Beauty and the Beast is a Nigerian Story of the Other room (+18)

Beauty and the best is a

Nigerian other room story

Pic from Pinterest by Maritina Gallegos Disney for Disnerds

It’s been 5 days you last heard from me and i must first apologize for keeping you all waiting for my daily series of videos and articles,

Beauty and the Beast is a typical Nigerian story, and i have a whole lot of juice to squeeze out of this.

Beauty and the Beast (French: La Belle et la Bête) is a traditional fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins. The plot, as the popular song that composed for a Hollywood animated movie sound track is "A Tale as Old as Time" it’s self.

A rich merchant with a son and three daughters fall on hard times, and upon hearing the news of the possibility of recovering some fortune with the arrival of one of his long lost merchant ships, he sets out on a journey to explore that possibility. The children each asked for a journeys gift. Each asking for something of some material value except the last daughter, Beauty, who asked for a "rose".

On arriving the port, his merchant ship was used as pay back for his debts and he was left with nothing but better than he was when he pursued this adventure.  

Coming back, he got lost and found himself in an enchanted forest and came to a supposed abandoned castle. He encountered the Lord of the castle, a Beast. 

Charming Beast we can say, with a kind gesture till the merchant picked a rose for his last daughter which was meant to an enchanted source of life for the Beast. The Beast kept the merchant a prisoner and a whole lot of negotiation came through.

Long story short, Beauty had to replace the father, lived with the Beast, wins his heart and vise versa, the Beast became a prince and it ended happily ever after. SO YOU THINK.

What’s so Nigerian about this French authored story Tokunbo? Are you now those copy cats in Nollywood that has a poorly produced version of every block buster or trending incident? Are you saying the story was about a black man? "Who dis stori epp sef"? 

Well, the point of this article is to give you an insight that many never thought of. Though crude in its presentation, but medicine never works till it hits the stomach.

Who is Beauty? To me she is Ewa, that young beautiful Nigerian girl who got admission into a poorly funded public university. The world at her feet with hopes of getting a good job and helping her parents when she graduates. Oh naive little one. There are already 4 million of you dear. 

Her parents came to a cross road, because the pension payments meant to put Ewa through school was not coming. A permanent secretary at the ministry in charge of the payments, suddenly felt N8 billion Naira was more productive in his own bank account, to be used for the purchase of a luxury boat, 12 houses in choice areas of Lagos, Abuja and London, premium champagne because he has a medical condition called stupendous greed that requires a few bottles of champagne and a puff of Cuban cigars to regulate his mind at all times. Lest we forget our honorable Perm Sec also has school fees for his precious children in British schools. Oh Perm Sec of life as the street lingo would have it.

Back to our people. With no money to keep Ewa in school, she takes it upon herself to make up for what the parents can’t provide. This is basically everything. Yea, like the story, Beauty took her father's place at the castle of the Beast, so this time Ewa has to find other means to foot her bills in her father’s place.

Ewa sets out on mission to financially empower herself, with no capital, no experience, no intrusion of how people can be with resource and money, she jumps at everything that anyone says brings money. 

A friend once told me, "Tokunbo, there is a reason GOD gives poor men beautiful daughters". Yes, men are smiling, women are frowning, but i didn't create this world, neither should anyone ignore the realities, i am only doing my job to interrelate its happenings to you and to see where each one fits.

Back to our people. Ewa is on a mission, she has tried every moral avenue to financial freedom, but the bills keep coming. Fees, accommodation, handouts and even lecturer bribes, they keep coming like a flood that a little fence can’t hold.

In the light of this development, the Beast appears, but in our Nigerian case we call him "BROS". Yes o i might add. 

"BROS" is no prince charming. He is 45 years, married with 3 children, successful business man on the back of his in laws good will. Yea, we all know a bros or two, may be fourteen. 

"BROS" has a love nest. You know that place. The place he rented and called a company guest house where he "entertains" his clients and business partners. The well furnished apartment is in a highbrow area of Lagos. 24 hour electricity, high class restaurants are a few meters away, fashion houses are a stop by and from the bouncony, you can see the marvel of a development called the Eko Atlantic.

It’s the company end of the year party, and "BROS" is in high spirits. His company just got the most innovative company award and he is been pitched to be federal minister if he so desires. "BROS" is on a roll. 

Friday night and the Ewa is dressing up. Her morally structured quest for financial freedom has leaded her to the world of ushering at events and weddings. It’s a mini glamorous job, with enough money to get by and keep a face. Tonight, she will be one of the 10 girls ushering at the company end of the year party and she looks forward to the free meal and free ride back to school with enough time to prepare for a wedding the next day.

Ewa, as her name depletes is very beautiful. Beauty, the meaning of her name besots her. Perky breast, pointed nose, well edged cheek bones, well shaped hips, flat tummy which she reveals innocently with her well cut ushering costume and natural chocolate skin is a gift of GOD to her poor father. 

The event is on. Business men and political leaders troop in for the company party and Ewa is there at her best, ushering guest to their seats. 

In the mist of the organized chaos two sets of eyes meet. Ewa and "BROS”. Beauty and the Beast.

She ushered him and his family to the high table, politely addressing his wife and being warm to the children. "Such a well mannered lady you are ", says "BROS", "thank you sir" Ewa responds. 

Mrs. Bros goes on a rampage, "why are you looking at my husband that way"? Mrs. Bros has a bit of temper, you know the type you develop as a pampered daughter of a rich man and you basically think you bought your husband off the shelf at jankara market. "Sorry ma, I didn't mean to offend anyone" Ewa innocently pleads". Who wants to be out of the job by pissing off the wife of Oga. 

"BROS" steps in, redirects his wife to the table and with a pampering hand gesture tells Ewa, "it’s ok, see me later please".

The event was a success and as the guest took their leave, "BROS" taps Ewa by the shoulder and hands her his business card. "Please call me on Monday" he says. 

The thought ran through Ewa's head. What have i done? Hope this is not trouble?

Monday morning came; at about 10 am Ewa picks up the phone and dials the number on the card. It rings out with no answer. She doesn't know the reality of Mondays mornings being the all meeting mornings of the century. Then a text comes into her phone:"in a meeting please send text". The following ensued:

Ewa 10:14am: Good morning sir, iam Ewa, you said i should call you today sir. i ushered at your event sir

"BROS" 10:35am: Hello Ewa, its good you called. Come to my office at 5pm today. address is ************ you can pick an Uber, my secretary will handle the payment

Ewa  10:50am: Ok sir. Thank you and GOD bless you sir in Jesus name 

A former president once said "corruption is not stealing, and taking the innocence of a woman is neither good nor bad depends on the circumstance". 

That statement resonates in the head as Ewa picks up her Uber at 4pm heading to the Island from home. Her parents wondered if there were events that required ushers on a Monday evening, but again voices are silenced when hands don't pay bills.

Ewa arrives at the address, and the secretary is actually waiting at the entrance to pay for her cab. She steps out, cab fare sorted and she is lead straight to the entrance of a well equipped office. 

She walks in and behold "BROS" is sitting across the room with the phone in his hand speaking to GOD knows whom. Laughing and seemly in a great mood, he offers her a seat with a wave of hand while he continues his conversation on the phone. 

The smell. Yes the smell. That’s what strikes Ewa's senses. Such a wonderful smell. The cologne is powerful, sending a mist in the air that you can’t resist. "Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani". 

She has never been so close to the elite, as a matter of fact the closest is when she ushers them in at events, but right here in her presence, she is sharing the same air space with one of them. 

"Thanks for coming to see me" BROS begins and step up to sit beside Ewa on the long sofa across his set of visitors chairs. "Let’s get straight to it", he continues as Ewa looks in limbo. "I like you, i liked you from the first time i set my eyes on you on Friday, we are going to be good friends and i hope you'll accept my offer”. 

"Your friend sir? How is that possible sir? Helping me with a job is fine sir", Ewa responds with shock, shuttering in her words. 

"It’s going to be fine, i have needs you can meet and aside from that i will assure you, that everything you need will be taken care of" BROS continues.

He stands up and with his waist at Ewas eye level, he starts to unzip his best spoke trousers revealing his penis to Ewa's shock. "Suck it" BROS says, in a crude unhinged manner. 

Lord knows where the tears came from; Ewa proceeded in an unprecedented out pouring of tears enough to fill a small dosage cup. "Please sir, i cant do it, i have never done this before” she exclaims as tears roll out. 

"What? Don’t you have a boy friend? Are you a child?" BROS reacts.

"No sir, I’m a virgin sir and I am a born again Christian sir, please sir have mercy" Ewa continues with her plea. 

"Hmm, what’s all this nonsense" BROS laments as he zips up and tucks in his white shirt. "You mean at your age you're a virgin?” he speaks quietly with curiosity written on his face. "Yes sir, i have never had sex before sir and sir, you're married and i don't want to offend GOD" Ewa comments. 

"Enough, enough, i understand. I'll help you out, but we have to help each other out" BROS speaks with assurance. 

He reaches out for his Prada man bag and out comes two packs of cash, "here, take this" as he hands out the notes, "do you have a passport?” BROS asked with his hand hanging. 

Ewa cant phantom what was going on neither did she know how to react, but survival builds instincts as she takes the ward of cash off his hands. "No sir, i don’t have a passport” she answers.

"Here is N50, 000, and call this number 0803*******, his name is Ayo, he'll get you a passport in 24hours, just give him the N50, 000 and your photo" BROS instructs while handing another stack of cash to Ewa

"Lets talk tomorrow, You know i don’t know your house or anything about you, but I am willing to trust you and i would see you again" BROS states , as the Beast once told Beauty to return to him after seeing her family for a week.

After granting her leave, Ewa sits at the back of another Uber ride thinking about what just happened. She reaches into her bag to count how much was in there. Shoving the change she earlier had and separating the N50, 000 for the passport, she realizes the stack of cash initially handed over were two bundles of N1000 notes (N200, 000). Wow, a total of N250, 000 for showing up.

Ewa gets home and rushes to her mother and two sisters, Shaking and not knowing how to start she throws the money towards mother with a thunderous silence. "Ewa, where did you get this money?” her mother exclaims. She eventually tells all to her mother and sisters, and then all sort of suggestions begin.

"With this money you can get a makeup starter kit o" suggested her eldest sister, "he doesn’t even know your house sef, just don't go back", 

Then a wave of emotions sets in when Ewa says "i don’t want to see him again, i feel awkward. Hey, hey, it could be rituals o", her immediate sister steps in "Ewa, he didn’t touch you and he gave you N250k, what if he touches you? If you don't want to go back, give me the address" #savage

Suddenly her mother speaks again, "Ewa, you can't tell. GOD uses people, get the passport as the man said and you can save the rest of the money, meanwhile the landlord came today and we have a balance of N120, 000 to pay, Ewa, may be you can borrow us till my debtors pay and your daddy gets his pension" . 

With subtle enthusiasm, Ewa hands over the rent. What else can she do, she knows that money is not coming back and she didn’t want the family to be separated. She calls the passport man and the next day she was at the passport office to do business. 

"Oya come and snap" , that's was the loudly delivered comment that woke Ewa up as she sat half asleep waiting the last 2 hours. With a flick of a switch and an hour later she is handed a green booklet. Nigerian passport issued in minutes for the right amount of P.R. 

"Hello sir, it’s me Ewa", that was the voice on the phone as BROS picks up his customized design $3000 Vertu phone. "i thought you had run away" he responded , "Oh no sir, i wanted to get the passport before i called you sir, thank you for,." Ewa was cut short “where are you now?" BROS interrupted. "Agege sir", Ewa answered. Then the following instructions were laid out by BROS. "get a travelling bag with a few things, tell your family you will be in school for a week, come with your passport, we are going to Dubai". Just like that. Yes, just like that. 

It was like a spell. Ewa told her parents she was off to school; she packed a bag, picked her newly issued passport and took a cab towards BROS office. On the way she called him and he sent a text of the address the cab should go instead of the office. You guessed it, the address was to the company guest house.

On arrival at the guest apartment, she was greeted by a steward, "do you want anything madam?" he ask as Ewa marveled at what would make a man in his 50s call her "madam”. Once again, the smell. The smell of that cologne that tingles the senses. 

BROS appears from the shadows, like the Beast in the mystical tale of reference he hands Ewa an envelope, "your visa" he says, "i got your passport details from Ayo and did the honors of getting the visa for tomorrow", he continued as Ewa looks amazed, "if you hadn't call after you got the passport, i would have just figured you didn’t like me" he concluded with smile.

As the night went on, BROS choose to make Ewa comfortable. They had dinner watched movies and talked all night about serious issues and silly things, everything but anything personal to BROS, till she had to ask, "is something wrong with your marriage sir?" She continued, "Because i can tell behind the strong persona and bold attitude, you're quite nice and understanding, and i feel your wife would be best to enjoy this company of yours". BROS chose to be quiet, staring like he didn’t hear the statement, then he erupts "young girl, know when not to ask silly questions", from the depth of her soul a thousand thoughts ensued and she reacts in a way unexpected "YES, i have to ask, I am a young girl and don't want my life in danger. What happens when your wife gets hold of me? I am from a humble home and we don't like trouble" She continues "in fact I am leaving, enough of your kindness, i don’t want to go to Dubai again”.

She proceeds to the door when strong hands held her by the arm, "I’m sorry" BROS laments. It’s a rare sight to see the mighty apologies, you just have to relish that moment for 10 seconds or less. "I promise to let you know everything in Dubai".

They boarded the plane for Dubai. It’s a first for Ewa, and the cobble wobbles rumbling her tummy due to excitement and all sorts of emotions can't be tamed.

Arriving Dubai was magical, Ewa has never seen such tall buildings in her life. As they settle into the leased apartment, BROS takes the time to hold Ewa tightly and whisper how much she means to him.

Ewa is confused , yet calm as she grew up with nothing but love that binds a family fallen from middle class grace due to Mr. Perm Sec devouring daddy's pensions and you also have to learn a bit from fending for yourself in school.

Night fall comes and Ewa has come to the inevitable point of asking "where will i sleep?" BROS is in pieces, laughing like a hyena on steroids. As the night goes straight to morning, it was the longest most painful night Ewa has ever had. Losing her virginity to BROS was not the fairy tale people described. With tears and blood seconding the beauty of the designer themed bed sheet, Ewa had variations of pleasure and pain with awkward moments when BROS guiding his own demands for sexual acts that are illegal in some countries. Either way, Ewa has been deflowered. 

As the sun raises from Asia, beams of light finds its way through the big windows forming lines on the bed sheet, and Ewa is wide awake, mixed emotions, thoughts and the a swift movement breaks the silence. “Good morning my princes”, BROS taps away at her hips as he coddles up to her.

It’s quite funny when Kings, Lords and mighty men become children at the bosom of a young woman. Major decisions that shaped history and time its self was inspired by one man trying to impress a maiden.

Troy, a historic city with high walls fell because the Greek ruler’s brother had his wife stolen from him. Between the 1950s to 1990s African countries experienced military coups inspired by young Majors and Colonels mobilizing soldiers within their ranks to over throw governments just because they promised a girl they will become some body. Some succeeded and some didn’t. To those that failed, they watch in horror as their heartthrob is bestowed to someone else while success means his maiden of desire becomes first lady.  Oh how powerful what lays between the thighs of a lady.

BROS sits at the end of the end while Ewa, also sitting is busy munching away at the full size English breakfast served in bed. BROS looks deeply as he sighs. “I have something to tell you, and I hope you’ll understand” Ewa looks up with curiosity; BROS continues “the reason we came to Dubai is not only because we came to have a good time, I am here for a corrective surgery”. Ewa looks intense “surgery ke!, Ha, please don’t take my kidney o, ye I should have known o, why did I follow you o”, she starts crawling off the bed. BROS starts to laugh and with an assuring hand gesture he interrupts her banter, “I said I am here for corrective surgery, it’s not for you but me, it’s what I want to tell you about. Do you think the kind of money I have can be gotten with pennies taken from organ harvesting? NO way dear. ”

BROS leaves the bed and sits on the side chair. The chair in its own right had an aura about it. Made from pure leather, with arm rest that allows the occupier look like a noble from game of thrones BROS settles in with crossed legs and starts the biggest confession of his life to a young girl he just met in 1 week, so it seems. SO YOU THINK.

“Ewa, the things I am about to tell you must not leave your lips for ages to come. I promise you with my very own life that if you do as I say, you’ll never have a want in your life” BROS begins his confessions.

BROS stands briefly from the exotic chair and points towards his torso showing Ewa a scar then goes back to sit on the chair. With a deep breath he starts.

“When I was 18 years old I had an accident on a bike. I was leaving our town for Lagos when the bus broke down at Berger, it used to have a toll gate those days, and this was in the 80s. While waiting for the driver to repair his vehicle a man came up on a motor bike. It was a rare site those days and people didn’t trust bikes like they do now. He offered any of us going in to Lagos to hoop on, and a lot of people resisted but me. I got on the bike and we headed towards Ojota when a car over took another on the wrong side and hit us off the road. The rider died and the bike handle perforated my groin area” At this point Ewa was stunned and a sense of pity captured her face.

BROS continued, “I was rushed to hospital and after a few days I gained consciousness. The address of my uncle was attached to my ID and he was there when I woke up. The bills were paid and I went home. Over time as I grew older I realize I bleed from my genitals and had to go back for a checkup. That is when I was told the injury has affected my fertility. My sperm count get affected, in short I COULDN’T HAVE CHILDREN”.  Ewa is confused and states “but you and your wife have children, how come?”

With a big smile BROS continues, “Throughout my life I have been secretly living with the fact that I couldn’t impregnate someone and trying various doctors and healers. I have had girl friends and it all ends the same till I married Mrs. BROS. I guess it was convenient for me though.” BROS adjust as he continues, “She was my bosses daughter and everyone just avoided her because she just couldn’t get along with us lesser mortals. Somehow we got close and though she was a year older, it didn’t matter.” BROS continued, “The moment for me came when she told me she was pregnant. I thanked GOD in the heavens for the miracle that HE had done, I was delighted with joy unspeakable. I have finally beaten the odds and who else could it have been but my boss’s daughter.”

It didn’t take a lot of persuasion for BROS to get his boss approval to marry his daughter. She was pregnant for him and he had already proven himself by loyally managing the family portfolio of stocks and shares worth over N30billion without a penny missing. Life couldn’t be more perfect for BROS. SO YOU THINK

Ewa at this point felt very small in the scheme of things, staring at BROS with suspicion she wonders where all this story and arrangement was going. But BROS has more to say as he continues his confession. “After our first child we had two more, and I had never been so proud of myself. The odd points came for me when Mrs. BROS always had to meet with friends she grew up with in high society. She went on trips while I worked through the business I created as an offshoot of her father’s company.” BROS takes a slip of lemon juice and continues. “About two years ago my last boy had a clash in school and was bleeding, when we got to the hospital he needed blood and we had to do a blood match. I found out he was not mine”.

At this point Ewa was in utter shock as BROS continued. “I was devastated and had a blood match done for the first two children and the result also says I was not their father. What made it worse for me was the DNA proved that all three of my children were actually fathered by one person. Mrs. BROS had been having an affair. I confronted her and she made me understand she knew I was infertile as she noticed after a year of having sex with me she didn’t get pregnant and time was not on her side. She later vowed that if I dare tried to divorce her I will lose everything I ever worked for and the whole world will know I am infertile.” At this point BROS looked like a wounded child; all his success, his pride and everything he ever believed seemed to be a lie. Ewa was in no better state as well, as she leans forward as kisses his forehead while tears ran down BROS’s eyes. A rare sighting of the mighty taking a moment of soberness. Wait, but BROS has more to say.

“After doing a lot of findings I found Dr. Ahmed Hassan here in Dubai who found the dot to correct my accident and he has assured me a 100% I will be fine. That’s why you’re here Ewa, to get pregnant for me three days after the surgery that will take place this night.” BROS proclaims with a mischievous smile.

Ewa takes a step back looking at BROS with the same look you get when you feel you have just been traded without your consent. Ewa’s responds though, getting her confidence back as she senses she might be important after all. “You don’t even know me, you don’t even know if you can trust me, you don’t know if I’ll agree or not, haba! What kind of risk is that?”

BROS stares straight in her eyes and answers. “There is more Ewa. After I discovered my children weren’t mine and I felt trapped, I resorted to call girls and escorts, I am sure you refer to them as runs girls. Well I had a recruiter and I am sure you know her well. Graceful Kem.” This was beyond shock to Ewa, as Graceful Kem owns the model agency that gets her ushering jobs. BROS continues. “She has given me several girls who come to my company guest house to distract me from my sorrows with sex unimaginable, and then I looked through her phone and saw you. I asked her for you but she said no, and I asked and she said you were a virgin. You have a way of telling people things you know.” BROS takes another sip of lemon juice, probably what the doctor asked before the surgery, but the dedication of drinking it without joining Ewa with the English breakfast seemed logical.

BROS continues his confessions; “Kem told me a lot about you and I have been watching you the last 4 months. Ever since Dr Hassan told me about the possibility of having my own children, I have been looking for a suitor. I told Kem to give you the ushering job at my company party, and I told her specifically where I wanted you to stand. I know you Ewa, far more than you think. I know your house, your parents, and your sisters and brother; I know your course, your room mates. I even know your father’s pension problems and the balance of the bank account everyone in your family; I even know your blood group.” Dead silence engulfed the room. If Ewa had earlier thought she was traded, now she knows she was for real. It’s like the Beast knowing Beauty’s every move with the enchanted mirrors in his castle. BROS was the beast for sure. #savage.

“The stunt I pulled in my office, pulling down my trunks and being inappropriate was to confirm certain things Kem said about you. You’re the real deal and I know I can trust you.”

Ewa stops BROS with her hands posing like a traffic warden, “so I am your guinea pig abi, a social experiment, something you can just pick up and toss around without considering my will. I am just a piece of pawn in your elaborate game. Oh what have I gotten into? What a life.” She starts to cry.

BROS is quick on his feet as he moves to give Ewa a hug and speaks “People meet people in various ways my dear and I know how I feel about you. I am the one that has known you for months and I promise by the time you fully know me, you’ll never regret being with me.”

With all cards on the table, Ewa and BROS spent the day going through malls shopping and engaging in an exchange of personality. Ewa giving BROS a rejuvenation of youth and hope while Ewa gets wisdom and stories only BROSES can provide.

At 5pm U.A.E time, BROS and Ewa head to the hospital. He is checked in and prepared for the procedure for 9pm. “It’s just a 30minute procedure my friend, no problem GOD willing you will be up in less than 2 hours” Dr Hassan proclaims with confidence.

Dr Ahmed Hassan is best known as the medical pride of the Middle East. Born in Kuwait, he studied medicine in India with further training in Canada and the United States of America. With several wards in his belt, he came highly recommended.

But like he said , “GOD willing “.

BROS makes Ewa signs as next of kin in the forms and BROS is rolled into the theater for surgery.

TO BE CONTINUED …….

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