Chapter 12: Clash Of Cultures

Gwenllian finally came to Oxford to visit her daughter. Since she never spent any money unnecessarily the journey was by long distance coach, changing in Birmingham and taking five and a half hours instead of the two hours by train, but saving almost two thirds of the train fare. When Nicola met her mother she explained that her fellow student and friend Sharifa would let them stay in her house, thereby saving the cost of a bed and breakfast for the two nights of the visit.

The mother was worried by the friend’s name, “Sharifa? What kind of name is that? Where is she from? North of England I suppose.”

“No, mam. She’s from the Middle East, some sort of Arab I think. I think her dad is rich.”

“Does she wear one of those all over black robes like the terrorists insist women should?”

“Mam!” exclaimed Nicola, “No she does not. She looks and dresses more like an American girl than anything else.”

“Oh well, it’s only two nights, so I suppose it’s alright.”

The first surprise for Gwenllian was when she and Nicola turned the corner of the bus station to see a Rolls-Royce in the car park and a giant muscular man standing there with his arms folded. The real surprise was when he moved towards them and Nicola, taking her mother’s luggage, went to meet him. The man made a respectful bow before taking the luggage and storing it in the Rolls. Another man in the driver’s seat got out and opened the door.

“You mean this is for us?” asked Gwenllian in shock.

Nicola chuckled. “It’s Sharifa’s. Cool eh?” she said as she invited her mother into the Rolls.

The driver bowed but remained silent as mother and daughter boarded.

“Mam, this is Sharifa,” said Nicola as she introduced the girl sitting opposite her.

Gwenllian was stunned and almost speechless. Sharifa was nothing like she had imagined as she sat in a blue t-shirt and white jeans with very expensive looking brown leather boots. The girl could certainly pass for an American. At least that’s what Nicola’s mother thought.

“How do you do, Mrs. Price. Nicola has been very excited since she learned you were coming,” said Sharifa as she extended her hand.

“Thank you. It’s very good of you to put us up,” responded Gwenllian.

“Not at all. You are both separated for long enough while Nicola is at Oxford. My place is very spacious and besides the food is good,” answered Sharifa. All three laughed at the last remark.

The men took Gwenllian’s luggage and brought it to their room. Nicola and her mother, along with Sharifa followed close behind. When they finally arrived Gwenllian received another surprise when she saw the room. Despite having two very luxurious beds the room was quite spacious. She and Nicola lived in a small house with two small bedrooms. This was all a shock to her. “It’s beautiful,” was all she was able to utter.

Sharifa smiled. “Dinner will be in about an hour. I hope you’re hungry?” she asked with a smile.

“Well, it’s been a long drive. I could do with freshening up and change,” said the bemused mother.

“Of course,” responded Sharifa and she turned and clapped her hands twice. Then the biggest shock for Gwenllian was when the two almost naked young girls appeared and prostrated themselves before Sharifa.

Noticing her mother’s obvious shock, Nicola couldn’t help but smile.

“Bath!” ordered Sharifa and the young women rose without a word and were about to lead Gwenllian away.

“But...” she stuttered.

“The girls will help you bathe,” said Sharifa.

“Go ahead, mam. It’s the way things work around here,” Nicola said smiling.

In the bathroom Gwenllian saw the beautiful ornate bath being gradually being filled with hot water. The next shock she received was when the girls tried to remove her clothes.

“What are you doing? Stop!” she shouted as if she was being raped.

The confused young girls spoke to each other in Arabic, trying to understand Gwenllian’s protests. They feared they would be punished.

“Out, out, out now,” ordered Gwenllian as she ushered the puzzled and frightened girls out of the bathroom.

“What’s wrong?” asked Sharifa who had come to the bathroom with Nicola when they heard the racket.

“Please, I am very well able to take a bath. I don’t need the girls,” replied Gwenllian.

“It’s just their job to help you,” said Sharifa.

“Please,” was all Gwenllian said before closing the door.

“Very well,” responded Sharifa and ordered the girls to leave in Arabic and assuring them they would not be punished.

“I’m sorry about this, Sharifa,” offered Nicola.

“That’s alright. It’s not your fault. Your mother just doesn’t understand,” answered Sharifa soothingly before they returned to the dining room to wait for Gwenllian.

Gwenllian failed to notice that her blouse had been opened and Sharifa caught an eyeful of her ample cleavage. This put another exciting idea into the young girl’s head.

Dinner was wonderful for Nicola. She had never consumed so much food as she had done in the last few weeks she had met Sharifa. She and her mother had never had enough money to dine like this.

When the table had been cleared Sharifa had a surprise for mother and daughter. “The night is still young. How would you both like to go clubbing with me?” she asked.

“What?” Gwenllian and her daughter asked in unison.

“I have nothing to wear,” Gwenllian protested.

“Nor have I,” said Nicola.

“The dress you have on is quite adequate, Mrs. Price. As for you Nicola, you’re about my size. I’m sure we can find something in my wardrobe.” said Sharifa.

Gwenllian had changed into a green three quarter length dress for dinner. It was the only one she had. “I don’t know...” she said uneasily.

“Oh come on, mam. When was the last time you let your hair down? It’ll be fun,”

Without another word Sharifa and Nicola disappeared into the bedroom.

“You own all these dresses?” asked an astonished Nicola as she saw the most beautiful dresses in the wardrobe.

“Well, these are only a few of them; I have lots more at home.”

Sharifa took down a beautiful red dress and placed it against Nicola. who held it appreciatively. “Oh, it’s so beautiful,” she exclaimed excitedly.

“It should fit. Try it on,” instructed Sharifa.

“Here?” asked Nicola shyly.

“Of course. There’s only the two of us, Nicola. I’ll change into this,” responded Sharifa as she produced a blue dress.

Once again Sharifa couldn’t help but admire her friend’s naked form as she undressed.

A few minutes later the girls rejoined Gwenllian in the room. Nicola swung around. “What do you think, mam?” she asked.

“Oh you’re so beautiful,” answered her mother who was amazed in the transformation in her daughter.

Sharifa went to the door and barked instructions to the guard in Arabic. A few minutes later all three were in the Rolls Royce accompanied by two of the bodyguard.

Gwenllian was once again struck by the fact that they were accompanied by these two muscular men.

“Where are we going?” asked Nicola curiously.

“We’re going to the Royal Britannic Club.” answered Sharifa.

“That’s the most exclusive club in Oxford. They’d never let us in,” protested Nicola.

“On the contrary. I am a member and you are invited along as my guests. Some of our fellow students will be joining us too. They are celebrating a birthday. I thought we would join them,” responded Sharifa.

Mother and daughter were stunned into silence.

Arriving at the club not only was there no problem of entry but Sharifa and her party were escorted to private table that had obviously been pre-booked. The guards stood at a discreet distance.

“What will you both have to drink?” asked Sharifa.

“Oh no, let me,” answered Gwenllian as she reached for her purse.

“Nonsense, as my guests I insist,” replied Sharifa.

Reluctantly the women accepted Sharifa’s offer and she gave the order to the waiter who bowed politely before leaving.

The music started and after taking a sip of her drink Sharifa gave a very discreet nod to three young men sitting at a table to the right. They each got up and approached their table and asked them to dance. Nicola was clearly delighted and accepted. Sharifa also accepted but Gwenllian hesitated.

“Oh come on, mam. Enjoy yourself,” scolded Nicola.

Gwenllian finally agreed and despite her reservations actually enjoyed the entire night.

“Gosh, I’m bushed,” declared Nicola as the Rolls halted outside Sharifa’s flat.

“Me too,” said Gwenllian, “Thank you Sharifa for a wonderful night,” she continued.

“You’re more than welcome, Mrs. Price,” responded Sharifa with a smile as the door of the Rolls was opened by the driver and they all got out.

“Please, call me Gwennie,” replied Nicola’s mother.

“Goodnight, Sharifa, and thank you,” said Nicola as she kissed her friend’s cheek before heading to her bedroom.

“Goodnight Nicola. Sleep well,” answered Sharifa.

It was in the bedroom that Gwenllian got another shock as Nicola stood up and the two girls came in and obediently undressed her.

“Nicola, what are you doing?” she cried.

“This is the way they do things here, mam. You insulted Sharifa once today and embarrassed me.”

“How?” asked a shocked Gwenllian.

“By your behaviour in the bathroom this morning. Sharifa has been very hospitable and kind to us. The very least you should do is accept it gracefully no matter how strange you think it is,” responded Nicola who by now had been first stripped and then had her nightdress placed over her. She sat down and one of the girls began to dutifully brush her hair while the other tended her hands and nails.

Stung by her daughter’s rebuke, Gwenllian sighed deeply before following her example and allowing the girls to perform their duties on her.

While lying in bed Nicola thought about the wonderful day and even better evening she had had, despite her mother’s behaviour. “Goodnight, mam,” she said before turning over and quickly falling asleep.

“Goodnight, dear,” responded Nicola’s mother wearily.

Gwenllian, in contrast to her daughter, had a restless night. ‘What on earth has this girl done to my darling little daughter?’ she thought before eventually falling asleep.

What neither of them knew was that the young men they had danced with had been bribed by Sharifa. She promised them a night of passionate sex if they treated Nicola and her mother well. Thinking they were going to have sex with a Princess they readily agreed. When, a few days after Gwenllian’s return home they arrived at Sharifa’s flat they were disappointed. However this disappointment was short lived when they enjoyed the wonderful oral skills of her servant girls who clearly knew how to please their masters.