CHAPTER 4: My Obligatory Marriage to Frédéric

“Let’s go to the bedroom, Mom!” Frédéric had said.

“I don’t want to go into any rooms. I brought Aïcha with you. You take good care of her. Beware if I come back here in a few days and notice she’s lost weight; that’s when you’ll misunderstand me.” Since it's your penis that knows how to get people's daughters pregnant, take responsibility, otherwise I swear you'll rot in jail.

That day, my mother hadn't even asked if he was the one who got me pregnant or not.

After giving her instructions, she went on her way without asking anything.

After she left, Frédéric showed me into the room and sat down at his table, inviting me to sit on his only chair. He clearly looked sad. When you see him, you immediately know he was sad. Well, the wine was already drawn, and all that was left was to drink it, of course!

"Why are you sad, darling?" I asked him.

"Ah, this story is very difficult to digest."

"And how?"

"I'm not independent yet, and now your mother is taking you away." – I'm sorry, I didn't know things would turn out this way.

– Ah, now it'll be very complicated!

– Don't worry, we won't starve to death...

– We will, of course! Last night, for example, I didn't eat before going to bed. This morning, I went to see a woman I borrow from on credit. Unfortunately, she asked me to pay off my old debts; otherwise, there's nothing to buy in her shop. For the past two days, whenever I call my father, he hasn't picked up. My mother, on the other hand, doesn't even have a signal. I haven't even found the taxi money to get to the village.

In short, Frédéric was telling me about his life story, and I, without any explanation, had a feeling what awaited me.

I stared at the ceiling and wondered in my head if I was going to make it. And there you have it, I've told you a little about what happened before I arrived at Frédéric's house. Now, let's start with the story of my real life.

***

Six days after I arrived at Frédéric's house, I started reading the air.

Yes, I heard people say this slogan at school, and I thought it was "the time" they were pretending to read, but when I came to Frédéric's house, I realized it was them who weren't pronouncing the phrases correctly. I heard them say, "You're going to read the time." But in reality, it's the air that you read.

Exactly on the sixth day after my arrival, I began by looking up, reading nature. That is to say, I was discouraged. When I left my room that morning, I had pocketed a five-thousand-franc note; it was my only savings. When I arrived at Frédéric's, I bought spaghetti, cabbage, salad, and eggs. I bought even more ingredients and made a good meal. I had forgotten that I should be careful with the money or even stock up on supplies that would give us a bit of a boost.

In just five days, I had used up all five thousand francs, and welcome to the misery.

I didn't have the courage to keep my cell phone with me because of the burning anger pumping through my mother's veins.

On that sixth day, I was so hungry that even in my room, there was nothing; Not even a handful of flour to say we were going to at least turn the dough and eat without chili or sauce. Leaving Frédéric in the room, I headed for the gate, hoping for a miracle from God.

Arriving at the gate, I sat on a small brick and watched the passersby. My stomach was demanding what it was entitled to, but I was feeding my eyes.

Yes, my stomach was demanding food, but I was watching the people passing by. Watching the passersby, I pretended to forget I was hungry, and it worked. It was then that suddenly, I saw a young man leave from a van.

This young man looked one hundred percent like Frédéric. He had the same gait as Frédéric; same build; same height. Unfortunately, it was their complexion that differed. Frédéric has a tanned complexion, while the young man I saw coming was fair. He's very cute, the young man. I wondered if he was Frédéric's double.

I kept looking at the young man, who, in turn, stared at me. Yes, I told you I'm a beautiful girl, didn't I? I'm very beautiful, and because of my beauty, whether you like it or not, you're going to look at me. So it didn't scare me. I recognized, deep down, the reason for that incessant stare.

I sat there, watching to see if the young man would surpass me.

That's when I saw him slow down in front of our gate and, in a calm voice, he greeted me.

"Yes, welcome back, uncle, how are you?"

"I'm fine," he replied as he headed out into the courtyard.

That's when I concluded he wasn't a double, but rather, Frédéric's brother. Having seen him enter the house, I no longer needed to go and see which room he had entered. The answer was clear.

I didn't waste my time leaving the front gate because I was waiting for a miracle.

After ten minutes, fifteen, and then about twenty minutes, the young man came out of the courtyard on his own and said to me, "Miss, see you next time."

"Excuse me, uncle," I said, jumping up to clearly show him my beautiful breasts and big behind.

When I got right up to him, I said, "Excuse me for the inconvenience. I came to see a sister in the house, and unfortunately, I didn't find her. I waited for her, and she didn't come back, even though I was supposed to go home. I have a five-thousand-franc note, and I very much doubt the taxi driver will be able to find the change at the destination." Could I have two hundred francs with you, or could you give me change for five thousand francs? I'd be happy to.

After my words, I was scared to the core. I was scared because what if, by some misfortune, the man asked me to give the five thousand franc note for change, which I was going to do. But watching him, I still imagined he wouldn't be able to find the change.

—I don't have change for five thousand francs, but I can find you two hundred francs.

—Oh, thank you very much!

The man took out his wallet and opened it. From it, he handed me a red note that read "1000 francs."

Instead of jumping for joy, I calmly asked, "Are you asking me to get the change?"

The man looked at me and whispered, "I'll give you the 1000 francs."