"I sighed thinking of all my problems. It's not easy being a single mother I assure you. Even though my daughter is only a child. She's not yet old enough to be alone or to manage while I go to work. Above all, I don't want to upset his childhood. She will go to school and be a great lady. She will never know the suffering that I have known and she will never choose the path that I have chosen. I went home and cleaned the whole apartment, not forgetting the kitchen and the bathroom. It is a small apartment with a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. Nothing to do with the previous one which is more spacious and which had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen and a living room. Anyway, I'm not complaining. It's for a while. I lie down in bed and take a look at the Mister Bipolar Card the boss gave me. When Mira gets back from school, we'll call her."

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

"After breakfast, I rushed to my room where I've been locked up for hours already. My eyes haven't left my computer screen. I am a working machine. When I get to work, nothing can stop me. Only when I'm done can I breathe a little. Do not worry. I'm already used to that. Very young I had to fight like crazy to ensure a better future for my family and I can say that I succeeded. No choice. When life gives you an irresponsible father like mine, it is your obligation to assume this role of responsible father in his place and that is what I do for my mother and my sister. Samirath brought me a coffee."

"Samirath putting the cup on the bedside table: Hamed rest now.

"Me: I can't Sami. I still have things to do."

"Samirath turning down the computer: This is not a negotiation. Get some rest."

"Me: Ok I got it."

"Samirath giving me my coffee: Here I made it for you.

"Me taking it: Thank you Sami. You're the best."

"Samirath smiling: We missed you Hamed."

"I get up and put my coffee on the bedside table. I stand in front of Sami and I kiss her on the forehead before taking her in my arms to hold her tight against me."

"Me: I missed you too Sami. You missed me so much."

"Samirath muffled voice: It's good to see you again."

"Me releasing her: Me, I'm in heaven."

"Samirath heading for the exit: I leave you."

"Me sitting on the bed: Alright."

"I make sure she's well away from the bedroom, then I pick up my computer and pick up where I left off. I sat staring at the computer screen typing with the keyboard until evening. I decided to take a breather and breathe a breath of fresh air. I go to the balcony of my room and I take advantage of this beautiful view that is offered to me."

**** Sira KANTE ****

"I'm taking my shower with Mira. I finished washing it and I wash myself. I asked her to go wait for me in the room but she refuses and plays with the water. Really this girl will end up giving me a stroke. I don't have the money to pay the bills and she's the one playing with the water."

"Me: Stop Mira."

"Mira laughing: That's great mom."

"Me close: Stop now. Can't you see you're hurting mommy? Don't you know mom spends the money to pay for the water?"

"Mira apologizing: Sorry mum."

"Me: It doesn't matter. Go to your room. I'm coming."

"Mira sad: Alright."

"She joined the room. I spent a few minutes in the shower then I joined him. I wiped the water from his body. I dressed him and I did the same then we went to bed."

"Mira in my arms: Mom, did you get the gentleman's number?"

"Me: Yes my dear."

"Mira happy: Can we call her?"

"Me: Yes if you want."

"Mira: Call him mom."

"Me executing: Alright."

"I take my phone and I dial the number on the card then I launch. I put this on speakerphone. It rings for a moment and then he picks up."

"Him: Yes, hello. Who is it ?"

"Me whispering to Mira: Are you talking or am I talking?"

"Mira whispering: Speak mom."

"Really, it's all spitting Mira that. She asks me to call her now that I did, she asks me to talk to her. What do I have to say to him?"

"Him, growing impatient: But who is it?"

"Nervous me: It's me sir. It's Sara."

"Him: Sira? Ok I see. What do you want ?"

"Me: Uh....uh....by the way it's my daughter who wants to talk to you. She wants to thank you for saving her life."

"Him: Oh really? I'm touched."

"Mira speaking into the phone: Thank you, hero, for saving my life."

"Him moved: Oh it's nothing my princess."

"Mira: Thank you very much sir. You are the nicest."

"Him: Thank you darling. I hope you're well."

"Mira: Yes I am fine sir."

"Him: Ok and tell me what did you eat today?"

"Mira: I ate shells and tonight I had chocolate toast sir."

"Him: Wow and who gave you all that?"

"Mira: It's my mom."

"I listen to them both talking on the phone. Thanking the gentleman turned into a conversation like for old friends. I put my arm across my forehead staring at the ceiling. I close my eyes."

*****

"Unwittingly, I fell asleep for a short time. When I woke up, Mira was still on the phone with Mr Bipolar. I open my mouth wide."

"Me picking up the phone to hang up: Enough now. You have school tomorrow."

"Mira preventing me: A second mother."

"Me talking on the phone: Sorry sir but I have to hang up. She wants to sleep."

"Mira talking on the phone: Will you come see me tomorrow?"

"Him: Yes my princess. I'll come to see you. What would you like me to bring you?"

"Mira: Ice cream."

"Him: Ok I'm going to bring you lots of ice cream but I don't know where you live now my doll."

"Mira speaking to me: Mum, please show her our house."

"What me ! It's out of the question girl."

"Mira pleading: Please mum."

"Me talking on the phone: Sir, thank you very much for your attention, but my daughter doesn't need that. Thank you."

"Mira crying: Please mum. Please let him know the location."

"Me annoyed: You start again with your whims?"

"Mira sad: Please, dear mother."

"Me sighing in exasperation: Ok."

"In the end, I end up cracking up and I give the address of the apartment to Mr. Bipolar. It's always hard for me to resist my daughter's tears. When she cries it's as if I received a dagger in the heart. That hurts me. She finally calmed down after I pointed out the location. I turned off the phone and she fell asleep, her head resting on my chest."

**** The next morning ****

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

"Last night I talked for a long time on the phone with Sira's daughter. Her name is Mira. She is funny and very intelligent this little one. I'm starting to like him a lot. Today I planned to visit him and bring him some ice cream. By now I guess she must be at school so I'm going to be there around four o'clock. She would have already returned."

"Djélika opening the door of my room: Hello big brother."

"Me kissing her in the hair: Hello my queen where have you been?

"Djélika: I had spent a short stay with my fiancé."

"Me: I forgot you didn't tell me you had a fiancé Djélika."

"Djélika: I was planning to tell you when you get back home."

"Me: Oh I see and what's the name of this lucky guy?"

"Djélika: Salim big brother. Salim BAH is an architect."

"Me: Interesting and when does he plan to come to introduce himself to your dad? Didn't you tell him that your father that I am is already back?"

"Djélika smiling: Yes, I've already told him that. We'll have a dinner party and you'll get to know each other."

"Me: Alright. It's a good idea. Mom had suggested the same."

"Djélika: It's great and you big brother? Is there a future sister-in-law on the horizon?"

"Me: Not even a fly and it's better that way. I prefer to be alone."

"Djélika: If you want, I have my own girlfriends. They are very beautiful. I can hook them up for you."

"Me sighing: What do you and mom have to do with wanting to find me a wife. I don't need it and even if I have to have a wife I think I can choose personally don't you think?"

"Djélika: Yes you are right but....."

"Me cutting him off: There's no but Djéli."

"Djélika smiling: Ok, I understand. I came to pick you up for breakfast.

"Me taking her hand: Ok let's go."

**** Night show ****

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

"The boss asked me to come today to take the loan and I did. I really need this money. I have nothing on me anymore. What little money I have left, I used to make Mira's breakfast this morning. I have nothing and I don't even know what to do for tonight's meal. I can stay like that, but Mira can't. The boss was supervising the work of the other girls. They clean up the box."

"Me approaching him: Hello boss."

"Konaté: Hello Sira you came. Follow me."

"He walks ahead and I follow him into his office."

"Konaté closing the door: How are you, Sira?"

"Me: Badly very badly. I have no more money. I don't even know what my daughter is going to eat tonight."

"Konaté: I understand Sira."

"Me: Luckily you're here to help me. I came as you asked me yesterday.

"Konaté sighing: Sira I....I'm sorry but I can't give you this loan anymore."

"Me on the verge of tears: But why?"

"Konaté hands in pockets: Without lying to you, I haven't earned much for some time. The box goes bankrupt. I used the little money I have left to order drinks for tonight. I do not have anything."

"Me in tears: You can't do this to me."

"Konaté: Sorry Sira but don't worry, just come tonight. We have very important customers who need you. You will earn enough money."

"Have you ever pinned your hopes on something and in the end you didn't get it? Yes ? Already ? That's what's happening to me right now. I felt the ground give way under my feet."

"Konaté: Don't make that face. Come tonight."

"Me leaving in tears: Excuse me."

"I feel like the boss doesn't understand me. He doesn't understand my situation and doesn't even try for a second to put himself in my shoes. Him, all he cares about is that I come back to bring him money. I'm really fed up with all of this."

**** Evening ****

"Mira is playing on my phone while I keep glancing at my watch around my wrist. I asked one of the girls in the club to borrow me a small five thousand francs so that I could buy the necessities for dinner. There is nothing to eat and Mira complains of hunger. It takes a long time to deposit the money."

Mira: Mom, I'm hungry."

"Me: We're going to eat soon my darling. Mom is expecting something."

"Mira: Ok mom."

"She's concentrating on her game. At least I still have my phone to keep her busy. But what is she doing who wants to lend me? I'm on edge. I hear someone knocking on the door."

"Me opening the door:"

"Person seeing me: Good evening. I can enter ?"

"To my surprise, it's Hamed FAROUK. I didn't expect him to actually come at all. I thought it was just a joke to please Mira."

"Me giving way to him: Enter!"

"Speaking to Mira: Good evening my princess."

"Mira raising her head: Is that you? Hamed is it you?"

"Him: Yes, I am, my princess. How are you ?"

"Decidedly, my daughter will never cease to amaze me. She has barely met Hamed and she is already calling him by his name, allowing himself to be familiar with him."

"Mira throwing herself into his arms: I'm glad you came. Did you bring me the ice cream?"

"Him: Of course. I brought you a lot of ice cream. There are chocolate, mint, pistachio and many other flavors my princess. Want to take them?"

"Mira: Yes, I would, but I haven't had my evening meal yet. Mom says you have to eat something solid before you take sweets or you'll get a stomach ache."

"Him carrying her in his arms: Your mum is right, my princess, but tell me why you haven't eaten yet? It's late."

"Mira: I don't know. Maybe mom doesn't have the money to buy me food. This morning she didn't eat anything and she used the money to cook for me.

"When Mira said that, he turned to look at me. I don't know but through the face he was making, I can say that he immediately understood that I was going through difficult times at the moment. He put Mira on the floor."

"Talking to him to Mira: Would you like to go play in the bedroom and leave me alone with your mom for a second?"

"Mira: Alright."

"She ran and went to the bedroom leaving us alone. Hamed keeps looking at me. I looked down."

Him hands in pockets: What's going on? Why hasn't the little one eaten since?"

"I lifted my head to look him in the eye. I don't know how to answer this question. I'm embarrassed. I don't want anyone, let alone him, to feel sorry for my daughter and me."