C3 Chapter 3

Ruben sat in the car, his fingers drummed on the steering wheel and his head rested on the seat rest. He glanced once in a while towards the club. It was quite a busy night. He could see scantily dressed women. Some had their faces depressed out of the heavy makeups that patched their faces like layers of cement.

As his eyes scanned the vicinity one more time, his mind went back to the conversation he had with one of his friends.

“You shouldn’t go there!” Alberto had said to him when he came up with the idea of going after Juanita.

Ruben had taken a drive around town to check out the more changes that had happened in the neighborhood.It was during this time that he came in contact with Alberto, his childhood friend.

“What do we have here? It's the billionaire's heir!” Alberto yelled in pure surprise and joy. He jumped up from the seat where he was previously playing a game of checkers with his friends.

“I heard you were back. I thought it was a lie," he added as he clasped his friend's hand in a firm handshake.

As they made to leave, Alberto had followed him out, chatting and laughing.

“So, heir to the throne,what did you bring for me? Take a look at me. Hunger has dealt with me,” Alberto said with his hands spread as if he was exhibiting his bony frame. One could count his ribs from his skin.

“Don’t worry, my friend. Come on over to my place this weekend. We will see and talk of the good old days.” Ruben laughed.

And so Alberto accosted him and he was forced to invite him over.

“I heard she ran out of the house. No one knew where she went.” Alberto had told him while gulping a bottle of drink as if his life depended on it. “The time her mother died, she came back. People thought she wouldn't. "

Alberto wiped his mouth with the back of his hands. He burped and excused himself. Ruben rolled his eyes.

"How did you know about Juanita's activities at the club houses?" he asked.

Alberto raised an eyebrow at his friend's question. He then feigned a hurt look.

"You did not just ask that," he said.

"What do you mean?" Ruben frowned

“Come on, Amigo, this is a small town," Alberto raised his hands up in an exasperated fashion." Story leaks like water.And besides,have you forgotten who you're speaking with? Even the stories that try to hide themselves find it impossible to do so when it comes to me."

"I'm a bloodhound for gossips." He tapped his nose.

Ruben decided not to take up the matter with his friend anymore. He knew that no matter how much he tried to do so, his friend would try to talk him out of it.

For three days, Ruben had secretly visited 'Club Quindo.' He would park his car a little far from the club where he could get a clear view of who went in and who came out. For three days, his search was futile. He was scared of asking anyone around there of her way about, for fear of recognition.

He was losing patience and excuses to give his parents about his late night keeping.

“I have someone I am following up," He had told his father those three days.

He was not sure if the old man believed him, but his parents had said nothing about it.

He looked at his phone again and decided to drive off. Another day, another waste of time. As he turned his ignition on, he saw her. She was the same lady he saw on the street a week ago.

He had rehearsed what to say to her when he would finally come face to face with her, but at that moment, his tongue ran into his stomach and he felt an increase in his pulse. His heartbeat was so fast that he unconsciously held his chest to prevent it from exploding.

He wondered if it was right to meet her after all.

*******

"Juanita! Juanita, wait! Come on, whats the hurry, girlfriend?”

Juanita was hurrying out of the club when Rosa ran after her. The latter caught up to her as she was about to reach the exit.

“How could you leave now? I thought you will stay for the night. The club is just starting and customers are still coming in,” Rosa said.

“My son is alone in the house. I left him while he was sleeping,” Juanita replied.

“Then why did you come since you know you will not stay for the main event of the night?” Rosa asked, tilting her head sideways in confusion.

“I need the money, Rosa. No matter how little. At least what I got from the first appearance can take care of us for two days," Juanita replied.

She was alarmed when the money she had dwindled and there was no hope of sustenance. She avoided going to the club few days after her son came back, but that night, she knew they would starve if she did not go out to hustle. She had waited for Kiko to sleep before she took her clothes and quietly left to make more money.

“Mistress is not taking it lightly and she is beginning to get impatient. Unfortunately for the rest of us, her impatience and bitchy attitude is starting to become an annoyance. She said she will get another dancer to replace you since you are no longer consistent," Rosa said.

Juanita said nothing. She could only sigh and pinch the bridge of her nose, the growing frustration overwhelming her.

“When are we seeing you again?” Rosa asked

“I don’t know. My son must not know that I still do this. I am trying to hide this part of me from him.” Juanita took a heavy breath, running a hand through her hair.

Rosa smiled warmly at her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder. Juanita looked up at her friend’s face and saw the understanding in her eyes.

“Its okay, girlfriend. Tell your big boy that I will come and see him on Sunday," she said.

They bid farewell and Juanita hurried down the road to wait for a taxi.

She waited by the road for a while and decided to keep walking when she heard the sound of a car approaching. She was disappointed when it wasn’t a taxi, but a Black Mercedes, so she continued walking.

The car stopped. She heard the door open and footsteps approaching her rapidly. She was alarmed. Sliding her hand inside her bag, she felt the spray and hoped she wouldn’t get to use it. Then she felt a soft palm on her bare shoulder and her name called out simultaneously.

"Juanita."

She turned around. At first she could not recognize the tall calm young man that stood before her. She waited for introduction but none came from the man. She squinted her eyes and that was when recognition hit her. It was him. Ruben. The man who was responsible for her current predicament. The man who had made her suffer for more than a decade. Memories of the past rushed back like a harsh wind and the muscle of her face contrasted in anger.

“What are doing here? How did you find me? Why are you here? ” she asked coldly.

Three questions put forward for Ruben to answer and he could not do justice to any one. He opened his mouth to reply but no words could form. He tried to hold her by the shoulder but she quickly smacked his hand off as if it was leprous. Her face then mirrored ajail.mression of disgust.

“Do not touch me!” she yelled.

“I am so sorry, Juanita."

Those were the only words that came out of his mouth.

"Sorry?" Juanita scoffed and then laughed dryly. "That useless word is the only thing that could come out of your spoiled rich mouth?"

"Juanita, please-"

“I don’t want to hear it.I don’t want to hear how sorry you are, Ruben. And I sure as hell don’t want you around me. Ever!” Juanita had her finger poking his hard chest.

Ruben caught her hand and covered it with his, but she withdrew her hands immediately.

“I don’t know what to say, Juanita. I didn’t mean to…I am so sorry," he pleaded.

“Shut the hell up! What was that your mother said to me. Oh yeah, I remember. ‘My son has a bright future ahead of him…’ ” she mimicked.

She then put her hand under her chin, looking up the sky in mock thought.

“What else did she say? Oh yes, i remember now.That I was sent to destroy you.You know what? To hell with you, Ruben. You and your family are evil! You are the very opposite of the very thing your family tries to portray to the town and the country. All you billionaires are always the same. Evil!" she shrieked.

Ruben heard the bitterness in her voice. Even in the darkness of the night, her anger shone through her eyes.

“Juanita-" He tried again.

“Do not ever say my name. Do not come close to me. I don’t want to have anything to do with you in my life. You are a mistake I regret every day of my life," She cut him off.

Passers-by looked at them and moved on.

“Is this young man bothering you, Lady?” A man asked behind her.

“No, he is about leaving. Never to show his face again," Juanita replied.

She left Ruben standing and walked away with the unknown man.

Ruben watched her till she disappeared in the dark. He didn’t know which hurt most. The words she said to him, or she walking away with another man.

As he drove back, lots of questions ran through his mind;

Does she go home every night with men? How many would have her before the day breaks? Why would he even be thinking about this?

He was worried he was getting jealous of the men in her life while he should be focusing on the challenges that were before him. His personal goals versus his father's vision.

**********

“Mum? Is that you?”

Kiko stretched and rubbed his eyes.

“Yes baby, go back to sleep. Its still early to wake up." Juanita kicked off her shoes and walked to the side of the bed.

“I woke up to pee and I didn’t see you,” The boy said lazily

“I..well.…I went outside. I heard a noise and I decided to check it out," Juanita said, avoiding his gaze.

“Mum, can I watch TV?”

“No baby, go to bed.”

Hours later, It was difficult for her to sleep.She tossed and turned until she gave up and left the bed to sit on the only chair in the room. Ignoring the heat due to the lack of power and the buzzing mosquitoes that persistently fed on her, she thought of Ruben. The last time she asked of him, he was out of the country. Neither him nor his parents visited her or attended her mother’s burial. As if casting her away was not enough.

Why did he come back? Why would he want to see her and apologize after many years? Then it hit her. He may have heard of Kiko and he would want to come for him. She suddenly became scared. She looked at the boy sleeping peacefully and her heart tightened.

“Ruben, why are you back?" she muttered.