"Me: She will eat later. I am waiting for the deposit of a sum of money. If I receive it, I will cook. That's all. It's nothing serious."

"Him: Are you sure?"

"Me: Yes sure and certain sir."

"Him handing me the bag of ice cream: Here it's for her."

"Me taking the bag: Thank you very much. I guess now you want to leave."

"I made this suggestion thinking the answer would be yes. I thought he would leave now after he handed me Mira's ice cream but unexpectedly he asked to stay a while longer. I was surprised."

"Me looking surprised: But why sir?"

"Him looking serene: Just like that. I want to stay a little longer with Mira. You don't find any disadvantages there I hope?"

"Me pretending: No it's fine."

"Him: Ok and one thing, stop calling me sir. My name is Hamed FAROUK. You can call me Hamed or FAROUK."

"Me: Alright Hamed."

"Hamed looking at the apartment: Is this where you are now?"

"I do."

"Hamed: It's empty. Why is there no furniture?"

"Me: The fire destroyed all my furniture from the old apartment. I lost everything in that fire."

"Hamed: And why don't you buy more?"

"Me: I don't have any money."

"Hamed raising his eyebrows: I see."

"He makes circles on himself while contemplating the apartment. Me meanwhile, I'm all nervous and I keep looking at my phone screen hoping to get the notification that the girl sent the money but nothing. Hamed turns around and sees me staring at my phone."

"Hamed noticing my condition: Is there a problem?"

"Me raising my head: No, everything is fine. Excuse me."

"I'm about to go into the kitchen and at the same time, Mira comes out of the bedroom."

"Mira complaining: Mom, I'm hungry please. When do we eat ?

"Me even more nervous: Later my princess. See you later."

"I leave the room where she and Hamed are and go to the kitchen. I place the ice cream bought by Hamed on the small kitchen island. I lean against the island with both hands and take a deep breath. I do not know what to do. I have my head down and when I raise it, I see Hamed in front of me. How long has he been there? I didn't even notice his presence."

"Hamed: Can you tell me what's going on? What's wrong ?"

"Me lying: Nothing is happening."

"Hamed: I don't know what's happening to you but that's not how you're going to fix it. Why do you take so long to cook for the little one?.

"Me: No he....."

"I'm about to say one more time that nothing is happening but I realize there's no point in lying. I just have to tell the truth and that truth is that I don't have any money on me."

"Me in tears: The fire destroyed everything I own. All my savings of nearly two million CFA francs were burned. I do not have anything. It's really hard for me to get out of it. Currently where I speak to you, I do not have a franc on me. I was waiting for a loan to prepare the meal for tonight but the person also does not send the money."

"Hamed: Savings? Two million ? You know what we call a bank? Who still keeps such a sum of money on him in the middle of the 21st century?"

"Me: I never imagined that a fire would destroy my apartment."

"Hamed: Things like that are out of the question. These are things that come to us when we least expect them. Next time, remember to put your money in a bank. Regarding food, I will buy the provisions you need."

"Me embarrassed: No no. That's nice, thank you, but I can't accept."

"Hamed: I'm not asking you to accept Sira. If I want to do it, it's for the little one. She is a child and she has to eat in a given time. I bet you're not comfortable when she's hungry, are you?"

"Me no. What kind of mother will be comfortable knowing her daughter is starving.

"Hamed: That's it! So let me buy you what you need."

"Me: Thank you. Thank you for everything."

*********

"Hamed made a phone call and the next minute the delivery people came to deliver food to my address. Everything he bought was so numerous that I was lost in it. There was enough food to last for months. Bags of rice, preserves, pasta, condensed and powdered milk, butter, mayonnaise, eggs. There was everything. There was a little left and my kitchen was going to run out of space. The last box of food has been delivered."

"Me speaking to the delivery man: Put that there."

"Deliverer executing: Ok madam goodbye and thank you for the trust.

"Me walking him to the door: See you next time."

"The delivery man came out and I closed the door. I still can't believe that my kitchen now looks like a mini supermarket. There is everything. I don't know how to thank Hamed."

"Me wanting to speak: I......"

"Hamed guessing what I mean: Don't thank me or I'll take everything back. We have to make food for the little one. Hurry up. I am going to leave."

"Me: Thank you very much. Thank you a lot."

"Mira: Thank you very much Hamed. You are so kind."

"Hamed smiling at Mira: You are adorable my princess. Mom will cook you now. Don't forget to save my part, okay?"

"Mira: Alright, I'll do it."

"Hamed: That's good my dear."

"He squats down and gives her a kiss on the forehead. He then gets up and comes to position himself in front. He looks at me with such insistence that it looks like he expects to see something special in my eyes. After a moment of staring between him and me, he comes out of the apartment and walks away without looking back once. I locked the door after he left. I am finally calm and relieved. My daughter will eat tonight, tomorrow and after-after-after-tomorrow."

**** The next morning *****

***** Hamed FAROUK *****

"The few moments I had to spend with Sira and her daughter were already enough to make me addicted to them. Last night, I couldn't stop thinking about them. I worried about them. I wondered how they did after I left? Did they finally eat? It's sure. Surely they did. I don't know what's happening to me but I can't stop thinking about them, especially Sira. She is so beautiful. I feel great pleasure looking at her, gazing into hers, feeling her breathing when I'm close to her and touching her. I feel something for this girl but I don't believe it's love. Maybe it's compassion or envy or maybe I'm just attracted to her and just want to have a go with her. Either way, it could be anything but love. It is impossible for me to be in love with a prostitute. The world upside down !"

"I went down to the kitchen this morning. The surface technicians and the cooks are each busy with the task. As usual, Samirath supervises the work.

"Me kissing him on the cheek: Hello Sami."

"Samirath: Hello my child. How are you ?"

"Me: I'm fine Sami. Where is mom and Djélika?"

"Samirath: They are still sleeping. Have you forgotten that it's barely seven o'clock in the morning? You woke up early today, which is unusual. What woke you up my child?"

"Me holding his hand: Let's go to the garden. I need your opinion on some things."

"I like talking with Samirath. I love when she gives me advice. She is very wise and knows how to listen to me. It's true that sometimes I also ask my mother's opinion, but it's not the same thing. I much prefer Sami's advice. I hold her hand and we walk into the garden. This beautiful view and this beautiful flowery landscape is good for the eyes."

"Samirath: I'm listening to you Hamed. What's bothering you my darling?"

"Hamed: No it's not me Sami. He's a friend of mine who wants me to help him find advice about what he's going through."

"Samirath: Really? And what does this friend want to know?"

"Hamed: He wants to know if prostitutes are good people and asks if they can change?"

"Samirath smiling: Of course. Everyone can change and everyone deserves a second chance."

"Hamed: Do you believe that a man of integrity and responsibility can love a prostitute?"

"Samirath: Yes my darling. Love cannot be controlled. Love does not look at a person's status. Love chooses whoever it wants."

"I weigh Sami's words and record them in my cerebral hard drive. These tips help me achieve a lot."

"Hamed: I see Sami. Finally, I want to ask you on behalf of my friend if it is possible to have a serious relationship with a prostitute? Is it possible to have a relationship capable of leading to marriage despite the prejudices and the gaze of those around us?"

"After this question, Samirath gave a smile on the corner of his lips. She probably realized that my friend didn't exist and that the one who needed this advice was none other than me."

"Samirath smiling: All I can say to this friend is don't let his parents' mistakes stop him from living his life and being happy."

"Me in my thought: <<Not to let the errors of my parents prevent me from being happy>>. Which implies that if my father betrayed my mother with a prostitute, it doesn't mean that all prostitutes are the same or that it doesn't mean that I have to hate all prostitutes."

"Samirath: Do you understand?"

"Me coming back to reality: Yes Sami thank you. Thank you so much."

"I understood Sami's advice and I will try to change my way of seeing prostitutes. I'm going to get to know Sira more and know her story, then the rest we'll see later, but what's sure I want to know her more."

***** Sira KANTE *****

"The chocolate chip cookies Hamed bought yesterday keep going into my mouth and ending up in my stomach. They are delicious. I really enjoy eating them on the bed while leafing through a magazine. It's been days since I stopped my job and I've never been better. I spend more time with my daughter. I already brought it to school. Today especially, time does not stop spinning. As soon as I read nine o'clock on my watch, it is already one thirteen and fifteen minutes. Ed-Sheran's song "Perfect" is heard in the bedroom. It's my phone ringing."

“I found a love for me, darling, just dive right in and follow my lead. Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet. Oh, I never......."

"I don't wait for the phone to ring any longer. I take it and pick it up.

"Me: Yes boss."

"Konaté: Sira, how are you? I have good news for you. You can come by tonight to get the money I promised you."

"Me: No boss. Thank you but I don't need it anymore. Thank you so much."

"Konate: Oh good. So you're not coming to work tonight too?"

"Me: No boss I'm sorry."

"Konaté shouting into the phone: BUT WHAT ARE YOU TALKING TO ME? ARE YOU FUCKING ME? REMEMBER THAT MY MONEY IS WITH YOU AND I WANT YOU TO REFUND ME. NO LATER THAN TODAY."

"Me: But where do you want me to find this sum boss? I have nothing at the moment."

Konaté: SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE THE CASH, YOU WILL USE YOUR BODY TO PAY THE DEBT. CUSTOMERS ARE WAITING FOR YOU TONIGHT."

"Me: But boss and..."

"Konaté in a threatening tone: Bring Sira back tonight, otherwise I won't tell you what I'll do to you. You know me and you know what I'm capable of."

"I barely turn my tongue to reply, but he's already hung up. I hold the phone to my ear and think about everything he just said. I don't know why but I no longer want to do this job. I don't feel like it anymore. These few days that I did without having sex with several men did my body a world of good. I really want to end this life but I have no choice in the end. I hear someone knocking on the door. I get up and I go to open while wondering who it can be. It's Hamed. For a surprise, this is one."

"Me: You here?"

"Hamed showing the inside of the finger: Can I?"

"Me: Mira is not here. She is at school. She stays there until evening."

"Hamed: I know. I'm not here for her. I'm here to see you."

"Surprised me: See me?"

"Hamed: Yes I feel alone at home and I want to spend time with you. But if I bother you, I can go away inh."

"Me: No no. It does not bother me. Come in !"

"He enters and I close behind him. I don't even have chairs to ask him to sit down. What an embarrassment!"

"Me: Sorry. I don't have a seat. If you want, I'll bring the bed here for you to sit on."

"Hamed: No it's fine. I can sit on the ground. It's clean."

"Me: Are you sure?"

"Hamed: Yes."

"Me: Alright. Excuse me, I'll get you a drink."

"I slip into the kitchen for a moment and come back with a bottle of mineral water with a glass. He was already sitting on the ground, his back against the wall and one foot bent. I served her the water in the glass and then I also sat down on the ground."

"Hamed drinking the water: I can't believe I'm with the girl who almost castrated me."

"Me: I'm really sorry about that."

"Hamed in a funny tone: It's nothing. I kinda deserved it. I apologize too."

"After these words he emptied the contents of the glass and placed it on the ground. A long silence falls between us. I don't know what to say to start the conversation between us."

"Me trying: What do you do for a living?"

"Hamed: Please stop using your formal address first. And now, to answer your question, I'm a model and a businessman. I am in collaboration with the biggest brand houses like Adidas, Nike or Versace."

"Me amazed: Wow. It's wow! And you, I mean and do you like your job?"

"Hamed: Yes I like it. At first I wanted to be a writer. I always dreamed of being a writer but life decided otherwise."

"Me: Ah I see but nothing is too late you know? You can still make your dream come true."

"Hamed: No I don't have time anymore. And you? You like your work ? I also want to apologize for saying that prostitution is not work."

"Me sad: No it's nothing. On the one hand, I understand you."

"Hamed: Can you tell me why? Why are you doing this job? Is it to make money or because you like giving yourself to his men?

"Me: I wouldn't say it's because of the money because there are plenty of other jobs to earn money even if it's not the same amount. I also won't say it's because I like giving myself to men because I don't like it, but I'll say it's to feel less dirty."

"Confused Hamed: Feel less dirty by giving yourself to men for money?

"I do."

"Hamed: I don't understand. Explain to me how."

"This conversation between the two of us reminds me of painful memories that all my life I have tried to bury deep inside me."

"Me in tears: As a child, I lost my parents in an accident. I was the only daughter of my parents. They were extremely rich and they cherished and pampered me more than anything. One day they were traveling overseas and their plane crashed. They were dead. When I found out, I cried until the last tear in my body. My uncle, my father's little brother embezzled all my father's property in his name and he placed me in an orphanage. I was adopted by a woman who was in the restaurant business. She had no children. She treated me well even though sometimes she hit me. She was going to work in her restaurant while I stayed home with her husband. This gentleman whom I called "dad" touched me. They wanted to sleep with me and had tried to rape me several times but I always managed to get out of their clutches. One evening, while I was asleep, he came to my room and once again attempted to rape me. He had managed to undress me but when it was time to take action, his wife opened the door on us and......."

"So much pain and sadness. I am totally overwhelmed with the sadness, pain and rage these memories bring to my mind. I stop to contain my flowing tears."

"Dejected Hamed: Are you okay? If you are in pain, you can stop there.

"Me trembling voice: I'll be fine."

"Hamed: Alright."

"Me continuing: She saw us. She saw her husband positioned between my legs and me naked below him, all scared and trembling. She made a scandal and her husband to defend himself lied that it was me who was trying to bamboozle him and as sordid as it may seem, she believed her husband that night and sent me away from her house. I was young. I was in my 15s. I was scared. It was cold and I couldn't see anything. I walked without knowing where I was going. Suddenly, I saw a car coming towards me. I thought this was my chance. I was young and naive. I did everything to make the car stop and that was my biggest mistake. When the car stopped, the driver was out. The vehicle's headlights on allowed me to see his face. He was a little old. I walked over to him and asked for his help. He stared at me, licking his bottom lip. I found that strange. I started to back away but he pulls me and throws me to the ground. He kept me in bed by pressing hard on my arms. I tried to free myself from his hands, I tried to push myself away. I was trying to......"

"My mouth is open but the words don't come out. I'm shaking in place. It's as if I was still living this horrible scene. My words are interspersed between my sobs. I was having an extreme panic attack. Hamed comes closer to me and wraps his arms around me. He tries to calm me down. He strokes my hair."

"Hamed whispering: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Me sobbing: I was trying to stop him from hurting me but he was stronger than me. He raped me. He raped me in the most horrible way. It was extremely painful. I thought I was going to die. My virginity was forcibly snatched away that night. I had lost consciousness. In the morning I woke up to a young girl. She was also a prostitute. She was very nice to me and helped me to forget the ordeal I went through, but it was impossible. I felt soiled, dirty and repulsive. I was borderline disgusted. I wanted to feel less dirty so I decided to prostitute myself as my benefactress. I told myself that I was already dirty so why shouldn't I prostitute myself. I needed a reason to justify this feeling of dirt that I felt inside me. That's how I got into prostitution and I admit that it helped me feel less dirty to this day. That's how I got into prostitution. I don't prostitute myself for money or for fun, but to feel less dirty after what that pig did to me last night."

"Hamed in tears: I'm sorry. I never would have imagined this. I am really sorry. Forgive me for judging you. Sorry ! I'm sorry."