Chapter 4

Ousmane’s POV

“A lady wants to see you, but she does not have an appointment.”

“A lady? What’s her name?”

“She says her name is Taïba Chaloup.”

“Taïba?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes.”

“Okay, how many minutes left until the meeting?”

“20 minutes, sir.”

“Alright, go back and prepare the meeting room. I’m coming!”

“Okay, sir.”

She went out. I thought, Taïba—if it’s really her—it’s been a long time, years, I would say.

We went out together when I was in high school, and then we lost sight of each other. I didn’t even remember the cause. I was surprised to see her here.

I opened the door to reveal Taïba, still as beautiful. She wore a blue dress that molded her perfectly and stopped at the knees. She had gained weight and shape. Heeled shoes adorned her feet, and even before she got near me, her perfume came to tickle my nostrils.

I got up and walked around my desk.

“What a surprise!”

“Ousmane Cherif Haïdara,” she said, smiling.

We exchanged a hug, and I invited her to take a seat.

“It’s been so long!”

“It’s an understatement to say, how are you?”

“I’m fine, and you?”

“I’m also okay. A bit overwhelmed with work, but it’s okay.”

“I’m very happy to see you. You’re doing well, frankly. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, and what are you doing?”

“Oh, me, I am a journalist. I am currently working with USAID.”

“Oh, that’s very good. I hope it goes well.”

“Yes, very well. The Americans don’t joke. As they say: Time is money.”

“Ah, yes, they are right. So, to what do I owe this visit?”

“Just wanted to say hello. I was passing by yesterday, and I saw you leaving the premises. At first, I didn’t believe it. It was after I typed the name of the company on Google that I saw the info and the name of the CEO. I had no doubts anymore; it was really you. I said to myself this morning, why not stop by and say hello to my old friend?”

“Ah, that’s nice. Thank you, Taïba.”

“What about your mom, your brother?”

“They are all well, and your family?”

“Everyone’s fine,” she said, staring at my fingers. “I thought you would tell me about your wife and children, but since I don’t see a ring…”

“Oh, that,” I said, smiling. “It won’t be long. I’m getting married in a month.” I turned Zayate’s picture toward her. “Here is the love of my life.”

“Oh, she is really beautiful,” she said, grabbing the photo. “She is very lucky. You are a good man, Ousmane.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking the picture she handed me and placing it back on the desk.

“Oh, it’s cute. I can see that you’re madly in love with her.”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Okay, I hope it will last a long time, and it won’t be like it was with me,” she said sadly.

“What do you mean?”

“Unfortunately, not everything in this life goes as we hope or plan. I was married to the love of my life, too, or at least I believed so, until he showed me his real face. Currently, I am going through a divorce.”

“Oh, I’m really sorry, Taïba. Keep the faith; it will be okay, Inch’Allah, when you find the right man.”

“Insha’Allah. Alright, I’m not going to take any more of your time. I’m glad to see you again, Ousmane. Shall we keep in touch? If you don’t mind, of course.”

“Of course, I don’t. Here.” I looked in my drawer and handed her one of my business cards.

“Thanks. I wish I had mine with me. Anyway, I’ll call you. I have your number now.”

“Alright.”

She got up, and I walked her to the door.

“Good day.”

“You too.”

I looked at my watch and realized I was late. I closed the door and walked into the meeting room.

I had too much work, so I had no time to go to the restaurant. I had to have a meal delivered.

In the evening, I returned to my house, completely exhausted. I answered the greetings of my employees and went to my room. After my bath, I wanted to call my beauty, but I didn’t see her online. Considering her time zone, she must be sleeping.

I went down to the dining room and found the table set, with Oumou putting the carafe of water on it.

“Good day, sir.”

“How are you, Oumou?”

“I’m well, thank you, sir.”

“Our guest, is she sleeping?”

“No, she was praying earlier. Do you want me to call her?”

“Yes, please.”

I took the lid off and served myself some rice. As I opened the next one, the delightful aroma of potato leaves greeted me. I loved these dishes and preferred to eat them when I got home. However, I only indulged in them when Zayate was away. She believed it wasn’t good for my health to eat too much fat and worried I might gain a belly. She always looked out for me.

The girl arrived a few minutes later, her hair braided and pulled back to her neck. She wore a loose dress made of wax fabric.

“Good evening, Uncle,” she said, bending her knees. “Did you have a good day?”

“Yes, very good, thank you. And you?”

“Me too, thanks God.”

“Remind me of your name.”

“Hawa, Hawa Marega.”

“Hawa, I’m not your uncle, okay? Please take a seat. I want to have a little chat.”

“Alright.”

She sat down and looked at me.

“I don’t even know where to start. I have never taken care of anyone other than my loved ones: my mother, my brother, my fiancée, and there I find myself responsible for you.”

She lowered her head. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“For what?”

“For causing you trouble.”

“How old are you, Hawa?”

“I’m 24 years old.”

“Wow, so young, but my cousin Birama was in his sixties if I’m not mistaken.”

“Yes.”

I wanted to ask her why such a young girl would marry an old man, but I changed my mind. I remembered that in the village, the girls got married quite early. Plus, if my memory serves me right, he had three other wives. Why is it only this one that they try to leave at all costs with me?

“You have studied, I see?”

“Yes,” she said, “but I couldn’t finish. I had to interrupt my senior year.”

I wanted to ask her why, but I didn’t want to seem indiscreet, so I’d just limited myself to simple questions. I didn’t want familiarity.

“Okay, and what would you like to do? Do you want to continue your studies?”

“No, Uncle, I’m too old for school, and it’s been so long since. I don’t think I’ll be back. I want to do something else,” she said in her steady voice.

Her voice was both soft and drawling. I didn’t think she was a bad person, even if sometimes appearances might be deceptive. I was so afraid of making a mistake and, at the same time, bringing the devil into my house. I was willing to help, but I didn’t want to be bothered by the consequences of such kindness.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I want to sew and be a fashion designer. I had already started. I have been sewing for years, but I wanted to make it my job. To do this, I saved money to enroll in a fashion school. I want to be able to reach the level of a fashion designer, not just limit myself to copying what others are doing.”

It was only now that her previously sad eyes lit up. She had really beautiful eyes.

“Alright, I’ll try to find out and see how I can help you in this regard. But Hawa,” I said, putting down my fork, straightening up, and looking at her. “I told my fiancée about you, and I’m not going to hide from you that she doesn’t like you staying here. I wish you had just been brought in to be taken care of instead of complicating the situation with a marriage. I have to get married in a month. My fiancée is traveling now, preparing everything for the wedding.”

“Okay, Uncle, I understand,” she said.

“So, I was saying that she’s coming back soon. I’m going to try to convince her so that you can stay here to do your training. And in the meantime, if you find a husband, you can get married and leave. If necessary, you can stay with my mom, and I will continue to take care of you. Do we agree?”

“Yes, Uncle. I don’t mind. Thank you for agreeing to keep me during this time. May Allah give it back to you a hundredfold!”

“Ameen. But Hawa, I warn you—Zayate is not easy, and it will be up to you to do everything not to come into conflict with her, do you understand? Help me to help you because this is her house. If she says no, you won’t be able to stay even at my mom’s, do you understand?”

“Absolutely, Uncle, I will do as you tell me.”

“Okay, I want the marriage ties to be broken as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary problems.”

“Alright, no problem.”

“Okay, now everything is clear. You ate?”

“Yes, thank you, Uncle.”

I watched her for a moment before returning my gaze to my plate and continuing to eat.