IN THE HEART OF LOVE

It's 8am, the roosters are crowing, the sun is rising Julia was in a very good mood because it was a peaceful night, like every night. She then decides to go get some wood for today's kitchen.

"Mom" had called her with a big smile.

"Yes my daughter." She replies looking at her.

"I'm going to get some wood," she said.

"Okay my daughter, otherwise don't last too long there" her mother told her so cautiously.

"Don't worry mum," Julia said, sneaking up on her feet.

Julia is a very beautiful young girl, with green gray eyes and dark black hair, living with her mother in a small village not far from the city of Yaoundé (Obala). Since the death of her dad, her mother has always taken care of her despite it not being easy, not only nice but very sociable!

However, she takes the road to the fields and begins to look for wood, so concentrated in her research that she does not even notice the presence of Frank who suddenly arrives behind her and holds her by the hips.

"Hello my queen." he said happily, turning his back.

"Oh! Frank you scared me," Julia said terrified.

FRANK is her boyfriend, they met at a reception organized in the village and it was at this moment that the two fell in love that they did not waste time to give each other a chance .... But it is not a public relationship, because the family of the two is not aware of anything, but the two have set the rules and when the time comes will make this relationship public.

"What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.

"You shouldn't ask me that question honey, aren't you happy to see me?" Frank asked looking at her.

She drops the machete, and gazes at her man's cheeks giving him a little kiss on it.

"I'm very happy, but I'm a little surprised, how did you know I was here??? Also so soon" she asked, very surprised.

"I don't know, I just had the feeling that you're here," she told him, shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh! You please leave me I'll try to get some firewood for my mum! Julia exclaimed smiling.

"Wait, I'll help you," he said, bending down to pick up some wood from the ground.

Frank gave her a hand so she could get as much wood as possible. As soon as they finished, they were already on their way home, but Frank offered to carry him home.

" Thanks a lot." she thanks Frank for his help before heading home.

"Ok baby, tell me see you tonight at our place." he asks smiling

"Uh, I don't know" replies Julia, hesitantly because she had no idea of ​​her program.

"baby please." while insisting

"Okay, but from 7 p.m. it's better." ' she said with a cheeky little smile.

" No problem ." Frank said, making eyes at her.

Minutes after they arrive home, Julia's mom was out there cleaning up the yard.

"Oh! My daughter, you are back, I admit that you really did not last. her mother said, clapping her hands.

"Yes mom" says Julia while smiling.

" Hello Mom." Frank who speaks to Julia's mother.

Her mother remained silent for a few minutes, looking her up and down to see if she knew him somewhere.

"Hello my son, my daughter who is this" without further ado, asked his mother.

The two start looking at each other, not knowing what to answer but Julia immediately had an idea.

"Mom, he's a great friend." Julia asserted, scratching her hair.

"A great friend?? You never spoke to me about him» all curious, her mother wonders.

"Oh! You too mom do you have to know all my friends??? It's just that he had never been here so" she told him, smiling.

"Welcome my son, and thank you for rescuing my daughter, it's very kind" while holding his hand to squeeze it against Frank's.

"It's nothing mum it's normal."

"Hey mom, I'm going to accompany him"

Julia takes Frank and accompanies him to a certain level of the road But before leaving, Frank whistled him in the ears

"See you tonight, I'll be expecting you at 7 p.m. sharp" said so hastily.

Julia smiled and told him she was okay. After that, she rushed to join her mom who was starting to make the vegetables for the cooking earlier.

"Hmmm my daughter." she did not refrain from displaying a suspicious expression

"What mom? What's the matter? Julia asks with a curious face.

"No nothing my dear daughter, I just hope that young man is not your..." she asks him with a dubious air.

"No mom don't start, tell me what are you preparing for us today?" Julia asks.

"We are going to make vegetable sauce and foufou." her mother said.

"Yum yum... I love it, especially when you put bushmeat in it." smiling, replied Julia.

"No no today no bushmeat, just smoked fish!" his mother expressed as she cut the vegetables.

"I like bushmeat a lot more." she said sulking.

"Stop with the whims, already start taking things for the kitchen" she told Julia in an authoritative voice.

Julia immediately executed and went to get the kitchen equipment. They started cooking with so much love and peace.

To be continued...

It was already 7 p.m., Julia hasn't forgotten the appointment she has with Frank, so she tries to go but first, go see her mom.

" Mom ?" she says

"Yes my daughter, are you going out?" her mother asks curiously.

"Um yes mum, I'm going to go get something from Josiane, she told me to come by at this time" said Julia and barely glanced at her mother

"You know very well that I don't like your girlfriend, I don't feel her and I really don't like you continuing to walk with her! exclaimed her mother, suddenly showing her caution in front of her friend.

She approaches her mother and gives her a small hug while smiling.

"I assure you, you are seriously mistaken, I don't know why you are suspicious of him, anyway, mum, I'm going, I won't take long," said Julia hastily before disappearing from the house.

"Okay, try to be careful in your markets" his mother told him.

Julia was uncomfortable, because she had to lie to her mother just to go see her lover Frank, they are often used to seeing each other in the bushes because he wanted a very quiet and comfortable place without too many noises, forced to see themselves a little far from their can.

A few minutes Julia arrives and finds Frank's back, seated. She approaches quietly until she goes to him and blindfolds him with her tender hands.

"Julia is it you??" Frank asks curiously.

"Yes it's me" she said with a sigh.

"Honey" he turns around and hugs her.

"So you thought I wasn't coming?" asked Julia gesturing

Frank gorged himself without taking the time

"You've taken enough time" casting a suspicious look on Julia.

"Sorry, I had to come up with a convincing argument for Mom to let me out, even as I hate having to lie every time to come see you." she told him as she approached Frank and put her right hand on his cheek while stroking.

"It will all end, you know how much I love you and I want the best for you!!! At some point, we will no longer hide and we will show everyone that we are together. he said smiling

"I really wish so, so tell me how was the day?"

They sat down, glued tight without leaving anyone.

"AH! As usual, just that today I didn't have much to do. What did you tell your mom to be here? Frank asked, playing the little rascal.

"Well, I was going to Josiane's, but really I don't understand why mum doesn't like her, every moment she has to warn me about my company with her" smiling...

"Oh! I'm not going to contradict your mum, you know, we ourselves know that she has a character that's a bit not very Catholic," Frank says with such sincerity.

"Never mind, she can't hurt me" said Julia in a reassured way.

"We're not here to talk about your mother or your supposed friend," Frank replied.

Julia's face changed and she became less happy because of the words of her companion.

" Really??? be called a friend?" she asked him in astonishment, she withdrew from him.

"I'll be honest with you, but I don't like it myself." he said without withdrawing his words.

" You know what?? It's better for us to talk about other things » she said looking at Frank

"Here, come on," Frank told her, approaching her more.

He walks up to her lips and kisses her tenderly, kissing her for several minutes and then he puts his hand on her leg and pulls her up until she stops him.

"Frank please?" Julia's smile faded, she was beginning to feel uneasy.

" What's the matter ?? You do not like ?" widening his eyes.

"If I like it but I don't want to go far I tell you all the time" explained Julia while hesitating.

"Tell me you don't trust me??"

Frank's gaze has completely changed, Julia still pushes him away whenever he tries to get closer to her.

"If I have confidence, but I would like us to do it in a normal way, after the wedding." she said lowering her head.

"I told you that I would marry you, you know very well that I love you very much."

"Yes I know but if you love me a lot as you say respect my decision!" she exclaimed, being very sad.

She gets up sulking. When Frank noticed this, he too got up and approached her.

"My love, don't get angry, you know that I love you very much. Ok, I respect your decision.

She turns around and looks him straight in the eye.

"I know you have urges but I wouldn't like to do things and then have regrets. I love you too but be patient"

"Ok honey, that's enough, let's sit down. »

They continued to chat with smiles forming on their lips.

Already almost two hours that they spent time together, that Julia realized that she had already spent too much time outside.

"Oh! I have to go home, I'm sure mom is already worried" she retorted being very stressed.

"You're right, I don't want you to have any problems because of me, I'll walk you home ok." standing up to help him.

" Thanks a lot ." while smiling.

This is how he accompanies Julia and leaves her in front of her house.

She was all stressed, afraid of the reaction that her mother was going to show but when she came home, she noticed that her mother was already asleep. She closed all the doors and went to her room but before that she praised the lord, After that she fell asleep.

A new day dawns again, Julia was still sleeping until her mom came to wake her up.

"Hello my darling, are you still sleeping? It's almost 8 o'clock," her mother told her as Julia slept.

After so much insistence, Julia woke up but had the trouble to open her eyes better.

"Yes mum hello...sorry really. Did you sleep well?" she asked, stretching.

"Yes I slept well and currently I am going to the market to sell. Please get up and fix the house." patting her on the back to wake her up quickly.

" Already ? Ok mum I got it" she gets up at the same time

"Ok my daughter I'm going" rushing to finally reach the place where she has an appointment

"May God protect you" wishes Julia to her mother.

While her mom was on her way, behind her gets up and starts with the chores.

A few minutes later, her friend Josiane arrives at the house.

"Hey hello my friend," said Josiane crossing her arms.

" Hey, are you here ?"

"Of course I am here.... You work » asks Josiane with a bitter smile

"Yes yes" said Julia, straightening up to speak well with Josiane.

" If not, what's new ?"

"Well nothing special, I find you a little too happy, tell" giving him a mine of curiosity.

"I assure you, I'm happy. Yesterday I met a well-positioned man, I assure you. said Josiane, displaying a mischievous attitude.

Josiana begins to smile.

"You with your stories of a man, morning, noon, evening.." replied Julia, banging the broom on the ground.

"Wait, let me tell you, yesterday he invited me to a very beautiful place in this very village, as I would have preferred it to be in town... Apparently he was coming to see his family on this side, you see, and that's not the place. better. He invited me over and we chatted and everything, when he asked for my number, I told him I didn't have a phone and guess what? He wasted no time and immediately got me a phone, see yourself. she shows him her phone immediately.

"Aïe Josiane, with all the telephones you collect from each man you meet, aren't you tired? It's not a life believe" said Julia reluctantly.

"Leave me with your advice there." all serious.

"You are my friend, stop strutting around with different men it won't get you anywhere, be serious and try to be with one man who will even marry you."

"Are you referring to your relationship you have with Frank?" Julia I always told you that this guy is not made for you and there is no evidence that he will marry you he does not love you! Josiana exclaimed.

"Okay if you say so" said Julia shrugging her shoulders.

"Really it's your problem" she said looking down at her.

Julia deemed it prudent for her friend not to speak of Frank in this way, she glanced at Josiane after her expressionless words and then continued to work without managing Josiane's mood.

Josiane has always had to denigrate Julia and Frank's relationship since they have been together. But despite everything Julia never listened to his mouth and continues her love for him.

To be continued...

Meanwhile, Frank's side did not know what to do, so much so that a few minutes later Edward came to find him at home.

"Hello my friend" he said

"How are you? I wasn't expecting you so soon," said Frank, surprised.

"What do you mean you didn't expect me, you forgot we have to go to work right away?" asked Edouard.

"I'm tired, I don't even feel like working today. He began to stretch.

This time, Edward wasn't stupid enough to realize that what Frank had just told him was just an excuse on his part. He immediately took the chair to sit down so that Frank could really explain what was wrong.

"Tired you did what?" asked Edward .

"That's none of your business," said Frank, looking at him angrily.

"Yes, I understand...umm, you did some good things with your girlfriend!" she winked at him.

"You're delirious, it's nothing to do with that.

"What do you mean? Well I know it's none of my business but tell me, she still doesn't want to?" asked Edward.

"Stop with your suspicions... Like I said, it's none of your business!

"It's been almost two years since you've been with her and you still haven't seen her body. He does not prevent himself from showing a mocking face...

He gets up and starts to look at Frank, not really understanding his attitude but the latter decides to break the silence.

"Hahaha, it's love, you don't understand what? I love her and I'm going to marry her, then we'll do what normal young couples do." he said reassuring him.

"FRANK is that you? I didn't know you like this? You go almost two years without even touching a girl because of the love you have for Julia? That's amazing." He dwells on his former behavior.

"I hope you will also find a woman who will change your mind about love ." Smiling.

"Ah please , it does not concern me!!!"

"Okay, I even thought it through, let's go! I don't want to sit around and do nothing."

Frank and Edward have been friends for several years, one could say that they are like brothers, only Edward and Frank do not have the same vision of life but there is a sincerity in their friendship despite everything.

Meanwhile Julia and Josiane were still together until Josiane ended up leaving, she didn't look very well, luckily for her, she finished doing the housework just because she didn't cook because she had to wait for her mom.

Already the evening was falling and Julia's mom came back, she was carrying some bags . And started to call her daughter to help.

"Julia please come to help me." she said all out of breath.

She went out and found her mom very tired and quickly rushed to her to help her.

"Mom good arrival. I see how tired you are, please come in." welcoming her in her arms.

"Yes my daughter, the market is not easy today.

She takes the bags and puts them in the kitchen from outside. When she finishes putting them down, she leaves to join her mother who was already sitting down, out of breath, so she goes quickly to get a bucket of water and put her in the shower outside so that she washes herself.

"Mom I put your bucket of water in the shower, please go there to refresh you need it. Smiling

"Oh thank you my daughter... And by the way I'm very tired to cook today, and also because it's getting a little late! We will manage with the doughnuts and beans... You will go to buy it but in the evening. Please, my daughter."

"Mom I understand, okay we'll do it like this then. Please, go and freshen up." smiling.

on the way.

"Hey hi Frank" said Josiane with a small smile on her face.

"Josiane? Hi," he said in surprise.

"How are you doing? You're making yourself scarce."

"She left, while Julia sat in the living room, deep in thought. All she could think about was Frank, and when he would be able to come and tell her mom that he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Already close to 6:30 pm, when Julia's mom finished taking her bath, she went to meet her in the living room.

"My daughter, I assure you that to have the customers today it was not easy.

Julia's mother has a small counter where she sells fruits, vegetables and everything that goes with it. She has always done it and when she is not available, Julia helps her to sell.

"Sorry mom, I guess you are hungry as a wolf. Give me the money and I'll go and get what you asked for.

"Oh yes, I forgot to take some when I left the room. Please, you will see a 500f bill" said her mother pointing with her hand to her room.

"Ok I go there at once". Julia exclaimed as she rushed to the room, took the money and went out.

"Mom I'm going, I'm not delaying".

So she takes the road to go to mom grace, she is the one who influences all the other moms who make the doughnuts, we can say that she is the best in the field.

During this time Frank was walking suddenly, without knowing it, meets Josiane by chance always there just that you decide not to see me "

"No, how do you say that? How can I refuse to see the beautiful man that you are?" she said, biting her lips.

"You're amazing." While smiling

"Seriously Frank, I envy my girlfriend, she is so lucky" she said, sighing and looking at him in a naughty way while gradually approaching him.

"And I am so lucky to have a wonderful girlfriend like your friend.

She glared at him, and started to laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" asked Frank in surprise.

"No, no, nothing," she came closer to him, wanting to make him crack.

At this moment, Julia had just come to side which to his great surprise after having walked a few kilometers saw them, she doubted what she saw

"But it is not " all surprised to see them together a little more stuck

She approaches them and calls out to both of them.

"Josiane? Frank? What are you doing here?" she asked and did not prevent herself from showing a suspicious look.

The two startled and Frank tries to push her away from him a little so as not to make Julia believe that there is something between her friend and him

"My love you're here?" he asked.

"Yes, Josiane I saw you stuck to my boyfriend, is there a problem?" she asked without forgetting to display a suspicious look

"No my dear (smiling) he had something in his eyes that tingled, I did not know what to do until I tried to remove it. Nespa Frank?" asked Josiane with a provocative look in Frank's eyes.

"Yes, that's right," he said, hesitating.

Julia could not think otherwise, she could believe anything except the fact that Josiane and Frank have a relationship that is beyond friendship, she had full confidence between the two.

Josiane noticed that Julia was out at this hour.

"Where are you going my friend?

"I'm just going to mom's house to get the doughnuts," she said, pointing the way.

To avoid Julia suspecting anything, Josiane went straight to her to try to change her mind and offer her company.

"Ok I'll go with you."

"But please, I can steal you for a few minutes Julia " asked Frank in a perplexed way

"Okay... uh Josiane you can wait for me only a few minutes" smiling.

"Hum ok" she replied curtly.

Josiane had no choice but to accept, she didn't look at them at all well because all she wants is Frank's attention.

Josiane's problem was not to accompany Julia, just that she was a little worried that Frank might say something to her about what had just happened with her.

"What are you doing outside, honey?" Julia asked, holding her hand.

"I just came from Edouard's, my friend you know. I was on my way back!" he exclaimed.

<< Okay, I'm going to buy the doughnuts to eat with my mom, it's to sleep with >> while smiling.

"Oh the doughnuts at this hour, how much do you have there?" All worried, he asked

"Just 500 CFA francs," she answered shyly.

"I don't want you to eat the doughnuts," he said, looking at her and touching her cheeks.

He starts to search his pockets and takes a 2000 FCFA bill. Julia who noticed this can't find the words to express herself.

Julia, who noticed this, could not find the words to express herself: "Take it, you buy the braised fish", taking her hand to put the bill in question.

"No Frank, you know that I do not like when...

Frank did not let her finish that he held her mouth with his hand so that she does not say anything more and prevents it.

"I insist, take and you can tell your mom that it was your great friend who sent." while laughing.

Julia did not want to disturb Frank but with so much insistence she could not find better than to accept.

"I'll go and see you later", giving him a hug before leaving to find Josiane.

Julia went directly without looking back because she was already too late. Josiane started to blush when she saw them like that, so she joined her and took the road but without delay, Josiane spoke.

"Your love there." she replied

Julia did not answer, she just looked at her without saying anything. They continued to walk, but Josiane noticed that the path was different from the path of Mom Grace.

"My friend, you don't go to buy the doughnuts anymore" she asked.

"No, I'm going to buy braised fish.

"You told me you were going to buy the doughnuts, didn't you? Are you lying to me already, Julia?" asked Josiane, sulking.

"Yes at first, but Frank gave me money to buy the braised fish," she replied smiling.

Josiane was uncomfortable, it made her even worse that she spends her time to see Julia in joy.

"I have already put long enough out, please hurry up.

She arrived in front of the women who were making fish, and took what she could get.

A few minutes later, they took the road to return, but Josiane took her own road. A few minutes later, Julia arrived at the house.

She found her mom on the couch to relax until she felt Julia's presence.

"Ah daughter, you took a long time" said her mother, finally stepping back so that Julia could take her seat.

"I'm sorry, but in the meantime I'll take some food.

She went and from behind, mother was sure it was the doughnuts, but opening the plastic instead finds two large braised fish whole with the stick of cassava, so surprised, prefers to wait for Julia so she can clear it up.

When she arrives with dishes, she finds her mom with her mouth open.

"Mom, what is it?" All stressed out.

"My daughter, I think I gave you 500 francs for the nespa doughnuts." Curious, she could not help but look at her daughter strangely.

"Mama, sorry, my friend did indeed send it. While smiling.

Her look changed.

"What friend" asks her mother curiously.

"The one from yesterday mom, in fact he insisted that I take only for you" scratching his head.

When she heard that, she started to smile.

"Wow, that's nice of him, and I thought it was the doughnuts that were going to find me here, thank you," she said happily.

Julia is relieved to know that her mom didn't take it badly.

She takes the fish and puts them in different dishes and gives a share to her mom.

Both of them started to enjoy themselves, it's after that Julia's mom took over the conversation.

"By the way, your cousin called me from Yaoundé" while eating.

"Who? Rachelle?" asked Julia.

"Yes yes" said her mother.

Rachelle is Julia's cousin, but Julia lives in the city, since theHer parents died and she considers them as mother and sister because they have always supported her in bad times.

"Wow, she is doing well I hope?" all happy, Julia asks.

"Very well, she spent a good evening. And she always reminded me that if you want to go upstairs, she's there.

"Ah, she wants me to go up to Yaoundé at all costs, she thinks it's easy to leave the woman you love with all your heart?" says Julia smiling.

"My daughter, you must know that at some point you will have to leave me to look for your life".

"I know... But for now I still enjoy your presence by my side".

They started to laugh while eating. Julia was happier and happier, especially when it happened that she had a strong complicity with her mother.

To be continued...