Chapter 5

Hours crawled, days walked, and weeks flew. Keisha, Betty, and Ling began doing things together. They would go to school about the same time, became roommates, and more often than not, went out for sight-sighting to behold the unique eco-friendly and geographic expanse of the school. They usually went out to a restaurant called Nice N Fine.

Keisha decided to talk them into an unfamiliar terrain she has always treaded. Having ate and rested for a few minutes, Keisha opened up: “Girls, it’s been over two months we’ve known each other. I’m glad I’m friends with you two. You may not know this; I’m from a broken home. I grew up without a dad being present, a mother who does what she so pleases. I had to fend for myself on the streets. My mother would host and entertain all kinds of men on several occasions, sleep with them, in exchange for money. She did all manner of dirty things with them. I was barely six years old!”

”So sorry to hear this, Keisha,” Ling consoled, nodding her head in displeasure.

”Oh! I never knew you went through this travail. I’m so sorry,” Betty reacted, taking a deep breath, then sighing.

”Such is life, as they say. I had to work things out on my own. Anthony was very instrumental to my being here!”

Interesting! Who is this ‘Anthony’ guy? Sounds like he’s a nice guy,” Ling questioned, dropping some positive guess.

”I think Ling is right. He seems to come off as a well-meaning fellow,” Betty thought, using her index finger to touch her chin.

”Anthony is with us!”

”What do you mean?” asked Ling.

”What?” Betty exclaimed. 

”Anthony introduced me to the streets of hustling to make money. He linked me with the players and happening guys in this town at 15! I was living in the slums. Before I got admitted, I had to leave my mom to be with Anthony. It was due to irreconcilable differences and incessant quarrels between us. I left her two years ago.”

”Again, I’m sorry this happened to you. But have you been able to keep tabs on your mom ever since? Have you heard from her since then?” Ling inquired.

‘’What did I do wrong by narrating my ordeal?” Keisha said, infuriated.

“I never intended to make fun of you or sound derogatory,” Ling said

”Good. Don’t ask me such questions again!” Keisha warned. 

”I’m your friend and would like to have your back always,” Ling assured, trying to catch her breath.

”Cool. Just know your boundaries! We are still friends, you know,” Keisha said. Her mood suddenly improved.

Betty asked Keisha,”Is Anthony a student here?”

”Oh yes! In fact, he’s a final-year student. He has his arcs together. He’s connected. He could make us a fortune if we agree to do the needful” Keisha used her fingers as air quotes around the word ““.

”What’s that supposed to mean?” Betty questioned.

”Keisha, what do you mean?” Ling asked.

 ”Keisha, that didn’t answer my question. You even demonstrated with your hands the quote and unquote thing. That is begging for clarity,” Ling said, mimicking Keisha’s air quotes with her fingers.. ‘’What do you mean by doing ‘the needful’?

Betty nodded in agreement with Ling. 

”Anthony is friends with Son, Tye and Mark. Tye is so Draconian in thinking that I detest his personality. He is not human! But he’s Anthony’s close friend, sadly!”

”I know Son,” Ling commented. ”You haven’t answered my question yet!”

”You know him?”

”Yes, I do.” At that point, Ling made known her facial displeasure over Keisha’s inability to answer her question. ”Son happened to be my distant neighbour who had always shown admiration towards me. I’ve always ignored him, though.”

”Why?” Keisha asked, attempting to divert Ling’s question.

”I felt he was, still feel he is weak,” Ling answered.

”Of course, Son is sadly a weak soul. It’s good you didn’t give in.” Keisha realized Betty had been quiet for a while. ”Hey girl, what’s going on? You’ve been silent… I hope you’re okay.”

Betty chuckled. ”I am, only if you can answer Ling’s question.”

”And what’s that question, Betty?” Keisha asked

”I’m sorry. I never meant to sound that way,” Ling apologized

Ling and Betty anticipated Keisha’s answer. The anxiousness in their faces tells it all.

Keisha had no choice other than opening up. ”What I meant by ‘doing the needful’ is going out partying, having fun with the happening guys in exchange for life-changing money!”

Ling and Betty were shocked beyond words. Betty’s mouth opened. Lin took a thorough look at Keisha, then Betty. Keisha was not perturbed.

”Are you saying we are to prostitute ourselves for money?!” Ling asked.

”Are you serious?” Betty wondered. ”I want to believe you’re telling a joke.”

”No, just simply do what I’ve been doing, get handsomely paid and fund yourselves without having to depend on your parents’ assistance. Remember, this Amber Community College, not your residences! Here, you can choose to live the life you’ve always fantasized about! The independent, strong and bossy woman lifestyle! How do you think I’ve been paying my bills? The hustle! Of course, thanks to Anthony for this opportunity! If I could, you girls can! It’s just that I’m wondering why he would be friends with Son, Tye and Mark.”

‘’Girl, I come from a responsible two-parent household. My apologies to you, if I sound derogatory. My parents are capable of seeing me through college. Your proposal isn’t thinkable, doesn’t sit comfortably with me at all. I’m saying those with all due respect, friend,” Betty replied, disappointed in Keisha.

”Keisha, I don’t think your offer would hold water at all, at least, for now. I’m from a good and typical traditional family. My parents have all that it takes to completely see me through school,” Ling stated, feeling unhappy.

Keisha swallowed their pushback. ”I understand. But girls, think about my offer.  I’ll be with you and definitely book you all with Anthony when you are ready to DO THE NEEDFUL! I got to go bye!” Keisha left the restaurant to prepare for her night-time hustle.

Ling and Betty left the restaurant to their hostel in shock when they got home, they studied to prepare for the next day’s classes.

                            Chapter 6

Week in and week out, Ling and Betty would see Keisha come to their hostel with different hand bags, weaves, lotions, clothes, shoes, and a handsome sum of money. Keisha would intimidate them with all those things, reminding them of the previous offer. Ling and Betty would take a view from the window at the cars taking Keisha and Anthony’s clients off the school’s premises and bring them back. As a student, Keisha was financially well to do but one thing suffered—her grades.

On a fateful weekend, Keisha was off to a friend’s party off campus while Betty and Ling were indoors. Ling saw the opportunity to converse with Betty over Keisha’s issue.

”For almost two weeks, Keisha seems to be the rave of the moment. Look around our room and see for yourself.”

Betty took a look at all of Keisha’s personal effects—expensive weaves, hair extensions, wigs, toning creams, body lotions, shoes, clothes, toiletries—all lying around the entire room.

”I agree with you, Ling. Keisha seems to have it all rosy!”

”Yes, she is. For over two weeks, Anthony has been taking her out to places. And when she’s back, she comes with something.”

”Definitely. But our parents are doing their best for us, at least materially. But their best isn’t enough. So sad.”

”Sad to say but true,” Ling concurred. ‘’Betty, it wouldn’t be a bad idea if we signed up with Keisha. After all, it won’t be long before we have our own money to do things for ourselves. With money, we wouldn’t need to be depending on our parents. What do you think?’’

‘’You just hit the nail on the head! Lin, I was already contemplating on telling you that for over a week now.”

“I think we should meet with Keisha at Nice N Fine tomorrow.”

‘’I can’t wait for tomorrow. Time is of the essence, Lin’’

‘’True. That’s why we’re friends. Like attracts like, they say’’ Ling laughed.

Twenty-four hours later at Nice N Fine…

Keisha was excited to see Lin and Betty. Usually, Keisha would be the one to wait for them to be done with class before they went to the restaurant to unwind.

”What would make my friends, wait for me till I’m done with class?” asked Keisha, surprised.

”You’ve already won our hearts!” Betty said, holding her fingers.

”Betty’s right! We’re with you on this!”

Keisha was not only amazed but pretended to be confused. She could tell what was going on but for formality, she wanted to hear clearly from the horses’ mouths!

”Betty, Ling, what do you two mean?”

”The offer you made to us,” Ling specified.

”Which offer, Ling? Can’t remember…” Keisha said.

”Stop pretending as though you aren’t aware of what we mean! We have agreed to join you in the hustle!” Betty said.

”Wow! Interesting!” Keisha was moved by the excitement of what she heard. ”You have made my day. Anthony will be a happy man to take you on his list. I will inform him about your interest to join me in the… HUSTLE. Though, I did mention to him about you all.”

‘’Did you tell him about us?’’ Betty gasped.

Ling was left in awe. ”What? That’s fascinating!”

”I will tell Anthony as soon as I can. But remember, Anthony would want to see the ‘girl’ in you before he connects you with the big boys in this city—on and off this campus.” Keisha used air quotes with her index and middle fingers around the word “girl.”

”We have all what it takes, Keisha,” Betty asserted. She gazed at Ling.”Don’t we?”

”Of course, we do! We’re girls and we will prove to Anthony that,” Ling promised.

”Okay. Your enthusiasm has earned you spots on Anthony’s Hustle’s Lane. Will meet with him after this. In fact, I have to meet him right about now! You don’t know how elated I am!! Will get back to you two within the next 48 hours. Be rest assured. Do wait for me here!”

”Okay,” said Lin, looking happy

“Alright. We will be waiting for your feedback,” Betty responded, nodding.

Keisha left.

***

Keisha met with Anthony to tell him about her friends’ interest. 

Impressed what Keisha said, he requested their company. She went back to the restaurant and fortunately, they were still waiting, though about to leave.

”Hey girls,” Keisha called, walking fast towards them,”I have good news for you!”

Keisha’s statement had Ling and Betty take their respective seats. Their anxiousness was beyond the bar.

”What’s this good news about?” Ling wondered, looking at Betty, then Keisha.

”We are all ears. Tell us what the news is about,” Betty inquired. She looked calm.

”I met with Anthony and told him about how you two were interested in joining. He was quite impressed. He’s requesting your company right at this moment! Shall we be on our way to his place?”

”Let’s go,” Betty agreed. She stood up, looked at her appearance. ”Keisha, do we look good enough?”

”You don’t need to ask me. You both look great! You’re good to go!”

”I’m with you on this one.” Betty’s confidence was motivating. ”I’m looking good as always.”

”You can say that again, Betty,” Keisha replied, giving her a thumbs up. ”Right about this time, all road leads to Anthony’s place!” She stood up to lead the pack. They got into a taxi and in fifteen minutes, Keisha, Ling, and Betty arrived at Anthony’s place.