Back to presence ( After her night as a stripper)

The nurses’ eyes were locked on Nyomi as she entered the reception- some whispered to themselves and stared at her like there was a spotlight on her. She pushed the door open “ where is the Doctor? Please I got some information this morning, I want to assume it’s not true. Like I want to j it what’s going on” her breath was rapid. “Good morning, Miss Nyomi. The Doctor said you should see her when you’re around” a nurse responded . The speed on her legs was like the one who is about to miss a last minute flight.

“Miss Nyomi? Where have you been in the last few days?” Dr.Kimberly confronted her when she entered her office. “I was locked up in the station. I also needed to get mum’s hospital bills”. She looked at Nyomi like she was irresponsible. "We expected you earlier, but I’m sorry it’s late already” “ No please, I’m sorry for my absence, but I have the money now. All of it, I’d pay for the outstanding, the drugs and other medications” The doctor stood up, moved closer and gave her a calm pat on her back “ We tried our best, I’m sorry but we lost her”

There was a pause. Nyomi’s heart kept running faster than usual. “All you need to do now is to pay your outstanding bills to the management, then decide on what to do with her body” Nyomi remained stagnant, not even a word could come out from her mouth at the moment- she was muted for a while, her arms dropped like someone trying to process everything that she had heard so far. From the bar, club, the stripper’s night, her lost virginity. The voices in her head kept coming. “Are you okay?” The doctor waved her hands on her face to ensure she was not lost in thought.

Then she screamed “ No, no,Nooooooooo” she cried out and covered her ears “No doctor she can’t die, I did everything good and bad to get this money, I have everything that is required now” she said bitterly.

Dr.Kimberly pat her one more time for consolation and walk away “ If you’d excuse me miss Nyomi, I need to attend to other patients”

****

The sitting room was looking like a dump site, it was not dirt but trampled pants and boxers. Sammy, shoes were carelessly thrown on the floor. The Tv was switched on and

Crazy rich Asians being played on Netflix. But no one was in the sitting room. It was empty, only filled with the background sound of the movie.

Nyomi, still carrying the weight of the death of her mother in her chest, entered the house helplessly. She hadn’t changed from Clinton’s shirt.

She opened the door, switched on the light and slowed down as her eyes started around and noticed how scattered it was. “What’s going on ?” She whispered to herself. Though the sitting room was empty, she could sense that something strange was going on.

Nyomi picked up a pair of pants and perceived it “ man, what the hell?” It’s obviously Sammy’s. She blinked. Did I just sniff that? . Just then, she started hearing the same moaning noise that she heard back in the hospital’s toilet.

She dropped the pant ”I know this sound” she traced it as she moved closer the louder and firmer it sounded. Placed her ears closer to the door of Sammy’s room.

“Mmm………Don’t stop, ahhhhhhh……right there ride on papa” soft moan with breathless whispers. She as always knew that something was fishy with Sammy, but wasn’t so l8sure if she was just being paranoid. Another voice continued “I’d do anything for you baby, Nyomi is as good as nothing to me, it’s you that I want”. Nyomi burst into another set of tears but used her hands to cover her mouth immediately. Why would Richard do this to her? After the sacrifices she had made for him. When he was in his third year in college. She used the money meant for her accommodations to sponsor him. Hoping he won’t be an ingrate. Now having sex with her best friend?

“Pleaseeeeee…… closer” the moan became deeper like someone who’s lost in space and enjoying it.

“This is too much for me to bear” she opened the door and barged in.Richard was on top of Sammy, like these two people were completely naked. They didn’t flinch, or scrambled to cover up. Instead Richard looked up with a smile and said “well, now that you’ve found out. Now you know” Sammy looked straight into Nyomi’s eyes and say it to her face “oh my gosh, guess you found out” she mocked the hell out of her, Richard chuckled at it “Girl, I fed you, gave you my roof to stay. If I see your man and I like him, I have every damn right to have him to myself”

Nyomi’s heartbreak increased as every word sank in. Richard and Sammy together? She felt cheated and stripped of her dignity. She nearly fell off the ground, that moment she was like the ground should open and swallow her. Her lips dropped, no amount of tears could explain her pain. Sammy continued “And don’t even stand here pretending like I didn’t see you at the strippers club yesterday, you lil fake bitch”.

“I trusted you, I’d this how to pay me back” she finally let out her breath.

“You’ve got nothing to offer me anymore, do you even think a hot guy like me would want to settle for a miserable lady like you huh ?. Man, don’t ruin the moment” Richard snapped.

“Close the door behind you, when you’re done watching”

They kept on banging each other. “Yesss…… right there….. don’t stop babyyyy…… ahhhhhhhh…..”

She slammed the door harder and ran as fast as she could, she did not feel safe but betrayed. Her breath was moving fast and her steps. Not knowing where to go, not caring- only away. Her chest heavy, tears burning at the corners of her eyes.

Then “ding” her phone lit up. For a split second, her lips curved into a smile. The world was cruel, but at least one promise had been kept.

$15,000 sent by Clinton Blackwood.