My life, my choices |Walfnet - The info continues in real time
CHRONICLE OF THE TIDE
[accordion title=”Chapter 1: The Beginning“]
Have you ever wondered if you made the right choice? I think so because there are times when you don't know what to do or how to do it. We are all called one day or another to make a decision that will determine our lives. Mine were more than decisive, they completely changed my life. Here is my story.
Seven years back
I head to the shower at a snail's pace, thinking of my beloved Physio, sniff, my big sister and best friend in this sniff house. We are like twins and sometimes his mother reproaches him for this excessive complicity. She and Oumy are still at war because the latter is jealous of her. How can we be jealous of her blood? I will never understand this state of mind of Oumy.
Despite the fact that I cried all night, I can't stop those tears from still coming out. My father chased him like a clean male yesterday from the house. For good reason, she got pregnant from one of her many friends. He caused a great scandal, calling his wives all the names of birds. Who are we lying to here? Or did he believe that she picked up the money she brought back. Did he, if only for one day, protest to her or her mother about all these men who dropped her off with their beautiful cars in front of the house. It is today that he feels soiled, insulted whereas yesterday when my sister brought back money and supplies, she was the most pampered. He throws her in the street because, he says, he wants to save the honor of the family, shim my eye.
What did he believe? That these men were content with a few kisses and such with all the colossal sums they gave him. Disguised prostitution is tolerated and is so widespread in our cities that we have ended up getting used to it and finding it normal. Like many fathers, he preferred to remain blind until she became pregnant.
In this district of the suburbs of Guédiawaye where there are thousands of households, my father is not the only one to have resigned from his role as father of the family a long time ago. Today, apart from the rent, water and electricity, dad no longer gives food. Here it is every man for himself, God for all. The reason given is that we are old enough to support ourselves and that he no longer has the means to take care of everything since the family has grown considerably. Whose fault is it ? Two years ago he allowed himself to take a third wife who is the age of his daughter Kiné. You say you can't afford to feed your family and you allow yourself to take another wife.
My family is made up as such: first my father, followed by the daronne aunt Rokhaya with her six children including two boys and four girls; my mother with me as an only daughter and three boys and finally my father's last wife, Aïssatou who already has a one-year-old daughter and is almost due for another. My badiene (my father's sister) has also been living with us since her divorce, bringing these kids back. So we are a family of nineteen people in a house with only five bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen. The exiguity of this stifling proximity has the consequence of putting the house in boiling tension all the time. For nothing, disputes break out. When I look at my father, I wonder how an intellectual, math teacher in addition, can live like in the Middle Ages. Why have so many wives and children when we only have a poor salary as a teacher. Recklessness or recklessness, I don't know what word I could qualify it.
Today almost all my brothers and sisters have become street children. They stopped their studies to meet the needs of their mothers. There are only four left to continue their studies and I am one of them. Two years ago, I too wanted to quit and follow my sister Physio, my idol, by working in a hairdressing salon. But my mother gave me one of her attacks that I will never forget. It was the first time I had seen her come out of her gongs, she who is usually so sweet. I never dared to talk to him about it again. Today I am in final year S2 and I must say that it is thanks to my father, if I arrived at this level. He begins to regret not having been so demanding with these elders and he tries to catch up with the younger ones by supervising us in the studies, especially in the scientific subjects in which he excels.
Dung dung dung…. You go out shit shouts the daronne making me jump. There are others waiting here. You forgot you only have ten minutes. Get out right away dung dung dung…. I finish my shower on the sly, pull on the loincloth that serves as my towel and wrap it securely around me. When I get out of the shower, I shave the wall so that the daronne doesn't surprise me with her legendary heute (punch on the back). Every time she gives it to me, I hold myself back from throwing up, it hurts so much. With the arms of a wrestler she has, it's normal. If she was mean to me only I would have understood that it is because she is my mother's co-wife but she is even more so with her children. A real tyrant. When she hits them with her belt it's appalling. I thank God for giving me such a sweet and kind mother.
Before I finish getting dressed, mom comes to say goodbye, it's barely 6 a.m. She is a fish seller and always leaves at this hour to be among the first to welcome the makeshift boats that dock on the beach. I watch her wake up my little brother who is sleeping on a makeshift mattress next to me. She is so brave. I have never seen her complain despite the hard life she leads. She always wakes up at 5 a.m. to leave at 6 a.m. and comes back at 12 p.m. to prepare the meal. We leave the afternoon together with her. Rebelote, she returns to the market to finish her sale. I happened to accompany her during the holidays to help her in her task. In this experience, the moment that I remember the most is the beginning of the haggling between the fishermen and the fish sellers. The latter have an extraordinary way of changing their face and behavior. Friends a minute ago, they become enemies for half an hour. Mines frozen, threatening gaze, they confronted each other silently before attacking. There, you have the impression that you are in the court of Wall Streets live. In short, I loved discovering this thrilling environment of fish sellers even if the fish scales almost killed me.
Without looking at what she gave me, I stuff it in my bag and hurry to get dressed. I have a math assignment in a week and dad has given me an appointment every morning at 6:30 a.m. for an hour of work. I am always first in science subjects. I wish I hadn't seen him today, I'm so angry with him. I hang around the room pretending to look for something. Twice Youssouf came to tell me that Dad was waiting for me in the living room, but I continued to play deaf.
Dad (shouting): Mati Dieng Dieng Sonko, walaahi, if you don't come right away, you'll see what I'm getting on with. The sentence does not know repeated twice. As soon as I entered the living room, I was greeted with reuk reuk nickname given to his legendary riding crop. A single hit makes you dance the lambada.
Me (shouting): Sorry, sorry….
Dad (angry voice): Did you see the time? Han you want to play the rebels because that bitch is gone. Your sister Ami has dishonored the family, I am even ashamed to go to school. Don't even look for me?
I sit down looking at his hand which is still holding reuk reuk fiercely. I did not understand anything at the explanatory session that followed, the conditions not being met for. I left the house crying silently.
Youssouf (my little brother): How much did mom give you? I look at my little brother Youssouf who doesn't seem to be happy. It must be 100 francs for his funeral appearance. With that, we have to buy breakfast. When the market is good it's 200 Fr. The little one, as he is still young, he does not know the difficulties of mum and spends all his time criticizing especially in the evening when we make broth for dinner. Mom's last one and really sometimes I just want to gut him, he's so rude and extraordinarily selfish.
Me (frowning): Yaw da nga rèw té hamady (you are rude and arrogant). Walay, one day I'm going to kick your ass so you'll stop being rotten, shiiiiiipppp.
Youssouf (sticking his tongue out): Lila nahari tégoumalako (what is happening to you is not my fault); now no more hamburger or chawarma. All in the same basket. There he is referring to Physio who used to bring me these delicacies a few times at night when returning from a meeting at the restaurant. A tear falls again. I hear that bastard chuckle and I chase after him to fix his portrait. I have to vent my anger somewhere and too bad if it's on this brat. Despite the fact that Youssouf is only 10 years old, this cherub runs like an athlete. . We were in a mad pursuit and bang. You wanted to see a collusion, I landed on the floor legs first, ouch!!! Ouye aie !!!, laa ilaha ilalah !!! The shock is so strong that I hurt everywhere: in the head, in the arm, oh the buttocks. I closed my eyes for a moment but hearing my brother's laughter, I got up suddenly. There, my head is spinning and I lose my balance but this time I'm held back by someone, probably the guy who atomized me like that. I turn around with great momentum to make war on him and badaboum. Wouye sama NDeye!!! (Oh my God). A feeling of emotion invades me when I see that he is the man of my life, my universe, my raison d'être, the one who haunts my dreams: Ibou Diop...
- Hi! His voice is so sweet that I'm even more disappointed. I think I'm dreaming, I have to pinch myself. How are you ? Excuse me, I didn't see you, he continues, feeling my arm. My God, he touches me.
Youssouf (approaching): She's in love, she's in love, he hums while dancing. I have never been so ashamed in my life. He signed his death warrant Walaahi. I gave him a slap so hard that he lost his balance, this one I pulled out of my guts. He started crying and hurried away from me. Naw!!! I turn back to Brad Pitt (that's what they call him here) and give him my biggest smile. It's the first time since I've known him that we've been face to face and he's spoken to me. He responds to my smile and I melt like ice cream under the blazing sun of Matam.
Me (stepping back): I'm late. I turn and run away.
Hey Allah, what did ‘panic’ just make me do here.
Ibou Diop whose real name is Iboulaye Mahtar Diop, son of Mouhamed Lamine Diop, former Minister of Development and Handicrafts, now retired. His mother is called Diéynaba Tounkara, the biggest trader in the city. She has three very large shops which mean that practically all the small traders in the city come to stock up on her. On the other hand, I don't like her too much because she is very snobbish. But because of his son, I'm ready to go to the moon to get him a pebble. Ibou is the most beautiful, the tallest, the kindest, the most adorable…. Let's not get lost, in short, he's the man all women in Guédiawaye dream of, especially babes like me. He is the third of four siblings with two sisters (Fatou and Astou). He studied in France and returned home a year ago. He is 28 years old, without a wife or children. He still lives in the family home but it seems that he has his own apartment in the building. You are probably wondering how I know all this? It's because I'm completely, definitely, and overly in love with him. I know all about this man and yet he does not even know that I exist. The first time I saw him he was wearing blue jeans paired with a white polo shirt which brilliantly enhanced the beauty of his fair complexion. Perched on his 1.80 meter, Ibou is sculpted like an athlete. He is a man in all the strength and in all the flower of youth. I can draw him with his eyes closed because I know every part of his body, the rather loose vigor of his shapes, the neatness of his black eyebrows, the polished whiteness of his smile, the calm of his limpid eyes or even the delicacy of these features. Her face has the distinction of the lines of ancient beauty and is imbued with a divine sweetness.
He could be handsome but not charismatic, have the finesse but not the feeling but no. He preferred to keep it all: a mixture of sweetness and excessive virility. Today I hear his voice for the first time, I am Kao. I am very lucky that he speaks to me and what do I do? I flee. No, no, no, I can't believe I did that.
Bang, another collision, no two, three….. I look surprised at my girlfriends who jostle around me talking at the same time.
Coumbis (smiling): What did he tell you?
Matou (pulling my hand): How's his voice?
Rokhaya (smug): Ay waye gné naala!!! (I envy you too much).
I see my little brother in the distance holding his stomach, probably the one who warned them. I'm screwed. For a minute, wiw wiw wiw wiw…. They are like bees in a nest. Already that I am angry and frustrated to have missed the opportunity of my life.
Without a glance at these pins, I walk to my class thinking back to this smile which I am sure will remain forever etched in my memory.
Victor Hugo said that "The outside does not depend on the inside" but I tell myself that God cannot create such beauty with a black heart. Hey Allah, give me the chance to see him once, just once…..
To be read every MONDAY…
By Madame Ndèye Marème DIOP
[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Chapter 2: The page turns“]
Part Matie
After the rain, the good weather»
It's the first time in my life that I've been nothing in math class. I'm a thousand leagues from here reliving the scene of this morning on repeat. I should have answered him, taken his phone number and who knows how to go to the restaurant with him..... Stop dreaming waye, ki loumou laye doyé (he has nothing to do with you).
Mati….Maaatttiiiiii, I jump and drop my pen, the teacher's cry is so loud.
The teacher (annoyed): May I know what is happening to you? I look at him without understanding. Everyone is doing the exercise I gave and you haven't even opened your book.
Me (ashamed): Excuse me sir. I hurry to carry out the order, my girlfriend next to restrains herself from bursting out laughing and points her finger at the exercise I have to do.
Coumbis (whispering): I understand you, if it were me, I would have gone straight home and for a week I wouldn't greet anyone or wash my hand to keep his mark as long as possible.
I took my mouth so as not to burst out laughing. Coumbis is a real goofball, that's why she's my best friend. Being a rich kid, she approached me to protect herself because in high school I was a badass. No girl dares to face me and the few who have dared to do so have bitten their fingers. I have never worn a skirt or a dress, my outfit is t-shirt, jeans, basketball. Here they call me Zena the warrior. I had to face a few boys but since I received a direct from Terror, I never dared to fight with a guy again. My eye stayed closed for three days, no, the guy didn't miss me. My brothers took revenge, the parents got involved and the case finally ended up with the police.
The bell rings, we hurry out, hastily arranging our notebooks. The girls surround me as soon as I'm outside and here we go again: win win win. As a great storyteller, I tell what happened. Let's say instead that I create the greatest love story worthy of harlequin novels. The more they were dazzled the more I added tons and tons of them like he stroked my arms to soothe the pain of the fall, he wanted to accompany me to school, he asked me for my number …. In short, a real mito, I know but what do you want, for once I am the center of interest of the whole school. I'm not going to tell them that I fled. Never.
At twelve o'clock, I waited for Mum outside the door for ten minutes with Youssouf who decided to sulk at me. That's why the phone is necessary because every time she has a setback, she calls me to tell us to come home. After five minutes of waiting, I decide to go home but I see that the little brat does not want to follow me. He's not going to spoil my good mood, I go home without looking at him, humming and whistling. It is when I enter the neighborhood leading to the house that Kiné comes out of a small alley. Bouueee!!! she cries, making me drop my satchel. After the scare passed, I jump into his arms and literally burst into tears.
Physio (moved): Please don't put yourself in this state. I need your help and fast.
Me (wiping away my tears): Tell me and I'll do it right away.
Physician: I couldn't take my clothes yesterday and this slut is going to hurry and steal them from me. I want you to put all my things away for me. If you take a suitcase, dad will understand, so buy 3 sachets of 100 FR and stuff everything in there. I would be behind the window.
Me (worried): At this time? No I can not. Why not wait until evening around 5 p.m. and…
Kiné: Amina and Fatou will be back and you won't be able to do anything. They will report you straight away. Dad never enters our rooms, he will only see fire. She pulls out 5,000 Fr and stuffs it into my hand. Bribe the little ones by giving them 500 Fr just in case and take the rest. I try to open my mouth again but she puts a finger in it. Please Mati, I need my clothes, I spent a fortune to get them. No way am I leaving them to these bitches.
Me (resigned): Okay. If not, can I know where you draw?
Physiotherapist: At a friend's house. As soon as I have my apartment, you can come there. At her words I smile and already begin to dream of a new life, of the fact that I will go clubbing if I am with her, go to the restaurant….
.
Physiotherapist: Knock, knock, is anyone there? Go ahead, time is running out. I give him another hug before running home.
As soon as I enter, the James Bond operation is triggered. I do my usual salamaleykoums, go into my room for ten seconds to put my things down, come out, sit with the kids for two minutes, look from left to right. Nobody pays attention to me and the daronne is in the kitchen, I take action. My heart beating a thousand an hour, I enter Physio's room. She shares this one with our 8 year old little sister Rama, the youngest of her mother and Amina the eldest of the family who is still not married. Normal given his black heart, worse than his mother. I take the 3 sachets out of my pocket, open his cupboard and start stuffing everything that comes to hand. As soon as the bag is full, I take the second then the third for the shoes. I quickly open the window where Physio is already waiting for me with outstretched arms. Rac tac, I give him these things and hurry out. Allhamdoulilah, no one caught my hand in the bag, phew. It must be said that at this time there are not many people.
As I said, dad no longer gives out expenses, the responsibility lies with the moms. Before, the moms managed to make lunch and the whole family sat around two large bowls. It was a moment of reunion and we felt at least that we were a family despite the arguments and such. Until that famous day when we put a bowl of salt in mom's sauce because she had prepared a good chicken yassa. Ha jealousy when you hold us. The daronne could no longer bear the joy and the eagerness that everyone in the house, even her children, had when it was around mom to make the meal. She put all her love and money into it, the important thing for her was to please. It was fed up for mom who completely transformed into a lioness for one afternoon. The Cold War that had been going on in the house for years turned into World War 39 – 45. A pitched battle that turned the house upside down. Because it must be said the house is divided into two clans. First mine composed of my mother, Kiné and my aunt Aïssatou. Then Satan's clan made up of the daronne, her two monster daughters and my badiene (my father's sister). The latter had no problem with us but since my brother and son of the daronne went to Spain and send her a few cents from time to time, she has completely turned her jacket around. In short, for years the battle of the clans has been ravaging the Sonko family where the men, supposed to restore order, prefer not to get involved. Today mom no longer cooks at home, even when it's her turn. She prefers to buy a bowl of rice and for only her and her children. The family is even more divided. Sometimes I blame dad for letting the family climate deteriorate like this, but deep down I know there is nothing I can do about it. Aunt Rokhaya is an execrable, jealous and fundamentally bad person, but the weight of her children plays on her marriage, which is why dad cannot repudiate her.
Unfortunately we are the ones who pay for the broken skins. The house is weighed down in an atmosphere of stress and perpetual tension which has finally rubbed off on our morals. Whether we like it or not, these habitual conflicts end up affecting us psychologically. Anxiety, loss of appetite or sleep disturbances: the consequences are often insidious... and settle over time, creating dangerous physical and moral tension.
At that time I was in the ninth grade exam class. The tensions of the house added to that of the exam plunged me into an anxiety attack. My mother couldn't take it anymore. Right after the results came out, my mom took those clicks and clacks and off to Saint Louis. Those days it looked like me and Youssouf were going to the United States, we were so excited and happy.
During all the holidays, we stayed there. Three long and unforgettable holidays. We didn't even want to go home because we were so well. My grandparents are also poor but they live in peace and harmony. Before leaving my father called us in the living room to give us some advice that marked me forever.
“My children, when you came here you could clearly see that you were on the verge of an anxiety attack. You have let yourself be drawn into futilities because you have not been able to furnish your life. Nature abhors a vacuum, and it's your focus on the details all the time that has gotten you to this point. My daughter, I have always told you: the devil is in the details. So instead of calling your parents all the time to help you out, get a job and put your family life on hold. By working, you will occupy your time and your mind and you will see that in this life, only work pays. »
We followed this advice to the letter. My mother, helped by a friend, started selling fish at the market and I concentrated even more on my studies. I signed up for four clubs (basketball, French, English and math). Which meant that I had no respite for me. I started to like reading because of the many books that were demanded of me in these clubs. But above all, I channeled all my strength and energy into studies. Today I think like Descartes, walk like Jordan, speak like Shakespeare and perform like Pythagoras.
Paf, this one I felt. I turn to my mother who, hands on her hips, is looking at me dangerously. I can see Youssouf pretending to cry from afar. I caress my sore cheek and question mom.
Mom: How dare you let your little brother come home from school alone.
Me: That's why you slapped me, he's ten years old. When – are you going to stop pampering him like a baby? In addition he….
Mom (cutting me off): He's still a Mati child and that his silk the last time you hit him, that's understood.
Feeling tears welling up, I look down and resume my reading. Mom scolds me for another minute and leaves in front of me.
An hour later, my anger isn't going down. I'm sick of her favoring that cherub so much. We were eating in a heavy atmosphere when Karaba the witch stood in front of us.
Aunt Rokhaya (furious): Did you take Physio's clothes? His gaze is black as coal.
Me (shaky voice): No
Aunt Rokhaya (shouting): You're lying, there are only children here and...
Mom (calmly): My daughter is not a thief.
Aunt Rokhaya: It's her I'm sure and she'll take them out si niii wala si na (by sandstone or by force). Mom motions for me to leave the bowl and I comply and run to lock myself in the bedroom. The voices begin to warm up, I start shaking while reciting the Koran. If Mom knows it's me, she'll kill me. A minute later, she storms into the room.
Mom (pointing a threatening finger at me): I told you not to get involved in this story.
Me (hesitant voice): I swear I didn't do anything.
Mom (shouting): Besides, you dare to look me straight in the eye and lie to me. With mind-blowing speed, she takes her right shoe and starts hitting me. I curl up like a baby in its mother's fetus and let her vent her anger. After eight healthy kicks she angrily throws the shoe to the ground and sits down next to me. I don't even dare look at her.
Mom (low voice): You always do what you like without measuring the consequences that will ensue. Kiné is a good girl with a heart of gold but unfortunately her mother's voracity and selfishness led her down a bad path. Today Rokhaya is going to want at all costs to show that it's not just her daughter who is bad. the head but I know that deep down I would always be in solidarity with him.
She takes a breath and leaves the room. A minute later, Youssouf enters with his worried look.
Youssouf (whispering): Aunt Rokhaya is going to eat you alive when you get out of here. She is pacing outside. Taye rek nga dé (you will die).
Me (getting up with difficulty): Hey pity, already that mom didn't miss me. We were there wondering how we were going to get out alive and go to school when the door opened. You should have seen us with the big step back we took. Phew it's dad and saw his smiling look, he's not going to do anything to us.
Dad (soft voice): Come on, you're going to be late for school, it's almost 3 p.m. We got up quickly to cling behind his clothes. Outside my aunt is waiting for us in combat position. My heart is beating at 100 per hour, I sometimes feel that she is bigger when she is angry. In any case, I had my dose, out of the question that I taste his heute (punch on the back).
Aunt Rokhaya (roaring): Don't you dare cut me off, it's between her and me. I swallow my saliva and stand like an i behind my father.
Dad (threatening): If you touched it, you'll see what I'm getting on with. What next ? Anyway, I don't want those dirty clothes here so what if she took them? In addition….
Aunt Rokhaya: Maye ma sama diame (leave me alone)…..
It was on again, the contest of who shouts the loudest. I take advantage of this moment to run out of the house. Before walking through the door, I give her my best smile while she insults me in the worst way. I hear his voice in the distance shouting and calling me bird names. Fortunately, his overweight does not allow him to move quickly. I take a few steps outside with Youssouf when my mother catches up to us, laughing.
Mom: She's really pissed off. Hey Allah. You too, you smile at him like that she sneers.
Me: When your enemy uses the arrow of your tongue to hurt you, use the sword of your smile to kill him. You taught me that, right? General laughter
Mom: Since yesterday, she had remained in her corner with her shame but now, you have just given her the opportunity to blame us. She will more than exaggerate the situation in order to forget the fact that her daughter is pregnant and that's why I blame you.
Me: Anyway, that's what she does best. She has always blamed us for everything that happens to her. Either we are witches or we marabouted him.
Mom: Silence is the greatest contempt, so when you come home, don't answer anyone, especially Oumy and Amina. Revise near your dad and at night, you sleep in my room for safety.
Me: So much?
Mom: Your aunt is one of those people who, when hurt, reacts like a trapped animal. Going crazy is in a way a way to shout out your dismay. Go now and let me know on your friend's cell phone when you get off. By the way, what time is it?
Me: 5 p.m. but I have a work session with our math club until 7 p.m.
Mom: Ok that's fine, I'll come get you.
We part in front of the school and I walk into class feeling sick to my stomach. Every evening, I say a long prayer or I ask God to give me the baccalaureate and allow me to leave this house undermined by clan wars. With my good grades, it is sure that I will have a scholarship and a room at the university.
It is 7:05 p.m. when I go out with Coumbis from school. She turns on her cell phone and passes it to me. I make the call to mom who takes a long time to pick up.
Me: Hello, so what?
Mom: Good evening my daughter. Don't come in yet, it's hot in here. I hear a dull noise.
Me (worried): What's going on mum?
Mom: Stay with your girlfriend, I told you. I'll call you later……tink tink tink tink. She cut, I look at the phone completely frozen.
Coumbis (shaking me): Hey what is it? How are you ?
Me (come back to reality): I have to go.
Coumbis (holding me back): What did she tell you?
Me (breathing very hard): To stay with you until she calls back I replied as I walked home.
Coumbis (pulling my hand even harder): And where are you going? She asked you not to go, right? For once in your life do what your mom tells you.
Me (screaming): And who tells me she's safe, they're three to one. My aunt Aïssatou is a first class fagot. It is out of the question that they face them alone.
Coumbis (soft voice): Calm down, there’s no point getting carried away. Call one of your brothers to see and if none answer, we go. OK ?
I pick up his cell phone and dial Doudou's number, who picks up on the first ring.
Doudou (joyful): Madam damage.
Me (not standing still): Are you home?
Doudou (sneering): Yes, and don't you dare go inside, otherwise the crazy girl will kill you outright.
Me (annoyed): Where's mum? She is fine ? Why doesn't anyone want me to come home?
Doudou (whispering): Because there was a big argument between the big organ and dad. In the absence of mom, Tata took your clothes to burn them. Dad stepped in and went so far as to raise his hand to her. Eventually they got into a serious fight. It was Karim (a neighbour) who called me. I applied at the same time as the others. Satan is serious, I swear the devil was in their bodies today. No one was able to calm them down. We had to evacuate Dad before anyone died. Hello ? Hello ? You are here ?
Me (flabbergasted): You're kidding, aren't you? Beaten from beaten, you said?
Doudou (giggling softly): Walaahi, the earth shook I tell you. Dad put her away and she swears by all the gods she'll kill you before she leaves the house.
Me (still worried): And where is Mum? It's not sure that she stays there too.
Doudou (serious): Don't worry, we'll protect her well. Amadou has just arrived, he has brought Papa to our house (the boys have been renting a room for two years in a building not far from the house). Do you think you can stay at your girlfriend's house?
Me (smile): Yes of course. She's been asking me for quite some time.
Doudou: that’s cool then. I would tell mom. I must leave you now.
I was thoughtful for a minute before Coumbis snapped me back to reality. I tell her what happened and she starts dancing. I want to do the same but I don't really like to rejoice in the misfortune of others. Even if deep down, my aunt deserves it. She ruined our lives so much, especially when we were young me and my brothers. I even have a scar on my thigh. A charcoal that she had placed there to supposedly wake me up because I was deaf. Each of us has a bad memory of her. It is because of her that today I had become a terror in high school. I acted out my anger through all those poor girls. I stopped that last year when my mother called me by my aunt's name since I was doing the same thing as her: ruining people's lives for nothing.
When we arrived at Coumbis, it was 8 p.m. after 10 minutes. She lived in the Air Afrique city not far from mine. But unlike Baye Laye, my popular neighborhood, here it smells of freshness, novelty and money. Every time I came here, it was in a flash and today I will spend the night and maybe even the weekend. Keh, Keh, Keh….
As always, I am dazzled by the place. We feel that the house has been decorated with love. I never tire of looking at the art objects and paintings or even the spiral-shaped living room made entirely of wood.
Coumbis is an only child, which is why she is a little spoiled for my taste. In this big house there only live four people. The father with his two wives, the second of whom is Coumbis' mother. The first never managed to have a child despite the fact that she is a golden woman who adores Coumbis as if she were her own mother. They are so complicit that my friend tells me that sometimes her mother is jealous. The latter should rather be delighted to have such a kind co-wife who keeps an eye on her child when she goes on a trip. As for her father, he is a lawyer at the court and seems very busy. I only saw him once and he was in such a rush to leave that he barely said hello to me.
Coumbis (entering the living room): Hello Dad, do you remember Mati? She gives him a kiss (mbété toubab). He gets up from the sofa where he was lying watching a football game. I answer his greeting without looking at him too much because he is very intimidating.
Him: Hello my daughters, so you are studying?
Coumbis (sitting next to him): Dad, I invited Mati to sleep here.
Him (raising his eyelash): Do these parents know?
Coumbis: Yes, of course. What do you think ?
Him (touching his beard as if to think): Ok nice but I want to call them if you don't mind. Give me their number please go on – he when Coumbis starts making faces. She takes her cell phone and gives me the time. I hurry to put dad's number in it and before his dad even calls, my girlfriend pulls me out. A minute later we were in his room.
Me: Yaw rèw nga dé (you are really rude). You didn't even wait for him to call.
Coumbis (smiling): Don't worry, he's a golden dad, he accepts all my whims. She jumps on her bed, clapping her hands. Thièy Yallah, while I mourn my many brothers and sisters, this one is very happy to welcome someone to her room. It's true that she must sometimes feel alone in this big house.
When she opens a door and I see the shower, I am speechless.
Me: Do you have your own shower like in the movies?
Her: Kholal nak, bayil sa wahou modé yi (stop being old-fashioned ish). We burst out laughing and I hurry to take the towel she hands me and go lock myself in it. I think I did 20 minutes, the longest shower of my life and what a shower. I especially liked the smell of the gel, a first for me who only uses the 250 Fr soap bought at the store.
When I leave, she tells me that we are having dinner at the restaurant because her aunt's grandmother is sick and that she has gone to see her. I give him my biggest smile, all excited. If this continues, I will pray that this story with the Daronne does not end.
Fifteen minutes later, I was still there trying on Coumbis' pants and jeans, none of them wanted to go in.
Coumbis (mockingly): I didn't know you had such big eupeuleuwe buttocks! But Mati, why are you hiding behind your clothes, chi if it was me ah.Gni beugeu cocou daale te amougnou mbame (we must know how to use the assets that God gives us).
Me: Have you seen all these perverts running around, leave me with my t-shirts, it's safer.
Her (laughs): Well, I know what you need. She opens her wardrobe and takes a muslin dress and throws it at me. Hesitantly, I wear it without too much borrowing. It's a puffy dress with a tight bust and whose mint green color looks great on me. I smile at the image I see.
Me: You don't think it's too much, I say as I get out of the shower, but when I see the dress she's wearing, I completely forget mine. Super short and sexy. There, I am shocked. You're not gonna go out with this?
Her (bursting out laughing): I'm going to get embarrassed. You knew the student, today you discover the woman because when I go out I pamper myself.
Me: And your father is going to let you go out like this?
Her (waving her hand at me): Follow me and you'll see. Daddy, here we go yells – she. Ten seconds later, she emerges from the living room with him arm in arm – arm in arm.
Uncle Salim: It's Mati, isn't it? I nod yes. He smiled at me for the first time as he looked me up and down. I spoke with your father and you can stay as long as you want. My daughter's friend is my daughter. Surprised, I look at him not knowing what to say while Coumbis cries of joy and kisses him on the cheek. Things are moving too fast, so God hear the prayers.
Finally Coumbis' dad proposes to drop us off at a restaurant not far from here since he himself has decided to go see a friend.
I enter the restaurant very excited because it is a first for me. Mom never accepted that I go with Physio despite my pleas. The setting is so beautiful that I drown in contemplation. But I woke up to the screaming of my stomach that the aromas of the restaurant had awakened. I turn to Coumbis who has been on the phone for five minutes. She hangs up, clapping her hands.
Her: Malick just smiles – her.
Me: Who is Malick?
Her: It’s true, with the revisions, I forgot to tell you about it. I met him a week ago at Néné's birthday party. He…… I no longer hear what she is saying because my eyes have just met Ibou’s captivating gaze. Hooooo mooooo Diiieeeuuuu…..
To be read every MONDAY…
By Madame Ndèye Marème DIOP
[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Chapter 3: Encounter“]
"Love is only a desire, honor a duty", Pierre Corneille.
Part Ibou
I wonder what I'm doing here? This is the first time I have come to this restaurant which opened its doors not long ago. Since the time that Magouné (my best friend) invites me there, I have never been warm enough to come. Even if the decor is not bad and the place friendly, I do not want to lower myself to go to suburban restaurants even if I live there. Besides, I really don't know why dad bought a house here. In the absence of Almadie or Hann-Mariste, he could have bought a house at Point E or Sacré-Coeur. But no, sir is too stingy.
Some girls approached me but I barely answered them. Me going out with a filthy girl? Never. I didn't think twice when Magouné asked me to join him. But it's mostly because I needed to get out to let my anger go down. If I'm pissed to the hilt, it's because Sacha has just given me away after stalking me for almost a whole month. Shiipp, if she thinks this is going to hold me back, she's kidding herself. Sacha is a distant cousin. I had sworn to myself not to hunt on the family property, but when I saw Sacha for the first time, all my resolutions flew away. This girl is a real bomb with a caramel complexion, brown eyes, a wasp shape…. Everything about her is classy and fashionable just what I love and to top it off, she is policed. She came back from Dubai two months ago where she was a flight attendant in an airline company. Her mom is the cousin and best friend of mine so I see where they are coming from. In my head, out of the question that I marry immediately, I am only 28 years old. In front of the moms, Sacha is a saint nitouche but it is enough that we are alone for her to throw herself on me. Me, all I want is to have a good time, to shoot well and why not a few pennies. I was even ready to put my little conquests aside for a while for her and now she is playing difficult girls. Who else pip. Three weeks that I have not touched a woman and in the evening when I thought that we were going to conclude, she withdraws at the last minute. She will pay me for this.
Magouné (your teaser): So halé bou rew (spoiled child)? Are we still looking?
Me (taking the glass he hands me): I haven't found anything consumable yet. Let's go to Almadie, here we lose time waye.
Magoune (looking at his wallet): How much do you have on you?
Me (grimace): I forgot my Calpé at home.
Magoune (closed face): Damalay nokhe dé (I'll kick your ass). Did you confuse me at your go or what?
Me (sneering): The suburbs are changing you, you've become vulgar, too….
Magoune (cutting me off): Look at the babes who have just entered. Not bad is not it. I turn and see two young girls, one of whom seems reluctant to enter. My first instinct is always to look at the shapes. Hum I love it, and when she starts walking, the swaying of her hips immediately makes me dream. Despite her puffy dress, we can easily guess her curves which seem to be generous, very generous. Exactly what I need, niam niam.
Magoune: I don't need to ask you which one you choose? You always wanted them chubby.
Me: Djiguene dafaye toye (a woman must have curves) but frankly, girls from the suburbs there ah.
Magoune: I prefer them because you don't have to spend a fortune with them.
Me: Have you ever seen me pay anything for a girl?
Magoune: It’s true, I forgot. Walay you are lucky to be so beautiful. General laughter.
My gaze meets that of the young girl I was watching earlier.
Not really pretty, but it has a bit of charm. She continues to stare at me and I smile at her, motioning her to come closer. She looks at her girlfriend who also seems to be under my spell. Hey babes, what am I going to do with her? My beauty is going to end up having heart attacks. Yes I know, I have no modesty. I squint because the girl in question still stays put and doesn't seem to want to join me. Her girlfriend pulls her hand to make her react and she finally decides to move. In her limping gait, I see how stressed she is. Hmm, this girl seems to be part of my fan club set.
The more she walks the more her face is familiar to me and when she stands in front of me, the image of the young schoolgirl from this morning comes to me. Eyes lowered, her little hands cling like a lifeline to her dress. I feel that it will be water to drink considering how much I already impress him. I go out my caramel way.
Me: Good evening beauty. How do we meet?
She (finding her words): Good… Good evening….
Magoune: Do you know each other?
Me (still staring at her): Yes, this morning we had a serious encounter.
His girlfriend (smiling): Good evening Ibou, very happy to finally meet you?
Me (responding to his smile): Do you know my name?
His girlfriend (burst of laughter): Who doesn't know him, you're very famous in high school.
Me (flattered): Really? And what's your name I wondered, turning to the one I was interested in.
His girlfriend: I'm Coumbis and she's Mati.
Magouné (waving his hand): As usual, no one knows me, but hey, let me introduce myself. Magouné to serve you says – he making a big bow. General laughter.
Me (hoarsely): Mati! Nice name. I take his arm subtly before asking him: How is your body with this big fall?
Mati (eyes lowered): It's fine. THANKS
Magoune: How old are you, my little ones?
Coumbis: We are both 18 years old and we are graduating this year.
Me: Great. I turn my attention back to Mati who still seems intimidated. Does your girlfriend talk?
Mati (finally she opens her mouth): I didn't expect you... you even here, I... she is still silent and lowers her gaze. Wow too shy for me. In addition she seems to be one of all these multiple chicks completely crazy about me. She raises her head and our eyes lock. I don't know why but I felt something at that moment. This girl is disturbing. We are interrupted by little Coumbis waving behind me. I turn around and see a hyper jump kid coming towards us. He embraces with positivity the latter who seems to be his girlfriend. The little guy gives me such a black look that I burst out laughing.
Him: May I know what makes you laugh?
Me: Sweetie, I'm not interested in Coumbis. On the other hand, I wouldn't say the same for his girlfriend, I say, turning to Mati, who opened her eyes wide in surprise. I give her my best smile and for the first time she responds.
Coumbis' friend (cold tone): Shall we go?
Magoune: Why rush, we...
Coumbis' friend (cutting him off): It's getting late and we have to have dinner. If you would excuse us. He pulls his girlfriend who follows him with resignation. As for Mati, she seems to hesitate.
Me (taking her hand): If you want you can stay with us and I'll come with you afterwards. Do you live in the area? She opens her mouth, closes it, looks at her hand that I'm holding, closes her eyes, opens them again but still doesn't say a word.
Magoune: What if we let her have dinner with her friends so they don’t get angry with her and then we drop her off. I squint my eyes, bite my lip, and cup my chin as if to think. There I am trying to get out my flirting gestures. She looks at me as if she were before God and her chest rises very strongly Kèh, Kèh, Kèh.
Me: We're gonna do what my friend said and when you're done, I'm right next door. OK ? She nods yes before turning on her heels. Just two steps, she loses her balance a little, staggers like a drunk to join her friends. We quickly turn around so that her friends don't see us giggling.
Magoune: I thought you didn't like dirty girls?
Me: I don't even know why I invited him to join us. I felt pity as she stared at me. Hahahaha.
Magoune: That girl is crazy about you. Plus you give him your Playboy number; really no mercy.
Me: I'm tempted to put her in my bed.
Magoune: Not her. You saw how she looks at you. She is already obsessed with you, if you sleep with her, she may be the kind of strong glue who will never want to let you go.
Me: I'm not sure, but I'm attracted to her. Have you seen the breasts she has?
Magoune: I rather saw that she was about to explode given the way she was breathing. General laughter again.
Me: I'm not going to bring her home so she doesn't get too excited. Just a shot, especially since I'm really lacking.
Is there a hostel nearby?
Magoune (looking at Mati): You think she's going to follow you. She is very shy and...
Me: Not when they're alone with me. There are some who almost rape me and this girl would be ready to follow me to the end of the world. I raise my glass to Mati who keeps looking my way. See you later baby hmm. Finally my evening is not spoiled.
Coumbis part:
We've been sitting down for an hour now. My boyfriend ordered two well-stocked chickens but we barely touched our plates. Especially Mati who seems very shaken. In any case, I envy him to death. Ibou Diop in the flesh. No, she won the lottery. I would like to ask him what they said to each other when I left them, but given the fit of jealousy I had, it's throwing oil on the fire to talk about it.
Me (having an idea): Mati, come with me to the bathroom.
She (getting up immediately): Yes, of course she said, taking my head. Looks like it's not just me who wants a one-on-one. We have made great strides to quickly arrive in women's jackets. As soon as the door closed, we let our emotions explode: dance, laugh, hug. It's like we just graduated from high school.
Me: What did he tell you? Give birth quickly….
Mati (taking a big ai): He wanted me to stay with him.
Me (shouting): Watal
Mati (laughing like a child): Barki Alkhourane (I swear on the Koran).
Me (annoyed): And what the fuck are you doing with us?
Mati (biting his fingernail): I wasn't going to abandon you anyway.
Me (tapping him on the head): Walaahi Mati do nite (you're not human), if it were me, I swear I wouldn't have a cruspile, not only would I put you straight to plan B but I'm going to forget even your name.
Mati (sneering): What are you doing with your guy?
Me: Where I'm talking to you, I want to break up and send him back to his mother to suckle. Shiiiipppp. She laughs until she holds her stomach when I'm not kidding.
Mati (becoming serious again): Enough joking, what am I doing for now?
Me: He seems to like you from his eyes, which I still don't understand. We've never seen him show up with a girl from here and...
Mati: Chi instead of talking like that and tell me what to do instead. I don't want to seem like an easy girl by accepting right away that he's taking me back, plus I don't know him well enough and….
Me (surprised): Wait wait (one minute), what is this business of bringing back?
Mati (seeming lost): It's true, I didn't have the opportunity to tell you, but earlier Ibou offered to take me home when I'm done with you.
Me (raising my hands in the sky): Allahu Akbar. No! Bilay?
Mati: Bilay!
Me: Bilay, wallay, talay?
Mati (annoyed): Can you be serious and help me please.
Me: How to help you? Take a good look at me, when God applauds you have to dance. What the hell are you even doing with us. We go back to the table, you say bye bye to this thing and you join him.
Mati: Be nice to him too, and all week long you haven't stopped harping on me about him...
Me: I blame him for spoiling my finest hour. Imagine the coast that we will have by frequenting it?
Mati: So if I hear you well, I have to accept that he brings me back?
Me (shouting): We're talking about Ibou Makhtar Diop here, are you crazy or what?
Mati (looking towards the door): Hush softly.
Me: I'm not going to calm down, you've been in love with this man for more than 2 years and today that you have an incredible chance, you want to fuck everything up for a matter of principle or something . She locks her face in her hands and makes a name of her head. She always does this when she's completely confused or when she wants to stop herself from crying. Excuse me darling, I'm really sorry. What exactly do you want.
Mati (crying): I'm in total panic and I can't even speak when he's in front of me, so imagine we're alone.
Me (lifting her up): For a start, I'm not going to leave you alone with him. On the other hand, you will have to overcome this stress. Just be yourself and if he asks you for a number or to reach you, you give him mine. Go wash your face, I'll bring my makeup bag. As soon as I arrive at our table Doudou attacks me directly.
Doudou: You take time. What is going on ? I'm about to tell him my four truths when the waiter interrupts me by putting the bill in front of us. Oops if I misbehave with him, he might not pay the bill.
Me (blissful smile): Baby, Mati is not well, we have to go. I understand why she hasn't eaten anything, she who is usually so greedy. Can we bring the rest back?
Doudou (frowning): She can go home without us, she's not a child.
Me (opening his eyes wide): If Dad sees that she came home without me, he's going to freak out.
Doudou (taking the bill): Ah! I pay and let's go, he says with annoyance.
I quickly go back to the bathroom to take care of my girlfriend. When we leave, I see Doudou waiting for us in front of the door. He can always wait, shim. I take my girlfriend's hand and walk towards Ibou. No the guy, he is too handsome. We only see him, he is so perfect. I watch his lips rosy from the drink and the flirtatious smile he gives us when he sees us walking towards him makes my mouth water. I look at my friend from a corner and like me, she is completely bewitched. Thiey Yallah (Hey Allah).
Ibou (standing up): Back?
Both: Yes.
Ibou (taking Mati's hand): Shall we go then?
Circle both of them: Yes (imalaya smile)
He gets up with his friend and guides us to the exit. I see Doudou looking at me with surprise.
Me: What, go over there ish. He glares at me, points at me, then shakes his head no and turns on his heels. Ibou and his friend burst out laughing and guide us to the exit. A minute later, we were in the handsome car, a Peugeot 406 that smells like cooking. Wow who would have thought. In addition the guy invited Mati to sit with him in front as if she was already his girlfriend. Téki mo gawe (she quickly made her ascent). I can't wait to tell this at school. I don't know how I'm going to do it but I have to take a picture of her with Ibou, otherwise these jealous girls will never believe me.
Ibou looking at my girlfriend: What high school are you in?
Mati (stammering): Limamoulaye.
Magoune: Very good school. I hope you are a good student.
Me: She's top of the class.
Ibou (smiles): Beautiful, I love women with big heads.
Magoune (approaching me): Are you sisters? I really watch him for the first time and realize that the guy is not bad at all. He gives me such a frank smile that I gladly answer it. The fact that I only had eyes for his friend meant that I didn't pay attention to him. So are you answering me? I return to reality quite ashamed.
Me: No, no, she's my best friend. I live two blocks from here say – I to hide my confusion. You take the first street on the right address me – I at Ibou.
Ibou (looking at me in the rear view mirror): You're in such a hurry to give us the slip. Me and Mati look at each other instinctively. I had thought of taking you somewhere to get to know each other a little better, he continues.
I look at my watch. 10:20 p.m. The curfew is 11 p.m.
Me: It’s not far I hope because we have to get back at 11 p.m.
Magouné: that's too early and why not midnight. Me and Mati, we are still looking at each other. I'm not going to spoil this incredible chance for Mati to stay with Ibou for a while.
Me (taking a big breath): Okay just another hour after you drive us home.
Ibou (pressing the accelerator): Let's go girls. I open my bag and turn off my cell phone. I would tell Dad that he had discharged himself and that we wanted to stay at the restaurant a little longer. Magouné circles his arm around me and pulls me closer to him.
Magoune (whispering in my ear): You're very beautiful, you know. I pull back and glare at him. This is when the car parks. I'm going to have to put this man in his place - I say in my head on the way down. But when I see where Ibou parked, my heart started racing. I looked around for Aicha and like me, she seems surprised.
Ibou (walking towards the aisle): Let’s go says – he holding out his hand to Mati who is looking at him as if he were an alien. I don't have that to do, he continues impatiently. Yaa.
Mati (swiping his hand violently): Who do you take me for? My friend came back to earth.
Ibou and Magouné owl eyes.
Me (cold tone): I think you are mistaken. We are not street girls.
Ibou (approaching with a hug towards Matin): If you follow me, you will discover ecstasy.
Mati (looking him straight in the eye): I'm not interested. Coumbis here we go. She turns on her heels and I follow her without hesitation. We walk quickly and when I take the risk to glance at them, it is Ibou's angry look that I see before turning the street. I myself can't believe that Mati just rejected Brad Pitt. Eupeuleuw…
To be read every MONDAY…
By Madame Ndèye Marème DIOP
[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Chapter 4: Discovery“]
Desire can arise at any time, it is up to us to know how to repress it because it can hide the hand of the Devil.
Party Mati
In the taxi that takes us back to Coumbis, no one speaks. Wawe it's crazy how a person's life can be turned upside down for a day. I really had my share of emotions for the rest of the year. First my aunt's scandal, my forced landing at Coumbis, the first time I go to a restaurant, my meeting with the man of my dreams and the latter who takes me to an inn for I don't know what. I turn to my girlfriend who has been throwing glances at me for a while now. It was enough for our eyes to meet for a giggle to start.
Me: No the guy is cheeky. I am shocked shocked.
Coumbis: He is used to girls throwing themselves at him. But from there to bring us to this rotten inn is too much. We still burst out laughing.
Me: I feel like I'm not going to sleep tonight. Despite the fact that he behaved like a boor, it's Ibou. My God, to look closely, he is more beautiful and that voice, his lips… It was gone. We talked about him until past midnight. Even though it only lasted an hour, I realized my first dream, which was to have the privilege of meeting him. I would be satisfied with it because it is clear that we are not from the same world but I cannot help loving this man so strongly.
That night, I went to bed thinking of this quote from Adolphe Ricard who says that "Love is a delirium that gives strength, courage, genius and virtue to the weak, shy, stupid and vicious, if the one who gives birth to it requires it”.
I woke up around 10 a.m. today. It's the first time I've done the grace morning. Oh how well I slept waye I said stretching lazily. I turn to the side but do not see Coumbis. Surely she had to get up. I quickly step into the shower and take a whirlwind bath like I usually do. When I come out, I look from left to right to find the dress I wore the day before. I'm really not comfortable with this little towel of 10 centimeter ish. That's when the door opens on Coumbis making me jump like crazy.
Her: Hello go, wide awake?
Me: Get out of here so I can get dressed first. Really your towel is too small for me and where is the dress you lent me yesterday?
Her: Behind you on the chair. I quickly turn around looking for him.
Me: How do you find yourself in this mess? Really looks like it's not a girl's room. I turn around very happy to have seen the dress when my gaze meets that of Coumbis' dad. Boom boom boom, oh the shame. My first instinct is to squat violently on the ground, covering myself with the maximum means at hand. Coumbis turns around to see what is happening but his father had already turned around while making his way. She bursts out laughing and quickly closes the door.
Me (screaming): Chi Coumbis your father my naked sight says – I cover my hands over my face. How can you leave the door open, you….
Her: Calm down, moo, aren’t you exaggerating? Aren't you naked? Looks like it's the end of the world. My father is a complete toubab, waiting to see his friends' daughters with their buttocks. Don't worry, it's nothing.
Me: It's nothing for you, not me. I won't even leave this room all day.
Her: Kéh kéh kéh, your salamaleykum and maleykum salam can wake up a dead Walaahi. Come on, let's go, I'm too hungry, I'm done, pulling me out.
During all the time I was at the table, I did not dare raise my head once despite the fact that Coumbis' dad was talking loudly with his daughter as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, I really massacred everything that was on the table. A real king's breakfast. I feel like I'm in paradise wallay. At one point, Uncle Sadio asks his daughter to bring her cell phone back to the bedroom. Which she did, grumbling. Bilay halé bi kéne yarouko (no education this girl).
Uncle Sadio (to me): How much did you get in the first semester? I finally dare to look up at him and his frank smile relaxes me.
Me (proud): My uncle was 14.
Uncle Sadio (surprised): Ah well, I didn't know you were a head. It's good ; keep going and you won't regret it, studies are important.
Me (still hurting his head): Thank you uncle.
Silence again.
Uncle Sadio: Uh…. he is still silent, it looks like he is trying to find his words. I hope he won't talk about the incident earlier. Coumbis joins us and I give a big sigh of relief.
After the meal, I headed for Coumbis’ room or for a good hour, I tried somehow to put his things away. Around 11 a.m. Coumbis' dad came to see us to say that his wife would not arrive until the evening. He then turned to
Him: Can you prepare something for lunch? Ami says she will only be there in the evening.
Coumbis: Lane (what)? Chi dad, we just have to buy….
Him: All week I eat at the restaurant. No way am I doing it on weekends. Stop being a kid and prepare me a good thiéboudieune.
Coumbis: Ok, I'm going to cook, but I don't know how to prepare this dish.
Him (glare): I beg your pardon?
Me: I can do it, I love to cook. He turns to me, looks at me for a second, and nods his head before turning on his heels.
I entered the kitchen with all the passion and the desire to do well. It's kind of a way to thank them for their hospitality. Coumbis gets me everything I need for cooking and takes me to the neighborhood table vendors. Thirty minutes later, I was at the stove. In any case, what is certain is that I will be a hit with everything that has been made available to me.
Three hours later, the thiéboudieune à la Saint-Louisienne is ready, the whole house is fragrant. I leave quickly to shower but when I go out it is still the cross and the banner to find me something down in the clothes of Coumbis. Out of spite, I take the least sticky dress that I put on without too much enthusiasm.
Coumbis (burst of laughter): It's because of what you're wearing that you're playing dead here. You…his cell phone rings. She looks and hands it to me. It's your mother. I pick up quickly with the ball in my stomach. After the greetings, she makes me understand that she will pick me up in an hour. That the daronne still refuses to leave the house and is waiting for me firmly.
Me: So why do you want me to go home?
Mom: You're not going to abuse their hospitality too. We will manage as we always have. I leave you, see you soon finish t – she hanging up.
Coumbis (kneeling on the bed): What did she say?
Me (painful): Phew that she's coming in an hour and that the daronne still hasn't lost her temper and refuses to leave the house.
Coumbis (surprised): Really? And why so much haste? You can stay here for another week or two. Even though Dad is a little stupid, he never allowed a family member to stay here for more than a day.
Me (raising my hand): So please don't say anything to him because I don't want to go against his principles and you have already been very courteous.
Coumbis (sad): Please take care of yourself. Let's eat before it gets cold.
Part Abdallahi Sadio
I'm lying on my bed thinking about what I saw this morning. Wawe this girl has a form of phew. Yet it is the kind of girl who goes unnoticed but it is sure that if she started to wear sexy clothes men will jostle around her. My first wife had a beautiful African shape before our marriage. But then she let herself go and today she is doing a ton. My second, the mother of Coumbis has a wasp waist and despite the pregnancy she is still as small as before, without any shape. But Coumbis her, just thinking about it I start to get a hard-on again. I get up giving myself a small slap.
What happened to you, did you go crazy? Besides, she's your daughter's friend. You have no right to have such a thought about her, the voice of reason told me. Ashamed I get up and leave the bedroom to go to the living room. I have to watch a movie or a game while I wait for lunch. Besides, I'm hungry and it's at this moment that Coumbis comes out of the kitchen with a steaming bowl. I smile instinctively and walk over to her. BOOM, I collide with Mati who almost loses his balance. She instinctively clings to me so as not to fall. This innocent touch causes an electric shock that makes me recoil immediately. I smile back at her and hurry away from her. Can't wait for this girl to go home.
When Coumbis opens the dish of the bowl, the smell of Thiéboudieune invades me and my mouth waters. But the succulent taste of the first spoon makes me close my eyes completely.
Coumbis: Wow, but that’s too good, she says, taking a big spoon.
Me: You said it, it’s delicious. That was the last word I got as I was so busy eating and eating. It was only when I had my fill that I lifted my head. Our eyes met and Mati smiled at me so kindly that I replied.
Coumbis: Phew, I don't care, chii Mati sa lokho bi saf na sape (you have a golden hand); thiouh.
Me: This is the first time I have eaten such a delicious walaahi meal. Wait until I decorate you. I take 10,000 Fr out of my pocket and hand it to him. She looks at the money as if she doesn't understand. Take over – I.
Mati: Chi uncle, I can't. It's kind of my thank you for hosting me in your home.
Me: You don't have to thank us. Please take it, I insist. My daughter nudges her encouragingly and she finally reaches out.
Coumbis: So if I understand correctly, if I learn to cook like Mati, I will be entitled to these banknotes.
Me: Definitely. Unfortunately you are like your mother, cooking zero point five. General laughter. Mati gets up and gets rid of it. That's where I see what she's wearing. The dress is very tight on her body. Hum this girl has the body of a woman frankly.
Coumbis: Dad? Can Mati stay a week here.
Me (surprised): What? No !
Coumbis (looking sad): I know you never agreed to a family member staying here, but it's a case of force majeure. His life is in danger. It is unknown what this woman is capable of doing to her if Mati returns there.
Me (grimace): She's bluffing, that crazy girl isn't going to do anything to her. In addition Mati has parents, no? Coumbis (eyes crying): Billahi you don't know the daronne. One day she placed charcoal straight from the stove on Mati's thigh, supposedly to wake her up. When she was younger, she took advantage of her mother's absence to shave her head claiming that she had lice when she just envied her long hair. in addition she is ashamed in the neighborhood because her daughter has become pregnant, she is at the end of her life. Now that her life is over, she will want to destroy that of others, particularly that of Mati, to whom she praises a visceral hatred. Does anyone know why?
I am so flabbergasted by what she has just revealed to me that I look at her without knowing what to say. That's when Mati arrives with a carafe of water. She shakes a glass for me, kneeling politely.
Me: Take it easy, your girlfriend is really educated – I get up. I go back to the living room and call my best friend Oussouye who lives just a few steps from my house. I need to ask his advice. How many times have I been presented with a difficult case to help by hosting it and I refused niet. Usually I prefer to give money to this person than to accept that he comes to stay here. As Coumbis said it is a case of force majeure so why not. Will my women understand?
Oussouye (in front of the doorway): We are very pensive.
Me: Come sit down, I need your advice. I tell him what happens when Coumbis in turn enters the living room.
Her (sad face): Dad, I'm going to pick up Mati's mum at the bus stop. She came to get Mati. She leaves the living room dragging her steps as if she had all the weight in the world. This girl is a real politician.
Me: Where is Mati?
Her: In the kitchen, she makes tea.
Me: Okay go ahead and stop making that face. I do not have a choice.
Her (glare): You can be really mean sometimes – she angrily says.
Oussouye: I know you man and if something happens to him, you might blame yourself. Leave your toubab stuff there and host this Mati for at least a week.
Me: You…. Mati enters the living room with a tray of tea which she delicately places in front of us before taking some and handing it to me with a nice knee-bending.
Mati (soft voice): Salamaleykoum says – she to Oussouye who looks at him with amusement.
Oussouye (cajoling voice): Good evening, child. I imagine you must be Mati. She nods her head and crosses her arms behind her, exposing her breasts voluminously. This girl does not know the physical asset that God has given her.
Me: Thank you Mati, you can come. When she turns on her heels, I can't stop my eyes from sliding down her back and letting them wander dreamily towards this curve, this swaying, this generous posterior.
Oussouye (bursting out laughing): Allhamdoulilah, so you're still a guy?
Me (taking a big air): She's so damn good, chii, since I saw her in a small towel I can't get rid of this image.
Oussouye (taking the chin): Did you see him in a small towel? I envy you oh. Either way, you can't host it. If Ami or Nafi catches the look you just gave him, you're screwed. If you want I can...
Me (glare): Don't even count it. Stop flirting with babes, one day you'll bite your fingers. Amo bène trampled if his bopps (you have no respect for yourself).
Oussouye (smirking): I'd rather have no self-respect than not be respected.
Me: Meaning?
Oussouye: Your first wife spends her time sleeping, letting the maid do everything for you. The second is on planes all the time. Look at you, it looks like you're 80 when you're only 55. If you let the babes you're talking about take care of you Walaahi you won't regret it. Try you will be reborn completely.
Me (scolding him): Besides, the guy said that to me, looking me straight in the eye. You're not even ashamed. Imagine an old man like you taking advantage of your granny daughter.
Oussouye: I'm killing him. Laugh burst.
Coumbis enters the living room with a slightly older woman. After the usual greetings and thanks, I go straight to the heart of the matter. Me (seriously): My daughter told me that Mati is in real danger with her aunt. Do you think you can ensure his safety given certain background?
Her: I would do my best while waiting to move because yesterday I understood that the only solution was to leave this house. Otherwise one day the inevitable will happen and I would be very sorry.
Me (relieved): Wise decision. When are you leaving ?
Her (hesitating): Honestly, I don't know. I am negotiating in the neighborhood to get my name out of the tontine at the end of the month.
Me: What exactly is this tontine for?
Her: Some expenses like paying the deposit for the room, a moving car, among other things.
Me: The baccalaureate is in less than a month and your daughter needs stability to get it. I suggest you leave it here while you look for your room to rent. As for the deposit and other hassles, I will give you the necessary.
She (eyes wide open): I….Why does she ask all moved.
Me: Because you brought up your daughter really well, she is hardworking and above all very polite. Her upbringing had a positive impact on my daughter's so if only for that I am ready to help you. It was then that she burst into tears and began to weep silently and with dignity. I have the impression that I have just taken all the weight of the world away from him. I looked at Oussouye who shakes my head like, you are doing something stupid. But the ball is thrown it must be played. Now it's up to me to fight against this sexual drive that takes me when I see it. I have always been a dignified, honest man, who has a sense of honor and defends the dignity of the human person. I do not have the right to transgress the laws that I have imposed on myself all my life for a simple desire. Because the latter even if it animates our life, it also complicates it if we let it dominate us. It engenders our passions and offends our morality, it produces our illusions and our ideal, contradicted by reality; it makes us terribly subjective and selfish in the face of objective reason. It is in this sense that he constitutes a danger and that I, Abdallahi Sadio, do not have the right to let him enter my life.
If only I knew….
To be read every MONDAY…
By Madame Ndèye Marème DIOP
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[accordion title=”Chapter 5: Confirmation“]
Part Ouli Biteye (mother of Coumbis)
I came back from Dubai a week ago now. My daughter told me that her father had agreed to let her friend Mati spend some time with us. I was very surprised to learn this since he never allowed a member of his family and theirs to stay more than two days. Ibra is a finished toubab and no matter what people say or think, he doesn't care about living apart. When my daughter explained to me the exact reason for Mati's problem, I was relieved because I know the generous side of Abdallahi.
But now that I'm home, my thoughts are quite different. Abdallahi no longer comes home late and no longer misses a meal. This desire to be present at home all the time, the fact that he is now interested in his daughter's studies, going so far as to offer them his help, put a flea in my ear. At first I focused on Mati and saw no suspicious or inappropriate behavior on his part. I had no complaints about him. This girl is polite, kind and extremely helpful. On top of that, she pushes my daughter to give her best. Coumbis is more stable, less angry and capricious. I turned all my attention to my husband and there I surprised more than once his look full of desire, I will go further his look of love. He feels a strong attraction for Mati and this is especially felt in his sexual appetite these last few days. Today he made love to me in the middle of the day just after we had tea. I only had this during our first days of marriage. When I look at Coumbis, I wonder what she finds in him. Admittedly, she is young, but without any artifice or anything.
I wanted to talk about it with Abdallahi but I changed my mind at the last minute. I remembered what my mother used to say: “you should never put a man on the back of the wall, otherwise he risks rebelling”. So I adopted a tactic by behaving with Mati as if it were my own daughter. Already knowing him, I know he must feel enormous guilt because he is his daughter's friend. So, the more I behave like a mother for her, the more Abdallahi will be ashamed to reveal his feelings or to try anything… And in this war of psychology, I am helped by Rougie, who without knowing it, has decided to do Mati the daughter she never had. Even if she does it without a second thought, at least she adds some spice to the sauce.
Yesterday (Saturday), the four of us went to the market and Rougie, like me, we bought lots of clothes from her. The poor thing only wore tea towels and what tea towels. Real guy clothes, I don't know what possessed his mother to buy him such big t-shirts and jeans. Mati had tears in her eyes, she keeps thanking us poor thing. I was in these thoughts when my daughter came to jump on me, making me jump greatly. I glare at him which makes him laugh.
Her: Are you very pensive? What...
Me (acting angry): Don't you dare scare me so much ssshhhiiiipppp. She laughs and turns to her room.
Her (shouting): Mati get out of here waye, stop being shy ah. Coumbis turns to me, whispering. She doesn't want to leave the room with the clothes you bought her.
Me (surprised): Why?
Her (giggling): You've never seen her with tight jeans and such. Mati has a form of phew, a mixture of Jennifer Lopez, Pamela Anderson and Beyonce. I swallow my saliva and look straight at the door. When she finally leaves the room, boom boom. I almost suffocated. I had guessed her generous shapes but I would not have thought that she was so sexy and luscious. Without knowing it, I triggered the bomb countdown. I look towards the living room where Abdallahi watches his match with some friends. Above all, he must not see her. Head down, Mati joins us and gives me his knees – bending. Bilaye nak this girl is too well educated. She never looks me straight in the eye.
Mati (pulling on the bodysuit): Tata, I'm really not comfortable with that. Besides, if my mother sees me, she'll freak out.
Coumbis (shaking his head no): Completely old-fashioned, this girl. We still have a lot of work to do for her. If not, mom, can you give me 25,000 Fr please. I'm gonna explode if I stay here waiting for tomorrow.
Me: Where are you going?
Coumbis: In town, have a drink. Mimi and Fatou join us there.
Me: Ask your father, I have no more money on me. She gets up and runs to the living room. In the middle of the way, she turns to Mati. You come ?
Me (instantly): No no. They both look at me questioningly. He has a lot of guests in the living room and Mati is very shy, goes alone. My daughter nods and continues on her way. Phew…
Ten seconds later, she comes out, a smile on her face as she hands over the money.
Me: Please don't be late because you have to go to bed early.
Coumbis: We'll be there for dinner. Go just said – she against Mati. She gets up, pulls her bodysuit again and joins her. I can't help looking at the swaying of her hips, her big buttocks... Chi what did I do. If I can't stop my eyes from staring at her, I easily understand Abdallahi. I've always wondered what he found in her, but now I know: her physique. At this moment my husband leaves the living room. I knew it, he can't help it. A black anger invades me for the first time and the look of lust he gives her annoys me even more. The bastard, he couldn't help it.
Me (shouting): Abdallahi! He jumps as if he had just been caught red-handed. We stare at each other for a long time. Now he knows that I know…..
Mati part:
I feel like I'm dreaming while standing up. I didn't think people could be that generous. I don't know what I'm going to do when I go back to my previous life. Without doing it on purpose, I got used to this princess life. Here I have my own room and what a room. I eat well, even too well, and apart from my room, I don't do any housework. As the maid doesn't come on Sundays, I always propose to cook to everyone's delight.
This calm in my life has allowed me to focus even more on my studies. Already that I had the level, today, I know that I will pass the baccalaureate hands down. I sometimes think of Ibou and even if he was a real boor, he is and will remain the man of my life. He must be used to easy girls, hence his behavior may be orthodox. But hey, at least I will have realized one of my dreams which was to speak with him.
We arrived in town around 4 p.m. Coumbis leads me to a magnificent restaurant but instead of settling down, she crosses the large room which branches off onto a large terrace. The view is just breathtaking.
Coumbis (winking at me): Isn't it pretty? I love this place.
Me (dazzled): Oh yes, it's beautiful Coumba. And your friends? When are they coming?
Coumbis taking out his phone: Am I going to call them? We sit on a table and I look around. There is a crazy crowd and the young girls are dressed up, some more daring than the others. For a moment I am drawn to the crystalline laughter of a girl who makes me turn around and there boom. I see Ibra, whispering in the ear of the girl in question and who seems to be in heaven. Our eyes meet and refuse to break away. He winks at me with that charming smile before raising his glass for me. The girl who until then had been from behind, turned instinctively and the glare she threw at me automatically pushed me to divert mine. My heart beats a hundred miles an hour like every time I see him.
Coumbis (clapping his hands): He just raised his glass for you. It means that he is not angry and therefore he will try to try something with you again.
Me (dreaming): Stop talking nonsense, you saw the bomb he is with. Ibou doesn't give a fuck about me.
Coumbis: So why is he coming to us.
Me (startled): What?
Ibou (sitting in front of me): How do we meet? How are you doing. I open my mouth, close it, re-open it, close it again.
Coumbis (coming to my aid): Hello Ibou? We are doing very well, we came to decompress a little before diving into tomorrow's exams.
Ibou (still looking at me mischievously): Yes, that's true. I hope you are ready.
Coumbis: More than ever.
Ibou: In any case, after your exam, I would like to see you again.
Coumbis (defensively): To take us to one of your seedy places. No thanks.
Ibou (frowning): I'm not talking to you. So if you come let Mati answer my question.
Me (naive): You remember my name.
Ibou (cajoling voice): But of course how could I forget, you...
A lane behind me: Chouchou, are you taking the time? You come ? Ibou waves to him and turns his attention back to me.
Ibou (looks smolderingly): Can I have your number please. He pulls out his cell phone and hands it to me. I take it, my hands shaking. I can't believe he asked me this. I immediately forget my number. Ha yes I did not tell you, uncle Abdallahi gave me a cell phone so that I could communicate with mom freely. I think for another five seconds and dial the number. As I returned his cell phone to him, the girl he was with earlier took it like lightning. Ibou gets up immediately from the chair and stands in front of her. They look at each other for a minute before Ibou, opposite him, signs with his hand to give him back his phone. This is followed by a nervous breakdown of the girl, thus attracting the gaze of all the people present on the terrace. Without saying a word, he takes his cell phone by force and leaves the place, grumbling. The girl in question follows him, insulting him with all the names. In any case, she is very beautiful, with her fair complexion, her star makeup, her natural hair that falls to her buttocks and this little bright red dress.
I look at Coumbis who responds to my gaping smile.
Me (hand to heart): Can you imagine? He wanted my number.
Coumbis: Unfortunately his girlfriend wouldn't let him. But don't worry, it will be easy to see him again. Don't you know everything about him. On the other hand, you should try to overcome your shyness because you are pitiful when you are in front of him and with this kind of guy, you have to be tenacious.
Me (huffing heavily): I'll never be able to be normal with him, plus I'm sure it won't go far. Despite being the man of my dreams, he's a ladies' guy. He'll eat me alive if I allow myself to hang out with him.
Coumbis: I'm afraid too. Yes, you are a strong and very dignified woman, but the way you are so stung, I am afraid that you will give in to him when he starts dating you.
Me (outraged): You mean sleeping with him? Never.
Coumbis (smiling): We'll talk about it one day.
Five minutes later, these friends join us and their joie de vivre makes me forget for a few moments what had happened. Around 6 p.m., a waiter came and introduced himself to me.
Him: Are you Mati?
Me (frowning): Yes why?
Him (he hands me a sheet): Ibou Diop asked me to give you his number and apologizes for this little incident earlier.
Me (stuttering): I I I...You're sure that's me he's talking about.
Him (mocking smile): Yes, black jeans, pink T-shirt, third table on the right. He spotted you pretty well. Good evening. He puts the sheet on my trembling hand and turns on his heels. The excited scream of the girls brings me back to reality. I follow them in their delirium. Ho my Gooddd.
Abdallahi part:
I look at the clock for the umpteenth time and decide to call my daughter. She picks up on the third ring.
Me (annoyed): Did you see the time? Looks like you don't have exam tomorrow.
She (annoyed): Dad, you too, it's five to eight.
Me (stopping myself from screaming): And it will be past 10 p.m. before you get back. Take that damn cab and get your ass back here. I hang up annoyed at the highest point.
Voice behind: Better and better. I jump not daring to face the look that I feel angry. Ouli is a very intelligent woman, I was sure she was going to be the first to unmask me. Yet I tried, Walaahi. I fought with all my soul against these feelings but I can't anymore. It is certainly true that the fact of having seen him in undress to wake up something in me but it is more than that. The few weeks spent with Mati taught me to know her better, to appreciate her better and above all we have a lot in common. When we start discussing a book or politics, I don't even see the hour passed and that's what I was missing. Having a person with whom you can share the same hobbies.
Oumi (becoming face to face with me): You have no right to fall in love with your daughter.
Me (looking away): She's not my daughter.
Oumi: You're not ashamed to say that. I swear if you try anything with her, you'll see.
Me: Please Oumi, don't threaten me. I leave the room not knowing what to add. In this kind of situation, it is better to lay low. What is happening to me is not easy. I never thought I would fall madly in love with my daughter's best friend. The situation weighs on me but I do nothing against these feelings which grow every day a little more.
Oumi (joins me in the living room and stands in front of me): She will leave as soon as her exam is over and whatever her situation. We are not her parents so it is not up to us to protect her.
Me (taking a big air): I know all that and don't worry, I've already told her mum who is coming to pick her up on Saturday Inchallah.
Oumi: So you're not going to try anything with her?
Me (lying): No, what do you think? She takes her face with both hands.
Oumi (moved voice): But you're in love with her. You should have curbed your impulses instead of letting yourself go like that. I don't recognize you my God...
Me holding out my hand: Come here. She gets up and comes to curl up in my arms, crying. Don't worry, I'm not a monster and I will never try to date her, even if I have feelings for her.
Oumi (between sobs): Promise me
Me (closing my eyes): I promise.
Last night I didn't sleep because for the first time in my life I'm not going to keep my word. I told her that to comfort her and especially so that she wouldn't take action. Oumi doesn't know that I made my decision a week ago which is to marry Mati. Continuing to fight my feelings is beyond my strength. Out of respect for my wives and my daughter, I wouldn't try anything with Mati here. But as soon as she leaves this place, I will start attacking. Come what may.
A week ago, I asked my secretary to look for a two-bedroom apartment and a living room for Mati and her mother. This one must not be far from the university because I am 100% sure that she will succeed given her level. Also, I asked a client to whom I have rendered services several times to take her on as a receptionist. My friend told me that he pays 100,000 Fr to them and I asked him to give him 150,000 Fr more each month which will secretly come out of my pockets. It was the only way for me to camouflage my help. Because I know that if I pay for the apartment directly, Mati will innocently tell Coumbis who will hasten to tell her mother. My tactic is to lay low and gradually weave my web around her. . Mati is not an interested woman so I will make sure to be essential to her life, to be her friend before confessing my love to her and that day I hope she will accept.
A week later:
Coumbis part:
I have been walking on the school hall for more than an hour, my heart beating at 200 an hour. What are they waiting for to deliver? There are already two students who have fainted since this morning. The wait is really unbearable and I risk following them if the results are not announced. tinkle tinkle…. I turn to Mati who has just received a message and saw his smile it is not worth asking him who is? For a week, she and Ibou have been sending messages from morning to evening. I'm even afraid that she won't pass the bac because she's so upset at the moment. It's a daydream she's living and I'm scared for her given what kind of guy she's dealing with.
Approached approached….. It was gone, my legs started shaking so badly that I grabbed hold of Mati. When the guy hadn't even started reading the list yet, screams were coming from everywhere. It must be said, here in Senegal, the baccalaureate is the most awaited exam in a person's life. The pressure comes not only from studies but especially from this sudden interest of the whole family around you. Even in the neighborhood, you are the center of interest of all conversations.
Here are the results of the 2007 baccalaureate:
- N° 196, Amadou Coulibaly First of the center mention well with an average of 14, 34.
No. 432, Mati Sonko, second from center with honors, average 14.1.
We embrace strongly but no cries of joy come out so much the emotion is strong. The gentleman continues to read the list and the further he went the more I could no longer stand on my own two legs. I tried to hold on to Mati but I couldn't see her anymore, I couldn't hear anything around me. I just sank.
When I woke up, I first heard voices in the distance before she was very close. Eyelids heavy, I don't even try to raise them, my head hurts so much. I hear dad whispering to someone.
– What branch did you choose at university?
– Medicine uncle.
– You have ambition, that's good and that's why I love you. There I opened my eyes directly and the loving gaze of dad in front of my friend almost plunged me back into darkness. I shift my gaze to Mati to see her reaction and she looked down. I mean I love you like my daughter Coumbis continues stuttering. His embarrassment confirms even more what he has just confessed without doing it on purpose.
No, it's not possible. His very protective and jealous behavior of the past few weeks jumps out at me. I now understand why he called us every evening in the living room to help us revise or simply talk. I, who was so happy to see him for the first time, was interested in me. So that was it, he's in love with my best friend. Dad sensing my gaze turns and jumps before smiling broadly and hugging me.
Dad (kissing me on the cheek): Your dad is proud of you. You got it, hamdoulilah. My tears are flowing and I don't know if it's only for joy or for the horror that I have just discovered….
To be read every MONDAY…
By Madame Ndèye Marème DIOP
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