She rejected him because he looked poor, not knowing he was a millionaire

PART 2:

  Wait, are you serious, Fatou ?  You and that taxi driver?  you and that taxi driver.  Look at that.   So, because I refused.  You were about to say yes to him. Well, you two look good together anyway.  My friend here, she has always had a tender heart. You know, the problem with her is that she has no ambition.  She is easily satisfied.

  She never had a good man.  So of course she’s going to stay with you. I found peace in the crook of your arms as if my heart  was already waiting for you.  You make earth wars that no one  sees.  Even my silences breathe with you. When the world [sings] gets tired, you look at me. And without a word, you repair  what is breaking [song] within me.

   Don’t take it . Fatou, why are you seeing this boy in the name of love?  Leave her alone, she’s just being romantic.  You’re not going to kill me. Moussa is really nice to me.   Be nice there, please.  “Gentil” means to mow.  I am not satisfied with mere kindness.  I want a man who can offer me the good life, who can spoil me.  And you’re absolutely right.

  Who can take me where I want to go when I have a man? Kelly, you have no idea. This man lives in total comfort. His car, his clothes, that’s real life.  Wow!  In fact, I received a call.  He wants to take me somewhere tonight .  Kelly, come with me.  Ah yes, let’s leave Fatou with her taxi-driving romanticism.

  If my man can’t spoil me, what’s the point?  I saw a girl on social media; her boyfriend gave her a brand new iPhone.  Not “I love you” in a taxi.  Exactly.  You’re judging too much.  Moussa is thoughtful. Attention can pay the bills, can finance the good life.  Ask him.   It’s not all about money. Speak for yourself.  I wasn’t born to suffer in love.

  I, for one, am used to bank transfers.  That’s my daughter. I could  go through 1000 nights without light  if your voice keeps finding mine.   You have changed my wounds into prayer and my tomorrows into ancient promises. I teach [song] love with each of your gestures.  Well, well, well, look who’s here.

The taxi driver and his romantic partner.  That’s a cute little date. Aminata what?  I’m just saying hello.  It’s a public restaurant, right? In any case, you’re brave to go out like that.   A taxi and a romantic woman in a restaurant, that’s beautiful. We make do with what we have, right?  No, I’m not going to lower my standards for a guy like you.

  I hang out with men who have cars, men who travel,  men who take me somewhere.  My name is Aminata. Taxi drivers are not for me. So, have fun.  Have fun ?  The taxi driver is the girl who loves the poor.  It’s okay, Amin Nata, you rejected me and Fatou accepted.  That’s all that matters. Thank you for accepting me, my love.

I will continue to choose you.  Every morning remains even when the th erase our faces.   Love me like you keep a light on in a fatou, why are you dating this boy in the name of love?  The end will punish you in this school.  Leave her be, she’s just being romantic.  You’re not going to kill me. Moussa is really nice to me.

Listen, I don’t see what the problem is.   Moussa treats me well.  He is present.  He’s serious, that’s all that matters to me. What does he treat you well with?  What exactly ?  Fatou, you’re ruining your life and you don’t even realize it?  Honestly, Fatou, wake up a little.  I’m not spoiling anything, Nata, you don’t even know him .

  You judge a man by what he drives, not by what he truly is. That’s enough for both of you.  We’re not going to argue about that tonight. Oh, he’s calling, he’s calling. Oh, he’s calling, he’s calling. Hello darling, I’ll be there in 30 minutes. OK, all right, my love. Which one should I put there?  That’s good.  I’m going to put on my red dress.

  I want to be beautiful. Make yourself beautiful.  Oh, Dialo has rich friends, you know. I know.  Oh dear.  Fatou, come with us.  Where? I know. Oh dear, I want to be beautiful. Fatou, come with us.  Where is it going? Leave Fatou alone.  She is faithful to poverty.  The beautiful old woman is calling.  Where ? Hello Mousa, good evening.

Hello darling, how are you on time? I’m doing well. We’ll meet again tomorrow for a meeting that’s more like the day after tomorrow.  I’m preparing for an exam.   Okay, my darling.  So your roommates are here then? No, they’ve gone out. They’re not making fun of you anymore for accepting me, I hope.

  Leave those girls alone, I’m used to it now. All right.  Let me leave you to work.   See you tomorrow, Moussa.  Bye. It’s midnight and his daughters haven’t come home . Hello Kelly Fatou, just close the door and go to sleep.  We’re going back tomorrow. Honestly, Fatou, move over a bit and look at the good life.  This original bag, Mr.

Diallo is not just anyone.  This is the starter kit for a real girl.  Your taxi driver can’t even afford a lipstick.   Please don’t  disrespect my boyfriend. First date, that’s why I don’t date broke men.  Just one good date and look how I shine.  That’s why I say the good life isn’t prayed for, it’s connected.

Have you finished L?  I have an exam today. Please, Fatou, be honest.  If Moussa had money, would you still be building your humble van ?  I’m not going to prepare well for my exam, please. Ah!  Ah!  The taxi boy arrived.  Where is he taking our romantic novelist?  at the local maquis.  No, it might be a date on a tight budget.

  A taxi ride, at least, is a date when you smile, I forget the noise of the world.   I forget my fears. How do you manage to put up with those girls? I’m used to it.  We all come from the same difficult place.  We’re not rich. Some are just pretending more than others. If you want, I can find you your own apartment.

No, if they know who you really are now, Aminata will fight against me. She’ll say I stole her boyfriend when it was she who rejected you. Let them continue to believe that you have nothing. I really love this game. This is the best restaurant in town here.  The food is incredible.   How did you get here before? No, this is the first time.

  You’re going to love it. [crying] Outside of her studies, who is Fatou really? I’m not really sure. I’m simple, I think. You’re not looking for the good life, luxury, so much the better  . If it comes, all the better.  But I don’t want to waste my time chasing after that. You are good and intelligent. You can get takeaway food, but that’s out of the question.

  Me, a broke man, they expect nothing from me. You’re really funny. I’m serious.  Look who’s coming back from their appointment. She returns empty-handed.  Not even an ice cream, not even a takeaway meal. We went back with bags.  You come home with nothing but smiles. [crying] Fatou, you saw Moussa today in Oui.

  For what ?  He was wearing a suit today.  Where did that come from?  I don’t know why this concerns you.  I’m just asking you the question, no need to get defensive. Kelly, have you noticed anything lately with Fatou?  What ?  So, she has a new phone.  Son sacé and Moussa, he dresses differently now.  Perhaps it’s his family who is helping him.

  His family?  That boy? Aminata, let people live.  I’m leaving it, but something’s not right . Aminata, we need to talk. I’m listening.  Moussa and I got engaged. Pardon ? Fatou got engaged to the taxi driver.  Yes, you’re joking. I told you not to wait for me. There’s your Fatou there, she just announced her engagement to the taxi driver.

   Eh ?  For real?   I don’t believe it myself .  Wait, let me see the ring.  Fatou, show me. Wait for God! Wow!  That’s pure gold. Where did a ring like that come from? Moussa chose him.  Moussa chose him.  But how? Kelly, I looked up Moussa’s family name on the internet, so what? Dialo Trans Group, present in 5 countries, fleet of more than 1000 vehicles.  What ?  The

taxi he’s driving is one of their own taxis.  Wait, Moussa, Moussa is the boss’s son. I think so. Aminata, are you okay?  What am I just thinking about? He asked me first, before Fatou.   I was the one who chose him . Aminata, please. I’m serious, Kelly.  If I had known who he really was, that’s the problem.

  You should have known without needing to know.  But she didn’t have the right.  This is not normal.  A friend wouldn’t do that.  She knew that I had seen him first.  Fatou did not steal from Moussa Aminata.   Are you defending him now?  No. Aminata, I understand your anger.  I’m just telling you the truth.  You’re angry at the wrong person.

I should have been the first to know who he really was. Not her. You knew, I knew what?  That I had seen it first.  And yet you still said yes, you rejected Minata in front of everyone . You should have left me alone, Sami.  You knew how I felt. I could have been happy with him.  And you took it as if nothing had happened .

I didn’t know it meant so much to you.  That’s enough for both of you. She didn’t take anything from you.  You were the one who chose to let him go. And you, give him time. [grunt] Fatou says she’s finished with the bathroom.  Amiata wanted to know if you planned to use the office this morning. Tell her she can have it in the afternoon.

[] I already miss you, you know. Soon. Tell me again when you plan to come. I can’t take it anymore, girls.  I can no longer pretend that everything is fine between you.  Kelly!  No !  Let me speak, this atmosphere is weighing on me too. You are my only friends here and I’m tired of being the referee. Fatou, I wanted us to talk.

   Okay , I’m listening.  I believe I have the right to still be a little hurt. No, you look magnificent tonight. [cough] [][breathless] Dio, I have something important to

tell you. I’m listening, darling. I am pregnant. You ? Yes, Dialo, from you. And what exactly do you expect from me ? How so ?  What am I waiting for? Wait, we’ve been together for months. Together, Aminata, wake up.   We were just having fun , that’s all. You can’t tell me that.  Not now. I never promised you anything.

  Don’t pin something on me that I didn’t sign. This baby is yours.  You can’t abandon me like this. Prove it.  And even if it’s true, it’s not my problem.  [panting] You’re a coward. No, I am an intelligent man.  You thought I would marry you over a red dress and a restaurant. grows a little.  The walls still remember your laughter like a light that refuses to die.

I count the silences.  in the empty apartment  while your absence slowly tears me apart. I have kept your name [song] deep in my prayers  like one keeps a flame [song] in the middle of winter. [] But you, you’re gone Aminata, you’ve been acting strange for days.

  What’s really going on ?  I’m pregnant, Kelly, and he’s left me . Oh Aminata, why didn’t you tell me anything ?  I was ashamed after everything I said about others.  It doesn’t matter now. Kelly told Minata, I’m sorry for you. I don’t deserve your pity, Fatou, not after everything I’ve done to you. This is not pity, it is compassion.

No, we’re like sisters here despite everything. [crying] Every night I speak to your [song] absence as if the world could answer.  You were my best  start. You became my reluctance until Amiata my daughter eat eat my daughter you are too thin in this Continue to love you. The photos are still on my phone.

   They don’t know that mom, dad, I have to tell you something.   What’s wrong, my daughter? I am pregnant. Whose? Whose ? He’s a man who’s already in a relationship; he won’t be able to marry me. You left me alone at the edge of us with my dreams .  You are no longer welcome here. The walls still remember [song]

your laughter. A light that refuses to die. I count the silences in the empty apartment.  While your absence [song] tears me apart, I have kept your background [song] in my prayers. Like keeping a flame burning in the [song] middle of winter. But you left without looking back,  leaving me alone with the weight of our yesterdays.

Tell me why love promises  the sky when sometimes it [song] leaves us drunk with the rubble  of its wings. You left me alone  at the edge of us with my dreams.  My knees on the ground. Look for your name everywhere. My God, what happened? I’m talking to you, you could answer. [grunt] My family, they rejected me.

  They were wrong.  A family doesn’t reject its child for that.  This baby is lucky because his mom will never be alone. Thank you, thank you for the precise moment when your heart moved away while I didn’t even know where to begin. I blamed you for something that wasn’t even your fault. I was unfair to you.  You made me feel guilty about something I never chose to do to you.

  For weeks, I felt like I had stolen something when I hadn’t stolen anything at all. I’m afraid I’ll never be chosen first.  My whole life, I feel like I’ve been fighting to be seen.  And when Mousa chose you, so simply, you never had to fight to be seen.  Minata, I see you and I forgive you. [crying][grunting] [laughter][breathless] Moussa, will you take Fatou as your wife to love and cherish her?  For the rest of your life, I pronounce you husband and wife.

Fatou and Moussa’s wedding took place 6 months later. [] [breathless] [] [] [breathless] Where’s my phone?   Please , please, where did I put it? I have no one else. Aminata, how are you, Fatou?  I think the baby is arriving now.   Okay , breathe.  I’ll take care of everything. We’ll be there right away, I promise.

Mousa is Aminata.  Work has begun.  We need to go now .  I grab the car keys.  Be ready in 2 minutes. Fatou, what time is it? Kelly, wake up.  It’s Aminata, she’s giving birth.  Let’s go get it now.  Find us at the hospital.   I’ll be there right away .  Don’t wait for it for me.  Go ahead, I’ll join you. We’ll be there in 10 minutes.  Hang in there.

She’s no longer responding.  She hung up 5 minutes ago. She is conserving her energy.  That’s normal.   We’re here . We are here now.  I’ve got you. I was so afraid you would n’t arrive in time. The car is downstairs.  Let’s go right away .   I’m coming .  I am here.  Fatou, stay with her. Kelly, come help me find someone.

  Quickly ! How long has it been now? Almost 2 hours. She’ll be alright.  She has to get through this . Finally, here you are.   Are you Aminata’s family? Everything went well.  A little girl in perfect health.  They are both resting . A girl?  She has a daughter.  They are fine, they are both fine.   Did you really come for me? Of course we came, you’ll never know again .

  She [grunts] is magnificent.  Look at those little cheeks. Finally, our star has arrived. She’s grown even more, I think.  Look how loved this little one is  to my daughter who taught us all something about love and to her mom, the bravest woman I know.  Yeah.