tayo tried to calm me down.

"Are you kidding me?"

"No dear. It happens." Folake sighed. "Give me your phone, I'll call him."

I gave her the phone with trembling hands. "Okay, thank you."

"What did you save the number with?"

"Damba Loml." Love of my life.

"Wow! This love of yours is quite big." Tayo commented and I ignored him.

"I see you've called him today. That means you dialed the right number." Folake smiled.

"I told you."

"Call the number again." Tayo said.

Folake dialed and it rang but like the previous time, he didn't pick.

"This one is another level." Tayo sat up. "Has this happened before?"

"No." I shook my head.

"Okay now. You have to panic." Folake spoke.

"Folake?!" Tayo hissed.

"What?"

Something dawned on Tayo. "You said he hasn't ever done this before right?"

I nodded.

"What if his phone is in silent mode?" Tayo asked.

"I thought that too."

"He might be hanging out with friends and lose track of time." Tayo smiled. "It happens a lot."

"But he told me he was going for a..."

"Don't think too much babe. You see, my husband is always right." Folake patted me.

"I hope he is." I had a feeling that something was not right.

*

Tayo and Folake told me to take a rest. They assured me and made me believe that Damba lost track of time so I believed. I observed siesta with a calm mind and when I woke up, I saw Damba there. I was so relieved to see him.

"You didn't even tell me you'd take long. I was worried."

"I'm sorry to worry you." He said.

"What were you doing?"

"Hanging out with friends." Damba smiled. "I lost track of time."

"Okay, it's fine." I sighed. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes."

"Wow! You couldn't even wait for me."

Damba checked his time. "This is just 8 pm. You can still eat."

"That's not the point! Why didn't you wait for me?" I was getting angry.

"Sorry, who are you?"

"Did beer give you a memory loss or something?" I sighed. "I'm Adeola, your girlfriend."

"I don't recall having you as my girlfriend."

"You slept with me. You took my virginity away from me."

"You gave it for free." Damba took off his shirt. "Girls do that because of my body."

"So you are saying you used me like other girls?"

Damba's face was expressionless.

My heart sank. "But you told me you loved me."

"Don't guys say that to get girls into bed with them?"

"But you bought things for me."

"I bought you off with those. Don't think too much about it."

"You met my..."

"Woman! Don't stress me with your never ending questions. Now, leave here I have another person to attend to."

"So that's why you brought me to this hotel. You didn't want me to meet your family?"

"It's like you think I'm joking." Damba turned to the door. "Come in, sweetheart."

The cleaner walked into the room and I could see that she desperately wanted him.

So I was right. Now, I could see why I couldn't buy Damba's story of the stolen watch.

"Please leave, we want to make love." The girl said.

"No, I won't. Give me back my virginity!" I yelled at Damba.

Both of them threw me and my belongings out. And I stood at the door crying and yelling.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" I awakened from my slumber.

I started breathing heavily and looking around. Are they making love somewhere here? Did they try to wake me up to get out?