POV : Layla…
I open my eyes and realize I fell asleep almost the entire way.
...
The goodbyes were heartbreaking last night. I'm going to miss my parents and my sister a lot. I'll see, depending on my schedule, if I can come visit them at least every two months because I know in advance that medical school isn't a walk in the park.
They all walked us back to the train station.
—"Mom: Karim, take good care of my youngest daughter, okay? Protect her well. She's your responsibility. Don't let her lose weight, or you'll see what I'm made of."
—"Karim: Of course, Mom, you're counting on me. She's the apple of my eye."
—"Samira: What about me?" she says with a pout.
—"Me: Nothing for you, you're the oldest." I laugh, teasing her.
—" Samira: Hmm, and I'm going to play the baby for our parents since you won't be here anymore. She said, teasing me.
—Me: Still, I'm the favorite. Enjoy it while you can before I get back. I'll quickly reclaim my place, Insha'Allah.
They all laughed together.
After long goodbyes and endless prayers filled with duas and invocations, we finally boarded the bus where I sat next to my brother. The goodbyes continued until I could no longer see them. I lay down on my brother's shoulder, and he reassured me that everything would be alright. I quickly fell asleep under his comforting caresses.
...
—Karim: We'll be there soon, Habiba, Insha'Allah. He said, pulling me from my thoughts.
—Great, Alhamdulillah, I can't wait.
After thirty minutes the bus finally stops at the Beaux Maraîchers station. We get off and my brother hails a taxi heading towards the Scat Urbam district.
During the journey, my eyes constantly wander from one corner to the other. I'm amazed by the density of this city that never seems to sleep. Dakar unfolds before me like a whirlwind of life: cars are crammed into infernal traffic, horns blare in unison, and traffic jams seem to be part of the scenery. Every avenue is punctuated by construction sites, dust, and the clanging of metal, as if the capital were in a perpetual state of transformation.
Yet, amidst this chaos, there is an undeniable beauty. Modern buildings stand proudly alongside older houses, like a dialogue between tradition and modernity. Street vendors skillfully weave between the cars, offering fruit, newspapers, or bottles of iced water, adding splashes of color to this vibrant tapestry. The air is heavy, sometimes thick with smoke and dust, but it also carries the scent of the ocean, a reminder that Dakar is embraced by the sea.
I feel both lost and fascinated, tiny in this human anthill where everyone seems rushed, busy, swept along by the frenetic pace of the capital. The noise, the crowds, the pollution—it could all be suffocating… but instead, I feel my heart expand. It's as if Dakar, with all its contradictions, has come to welcome me with open arms. A rough, noisy, vibrant city… and breathtakingly beautiful.
I can't wait to explore it all with my brother. We've arrived in front of a rather modest but very attractive five-story building.
He pays the taxi driver who was kind enough to help him carry my things up to the third floor. I take a look around the apartment; it's very nice but too plain and lacks feminine touches.
There are two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a small, sparsely furnished living room with just two sofas, a coffee table, and a television. There's also a balcony overlooking a basketball court. A small but well-equipped kitchen—of course, my brother loves to eat and he's a great cook, so he's made sure he can satisfy his appetite. Finally, there's a room that serves as his office.
— Karim: Come on, here's your room. You can decorate it however you like.
— Me: Oh, great, thanks a lot, bro. Insha'Allah, I'll make it my own. And know that this isn't the only room I'm going to decorate.
— Karim: Okay, renovate whatever you want except my room—you don't touch it.
—Me: Okay, don't worry about it.
—Karim: Good then, I'll let you get comfortable. See you later.
He kisses me on the forehead before leaving, closing the bedroom door behind him.
I rush into the bathroom and take a nice shower. I wash my hair and everything; I really needed it. I perform my ablutions and get out, putting on a pretty djellaba and my hijab. I catch up on my prayers before unpacking my suitcases and starting to put my clothes away in the closet.
Then I go to bed and quickly fall asleep to recharge.
.......
Knock knock knock...
—"Me: Come in," I said in a small voice, getting up.
The door opened to reveal my brother, dressed in a handsome white qamis. He's so handsome, my brother.
Yes, I'm a huge fan of his...
—"Karim: Get ready and come with me to do the shopping so you can buy what you need for your room."
—"Me: Okay, great, I'm coming. Just let me touch up my makeup quickly."
—"Karim: Okay, hurry up, even though you already look perfect," he smiled as he left.
He's so sweet. I got up and washed my face. I put on my shoes, pretty sandals with pearls, then I applied a little powder, a thin line of eyeliner, and a bit of lip gloss, and I was ready.
I went outside and found Karim in front of the door. He was waiting for me. We unpacked the stairs, he hailed a taxi, and once we agreed on the price, we got in and headed towards the Centenaire Market. It was a gigantic market, and there were so many people.
—Karim: 'Bouffi reer deh' (Hey, you're a real character!), my brother teased me. 'Don't get lost, okay?'
—Me: Don't worry, you know I have a good sense of direction."
We went into a home decor shop. He told me to take whatever I wanted.
I helped myself, taking some lighting, bed linen and pillow sets, flower pots, wall decorations in the shape of flowers, butterflies, hearts, and letters of the alphabet in various colors, and wallpaper.
Then we went to a cosmetics shop where I bought toiletries for my brother and me, as well as room fragrances.
And finally, I went to a kitchenware shop where I bought plates, glasses, trays, cups, etc.
I was leaving, my hands full, when I felt someone bump into me from behind.
—"Subhanallah!" I exclaimed, turning around, nearly falling, and saw a young man with a young woman.
—"The young woman: Seriously, can't you watch where you're going? Are you blind or what?"
Excuse me, she's talking to me ? I hope for her sake she isn't."
—The young man: Excuse me, miss, I didn't see you. We're in a huge hurry, sorry."
—"The young woman: Why are you apologizing, baby? She's the one who should be watching.
—"Adja, what are you talking about? Shut up," the young man told her.
" She starts to sulk.
—Him: Excuse her, please, she's a little on edge. We just came from a rather difficult exam.
I can help you with the things to make up for it.
—Me: Don't worry, it's no big deal. And thank you for offering your help, but I've got this. I said, smiling.
At that moment, my brother comes out of the store, his hands full. He looks at us both.