C2

Noura arrived in Mbouda at around 7:30 am. She had dyed her hair blond and put on glasses even though she had no vision problems. She had done this because girls with glasses were considered to be the most beautiful, attractive and sexy.

As for her clothing, she had worn a dismembered and slim jean pants with heels. It was very sexy and it went well with her body type.

She arrived with a bag and some products inside for her mother. Once the motorcycle left her at home, she saw her two family members sitting around talking and she ran over to them.

- NOURA: Woooo I see you again!

- MOM TINA: My darling daughter is here!

She ran over and kissed her daughter.

- NOURA: Are you okay, Mom?

- MOM TINA: Yes, I'm fine and you?

- NOURA: Ah, you see how I'm shining so you understand that life is on my side!

She took Maya, who was right next to her, in her arms.

- NOURA: Finally, you've made the best decision of your life! What have you been waiting for since Maya? What have you been waiting for since Maya?

- MAMAN TINA: I even know?

- MAYA: Wair mom is fine! I agreed, didn't I? That's enough now!

- NOURA: Sorry, that's okay! Let's go inside!

They went inside. Maya went to serve the corn she had reheated yesterday. She put it on a tray and put it on the table so that each of them could eat while talking.

- NOURA: Wow, boiled corn, it's been a long time! But then again, there are better things in town!

- MAYA: Nothing will ever be better than organic food from the village!

- MOM TINA: Have you ever been to the city to check it out like your sister? If your sister says there are better things in the city, it's because there are. Look at how she's dressed! And she smells good too!

- MAYA: And I'm not well dressed and I smell bad, right? Okay!

She had worn loose pants, a sweater and ballet flats. She didn't have any perfume like her sister, but still...

She got up and went to sit in the yard. She was not at all happy with the belittlement she had just suffered once again. Noura went to her to talk to her.

- NOURA: Don't take it like that, Mama just wanted to tell you that once you get to the city, you'll do better than you are now, that's all!

- MAYA: She could tell me without putting me down.

- NOURA: Anyway, are you ready? We have to catch the next bus and we have to go already!

- MAYA: Okey!

They went inside. Noura gave the mother a bag and some money.

- NOURA: Okay, Mom, we're going to leave or we'll miss the bus.

- MOM TINA: Okay! You have a good trip, don't you?

She gave each of her daughters a hug and they left. They managed to get on the bus with less than two minutes to go.

- NOURA: Good thing we got there fast, huh?

Maya didn't say anything. She looked pensive and pale. She didn't smile, her face was sad - in short, something was wrong.

- NOURA: What's wrong?

- MAYA: I find myself leaving everything to go to the city overnight. It's true that it's abrupt but...

- NOURA: Oh don't worry, it will pass in a little while! I'll show you around the city and show you what I often do. You'll love it!

- MAYA: Okay, I get it.

They arrived in Douala a few hours later. Maya had never been there, it was her first time. The beauty of this city awakened the butterflies in her eyes.

- MAYA: Wow, it's really beautiful here!

- NOURA: This is just the beginning Maya! You're going to discover a lot more and I'll show you how to make money easily.

- MAYA: Um, if it's by having relationships with men, I don't want to!

She was adamant about it and spoke with an angry face.

- NOURA: Haaaa calm down! Let's take a cab home.

Maya didn't say anything.

They arrived at the house a few minutes later. It was one of many houses in the neighborhood. The fence was red. When Noura opened the gate, Maya asked her in a pale voice:

- MAYA: Ah, is this where you live? - NOURA: Yes, yes. Excuse me, come in quickly, I'm hungry!

She was a little surprised because she didn't understand how her sister had managed to have such a house even though it wasn't big and beautiful like the Hollywood houses. In fact, it was an average size and quite cute. The paint had apparently just been redone. There was a small veranda with a small balcony and two stools set up to sit on often.

Behind the house was the shower on one side, the kitchen on the other side and a well to draw water from.

After visiting the outside, Noura asked her little sister to follow her inside...

- NOURA: There are three rooms here. I have friends who often come to stay with me, so I'll let them have one room and the other one will be yours.

- MAYA: Wow, all for you!

There were nice sofas in the living room and what attracted Maya was the flat screen TV.

- MAYA: This TV is beautiful!

- NOURA: Lausse, let's buy what's on top of that! Let's visit the rooms!

Maya visited everything and put her bag in a room. She took off her clothes to put them in the closet when Noura told her:

- NOURA: We're going to the market tomorrow to get you some nice clothes so, get ready to throw everything I see in there at me!

Maya didn't want to. Not only did she like her clothes, but it made her think of the village.

- MAYA: I'd rather keep them even if they buy me new ones!

- NOURA: This is the city, leave the village spirit behind you Maya Wair! How are you even? Anyway, I'm off to make something to eat.

Maya didn't say anything and Noura went to the back of the house to make some stir-fried spaghetti. Maya went to sit on a stool on the porch. She looked a little lost and wondered exactly what she had come here for, how she was going to make a living anyway, she couldn't wait for her sister to tell her.

Both young women were tired from the trip so after eating and watching all day, they slept.

The next morning, Noura woke up Maya. It must have been 8:30 am.

She asked her to get ready for an outing, to visit the city and do some shopping.

Maya tidied up her room, took a shower and wore a fabric dress called "Kaba" with a ballerina.

She went to stand on the veranda to wait for her sister. When her sister joined her, she yelled at her because of her clothing.

- NOURA: Can't you make an effort? Wair Maya we are in town eh! Sorry, come here!

She pulled her hand and brought it inside. She took an outfit from her clothes and gave it to her. It was a short flared dress with a little sneaker.

- MAYA: The dress is too short!

- NOURA: It's hot first, so... Sorry, let's go!

- MAYA: Can I wear tights?

- NOURA: Shit better you leave! It's okay, let's go like this but it's the first and last time! Anyway, you'll get new clothes so...

They left. They took a motorcycle and then a cab to the market. Maya liked the place, it was beautiful even though it was too crowded and noisy. They went to a store and Maya chose some long clothes, but still classy.

Afterwards, they visited the city and around 6 pm, Noura's phone rang and the only thing Maya heard was:

- NOURA: We are at the roundabout, can you see us?

Before she could say anything, she saw a car pull up and clatter.

- NOURA: You found us quickly, didn't you, good evening Idriss! Maya, let's go...

It was a man in his thirties. He was black and quite tall. He was a little heavy-set. He had a rather simple face, that is to say that he was not very handsome, but not ugly either.

- MAYA: But who is he?

- NOURA: He's a friend of mine. Let's go!

- MAYA: Okey!

They got into the car. Noura sat in the front and Maya in the back.

- NOURA: So, Idriss, are you okay? IDRISS: Yes, I'm fine! Your sister looks shy!

- NOURA: That's normal, she doesn't know anyone here except me and she's new in town so...

- IDRISS: Oh right! Well, let's go to my place, shall we? I had some good wine this morning!

- NOURA: With pleasure!

During the whole drive, Maya was silent. She was just admiring the city through the windows without really paying attention to their conversation.

A few minutes later, they entered a huge and beautiful house. Kind of like the kind you only see on TV, in shows about star homes.

Maya was impressed! It was the first time she had touched the floor of such a big and beautiful house...

She looked around to admire the place when she saw a black man, tall with a perfect build in a small cell.

What caught her attention was that he was naked and chained.

He was squatting on the floor and appeared to be sleeping.

- MAYA: But why is this man in a cell? Why is he chained and why is he naked?

- IDRISS: Uh, he's my little brother and he's crazy!

To be continued...