About a month later...

Needless to say, after that time, all the others were so… excited by the fiery words I exchanged with X. My husband distrusts nothing, breaking my heart even more.  Things started as time went on, I feel increasingly unhappy and Carlos more distant.
The truth is that at that time I imagined myself totally different: married, with children, doing something that I loved.  But the only thing I have is marriage, or the shadow of one.  We can not have our child, and it is not for lack of trying, I hate the course I do, and I convince myself more and more of it. The only thing I’m sure of is that I’m lost and tired… waiting for something that could change my life.

So, just before my classes came back, a great surprise came through an international call.

— Hello? - I say attending while doing one more college work.

— Hello, Dadá. - says a female voice very dear to me.

— Leo! - Shout, happy. 

Leonor Garcia is my great childhood friend who has long been living in Senegal.  Engaged in community service, she met her husband Estevão and today both live there. 

— How long my friend. - Talk, thrilled.

—Long time. - she says. — I’m calling to let you know that I’m in Madrid, at my parents' house.  However, then I go to Barcelona and I want to see you, know your home, know the news!

— When can you? - I ask enthusiastically.

— Could it be Friday?

— Great, I’ll pick you up at the airport on Friday.- I reply.

—Agreed.  We have to catch up. - says Leo. — I have to go, I have to go to the market.

— Until Friday .– I say.

—See you later, Dadá.

I spent the whole week excited about Leonor’s arrival. As soon as I arrive at the airport, my heart is racing: after years, I will finally see my friend again. The passengers begin to leave through the landing gate and then my friend appears wearing a beautiful beige tunic, tanned skin and with her red hair loose to the waist. Next to him a man who must be almost the same age as Carlos, curly brown hair and unshaven beard, wearing a male tunic. As soon as she sees me she smiles running towards me.

— Leo! - I scream, hugging my friend.

— Dadá! - says Léo, hugging me strongly. She moves away a little and calls the husband who holds her hand. — Dalia this is Estevão, my husband. Baby, that’s my friend Dalia I always talk about.

—Pleasure. - says Estevão extending his hand in my direction, greeting me. Soon after, he hugs Leo and says. — Really, she speaks a lot about you.

— Good things, I hope. - comment smiling.

— No doubt. - Estevão answers. — She said that you are her best friend.

— How cute, friend. - I say, smiling.

—But it’s true. - confirms Leo.— only that to continue being, need to take me urgently to his home. I’m hungry.

***

The smell of dinner prepared by Carlos divinely reseed our nostrils. Leonor is open-mouthed to see the room of my house. In a few seconds comes Carlos suit coming from the kitchen.

—They arrived just in time. - says my smiling husband.

—Leonor , Estevão… this is my husband, Carlos. - I say, holding my husband’s arm. — Carlos, these are Leonor and Estevão of whom I spoke.

— Nice to meet you. - says Carlos, greeting the couple. — I hope you are hungry because dinner is served.

— Yay! - says Leonor, clapping.

The dinner was delicious and the conversation super exciting. Leonor and Estevão seduced me with their stories in Senegal and the community services they are performing in the country. The two are very engaged in humanitarian causes, as well as my family, including Leo, took to Valeria to spend a year focused on one of these projects.

— Now we are in a partnership with the Koreans and will build a school and a health center from scratch in the village Lac Rose. - Explain Estevão to Carlos and me.

— You must need a lot of help, right? - I ask, excited. For some reason, I already felt part of that project.

— Undoubtedly. - Leonor says, looking at her husband with complicity. — Even more so now that we are... pregnant!

That ad came as a punch to my stomach. Carlos and I looked at each other without grace, so we smiled in their direction.

— Congratulations. - I say trying not to show how much it moved me.

— Congratulations to both of you. - says Carlos, holding my hand. — I hope that next time we will be the ones to give this incredible news.

— How long have you been trying? - I ask, curious. As much as I wanted to avoid, I had to ask that question.

— We were not. - replies Estevão looking at Leo, happy.

—It just happened… it’s our best accident. - Leonor says, passing her hand on her belly. — And you, how long have you been trying?

— Long ago... - I answer, then drink almost my whole glass of wine. —But so far nothing.

—But we will not give up. - says Carlos, trying to smile. — After all, a masterpiece needs 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.

— Wow, is that yours? - asks Estevão, impressed.

— No, an adaptation of Thomas Edison. - replies Carlos, taking a sip of wine.

The awkward silence takes over the table. I take a deep breath and smile towards Leo.

—Leo, come and see the rest of the house, you will love the rest of the decor.
—  Meanwhile, I will take Estevão to watch the game I recorded from Barcelona. - says Carlos.

I shake my head and practically run with Leonor from the table. My head was buzzing with the idea I had.

***

—  ... And this is the suite. - I say, opening the door of my room, letting Leonor in admiring the room. —  Did you like it?

—  I loved it, Dadá you always had good taste. - says Leonor, sitting in my bed. —  But I know that’s not why you pulled me to your room.

— Not really. - I say, sitting in front of her. —  I can’t get out of my head what they will do in that village… and the fact that I can help you with that.

—  You and your husband in Senegal? - Leonor asks with a tone of doubt. —  Or just you?

— Carlos and I. And if he doesn’t want to go, which I think is likely, I’d like to go. Seriously, I need fresh air, new people and maybe a culture shock.

— Wow, that would be amazing, Dalia. - says smiling Leo. —  You’ll fall in love with Dakar and the projects, or hate. There’s a very interesting principle about Africa: Africa, either you love it, or you hate it. If you want, I can speed things up for you.

—  Let me just talk to him, and I’ll give you an answer. - I say excited.

—  Love, come on? - asks Stephen from the door. - Our flight leaves shortly.

— Wow, I didn’t even see time pass. - says Leo getting up. —  Come on, friend.

— Sure. - I say, taking my bag and taking them back to the airport.

After my friends left, I had it in my head. I really needed to make that trip… I just want to do it myself, even if it costs me my marriage.