«Let’s talk,» he said. «And about what?»
«About anything you like.»
«Okay. You choose.»
«So, o-o-okay,» I muttered. «Let’s talk about books.»
«Books?» he was surprised.
«Yes!»
«All right, then.»
I said, «I wonder what books you read. You must be so well-read! So, do you read any philosophical books devoted to everyday problems?»
«Oh, well, I’ve read… maybe, one or two books when I was young.»
«And what about now?»
«Now I don’t read any.»
«Oh, why?» I asked, my eyes wide opened.
«Because I’m not interested in reading. And I don’t have time for that because I work all the time.»
«I can see now. You must be very tired?»
«Not that much, but still…»
«I understand you very well. I myself am exhausted.»
«Why?»
«Because I study at university. And I need rest.»
«Rest from what?»
«From my studies.»
«But it’s amazing that you study at university!»
«Yes, but…»
«But what?»
«You need to work hard to get good marks.»
«And who doesn’t? Who doesn’t need to work hard nowadays?» he chuckled.
«Yes, you’re right. Now, everyone must work hard.»
«But look at this from the other side. You… you are the reason why I open my eyes and why I’m happy!»
«Oh, Mohammed, you’re saying such beautiful words!» I laughed.
«And I’m happy I make you laugh. I’m happy that I make YOU happy.»
He smiled. It seemed like I was now on the top of the world!
Then, we both fell silent. And so we sat until I had to go home. For how long had I been staying in the hall..?
«My Mohammed, I must go now. Mum’s waiting for me. And if she suspects something, I don’t know how we will see each other then…»
«No problem. So, tomorrow – here, at the same time?»
«Right! That’d be great!» I exclaimed.
«My love! I can’t wait for the moment I see you again!»
I ran up to my room. When I entered, the room, Mum said:
«Well, Janet, I hope you have found something useful for you. How did you spend your time there?»
Strangely enough, her voice was sincere enough. It meant she hadn’t noticed anything.
«Well, Ma, I’ve found some book, but not much of interest.»
«I see.»
«But, maybe. It’s better than nothing.»
«Of course, it is! And don’t get upset about Mohammed! You’ll soon forget him.»
«True!»
I pretended to be calm. I didn’t want Mum to know anyway.
«Okay, Ma. I promise!»
«My little Janet! Come to me and let me hug you!»
I approached my mother and hugged her. I loved her. She’s my only parent.
Dad left us when I was six. Mum and him divorced because of some property issues. I don’t know what exactly it was. Fortunately enough, I wasn’t the reason.
My best friend, Emma, has only her Mum too. And guess what – her father left them because of the daughter! He said he didn’t want Emma to be born. That’s awful! Emma’s a wonderful person. And I don’t want her to suffer. I’d be her best friend and dad at the same time because she doesn’t deserve a single-parent family. She’s good enough to grow up in a two-parent one.
9.
31 July 1972
Agadir, Morocco
The next day was very special for me. I would see Mohammed again!
Although I didn’t want to cheat Mum, I needed to see him every day. So, my way was the best one. Nobody would suffer.
In the evening, when it was time for me to go down to the hall, I told Mum I’d find a few more books there. She agreed. She said, «A girl mustn’t be bored. Especially on holiday.» Marvellous words.
I was waiting for Mohammed, as the day before. (Although it was already evening, so I’d say «the evening before’).
«Hello,» he said when he came.
«Hello,» I answered.
«How’re you?»
«I’m fine, thanks for asking! What about you?»
«Me as well,» he said, smiling and taking my hand. «Where is the best place I want to stay? Between your arms!»
I laughed. Such nice compliments he was saying! I was happy. Really happy.
«My love! How will I live without you?» I said, with sadness in my eyes.
«My dear! But you can come here whenever you want!»
«Yes, that’s true! Although… I don’t have much money for the tickets here. Maybe…»
«Maybe what?»
«Maybe you would buy them, for me to come here?»
«But, my love, I don’t have that much money either. All I earn I spend on food. I’m sorry, my dear Janet!»
«Well, I don’t know… It seems like you just don’t want for me to come here…» I was confused. Very confused. I didn’t know how much money I would need to come here every weekend! And I did want to come to Mohammed every weekend. I only wanted to be with him, and that’s it.
«Mohammed, let’s be honest. I have no money to come to you, so it’s you that I want to buy the tickets for me.»
Suddenly, he said:
«Okay. If you don’t want to come here, it’s up to you. I’m not making you to.»
I was struck dumb. So, it meant he didn’t care? That just couldn’t be!!!
«Wait! I thought you’re a man!»
«My love,» he said, taking my hand, «I’m a man. But not a bank.»
He hesitated.
«But, my beautiful woman, how I want to hug you! I’ll be waiting for you, my queen! You draw me like a magnet!»
With these words, he hugged me.
Well, maybe, he didn’t have money. But he’d be waiting for me anyway! It was so nice!
«Okay,» I said. «I’ll come to you as soon as I save a little!»
«Don’t worry, my love! I’m always here for you!»
«But there’s a problem.»
«Which one, dear?»
«My Mum won’t let me come here to you.»
«But can you tell her I’m a good guy?»
«I’ve been telling her this for million-billion times. And I’ll go on with that. But she won’t listen to me.»
He