Chapter twenty-two
1355 Words
Two years later......
Time!
Time!
Time!
Slipping by as if it were only dust,
As slow as a snail,
It continually makes and unmakes,
Brings together as well as separates,
Brings together as well as apart,
Takes away as well as gives,
Rewards as well as punish,
But never brings back things and beings gone forever.
Ndeye knew something of this, as she sat at her favorite solid branch of the baobab tree growing in the middle of the courtyard, her mind swimming in the waves of memories of the past, contemplating the beautiful spectacle of the sunset unfolding before her eyes. She didn't feel anyone climbing the tree to get behind it and only knew about this intrusive presence in her haven of peace when the person in question shouted at her:
_ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
In a surprise, Ndeye panicked and jumped, which made her fall from her branch and find herself, fortunately, or unfortunately for her, not on the ground but stuck between two branches ten meters above the ground. She immediately began to struggle, not wanting to be afraid of heights, causing the person who made her fall to go into a fit of laughter. She then looked up to see that she was dealing with Fa'Bintou, whom she glared at.
_ You'd better land me in one piece or I swear she-wolf or not, I'll make your day, she said.
_ Mum. I'm scared. Come and help me, mocked Fa'Bintou.
_ just wait until I get to you ..... Aah!
With her movements, one of the branches had just snapped and she was already dreading the violent encounter of her body with the ground when she landed against someone. Fearing that it was all an illusion, she refused to open her eyes until Moha's voice reached her.
_ Come on, you can open your eyes Ndeye. I've got you, he said.
Slowly she opened her eyes to see that he was right and held him tightly with teary eyes before getting up and helping him to do the same.
_ I was so afraid I wouldn't see your face again, she confided.
_ How should I take this? As a declaration of love amid despair? Or? he asked.
_ Just as they are.
_ Come on, come here. I'm not about to let you go (Opening her arms wide and she didn't hesitate to come and take refuge against him)
_ Oh! How sweet! All that's missing is a gentle wind, a beautiful frame, and leaves and flowers to make the scene unreal and fairy-tale-like! Interjected Fa'Bintou as she took their picture.
_ Little imp. You were just in charge of preventing her from going back inside by keeping her busy while we finished the preparations, not scaring her, let alone making her fall, Moha reproached her.
_ What preparations? Ndeye asked.
_ The one for your birthday, replied Fa'Bintou.
_ It wasn't worth it.
_ Do you ever hold your tongue, little sister?
_ Not.
_ Come on, lovebirds, they're waiting for us.
They returned to the house where they found relatives and close friends with whom Ndeye spent a pleasant birthday party.
And at night, when everyone was in bed, Fa'Bintou and Moha, who had planned to go to a club, something they haven't done for almost a year, went to Ndeye's room and convinced her to go with them by telling her nonsense, knowing they could use her to avoid punishment if they were caught but also wanting to drag her into their delusions for her birthday. Seeing Ndeye dressed, however, Moha began to regret having followed Fa'Bintou into her delusions and especially when, once in the club, all the guys began to give him perverse and lustful looks. He then displayed his most threatening aura, which was enough to warn everyone and keep them away. There were a few famous sheep who defied his authority, even to the point where a certain Alpha came to invite Ndeye to dance. Furious at being challenged in this way, he grabbed him and beat him so badly that it took Ndeye's intervention to get him to stop. This time the message got through to the others: no one was allowed to go near Ndeye. His anger was was still present, he continued to drink until he was drunk, accompanied by Fa'Bintou. Almost no longer conscious of their actions, they got up and went on to wiggle around so much that they ended up dragging Ndeye into their madness, which she ended up enjoying. But after a while, she realized how late it was and decided to go home. Unfortunately, with Moha and Fa'Bintou drunk and her unable to drive, she called on Aras, hoping he could help them out.
_ Aras, can you take control? It's late, Moha and Fa'Bintou are drunk and I don't know how to drive, she told him.
_ That i***t refuses to let me take control even though he's drunk! The same goes for Iris! exclaimed the latter in a voice tinged with annoyance directed at Moha.
_ How do we do it then? Because it's clear that if we have to wait for them to come to their senses, mum and dad will give us a hard time.
_ You know what? Take the wheel, I'll guide you.
_ What? Are you serious? Couldn't you just try to force yourself to take control?
_ If I do it while he's in this state, I might hurt him. And even though he's a complete i***t, I'd rather not.
_ Don't worry about it, just drive. I'm here to guide you.
Ndeye, who had to admit that she had no other options, agreed and, guided by Aras, was able to drive them home in one piece, despite a few run-offs. Fa'Bintou, who had recovered a little and was able to stand upright although staggering, returned to her room alone. As for Moha, Ndeye had to make him hold on to her and walk with difficulty to his room.
_ How heavy he is! she thought as she almost threw him onto her bed.
She immediately took off his shoes and then his socks and finally covered him. But just as she wanted to leave, he woke up and held her hand, making her fall on top of him.
_ I'm sorry, she said, getting up embarrassed.
_ Please stay, he begged, holding her back.
_ I will. But at least let go of my hand.
As soon as he did, she tipped over to face him, and Moha was soon entwining their hands.
_ You..... You know, it's been less..... than two years since..... I.... you arrived here and it must be admitted..... that..... your... our relationship has deteriorated..... a lot.... not.... improved over time if you take into account our chaotic beginnings and...
_ Moha, are you sure you're well enough to have a discussion? It could wait until tomorrow.
_ Tomorrow I'll be far too.... loose.... sober and I.... won't have the.... courage to talk to you about it anymore
_ I'll wait until you can. Now let me go to bed.
_ Stay.
_ Moha, I...
_ Shhh! (Putting his index finger over her mouth)
_ You.... can't... know how much having you here drives me crazy. So let me say something before... before I can't say it anymore.
Stunned, Ndeye fell silent and with a squeeze of her hand, encouraged him to speak.
_ I was saying.... that despite..... our chaotic beginnings... we have reached a turning point.... in our relationship. You and I both know that. But to...cross it, you're gonna have to..... me. I already have... do it in the past with you, but I still...feel you're on the fence about what happened to you. We... We're soul mates and...it's about time...that our relationship...kicks into high gear. Don't keep anything to yourself anymore... Let me share it with you... Give our relationship a chance...
With tears in her eyes at these words, Ndeye soon realized that he had fallen asleep just after he had finished, leaving her to her thoughts.
- Writer
