Sahara

by Oscar Luis Rigiroli

  Cristian felt that his head exploited. Charfadine married? How and with whom? Zoubaida came up and stroked the head of her husband increasing his confusion.

  Ousmar had completed his presentation and rose to leave. Cristian had an impulse to stop him to ask for clarifications, but restrained it. The chief finally left the family meeting.

  As in a well planned scenery Charfadine entered the room, and the young man´s heart accelerated. Just at that time realized that her sister-in-law had been absent while her future was being debated, but Cristian had no time to continue with his musings.

  “Please, listen to me!”

  The family assembly continued, and Souady was now in charge....

  CHAPTER 12

  The meeting had been reduced to Souady, Zoubaida, Charfadine, and Cristian; somehow, those directly interested in the further course of events.

  “The Chief has spoken.” expressed Souady. “and has ruled what should be the fate of Charfadine in accordance with the interests of our clan. My daughter should be married to avoid snubbing Mbaye clan and therefore the whole Sara ethnicity. It is not Ousmar Djalali´s function of determine who has to marry Charfadine. As his mother and it is no secret that she´s my favorite daughter, I will take the situation in my hands from here on.

  The girl's cheeks blushed. She had certainly never thought that her future would be subject to so many pressures of the political and ethnic environment.

  “As her mother, it is my duty to ensure that no husband that she does not love is imposed to Charfadine is. That is, she must choose her husband freely, of course, by common accord. Tell us daughter, who is the man you love?”

  The girl remained silent. The mother repeated the question with identical result.

  “It is clear that my sister has imposed silence by her desire not to impact other lives.” Zoubaida said unexpectedly. “But we all know what her heart dictates. We know that Charfadine loves my husband Cristian, and that he loves her.”

  The man jumped in his place, he couldn't believe what he had just heard, particularly from his wife´s mouth. Of all people, he would have never thought that Zoubaida said those words knowing how she loved him.

  Souady was now speaking again.

  “Charfadine, do you love Cristian Colombo and accept to be his wife?”

  “”Yes.”

  “Charfadine, do you love Cristian Colombo and accept to be his wife?”

  “Yes.”

  “Charfadine, do you love Cristian Colombo and accept to be his wife?

  “Yes!

  “Well.” Said Souady “That part of the ritual has been completed. The woman has accepted three times to marry the proposed man.”

  Then she turned to Cristian, but this interrupted her with a gesture.

  “Souady, we all know that I'm married to your eldest daughter and I am your grandson's father, how could I then marry Charfadine?”

  “Zoubaida “Souady asked his eldest daughter “Would you accept that your husband marry your sister?”

  “I accept it.” said the woman. “But I think it's fair to tell him about our customs regarding marriage.”

  Then Souady went on to explain his son-in-law that polygamy was permitted in Chad and that a man can marry more than once in the bosom of the Sara ethnic group, and that if he married his sister-in-law not only was not frowned upon but it facilitated things. The condition was not to neglect his first wife and her offspring. In fact, one in three Chadian women lives in families with situations of polygamy.

  “Said this, Cristian Colombo, I ask you: do you love my daughter Charfadine and want to take her in marriage?”

  “Yes.” the man answered without hesitation.

  “Well.” Continued Souady. “Now I just have to inform Ousmar Djalali about this decision to since it is he who must give our daughter in marriage.”

  The family meeting concluded there. Cristian was puzzled by its development, since he concluded that it´s real purpose had been to arrange the marriage between Charfadine and him, obtaining their mutual explicit consent to meet with ethnic traditions. It was equally obvious that everything was prepared in advance and the only ones who weren't aware were just Charfadine and he. When Cristian could finally put in order his ideas he realized that this decision filled his aspirations since he could share his destiny with the two women he loved, so he could not ask life any more. However, it spurred the doubt of how driven by love but also for reasons of State which he, Cristian, did not understand nor justify. Yet the fact that a woman as possessive as Zoubaida consented to share her husband, even with her sister exceeded his understanding capacity. He made a long turn to reach back home in order to have more time to think about how to address his wife.

  Zoubaida was waiting for him with the child in her arms, with a somewhat sad gesture in her countenance. Cristian made no comments, leaving his wife to take the initiative, as it usually happened.

  “Well.” She finally said. “Is there anything you want to know?”

  “Of course. I appreciate your detached gesture, but I do not understand how and why you have agreed to share me.”

  “I have not agreed it was really my initiative.”

  The response baffled even more the young man who after a few moments, said.

  “So it is your will to share me.”

  “Not really. It was a realistic decision. My father conceived the idea of marrying Charfadine to save her from a horrible future.”

  “And prevent the Mbaye to be masters of your clan.”

  “Also that. Then my mother put on the table what we all already knew, that Charfadine and you love each other. This is a fact of life; it is not the creation of my parents or my own.”

  “And you simply accepted the facts of life?”

  “It is not that the idea pleased me, but I was convinced that it was the best thing for everyone. Of course I know that it is the best for my sister and for you.”

  “And what takes a woman to share her husband?”

  “I know well that there are differences between the male and the female, the male is polygamous by nature, and you can love two women at the same time more easily than a woman can love two men. But I will tell you clearly what brought me to make this specific decision. A woman fear is the possibility of losing her man. I am sure that this will not happen, that you will continue loving me. I have no doubt in this regard.”

  “So that I can be taken for granted?”

  Zoubaida, who so far had spoken without tension but serious now smiled, pushed her husband to the armchair and sat on his legs, as she used to do.

  “So it is, and there is nothing you can do about it. I'm stuck inside of you.”

  Cristian did not respond he could recognize a truth when he heard it.”

  Souady made preparations to carry out the wedding with utmost urgency. Indeed, when Ousmar communicated the Mbaye boss that his daughter was already married, it had to be true.

  “This situation unfortunately leaves no time to now make a wedding as your sister´s.” She told Charfadine. “But I am confident that once everything settles down we can carry out a ceremony as you deserve.”

  She stood next to her daughter who was sitting, took her head and pressed it against her side. Charfadine was Souady´s favorite daughter who was also her lawyer advocate in all circumstances.

  “The important thing is that you marry a man who will make you happy, I know he will.”

  Haroun pointed to an object in the dunes ahead of them and ordered one of his men to come closer.

  “It has a metallic sheen.” Said Cristian who was riding beside him.

  “It must be remnants of some vehicle. But keep telling me about the family reunion.”

  The young man finished telling him what had happened in the conclave, but refrained from telling him the subsequent intimate talk with his wife. Haroun meditated and finally his friend.

  “Well, what do you think of all this?”

  “Ousmar´s decision to marry his
daughter seems right and daring at the same time. In this way he does not cut relations with another clan in moments of peril. The role of Souady of favoring the choice of Charfadine was predictable coming from a protective mother.” New silence.

  “And what about Zoubaida´s role?”

  “Hmm! It is also shareable and predictable, coming from a smart woman d with strong leader skills as your wife.”

  Predictable! Why do you say it?

  “Don´t you realize the implications?” Answered Haroun smiling.

  “Yes. What you said about not offending the Mbaye and all that stuff.”

  “Not only that. They could also have married Charfadine, a particularly beautiful woman, with a member of our village.”

  “And what is your conclusion?”

  “Marrying her with you Zoubaida has closed the path to a possible powerful competitor who might whisper at her father´s ear.”

  A certain disappointment gripped Cristian; Haroun had opened his eyes to a point that he had overlooked.

  “So by controlling me she also controls her sister.”

  Haroun realized his friend´s new mood and added.

  “But don't feel disappointed. Think that at the same time she has secured your happiness and that of her sister. It is a very smart move, and where the only cost is ultimately paid for by Zoubaida herself.

  Cristian admired his companion´s lucidity who not only was introducing him in the rules of combat in the desert but also in political and courtiers games that were so alien to him.

  “It is true; she pays a cost to maintain her position.” But then he recalled her words about her certainty to retain him; the cost was relative and was actually only to yield some exclusive rights on his person.

  Then the man who had been sent to recognize the origin of brightness returned with an old auxiliary fuel tank in the hand.

  “It´s all rusty said Haroun.” It must have been years in the desert. It has no importance.”

  Cristian sighed relieved; lately the finds in the desert had been particularly unpleasant.

  Three days later between Charfadine and Cristian was celebrated. The ceremony was similar to the previous marriage with Zoubaida but much shorter, and was completed in one day. The joy of the wedding was evident, despite its reserved nature. She wore a long white dress in a very rich fabric and a turban of the same color and material.

  Finished the entertainment to the attendees the bride and groom along with Souady and Zoubaida went to the house belonging to the latter and Cristian that had been conditioned to be inhabited by three people.

  There they sat down to rest from the fatigue of the day and Zoubaida showed her sister site which had been very well arranged, given the limited available time.

  “Once you are inside you will accommodate it yourself.” She expressed.

  Finally Souady stood up to return to home, and while Zoubaida was preparing the child to join her mother and leave the new couple alone, Souady muttered to Cristian with his usual effrontery.

  “Do not forget that the marriage must be consummated soon.”

  Despite the blush that covered his face, this replied in the same mood.

  “Don't worry. I won´t forget that. I hope you have no complaints from me in that aspect so far, and you will not have them in the future.”

  “I have none, and that's that I've advocated for you at all times.”

  When they were finally left alone, Charfadine and Cristian looked at, each other, perhaps for the first time without concealment. A newlywed couple who had until their marriage no moment of intimacy what was very odd thing for him, while for the girl was only the consequence of the wedding customs of her tribe and thus nothing strange.

  Cristian approached her slowly, leaving the woman time to adapt to his presence and proximity; he wished to avoid being invasive. She then dedicated him a sweet smile, which made the young go forward more determined. He placed his face close to his wife´s and posed his lips upon. They joined in a very long and passionate kiss while the girl overcame her last inhibitions.

  “You know.” She said. “At my age women of my village have been long married.”

  “Why have you not done so before?”

  “I was waiting for you.”

  Cristian kissed her neck and began to advance on her shoulders while one of his hands lifted up the skirt of the wedding dress and began to caress her unbeaten flesh. Arriving at her thighs, she issued a soft groan which excited both even more. Cristian awkwardly disrobed his wife untangling the complicated wedding attire, and began to caress and kiss her body, from the top down and then in the opposite direction. Contact of the hands and lips of the man with all of her skin made Charfadine writhe of joy. In a first and prolonged union each came to climax at his own time. Finally they lay in bed still in ecstasy. Charfadine sighed; all her fantasies for her wedding night had been fulfilled.

  “Now your mother needs no longer remind me about consummations.” he said slyly.

  “Just hope that you keep consummating:”

  “It not only depends on me.”

  “I cannot take the initiative, what would you think of me?”

  “On the contrary, I would be very pleased if you did. You can get advice with your sister.”

  “I would die of shame!

  “In fact nobody can give you better tips about me. I will ask to give you advice.”

  “However, I would rather discover you by myself.”

  “Just as I have discovered you.”

  “But you've done it all at once.”

  Cristian was thrilled with the open relationship which was established with his new wife, as he had feared to have married a prudish and distant lady. Charfadine was surprised for how quickly she had gotten used to intimacy.”

  CHAPTER 13

  “I hope not be riding next to a weakened man as result of his second wedding night.”Smilingly said Haroun as he watched his friend yawning.

  “I assume that you have experience in this second wedding business.”

  “In second and third.”

  One of Haroun subordinates approached galloping saying that he had sighted a contingent of men on camel approaching by Northwest.

  “Well, let´s get closer with caution.”

  The little platoon paused when they saw approaching the camel caravan.

  “Their leader is Zakaria, an old fox friend of mine.”Stated Haroun.

  “What is this friend of yours, robber, bandit and smuggler?” Asked Cristian.

  “I do not know with certainty, but I imagine that he has cut a few gorges in his youth.”

  Haroun approached the caravan leaving his men behind in order not to frighten the caravan members and trigger any undesirable and unnecessary reaction. He was talking to Zakaria for a while and then returned with his men, as his face showed a worried gesture.

  “So, what has Zakaria seen that afflicts you?” Sued Cristian.

  “It is not what he has seen, but what he has not seen what worries me.”

  “How is that?”

  “They have already been traveling two days without seeing a single soul through the desert.”

  “And isn´t that why they call it desert?”

  “As everybody travels more or less along the same paths, you always find someone on your road. Now the desert is empty.”

  “And what does that indicate?”

  “A possible explanation is that they are running rumors of dangers and conflicts, and people keep away from the roads.”

  Zoubaida, Souady and Charfadine had gathered in the daughter’s house, and as usual it was the mother who was guiding the course of the conversation, with her usual effrontery.

  “So the skinny proved to be quite vigorous.” She asked Charfadine in a tone of statement rather than a question.

  The girl blushed is and looked down.

  “Well.” The mother went on. “this is in agreement with your sister´s experience, is it not true Zouby?”

  “Y
ou know that I wouldn´t have brought him here otherwise.” Responded the daughter with equal ironic harshness.

  “Zoubaida, you have squeezed the Italian to obtain pleasure. I want to tell your sister your experiences.”

  “Oh! That´s enough.” Exclaimed Charfadine covering her face in shame.

  Souady moved away towards the kitchen uttering laughter. In the background she was delighted with that her favorite child was opening the shell in such a manner.

  “Come.” Zoubaida told his sister taking her by the waist “I will tell you some of my tricks. Cristian loves when you surprise him with your requirements. I remember once...”

  Zoubaida, who had always despised her teammates in the New York gym when they described their sexual experiences with their husbands lovers and boyfriends, now found herself doing the same with her own sister.

  When they returned that afternoon to the village, Haroun and Cristian were summoned to a tent donated by the French, where they had installed a kind of command, including the equipment of communications from the same source. There were waiting them Ousmar and his four lieutenants, elderly men of warrior extraction who were of his utmost confidence.

  “I received a call from Captain Romand.” Said the chief bluntly. “Their satellites showed displacements through the desert heading south, then confirmed by a plane especially sent that managed to photograph them. It is a caravan of around thirty trucks, several smaller vehicles and about three hundred to four hundred camels with men and supplies. In sum, a small army in March.

  “Between one thousand and one thousand and five hundred men.” Haroun had quickly made the math. “Where are they?”

  Ousmar went to a large table where a large map of the center of Africa was deployed. With a finger marked a position.

  “For a large and slow caravan, a couple of days away from our village.” Reflected Haroun “provided they don't do other stops along the way or deviate.”

  Cristian realized that when a military crisis approached, his friend played a decisive role and that the other hierarchs respected his opinion.