As soon as I hung up the phone, I called the staff to ask if I could take a friend who was passing through Dakar. They were all happy, since the more people, the better. I turn off the phone and send a message to X:

For: Mr.X(+99 99 99 99999-9999)
You can stay with us. I’ll pick you up at the airport and from there… Saly!
Kisses,
Dalia.

What is stranger is the fact that during all these years, X has always been a reserved person, and now he wants to stay with my friends, just the first time we were going to be face to face. My phone vibrates and then my heart races: A message of X.

Mr.X(+99 99 99 99999-9999)
Great. I arrive Saturday in Dakar at 2:00 in the morning.
Until then,
X.

***
I spent Friday all anxious without wanting to eat or drink. It seems that I was going to meet the queen of England. Richard, the English doctor, came with me to the airport. My nervousness was so evident that he decided to talk about his life. Of the few parts I was able to pay attention to was that he had been a volunteer for more than four years in Senegal and is returning to London to get married. The rest I ignored as I thought we might be late to the airport.

But we arrived with fifteen minutes to two hours, we were not late. When I looked at the landing panel: The plane had already landed. My hands start to sweat, I’m more and more nervous: I have no idea how I will recognize him.

— This friend of yours... What does he do? - asks Richard, curious.—What is he coming to do in Dakar?

— Just a friend who decided to come visit me, since he has no plans to return to Madrid. - I reply as vague as possible.
I always imagined X being a serious man who always wears a suit, like a real businessman. I look at all the men who leave through the landing gate: Too high... too low... too thin... too fat... too old... too young... with his wife... I don’t think X is red... blond? ... Hummm maybe he can be black...

Then a tall brown man, seems to be almost two meters tall and walks towards me. His black hair is a little big, almost touching the collar of his beige long sleeve shirt , framing his face and giving that aura of seriousness , but at the same time , giving a younger look. His smile is to make envy to anyone, complement his relaxed style, relaxed... Her brown eyes stare directly at my eyes, to the point of not allowing her to look away... I’m lost.

When he stopped in front of me, I wasn’t breathing. He hugged me, making me feel small but protected in his arms... I hug him back. It’s like I’m meant to be in your arms. I do not want to release him, because for me , everything we have lived and felt in recent years, is in that embrace.

— Guys... - Richard says, forcing a dry cough.

X lets go with affection and greets Richard, honestly, I no longer remembered that he was right behind me. We walk in silence to the car, but always facing each other, I can not believe that he is there… with me… We get in the car, Richard and me in the front, X behind.

— Sorry to ask, but how long have you not seen each other?- asks Richard, curious.

— Almost three years ago. - replies X staring at me through my windshield mirror. Ahhh… those eyes are my undoing. — I know it’s kind of short notice, but I won’t be staying at your house, since there are a lot of people, and I’m a little tired. I have a reservation at The Rhino Resort Hotel...

—I know what it is. It’s a spa, the good thing is that it’s less than ten minutes from the house we rented. - says Richard driving.

I breathe relieved, not that I didn’t want to spend more time with him, but I don’t know what would become of us if we stayed in the same house. I’m not psychologically prepared for that. He notices my relief and smiles.

— I will only sleep a little, but as soon as I wake up I will come to you. - says X making me hold my breath.

—Great. - says Richard, parking in front of the hotel. He picks up a card with his phone and hands it to X. —Call, and I’ll pick you up later, okay?

—See you soon. - says X stopping at my window. He looks at me and slowly approaches my face, I can already feel his lips under my... Then he touches his lips on my forehead and enters the hotel.

***
Richard went all the way, talking about X and my almost cinematic reaction to seeing it.

— If I didn’t know you were married, I’d say you were in love with him.

—You’re right .- I say, smiling as I stare at Richard’s surprised look. — I’m married, and we’re just great friends.

I need to control my emotions better, if not, this weekend will be hell. We get to the house and go each to his room. I lie in bed one more night and I can’t sleep. X’s fault… Why did he come? My husband was supposed to be here and not him… I don’t know what I should feel or think, my only certainty is that I should let fate decide my future that weekend.

***
Not well, the day had dawned, and I was standing. I went to the kitchen and met with Richard, who always woke up with the chickens. As soon as he sees me, he is surprised: I was always the sleeper when we were on the expedition. As I remember this, I smile and say:

—I lost my sleep.

He smiles and continues to make coffee, calmly.

—I already know WHO made you lose sleep. - says Richard, pouring a cup of coffee for me. He stares at me and says. — I don’t know what’s going on between you, but it must be something ... important. I am not to judge anyone, because I am not a saint, just enjoy this phase of freedom because it will pass, and one day will return to your life and miss what you did not...

Richard really was no saint: Despite being one step away from the altar, he always got involved with some volunteer and his newest achievement is the poor Aidê.

— Well, I’m going. - continues Richard. — I have to get your “friend”.

— Thank you for the coffee. - I say, ignoring Richard’s words. 

If he wanted to know something more, he would have to wait seated: I wasn’t going to give details of my personal life or feelings. I walk out of the kitchen with the mug in my hands.

After the sip of coffee, I took a shower that took longer than usual. I want the time to stop, to not face X for now. I put a green bikini and a tunic fulfilled, but almost transparent. I’m not trying to seduce, but I want to see his reaction.

I go to the pool with my cell phone in my hands, sit at one of the tables and call my husband. I just want to listen to your voice and end this agony that I’m feeling, but your phone calls until it falls into the box. You must be asleep, I conclude.

I hear the voices of Richard and X approaching , below my sunglasses and I see X coming dressed in a white polo shirt and beige shorts... all the feeling of agony and my nervousness dissipate. It’s like we’re meant to be together.

—Hello, Dalia. - greet X.

—Hello. - I respond with a weak voice, as well as my legs. He bites his lips subtly.

—Dalia. - says Richard, calling my attention. — Leonor and Estevão called me, are coming to lunch with us.

—How great. - I answer.

— Good morning. - says Aidê approaching.

— Hello. - says Abigail, smiling.

Little by little the people came appearing and being bewitched by X. Mr. X always showed himself reserved, but there, with my friends, seems another person. Everybody loves him, it’s like we’re old friends. It’s not hard to like him, since X knows how to talk about everything and is always so polite to everyone. My heart feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest, but I try to stay focused so as not to flag it with my passionate gaze. I must admit that it is an impossible mission, because every time he looks at me or gives a smile in my direction, I melt all like a melted butter.

— Where are the people of this house? - asks Leonor, appearing in the pool. She smiles and hugs me and greets me one by one until you reach X, noting that you do not know him. —And you are?

— This is my friend who came to visit me. - I speak introducing X to my friend and her husband.

—It’s on the table, people!- cries Richard from the door, calling us all.

***
At lunch, I realize that I knew almost nothing about it, like the fact that he did not drink coffee or drink alcoholic beverages, only tea and natural juices. We are opposites in this regard because I love coffee and drink with high alcohol content. We also talked about life projects in general, but my thoughts are no longer there…

— How long will you be in Senegal? - Estevão asks X.

—Just the weekend. - answers X, cordially.

— Then come to Lac Rose tomorrow. - invites Leonor, cheerful. — It will undoubtedly be good to know what made Dahlia leave Barcelona.

— If she doesn’t mind. - says X staring at me. How not to turn red in front of him?

—It would be very good if it were. - I reply, drinking a large sip of white wine.

We finish lunch and Richard will take the car to take X back to the hotel. We stand in front of the house alone, so X smiles at me and says:

— I would like to invite you to dinner at the hotel, where I am staying. Just the two of us this time.

— Great. - I answer, nervous. —What time?

— At 8 pm. I’ll wait for you in the hall. - says X smiling.

— Right. - I say smiling.

—  Let’s go? - asks Richard parking the car.

— See you soon, Dalia. - says X touching my chin. He walks away and gets in the car.

The only thing I can think of is that night.

***
At 8:00 sharp I’m in the hotel lobby. I check once again my African tunic dress and my hair on the side, I know I look beautiful , but for a man like X , beautiful does not seem to be enough.

Then he appears, perfect shirt wine and beige pants , hairstyles , but does not need any of that with that smile on his lips.

—  There is no transparency for me ? - asks X whispering in my ear, making me shiver.— I was hurt.

My face is on fire so dull I stayed. I’m not used to flirting with him live, although we spent the day together, nothing had prepared me for that night.

—  It’s a first date , I need to do the modest line. - I answer shy.

He smiles and holds my hand. The touch of his hand is like fire, but I don’t want to let go. His brown eyes stare at me deeply.

— I know you’re no saint. I don’t like modest women.

We headed towards the restaurant hand in hand. The heat and the way he squeezed me, leads me to fantasize about what it would be like if we went ahead with everything I had in my mind. He smiles from the corner of his mouth, without looking at me, as if he knew what I was thinking. If he wants to play this game, I’m going to jump in and let the best man win.

We sit at the reserved table and the waiter promptly appears, X picks up the menu and analyzes it carefully, it seems not to breathe as it does. Then he smiles at me and says:

—  How about we eat lobster?

— Great choice. - I say.

—  A Termidor lobster. - asks X. He turns to me and asks. —  What will you drink?

— I would love a good wine. - I answer , nervous. I know the laws of that country well, my request is unlikely to be met. - But unlikely to happen.

—An Obikwa Pinotage Cabernet Sauvignon for her. An iced tea and water for me, please. - says X delivering the menu to the waiter.

We talked about lunch and the conversation flowed in such a way that I get a fright when dessert arrives, so I notice that my bottle of white wine is almost over and that I drank it alone. My luck is that I can take a drink and not be hung over the next day, otherwise I was screwed. And he was just there at Ice Tea. I am very happy and I want to show him that I am willing to go ahead with whatever he wants. The waiter approaches and he asks:

—A coffee for her, please. - holding my hand.

— We can drink the coffee in your bedroom... so we’ll be much more comfortable. - I suggest, biting my lip.

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head... refusing my proposal. I can’t disguise my frustration with his refusal.

— Dalia, I didn’t invite you to dinner and go to bed. Although there’s all this sexual tension between us. I came here because I feel you need me.

I prepare to answer, but he simply puts his finger gently over my mouth, shutting me up. Then I’ll settle in to hear what he has to say:

— The last time we talked on msn, you declared yourself to be in love with me, left and had no time to answer. Then I get an email saying I was out of Barcelona indefinitely. Of course I was coming after you. I will repeat something that you don’t want to hear, but you have to hear: You can’t run away every time something doesn’t go well. You need to stop being impulsive and face life head on. If you want to get out of the marriage, don’t run away. Just get divorced and ball forward.

This time I made him shut up, putting his finger in his mouth, irritated.

— Want to know why I ran away ? I could no longer look at my husband after making love to him, imagining being with you! - I explode. —After our conversation, I knew we didn’t stand a chance, but I held on to everything we talked about and transferred it to my husband. That’s not healthy... so I left, or I ran as you insist. I need some time to see what I’m gonna do, but you had to show up and screw it up. How am I going to make a decision if it’s always in my head and now in front of me? I don’t know what I wanted with this gesture, but you can’t take a person’s hope and then move on!

My crying came next, I can no longer stand holding everything that is choking in my throat. It’s almost three years and it’s time to put it out.

— You know, I think it’s not just passion. It may even be love... Why did you come here? It just tells me the real reason and nothing to say that it’s because I need a friendly shoulder, because clearly we’re more than friends and you know it.

X faces me without reaction for a long time, leaving only silence between us.

— Dalia... I know we’re not just friends. - says X, really. — I came here to make sure you make the decision you’re making. I’m in Switzerland alone... My wife did not want to go together, she preferred to stay in Spain with our son. I know I am not the exemplary husband , but I love my son. And right after that you declare yourself and don’t even let me answer. It was very immature of you. I came here because we need to put an end to what you say you feel for me. I am not immune to you, but I will never trade my marriage for an adventure. Believe it or not, I never cheat on my wife in real life, and I don’t intend to.

All I feel are blows and more blows being dealt to my heart.

 — Dalia, you’re young and one day you’ll realize why I’m doing this. You need to make a decision for yourself or in favor of your marriage, but do not include me in your future plans even if one day you are free. Once again he is breaking my heart... and for me, it will be the last time.

— You could have done it by phone... or email... You didn’t have to be here in person. - I say wiping tears from my face. I take a deep breath and stare. — Everything you said is nothing new to me and you know it. Did you think seeing you in person would give up my feelings? Don’t tell me you think you’re ugly, because it’s not. The only thing you did was give a face to a voice... and words... just made it worse. When I saw you at the airport, I knew right away it was you. I felt being pulled towards him, as if we were perfect magnets... and I know you felt it too. Now if you came all this way to tell me that, you can go now, because we have nothing more to talk about. Before he could answer, I get up and leave the restaurant. I take the first taxi that I pass. Inside the taxi I remember the conversation I had with Mr.X... It was not to be... it was not to be... I come home and go straight to my room, where I lie quietly. After remembering the conversation, I sleep like an angel, finally feel light and free. No illusions or fantasies, because now everything is clear.

***

The next day, I hear distant knocks... try to identify where they come from, finally realize they are at my door. When I open the door to my room, I run into Mr. .X.