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YASHEEDA

‘Yes. Sort of,’ I smiled nervously, trying to avoid the question. I could tell that it was about to get difficult.

‘What does “sort of” mean? Do you live with this Bolivian guy here or another friend, or do you live on your own?’ Then her expression changed and she suddenly became suspicious. ‘You don’t have a wife, do you?’

‘No. I’m not married,’ I took a deep breath and decided to tell the truth. ‘Actually, I live in San Pedro prison.’

‘What? I don’t understand. You work there and that’s where you sleep?’ She had stopped being suspicious and now looked confused.

‘No. I’m a prisoner there.’

‘Very funny. No, seriously, where do you live?’

‘I’m a prisoner in San Pedro. I live and sleep in the prison. Seriously,’ I told her, trying my hardest to make it not sound like a joke, but she didn’t believe me. She got really angry and shook her head at me, as if the whole time I had been deceiving her.

‘You don’t have to lie to me. I know you’ve got a girlfriend. I knew there was something strange about you. Getting me drunk and feeding me up on coke. I’ve met guys like you. Your girlfriend probably thinks you’re an angel, right?’ she said, leaping up from the table and taking a step away from me in disgust. Her friend also stood up, pleased that they were finally leaving.

‘No. No. No. You’ve got it all wrong. Please listen. You have to listen to me. Please! I swear to you on my life that I’m a prisoner in San Pedro jail. This guy here is my escort for the night. I’m out on leave, but I have to go back now. You have to trust me,’ I pleaded, taking a step forward and trying to put my arms around her, but she pushed me off.

‘Get away from me!’ she yelled, and the people sitting at the next table looked up. ‘Leave me alone, will you?’ She looked like she was about to cry but I kept trying to convince her in a soothing tone.

‘I know it sounds unbelievable. I don’t blame you. But it’s true, I promise you. Yasheeda. Honestly. I paid to go out for the night. If you don’t believe me, ask him!’ I said, pointing at Jaime.

‘Don’t lie to me! I’m not a little girl.’

‘I’m not lying, I promise you it’s the truth. Ask him.’ Yasheeda looked at Jaime who couldn’t understand what was going on but knew there was some kind of argument. But then she shook her head again