1 Chapter 1

My name is Fatima, I am 19 years old. Orphan of father and mother, I have lived with my grandmother since my childhood. Mother Anta has always been there for me, thanks to her I had never once felt any lack whatsoever, whether maternal or paternal. He was my guardian angel.

She always told me that I looked a lot like my mother, she was a Mauritanian, very beautiful, with long hair. A photo, only a photo could highlight its imposing forms, moreover, it was the only thing that remained to me of it. I would have liked very much if it was there by my side, even if I know that nothing misses, my dream since childhood to be able to touch it in real life.

At the time she had come with her parents to Senegal more specifying one of the regions of this country, Kaolack was region rather known for its warmth and its welcoming population in order to be able to build a school as well as other humanitarian projects.

It was from there that it all started, she had met my father in the village. He was a fisherman, the best in the village. He was of average height and his skin color brought out the whiteness of his teeth. The whole village knew Souleymane very well.

When they saw each other for the very first time, they fell in love very quickly. My mother came from a super rich family, her name was Kaisha. My his parents did not want this attendance because they kept saying that he was not from the same social class and that his skin color was too dark.

But she didn't give a damn about anything people said, especially her parents: whether he was poor or rich, the main thing for her was that they, liked each other very much. My maternal grandparents laughed at my dad, they said he smelled like fish. Despite this they continued to see each other in secret.

Until the day my mother got pregnant. She had hidden it from her parents. She didn't want to talk about it in person. My father was not of the same opinion as her, he wanted to talk about it and even ask for her hand so much that she loved him with all her family.

In the past months and months, my mother's womb did not go unnoticed. The whole village only talks about that.

Feeling betrayed my maternal grandfather immediately disinherited my mother and chased her out of their homes. After that she lived with my father in his little hut and lived a perfect love.

After my birth, as I was premature, I had to stay in the hospital on oxygen.

On the twenty-fifth of January, a terrible night with the arrival of a tragedy my parents' hut had caught fire, at that time there was a shortage of water, no one could do anything to save them. We saw and heard people running and crying. So it is there were but parents died.

Since that day gossip has not stopped circulating throughout the village.

I had decided to take flight, to discover new things, and to try to change positively while remaining myself.

So I decided to go to Dakar to look for work.

On the way to Dakar.

Ten, nine years after this tragedy, I finally left my native village, I had tears in my eyes, I had never seen my maternal grandparents, I am going far from my memories: Both good and bad, before 'going away I am going for the last time to the cemetery to pray and take the blessings of my parents.

Their falls were always cleaned as well, since I was little I often went with Mother Anta. Who had always told me to take care of it like my own body.

She was very sad about my departure, she still could not understand my decision, she did not want me to leave, but what to do, I had to do it for our good to both, I could only do not stay here all my life, I had to go to the capital at all costs to look for work.

After having convinced him with difficulty, she accepted with clenched teeth, giving me her agreement. So before leaving Mother Anta gave me the "grays of grays" and prayed for me her blessings were always essential to me. After all, I am a hundred percent African and proud of it.

I was escorted by her like a princess to the station where I had to take public transport to get to Dakar, despite

that she barely stood on her legs, she was only able to move to be able to accompany me. Thanks to her, I didn't want for anything till today . Arrived at the station, I get in one of the cars and took my seat, I was sitting behind, Mother Anta was still there looking at me with tears in her eyes. It was the most disturbing moment of my life.

Unable to take it, I got out of the car for a last hug, I kissed him very hard.

It's so hard to get rid of the people we hold dear.

Anyway, after that I get back in the car. She was ready to go, I saw Mother Anta one last time running behind the car, despite her knee problems. I cried a lot. I will never forget his advice, his love and affection towards me.

I love you so much!

On the road, I couldn't stop thinking about Mother Anta. Was she going to be okay on her own? Did I do well to go away?

I kept asking myself all kinds of questions. She had always told me that life was a jungle and that you had to fight predators to keep your dignity.

Ten, nine years later I am going away from it all, to open a new chapter in my life.

My leg hurt from the long drive. I was really starting to be such an old woman that I couldn't even make it to the end of it.

I was sitting next to the door. There was a man seated next to me, to whom I felt his gaze crossed my body. As soon as I turned around in his direction I confirmed my suspicions.

In fact, he looked at me strangely, he purposely bent down to touch his legs while stroking mine, I tried to push myself away but I was stuck between him and the door. I thought I was in a dream because it was the very first time that it had happened to me and moreover with a man. In the end, I felt really bad about this whole scene.

I couldn't stand this for long. So I have fun in front of everyone, I yell at him and ask him to remove his dirty paws from my body.

Olalah! It did not look like me at all but what to do, I had to even defend my honor.

Suddenly all the passengers looked at us, a woman retaliated by insulting her in front of everyone because of her behavior.

So he automatically removed his hands from my body. And I quickly changed places with a young man.

A phew !!! OF relief. There were only a few hours left to finally arrive in Dakar.

Finally arriving in Dakar, I couldn't believe it, we thought we were in another world. I was really in another universe, we could hear the noise of cars, we could see magnificent buildings, it was 6.30pm I did not yet have where I was going. It was therefore necessary very quickly to find a place to shelter in order to try to find work the next day.

I was very hungry, I had to buy at least a few things to eat, since I had come a long way. I opened my little bag when I saw my capital and interest combined: two hundred francs, I only had that on hand so I decided to go buy something to eat, since there was a fast food restaurant at the corner of the street .

I put back to buy, at my entrance I found a man there, who was seated at the linen of a large table with notebooks, machines and a cash register that was undoubtedly the cashier.

-Hello sir

-Hello sir

I greeted him more than twice, but he didn't answer me, it looked like he was from another world, his gaze was weird, terrifying and staring at me insistently, he even had his mouth half open.

I thought I had a status in front of me, I even thought I had a few things on my face, so I decided to go out because I couldn't take this disturbing scene anymore.

I was walking in the cold, my hands were frozen, my stomach was dancing with hunger, it even hurt in the end.

After a few minutes of walking, I finally saw a kebab saleswoman, oh! That smells good, I had saliva that was ready to come out so much that the smell was pleasant, as I only had a few coins in hand. I decide to buy without thinking so much that I was really hungry.

All along this little alley, I saw a bench, I decided to go there to sit down, ready to savor my delicacies, it was very dark, as I was cold with luggage in my hand, I decided to sit there, barely that I opened the bag, that a young boy about 17 years old approached to ask me the time, I opened with my bag to take my little watch when I quickly felt a hand brush against mine. When I made me sit up the young teenager was no longer there carrying my dinner, I still did not understand. I was there staring into space doing nothing, I still couldn't believe what had just happened.

How did this action happen so quickly. He was so fast it looked like a lightning bolt.

My kindness had taken over. Barely arrived here I am with some worries. OMG!

Desperate, I decide to spend the night on this bench, so much so that I didn't have the strength to shout "a thief". Besides, it would be really stupid of me to stay there screaming a thief just for skewers.

Tomorrow, I need a job at all can, To be able to survive.

Besides, I had to sleep on an empty stomach. By having a pious thought to Mother Anta.

Very early the next morning, woke up to the noise of cars and birds.

The sunlight gradually entered my eyes.

I had slept very badly all night between the cold and the little animals that tickled my body, I was in great pain.

In addition, I was very hungry because I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday.

I had no choice but to reach out, I went to local restaurants and passers-by for help. I only had dry bread and sugar in return. I was in the street, homeless I was really afraid of being alone in this big city.

I would desert all day in the street until a lady in her thirties, very beautiful, she was like a femme fatale. She approached me with a smile.

-My daughter, what's happening?

-In fact, I have just arrived in the city

- Are you all alone?

-Yes, can you please help me find a job

-Dry your tears and get up. I think I have a job for you

-It's true, madam

- Yes, after all you are very beautiful you will do the trick.

-I am very dynamic and ready to work

-Go take your luggage and get in the car.

I get in the car, my luggage was in the back of the vehicle, I kept saying "Thank God" in my head, I said goodbye to my worries.

We talked a lot in the car. She was pretty soon, she had a lot of character. In short, she looked good in her skin, but also in her head. We had to go to her house together. We travel many routes, for an hour of time. After a few hours we finally arrive at the house.

Before entering I asked my luggage in the back, she led me into the living room. We talked a lot again, I was in the dining room, she had offered me food and drink. The parade plates were just brilliant.

I was so happy, I kept thanking her. There were only young girls my age.

After that she went to her dressing room, then offered me brand new clothes that she had probably not worn. I was both excited and stressed, she had led me to my room. I decide to put my luggage in my cupboard.

After a few minutes she entered the room and sat down next to me.

-You like your room

-Yes a lot, I really don't know

not how do you thank

- You're welcome, the pleasure is shared

-What can I do for you

-So it's simple, you have to satisfy your customers

-Which customers do you mean?

-You will have to prostitute yourself to meet your needs

-What how?

-You see this house, it's our network, there are only girls your age.

-No, but I'm dreaming, it's not possible

-Well, yes it is possible, nothing more is free here, the room, the food, the clothes, nothing, so you have no other choice my beauty than to work

-Never, never I would do that, even if I eat sand I will never do that

-lol don't be stupid since you will earn a lot of money with this job

-work, work my eye, but that she work

-It's enough anyway, it's me who takes the orders here

-I prefer to go madam

- Get ready, because we'll have new clients coming from London. And then in case you don't know, my name is Patricia.

I don't know how I could have been so naive. I should never have accepted or trusted her proposal. What was to become of me now? .

Dakar is such a huge city that anyone could even get lost again, I don't know anyone here.