About a week later…

— Look at that beautiful fish! - says Carlos, smiling at me as he tries to hold his fish. Which makes me laugh until my belly hurts.

Carlos is already a week with me in Africa and these have been the best days of my life, really my husband is showing that he is changed and that he can spend a week without thinking about work and dedicated to me. He visited Lac Rose and saw the work I was doing and was filled with pride.

We stayed a few days there, we rode on camels, we met some other villages and then Estevão recommended, since my husband likes to fish, we went to the other village and rented a boat. And here we are in the middle of the lake on a beautiful sunny day fishing. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, my mind boils, X still arises in my thoughts… I’m still afraid that this change of Carlos is only fleeting and that… after all, nothing helped me to have come to Africa, it was just another wasted time.

— A franc for his thoughts. – says Carlos, putting the fish on ice.

— I’m not thinking about anything. – I lie.

—You have that wrinkle on your forehead. - argues Carlos, fixing the bait. — What was it, Dalia?

— I don’t know… I think it’s time to go home. – I respond, admiring the waters reflecting the sunlight.

—Are you sure? - asks Carlos, seriously.— We can stay here as long as you want.

— No, it’s time to go back.- I say, smiling.— I need to go back to our home.

I’m really determined to give him a chance. Then, in the afternoon, we returned to Dakar, where we stayed at Leonor’s house until the next day, when we would board.

Of course before boarding, I had to take a bit of Africa with me, so I went with Leonor to the Kermel market. A place full of life, colors, and many meanings that just looking at already makes me miss everything I lived in that time I was in Africa. Everything I saw took to take, filling my hands with bags and more bags…

— Dalia, come here. – calls Leo, pointing to a tent full of statues.

I approach the tent and see that Leo has a wooden statue in her hands.

— Here, take Oxum with you. – says Eleanor, putting the statue in my hands. —  She is the goddess of fertility, will help you have the baby.

— Thank you, Leo. - I say, looking down on the statue. I can’t believe a statue wouldn’t make me have a baby. I put the statue in its original place under the surprised look of my friend, then smile and explain. —  But I do not believe in superstitions.

— Take it as a gift from me.- says Leonor, who turns and begins the tradition of negotiating the price with the Senegalese trader. After a long time, she finally smiles at me and hands me the statue.—  After all, you never know.

I put the statue in one of the bags and returned home, where we just tidied up and waited for the plane time. I must admit that the return flight was distressing, I don’t know how our lives will be from now on… what direction I will take… if we would work out.

***

When we finally arrived in Barcelona, the smell of home gave me the sense of relief I was looking for. Carlos smiles at me and holds my hand firmly. I see in his eyes that he also has the same doubts as mine.

But they did not last long, because as soon as I opened the door to our home, I received the confirmation I wanted: red roses mirrored throughout the hall, bouquets in the room, petals indicating the way to the bedroom. In the room a huge heart with the words “Welcome back, my Dalia.” That surprise, that Carlos prepared, gave me the certainty that we can make our marriage work.

—I love you. – I say, hugging my husband.

—I love you, Dalia Penedo and Salazar.- says Carlos, touching my face.

He carries me to bed, and we make love in the middle of those roses. We almost couldn’t get out of bed, we spent all day killing the longing we felt for each other. He’s mine and I’m his… As it should be.

— You know one thing. - Carlos says, holding my hand in the air. We were admiring our hands over each other. He turns and smiles, mischievous. — This time I’m sure I got you pregnant...

— Oh, it is? - I ask, sarcastic. . I turn towards him and smile, saying. — How can you be so sure?

—Good, my lady. - says Carlos, smiling. — I think after this sexual marathon, it’s impossible not to have a child of mine in there.

— Think, but not sure. – back, kissing the tip of his nose.

— Hummm - says Carlos, grabbing me. —So I’ll do it now a few more times, just to be sure.

— Oh, no. - I say laughing as Carlos kisses my neck and goes down, slowly…

And here we go.

***
Two weeks later…

My life after Africa has completely changed, I still don’t know what I will do professionally, but I have been analyzing some courses. Carlos is present every day and much more at night. It’s like we’re at the beginning of our relationship, without drama, fights and without… X. He never appears on MSN, never sent me an email . At first, I still sent some to him, but I had no return.

— Dalia. - calls Carlos from the room. I smile and get up from my computer, going towards his voice. As soon as I arrive, I come across white tulips in one of my husband’s hands and in the other a white envelope. — Surprise.

I walk towards him, kissing him, as I take the tulips from his hands and the envelope.

— Thank you. - I say, smiling. I open the envelope and stare at it in surprise. Then I read it aloud. — Dear Carlos Salazar, it is with great joy that we the organizers of the Rally Portugal invite you to be part of this year’s edition in Algarve. We count on your presence. Sincerely, Rally Team Portugal.

— A week in Algarve with everything included. - says Carlos, excited. — Beach, sun, cars… and the best: Me and you together.

— Wow! - I exclaim, cheerful. My husband is obsessed with cars and racing, I know that for him this invitation to see the race and participate in the event is one of his biggest dreams. - We’re going to the Algarve.

***

We decided to make the trip from Madrid to the Algarve by car, even taking six hours. A way to get into the mood of the rally. But during the trip, I felt very bad. But I thought it was because of the car trip, since we hadn’t traveled like this in a long time. We arrived in the Algarve and the only thing I want is a relaxing bath to pass that malaise. We checked in and went up to our room.

— How about we break the bed? - asks Carlos, kissing my neck.

— Actually, I need a good bath and rest… I’m exhausted. -  I say, taking off my clothes and already going to the bath. — Okay?

—  No problem, I will go downstairs to check the rally schedule. - says Carlos leaving. I take a nice shower and lie down, erasing instantly.

—  Dalia… Dalia… Dalia... Dalia…- calls Carlos, shaking my shoulder, delicate. —  Time to wake up.

I open my eyes and notice that the lamp next to me is lit. I turn towards Carlos, confused. I have no idea how long I slept.

—  What time is it? - I ask, rubbing my eyes.

—  Eight o'clock… at night. - says Carlos, getting a surprised look from me. —  Get ready, we go to dinner. You need to eat something.

—  All right. - I say getting up.

Although I have rested, my body seems to have run a marathon and I still feel tired. After some time, we finally left behind a restaurant.

As soon as we got to the door of the restaurant, I smell a horrible smell, a strong mixture of spoiled fish with ox viscera that wrapped my stomach. I immediately place my hand in my mouth as I force the vomit.

— Dalia, is everything all right? - asks Carlos, worried.

— Yes. - I reply by covering my mouth. I take a deep breath and hold the air, entering the restaurant.

We found a table and finally released the air, finding again that horrible smell… I look around and see people acting as if nothing had happened… how can those people sit with that smell?… it’s impossible to stay inside…

—  Please, let’s go. - I mean, sick and disgusted.

—  But we just arrived. - argues Carlos with a menu in his hands. —  What was it?
— Please, let’s go. I don’t want to stay in that place another minute, with that smell. - I say lifting.

I run to the street, my stomach wraps, I feel that I will vomit, so I approach the curb. But nothing came. Carlos approaches and touches my back, caressing.

— Come, let’s go somewhere else.- says Carlos, leading me down the street.

We chose another restaurant on the same street, and finally my malaise passed. We ate very well, we talked about Algarve, and it was a very quiet night, but fatigue dominated me. As soon as we got to the hotel, I lay in bed and slept, as if I hadn’t done it for weeks.

***
About a week later…

The days in Algarve have been a torture, I feel nauseous, fever, chills and constant vomiting. I have tried my best not to ruin that week for Carlos, who is having a lot of fun. I try every day to go out and pretend I’m great, but today I couldn’t even get out of bed, but I’m glad we’re going home.

— You’re burning up in fever. - says Carlos, touching my forehead.

— It’s … just… a little … of … fever. — I say, clapping my chin.

— A little? - exclaims Carlos, worried. — Dalia, you are burning in fever.
— I must … be… with … malaria. - I say, trying to smile. — It is … as… they say… I am…being … baptized…by … Africa…

I’m sure it’s Malaria since Guinea has one of the highest percentages of the disease and how I spent ten days there and how the parasite only appears twenty-one days after … it’s Malaria. On the way back, we took much longer on the way, since Carlos had to stop the car, so I could vomit.

We arrived in Barcelona and I’m almost fainting from so dehydrated. Carlos goes straight to the hospital. They rush to do a series of tests and ask us to wait. The wait is distressing, because if I really have malaria ...I can die since few people survive. So that would be the end of me? Die hugging Carlos , without having children , career... nor wrote a book , or planted a tree... If this is the end of me... I need to hold on to the things I’ve done... married the man of my life... and got involved with the most amazing man I could ever have... I feel my body getting colder and colder... yes... I already feel the end... my eyelids weigh, I can no longer leave my eyes open... my hands weaken... I try to grab Carlos' arm more... but I’m powerless... I try to lift my head and see Carlos' face... look at me Carlos... look at me... 

—Dalia? - asks Carlos shaking me. He hits my face. — Dalia, wake up! Help me! wake up Dalia... 

That’s the end of me... 

*** 

— Dalia ... wake up. - Ask Carlos. 

I open my eyes and face my husband’s face staring at me, worried. I’m lying on a stretcher. I get up slowly , helped by Carlos, I have no idea how I got there. 

—Then the sleeping beauty woke up. - says the doctor coming in. In his hands some examinations. He smiles towards me. —Mrs Salazar, do not worry. Mrs Salazar, do not worry. Your malaria will pass in a few months.

  — How is it? - I ask , confused. 

—Congratulations, you are pregnant.