THE INTIMIDATING PRESIDENT

Mom Pierre (speaking in her heart): Everyone has already woken up in this village, but my son can wake up at noon. Today, I will not miss it.

** Pierre Sonon **

Mom (shouting): Pierre Pierre wake up.

Me (tired): Oh mom, morning happiness like that and you start screaming?

Mom: Wake up quickly I want to talk to you.

Me (frowning): But what's up again this time mom.

Mom (tone dry): Aren't you ashamed to sleep until 8 o'clock?

Me (annoyed): I'm tired, please let me get some sleep.

Mom (cold): Get up I have something important to tell you here and now. If you keep going, I'm gonna spill hot water on you.

When I heard the hot water, sleep quickly slipped away and I woke with a start to listen to it. Ah yes I know that she is capable of pouring hot water on me.

Me (yawning): Mom, I'm listening to you then.

Mom (icy): Founnnn what a foul smell is that? Your mouth smells too Pierre, go brush your teeth.

Me: But mom I'm coming....

Mum (cutting me off): There's nothing but that. Go do what I tell you.

I got up from bed with difficulty to go to the toilet. This old woman tires me too much. I finish and join her in the bedroom.

Mom (smiling):

Me: What else?

Mom (amused): Did you greet me today?

Me: Hello mom.

Mom: Well, I'm going to the market and I wanted to inform you before I leave.

Me (eyes widening): Huh, that's it?

Mom: Yes my son. See you soon.

Me (annoyed): But mom you're delirious too there. I'm sick of all these masquerades. Enoughzzzzzzz I say enough.

She does not even answer me and leaves the room, closing the door with brutality. She just ruined my sleep like that. But puff, I can't help it. If he was a friend, God damn it, I'm going to beat him up. Today my beloved Solange will come to visit me. An hour later, she comes in a sexy dress revealing her curves. Tchaï this girl even excites me seriously. Solange is of average height.

Knock Knock knock.

Me (pretending): Who is it.

Solange: It's me Solange.

Me: Come in, the door is open.

When she steps inside the room, I open my mouth wide and I look at her from head to toe. But damn I'm all excited. I was deep in thought when she touched my shoulder.

Solange: Hey oooo is everything okay?

Me (swallowing): Yes, honey, don't worry, everything is fine.

Solange: Hum I was talking to you from there but you didn't react.

Me (opening his mouth): But did you see a ghost or what? I...

She hadn't finished her sentence when I quickly grabbed her luscious lips into my mouth. She responds favorably to my kiss and we kissed for about ten minutes. I lick her neck well, then her breasts and I descend languorously towards her kpêtou (vagina). I lick her pussy lips passionately and she moans softly as she puts both her hands on my head and wraps her feet around my hip. My left hand was on one of her breasts while kneading it while my right hand was tickling her clitoris with my fingers back and forth. She's all wet and after a few seconds, she cums profusely in my mouth.

Solange (moaning): Ohh chéééééri I can't take it anymore, I now want to feel your cock inside me.

Me (amused): Oh no, I'm going to torture you for a few more minutes.

Solange (pleading): Oh sorry bb I want you inside me. I want you in...

She hadn't finished talking when I put my bangala in her pussy gently. She lets out a cry of ah darling, go harder. I start my back and forth while kissing her. I accelerate and we both enjoy. We stayed glued to each other for about 5 minutes. She gets up to go do her intimate toilet. It hasn't even been 10 minutes since the urge to fuck comes back to me. I wanted to negotiate a second little move but it didn't work.

Me (low voice): Honey, where are you?

Solange: Hahaha leave me alone huh. I'm in the toilet no. Is it all the time that we are going to do it? I want to go home please.

Me (small voice): Please stay with me a little longer my love.

Solange: Stop it honey.

She took her small bag and left despite my many negotiations to have access to the second shot. I'm a sex-hungry man and when she comes to my house, I don't like her coming home anymore. Yes, we are friends despite our ages. I was planning to finalize all things for both of us before the end of this year. My mother and my sisters are happy for my steps because I am the eldest son of our family and I am already getting old but until then, I have not yet married and on each occasion my mother reminds me of it. Speaking of her, here she comes to me to sing me the same chorus as always.

Mom (joyful): Hmm.

Me (surprised): Hmm, what else?

Mom (amused): You know what I'm talking about. Don't even try to play with me Pierre.

Me (shouting): Mom but be a little clearer noh.

Mom: I saw him earlier.

Me: Who?

Mom: The one who just left here.

I stand there without answering anything. But how did she know that Solange had come to my house? Or is my mother watching me now? Really this lady is going to kill me.

Me (head bowed): ...

Mom: You don't speak anymore my son.

Well, you've been dating this girl for a year already. I know that she is not from our village but from the neighboring village because I have already carried out all my investigations on her and I think that she is a good woman with whom you can found a good home because at your age you should have your own family. My son, I know that I put pressure on you but think of me too. The children, girls and boys, of all my friends in the village of are already married, but mine, still nothing. Think about it.

Me (calmly): Ok, I understand mum. I'll do my best.

Mom: Tell me, what's her name?

Me: Solange Djissou is her name.

Mom: Plus it's a pretty name. Said there I want to see her here tomorrow night.

Me: Ayiiiiii what's that again mom.

Mom: Shut up there. Since you don't want to do things the right way, I'll do them for you. Don't worry at all, I'll handle it my way. Well I leave you because I still have to go back to the market now. Have a nice day.

She goes about her business. I stand for several minutes thinking about what my mother just told me about marriage. Yes she is indeed right, I have to move on and formalize things with Solange once and for all. Solange is a very beautiful and respectful woman who makes me so madly in love. When I was 25, I was in a relationship with a girl from our village named Ingrid and at first it was crazy love, in fact that's what I thought at the time but I was really wrong . Ingrid comes from a very respectful family, at the beginning we agreed that our relationship would be a serious romantic relationship that would lead to marriage. Three years later, Ingrid humiliates my whole family and me. It was planned that I was going to endowed her and a week later, we will have the civil wedding after only the members of our families and a few friends. Days passed, we made the dowry and everyone was happy for us and congratulated us. On the day of the civil wedding, everything was going well until everything turned into a real scandal. The Mayor asked me: and I answer: . Everyone squealed in the room. The Mayor asked the same question to Ingrid and to my surprise, she answered . The Mayor asked the same question again but she was firm on her decision. How can this happen to me? Oh god what a shame. I didn't really understand what was going on around me at the moment since I felt my eyes grow weak and I fainted.

A week later when I opened my eyes in a hospital my mother informed me that Ingrid had married a rich Lebanese man. I started to cry hot tears like a baby and this disappointment plunged me into alcohol. There is not that day that I do not drink. Every day was booze on booze since I was an alcoholic to the point or even 100 yards away people already smell the drinks on me. Really it was complicated in life and I wanted to hang myself but thanks to my mother, I was able to hold my head high in the face of this situation. Hum disappointment in love is not someone's comrade eh especially when you love a person with all your heart and all his soul. If one day someone told me that Ingrid was going to do this to me, I was going to fight the person and even kill her. I was going from kiosk to kiosk just to be able to completely forget about it and it took me two years to get there but not completely. It's because of those previous things that I didn't get involved in my new relationship with Solange. Little by little, I started loving him deeply. Well I'm going to go to her house tonight to tell her that my mother wants to meet her. It's 7 p.m., I put on a shirt and pants heading to Solange.

**Solange Djissou**

I left the house very early this morning to spend a few hours with my beloved Pierre. I love him and he loves me too. Just arrived home, he undresses me and makes love to me. Ever since I gave her my virginity, we've only been fucking and fucking. I sometimes wonder if he really loves me or if he's just obsessed with sex. But I also understand it because he went 4 years without having sex, which explains his sexual desire at all times. At first I couldn't stand it but over time I got used to his sexual rhythm.

After we had sex, I went to the bathroom to take my shower and go home.

Arrived at home, my mother bombards me with questions.

Mom (cold): Where are you from?

Me (pretending): Hello mom. How was the market?

Mom (annoyed): Hey leave your greetings business there. I asked you a question. Answer me quickly.

Me (scratching my head): Uh mum, I went to see my friend Sandra.

Mom (shouting): Coming back from the market, I ran into your friend Sandra there and she told me to say hello to you and if you were really at her house, she wasn't going to tell me to say hello to you.

Me (ashamed): I was at her house and...

Mom (cutting me off): At your age, are you still lying to me, Solange?

My mother became a detective or what! She annoys me there with her questions.

Me (rubbing hands): ...

Mom (calmly): Where were you my daughter? Tell me the truth Solange.

Me (small voice): Mom, I went to a friend's house in the neighboring village.

Mom: At a friend's house. Ok that was all I wanted to hear from you.

Me (surprised): Hmm

Mom: Take these condiments and you will prepare the sauce before I return from my neighbor next door.

Me: Ok okay mom I get it.

She comes out again to go I don't know where. I live alone with my mother in the house my father left us. Dad is no longer in this world for land disputes because the paternal uncles forcibly pulled him physically and spiritually. In this battle, my father fell seriously ill. He underwent medical treatments and the analyzes reveal each time that my father is not suffering from anything, yet his whole body is on fire. He became very thin because he stopped eating and vomited from time to time. One day, the doctor who takes care of his care told mum and me that this disease is not for the hospital and that we should urgently turn to traditional medicine, otherwise we risk lose it in the days to come. We spent all the money we had left in this hospital but still nothing. Mom had even applied for a loan from a funding agency, but her application was rejected because she did not meet the conditions for said loan. We did our best to go see a great healer in a distant village, but it was a waste of time because he clearly told us that whatever we do, dad won't come back to life. He added: My mother and I started crying hot tears. And my mother asked the healer: and he answered: After these words, my mother bursts into tears.

Sure enough the next morning my father passed away and we did everything the healer said to the letter. On the day of the funeral, my mother was inconsolable and it must be said that when my father was sick, no member of his family came to support or help us. They all stayed away leaving my father to die in tragic conditions but they will pay dearly soon. After burying my darling dad, three people died in the evening on the same day. Everyone was panicked but we already knew what that would mean. The following days (three days), the announcements of death were linked and one can count 22 deaths of the elderly whose age is between 60 and 80 years old.

Ah but why do the bad guys on wizards and witches live long on earth? Lol but you have to admit it's true anyway. Anyway, everything is lost here and they have reaped what they have sown. We were at the same time happy for the death of these wizards there and at the same time sad for the death of my father since whatever we do, he will never come back alive. It's very difficult to lose a very dear one. Since the death of my father, nothing has tasted any more in my eyes in this life. As people say, vice versa. Life taught me many things that I will never forget even after my death. Life is the most formative school in the world. In short, life teaches, educates and trains the human being.

I was saying earlier that my mother had come out of the house leaving me the condiments so that I could cook before her return. I take the bunch of sachets containing the condiments and head for the kitchen. I cook a good peanut sauce with okra and I prepare the dough which will suffice the two of us as usual. Yes only the two of us because we are alone, we have no more family, no friends, just the two of us. Once finished, I put the food on the table so that when Mom returned, she would be happy with my work. I know what's good for my mom that's why I always do my best to get even a tiny smile out of her. It was barely striking 8 p.m. when my mother entered.

Me: Well arrival mom you arrived in time.

Mom: Tchrrrr sorry give me some water. I'm too thirsty.

I quickly go to the kitchen to take a cup and bring him some water.

Me: There you go, mom.

She takes water and drinks. After drinking the water, she breathes a sigh of relief.

Me: Hmm mum, didn't you bring me anything from outside?

Mom (handing me her scarf): Here. Stop with your stupid questions there.

Really, my mother likes acting too much. If it starts like that, you'll prefer to quickly disappear from the place.

Me (calm): Ok okay you....

Mom (cutting me off shouting): Eh djézou Solange let me breathe a little please I'm on my knees for you forgiveness. I don't want to die before my age...

Me (annoyed): But what did I say that was so bad? When I was out today you bombarded me with questions when I got back noh.

Mom (icy): Tell me eh, it was you who gave birth to me or it was I who gave birth to you! I say hey, you were sent to kill me no, you're defeated Solange. Fire on your accomplices. Who even taught you to be disrespectful like that? Ah I already know, Solange you have already started fucking with the little boys in the neighborhood where?

Me (head bowed): ...

Mom (cold): Are you not talking anymore, or is there super glue on your mouth? This girl is no longer alone in her head. I suspected you a long time ago. I'm going to...

Gbo gbo gbo.

We hear someone knocking on our gate and we turn our eyes to the entrance. My mother nodded at me to answer.

Me (shouting): Who's there?

Unknown (voice breaking): Oh it's me honey. Your future husband Pierre.

My mother widens her eyes after hearing it's your future husband Pierre.

Hey God I'm screwed oh what is Pierre also looking for here at this time. My mother gets up all smiles, goes to take the pestle and comes to whisper in my ear.

Mom (whispering): Go open the gate and you welcome the person into the house. Right now, I'm going to hide behind the gate to see if he's an impostor. If so, I only give it two blows.

Me (pleading): Sorry mum don't do this.

Mom (amused): Just do what I tell you, Solange.

I'm going to the gate to do what my mother tells me. I open the gate and suddenly Pierre jumps on me. This guy makes the situation even worse.

Pierre: Honey, I missed you a lot.

And strangely it is my mother who answers him.

Mum (amused): Oh, I missed you a lot too, my cuddly toy.

Pierre jumps and it was already too late for him to run away because my mother has already picked him up. In fact, she has already put her left hand in her pants and held it tightly.

Pierre (trembling): Mom sorry.

Mom (mocking laughter): Honey, relax, we have all the time.

My mother started pounding him. Each syllable she uttered corresponds to a stroke of the pestle.

Mom (cold): Why did you fuck my daughter and you had the audacity to come to her parents' house to do your sexual exercises on my daughter again or else. I will kill you today and eat your Walai corpse.

** Solange Djissou **

After a few beatings, Pierre gets up and, wanting to run to escape, my mother picks her up again. I quickly got down on my knees to beg mom to leave him.

Me (crying): Mom please stop hitting him, I seriously love him and he loves me too. For the love you have for me, mom if he lets go. I beg you. Listen to my pleas please mom.

She looks at me rigorously and releases Piere.

Me: Thank you very much mom.

Pierre takes the opportunity to get out of the house but my mother calls out to him.

Mom: Hey oh you come back here.

He turns around and comes back to us with his head down. His face was filled with sand and his clothes had become dirty.

Mom (angry): Look me in the eyes and tell me what you came here to do.

Pierre (trembling): Mom first of all I apologize for...

Mom (cutting him off): Tell me what you came to do at my house at that hour.

Pierre: I came to see Solange.

Mom: Why is that?

Peter: I...

Mom (shouting): Aren't you talking anymore? Besides, what is Solange to you?

Pierre: She's my girlfriend.

Mom looks me up and down and continues her questions.

Mom: For how long now?

Pierre: Three years mum.

Mom (shouting): What? Three years and I'm not informed?

Me: I'm sorry mom, I wanted to tell you about it but...

Mom (calm): Solange, you're a witch. My son comes to sit you down.

Pierre insists before approaching but under my mother's gaze, he sits down.

Pierre: Thank you mum for the welcome.

Mum: Solange, go get him some water.

I will quickly bring water for Pierre.

Mom: My son, where are you from? And what do you do for a living? What platform are you from?

Pierre: I come from the neighboring village called Ouéga, but I am originally from Porto, a Catholic religion. I am a hunter cultivator.

Mom: Sorry about what just happened.

Pierre: No mum, it's up to me to apologize. Alright, I'll ask to leave.

Mom: Um stay so we can eat. We wanted to eat when you arrived. Hope you don't mind too much!

Peter: No mum.

Mom: Thank you. So let's go to the table.

We headed to the dining table to enjoy our meals. Once installed, I squeeze the eaten to mom, then to Pierre and me in last position. We wished each other good appetites and everyone savored the delicious meal.

Mum: Solange did the cooking. I hope you liked it.

Pierre: Yes, it smells very good and it's a really circulating dish. I loved it.

Me: Thanks Peter.

Mom: Who told you about Solange?

Me: Mom he complimented My meal and I had to answer him no.

Mom: Please shut up, the mouth that eats does not speak.

Peter: Oh...

On his words, no one speaks until the end of dinner. Sometimes my mother becomes annoying, incomprehensible and unbearable. It tires me sometimes and I think to myself why I was born in this family. But I love her like that because apart from that, she fulfills me, protects me and maintains me like any mother does to her children. I'm still happy that she was able to talk to Pierre today. That was the most important thing. But I always wonder what Pierre came to do here at that time. Either way, I'll find out before he leaves here. Pierre finishes his meal and takes some water, but my mother still chokes him with her questions. Right now, I'm putting away the plates we ate with in the kitchen.

Mom: My son, are you well satisfied? Don't be ashamed, now this is your home.

Pierre: No, it's good already, mum. Thank you very much for giving me this warm welcome. It goes straight to my heart.

Mom: Leave it.

Pierre: I'm going to ask to leave.

Mom: Ok okay say hello to your parents for me. Solange, take him home.

Pierre: Goodbye and have a good evening.

I get up all smiles to accompany him to the gate. We leave the house and I accompany him to the crossroads of the village. Nobody was talking until I broke the silence with my question.

Me (holding his hand): Honey why did you come without telling me?

Pierre: Sorry it was my mother who wanted to see you tomorrow morning that's why I was to inform you but my surprise was great.

Me: Don't worry, everything will be fine. At times misfortune is also good.

Pierre: So you'll be there tomorrow?

Me: Yes honey.

Pierre: Ok, see you tomorrow then.

I give him a kiss on the lips and we look away. Arrived at home, I already see my mother in the living room singing.

Me: Mom of my heart, my one and only mom, my reason for living, my breathing...

Mom (cutting me off): Hey stop it quick. I know you want to ask me a favor that's why you flatter me like this. Tell me, what do you want?

Me: Hum, I want to ask your permission to go and see Pierre's mother tomorrow. She asks to see me tomorrow morning.

Mom: Why?

Me: I don't know yet. I will go hear what she has to say to me. Can you let me then?

Mom: Oh come on!

Me: Thank you very much mom I love you very much.

Mom: Me too my dear.

This with a smile on my face that I fall asleep. I hear the scream of my clock ringing and I wake up with a start. I set the clock for 6 a.m. so I can do my chores before mom wakes up. I'll take the broom, I clean the yard, mom's room, mine and I wash the plates. Once my work was done, I headed to Mom's room to see if she had ever woken up to say hello. Just arrived, I see her on her knees on the bed praying. She finishes her prayer and greets me.

Mom (yawning): Hello you.

Me: Hello mom, how was your night?

Mom: As you can see, I'm doing great.

Me: Thanksgiving then. I'm going out around 8 o'clock.

Mom: Early already?

Me: Yes to come back quickly.

Mom: Ok okay I'll go to the market now to pay for the herbal teas. I feel a little tired and headache.

Me: Ok I'll leave you.

I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a good shower. Oh the water was so cool.

I go back to the room and rest a bit. Moments later, Mom calls out my name.

Mom (shouting): Solange, Solange.

I answer him from the bedroom.

Me: Yes Mom.

Mom: I'm leaving already oh. When you go out, remember to close the windows and doors tightly.

Me: Okay.

I wait another ten minutes before leaving.

I arrive at Pierre's, I knock on the door.

Me: knock knock!

Unknown: Who is it?

Me: It's Solange.

The person comes to open the gate for me and it was Pierre's mother. I greet her and she replies asking for news of my mother.

Me: Hello mom.

Mom Pierre: Hello my daughter, how are you? And your mom, is she doing well?

Me: Yes I am very well and the same for my mother too.

Maman Pierre: Did you come to see me early this morning?

Me (stammering): Uh yes but hey I have to go see Pierre first.

Mum Pierre: Oh okay, he's in his room. Arriving there, you have to pour water on him otherwise he won't wake up.

We both burst out laughing.

I go. I open the door quietly and sneak in to sit next to him on the bed. I caress her cheek and whisper in her ear.

Me (small voice): My Angel, I'm already here, I know you're not sleeping.

He smiles with his eyes closed. Oh that smile that makes me forget all the problems in the world.

Pierre: Welcome my love.

He wakes up and hugs me very tightly with kisses on my neck and cheek.

Me: Thank you honey. How are you ?

Pierre: In great shape. Are you wide awake?

I do.

Pierre: What have you brought me?

Me: Hmm Pierre, I've been a bit weak financially lately.

Pierre: No honey, I'm not talking about that.

What me ?

He looks at me for a few seconds and breathes.

Pierre: I have about...

Me (cutting him off): Oh no darling no way. We did it yesterday with intensity. I'm really in pain in my low country (fufoune), another day please otherwise I risk getting seriously ill.

Pierre: A little early morning please my sweetheart.

He starts touching my sensitive parts but I quickly block him.

Me: That's enough Peter. You are too spoiled.

Peter: I...

Me: Sorry, no comment. Let's talk about what I'm here for.

Pierre: Ok, let's go see my mother.

We leave his room to join his mother who is warming up yesterday's food.

Us: Hello mom.

Mom Pierre: Ah hello Pierre and hello again my daughter. To what do I owe the honor of this morning visit?

Pierre: Hum you told me you wanted to see her noh.

Maman Pierre: Oh sorry, I completely forgot. Excuse me.

Peter: Hmm.

Mom Pierre: You two make a nice couple, huh.

Peter: Hmm.

Maman Pierre: Since then, you just say hum. What is it? My daughter, if he does anything wrong to you, just come and inform me.

Me (smile): Ok okay mom.

Maman Pierre: What is your name again?

Me: My name is Solange Djissou.

Mom Pierre: It's simple. Well I take leave of you, I have things to do.

Pierre looks at his mother and shakes his head. We turn around in his room to talk, I didn't know he had prepared a surprise for me.

Pierre: Since the first day I saw you, your figure has bewitched me and changed my shots in life. From the start, I didn't know that I was going to recover from my heavy disappointment and love you like this, but thanks to your patience, your gentleness and your respect, I was able to overcome this ordeal that was going to cost me my life. I thank you very much for having integrated my life and for having given me the true meaning of the word loved, I love you infinitely.

He puts one knee on the ground, takes a small square red box out of his pocket and opens it.

Pierre: Solange Djissou, will you marry me?

Wow what a moving declaration of love? I put both my hands on my face because I wasn't expecting it at all. I'm so excited, I can't believe it at all. Me Solange Djissou and Pierre Sonon ask me in marriage? So I'm going to be his wife? God is truly wonderful. I didn't know when my eyes were filled with tears, tears of joy of course.

Me (shouting): Yes Pierre, I want it.

I hold out my hand and he puts the ring on my finger. We kiss for a while and we take action despite my pain. The day starts very well for me and I also liked the way he hit me.

I go home and tell my mother the news. She squeals with joy and kisses me. She also sheds tears. Pierre didn't want things to take much longer. We talked about everything and nothing like the dowry which is scheduled for Friday next week and the civil marriage, for the next day. Ah everything happened too fast than we thought.

** A week later **

I am so happy to be endowed today. All the members of Pierre's family are present. As my mother and I no longer had any family, the district chief was represented as a witness and everything went well. The next day we went to the town hall for the civil wedding.

Everything went well too. After the events, we went to town for our honeymoon. Finally I am Mrs. Solange Sonon.

* A year later *

Mom Pierre: You disgust me. You just eat.

Me: Mom it is God who gives children. I will bide my time.

When I moved into the house of my in-laws, my mother passed away because of my in-laws. She wanted to integrate my mother and me into her circle, but the way my mother answered her that day cost her her life six months after my wedding. Since that day, my mother-in-law has been throwing hurtful words at me. During my mother's funeral, my so-called husband Pierre did not even participate until the end of the funeral. I cried tired. But I put everything in the hands of the Lord.

**** Solange Sonon ****

I'm pouring my tears, I'm so desperate but why is this happening to me? Why can the other have it except me? He starts insulting me like a nobody, he doesn't even have the courage to look me in the eye, why so much misfortune in my life? Where have I failed?

Pierre (furious): You don't deserve this house, I want you to leave my house, you will now live in the annex.

Solange (crying): You have no right to do this to me Pierre, we built this house together and I am your legitimate wife.

Pierre: What legitimacy? An incompetent like you, you call yourself legitimate? I'm not going to repeat it to myself, I want you to leave my house, Thérèse is going to replace you here with my sons and my daughter.

I continue to beg him, but he no longer takes care of me, I see my little princess come into the house.

Judith: Hello dad.

He looks at it without even answering it, I look at my daughter and my mother's heart breaks.

My name is Solange, I'm 40 and I've been married to Pierre for 22 years, and we have a 15-year-old daughter. I spent 5 years in my household without having children. My husband and his family left with a distant cousin to be my husband's second wife, but legally I am the only one. As soon as she arrived at our house, we had put her in our second house that we had built for the guests. Not even a year she had become pregnant, she had had her first two children within a year, my husband had completely changed, he no longer even came to our house, I specify we live in Doga (a village in Benin) but afterwards, as if by a miracle, I had become pregnant, my in-laws and my co-wife had discredited me to say that the pregnancy was not my husband's and since that day, my husband had become indifferent but I don't care. I didn't care because God had heard my prayers, I was going to be a mother that's all that mattered. I had almost died during childbirth but God had given me grace and had given me this beauty, I raised my daughter on my own, her father was never present, he does not consider my daughter as the on the contrary, have children from his second wife, I can't leave this village because I don't have anyone except my brother who lives in town and anyway, my brother doesn't even consider me.

Solange: Do you want me to go live in this wooden house? That house that turns into a river while it's raining?

Pierre: It's not my problem, Thérèse deserves this house more than you and your bastard and if you don't want to, you leave my house.

Solange (crying): What went wrong Pierre? What did I do to make you treat me like this? Even your child you don't want, what went wrong? We built it all together now you want to kick me out of my house for some reason? I'm not moving from here. Do what you want.

Pierre: I'm not going to repeat myself and when I get back from the fields, I don't want to see you in the big house anymore.

Solange (crying): Why? In this case, I will replace at Thérèse over there.

Pierre: What language do you want me to speak? You go to the annex, anyway in the second house, Thérèse's brother is going to occupy it.

Solange: What? You privilege your wife's brother instead of me and your child?

Pierre: What child? I don't know where you went to pick up this pregnancy but it's not mine, you know why I didn't chase you away like a mess? Because the chief of the village forbids it to me otherwise believe me for a long time I was going to hunt you with a kick in the buttocks.

Solange: Thank you for everything Pierre God will give you back everything you do to me and your family.

He gives me a bam slap.

I touch my burning cheek and see my daughter running towards me.

Judith: Why do you hate us so much dad? What have we done to you that you treat us like dogs?

Solange: Stop it darling, it doesn't matter, we'll take our things and go live in the annex.

She stares at me like I've gone crazy, I know my daughter, she's a girl who fears nothing, who doesn't let herself be walked on so I don't want her to make the situation worse, I don't want their witchcraft falls on my daughter, the proof is that they tried to eliminate her and bewitch her but everything was zero because I protect my child, no one will touch my princess.

Pierre: I don't want to see you here when I get back.

Solange: Don't worry, we'll vacate your house right away.

I know my daughter doesn't agree, but I don't want to draw attention to her, I watch the man I loved, who was my universe, go to the field with a rage in his stomach, but I keep my rage, I feel that this rage will help me one day.

Judith: Why do you let yourself go, mom? Before the law, you have all the power to stay here, why do you accept this kind of foolishness? As soon as I have my bepc, we leave this village mom, we are not going to stay here and be mistreated

Solange: To go where my darling? You even know that my brother won't accept that we go to his house, and especially his wife who hates me, I don't even know why, he won't want us.

Judith: What we're going to do, we're going to sell the cassava with the foufou, what we find, we'll go to town, God will guide us mum believe me.

Solange: With which field to have a lot of cassava and foufou? Your father took what I had grown last year and sold it all, because this land belongs to his family, so I only have a small part, if we make cassava with it, we will even have not a lot of money.

Judith: It doesn't matter mummy, we'll do with what we can, but we can't stay here any longer, I don't know why I'm really scared, I only have two months left before the exam. I'm very scared mom.

My daughter is 15, she is very intelligent and very alert, she is my best friend, we talk about everything, we have no secrets between us.

Solange: If we sell the little cassava and the money that is where you know, we could have 150,000 francs.

Judith: That'll be enough for a start, we can rent a studio for 10,000 francs, we'll do a little business, the rest God will provide for mum.

Solange: Come on, let's take our things and get out of here, maybe we'll have a little respite.

Judith: I don't think mum, when Queen Therese comes to live here with her princes and princess, we won't drink water here anymore.

We started to fix everything, you realize that over the years you accumulate sometimes worthless things, the annex is 200 meters from the big house. This is the legacy that my father-in-law had left to his three children, each his own hectares. I open the annex I want to vomit, normally we don't use this plank house anymore, it's a storage room, I open the window and the door wide so that the air can get in, it smells of dust and moldy, I look at the sheets, I can see a lot of holes, I hope there won't be any rain, otherwise it won't be good.

Solange: Honey, I know you're tired, I'll manage to clean up.

I know she's mad at her father and all his family, I watch how her stitches are closed and I'm sad because it's all because of me. hope we'll leave soon me too I can't stand them anymore, even if we won't have a lot of money, but money takes work and I'll do it so that my daughter doesn't miss anything.

Judith: No mom, I'm not tired, we started together, we'll finish together.

We start to work, singing the canteens of the church, I see the scum coming to taunt us.

Solange: Judith?

Judith: Mom?

Solange: You're not saying anything understood?

Judith: But mom...

Solange (cutting her off): You're not saying anything, I know why I'm asking you.

Thérèse: Hahaha, are things going well here?

Solange: What do you want, Thérèse?

Thérèse: I just wanted to see how you were doing in your new house! Oops did I say house? Slums yes.

She bursts out laughing.

Solange: As you can see, my slum is fine, my dear.

Thérèse: Woman who has no dignity if I were you, I was already going to leave this village but since you have nowhere to go. This dump looks like you with your bastard.

Solange: Are you finished? By what I have to do.

Thérèse: Do you think that your attitude as a queen is going to give you something? You really make me laugh, you're nothing, but it's you who plays the princess pfff anything, now I'm the queen of your castle and you my slave.

Judith: Mom, I'm tired of listening to the kids, so we're going home

Thérèse (furious): You think I'm your equal? Tchrrrr bastard there.

She raised her hand to slap her, I block her hand

Solange (in rage): I allowed you everything, except to touch my child. If you want to see my savagery touch my child now you can go to your castle, we're not keeping you here.

Thérèse (in rage): You're going to pay me Solange, I swear on the heads of my children you're going to pay me.

She turns on her heels and leaves.

Solange: I told you not to say anything Judith, we have a lot of time so bear with me darling.

Judith: But I've had enough mum, why not leave now, I don't think I can bear them for another two months.

Solange: You must have your BEPC first my darling, it's important. For now, grit your teeth and bear in silence.

We didn't get through the night well, the attacks all night long, they want to take my child away from me, I don't sleep, I just pray. In this village almost the majority are initiates, that's why almost everyone hates me because I'm a believer, but I don't think I can last long I really have to leave here before it's too late. Concerning Pierre, I hate him now as they say the closest feeling to love is hate, that's the case for me. A man I had loved with all my strength and now he's the one doing this to me, I'm not going to do anything to him but him with his God. I wake up all out of breath, sweating, waking up my daughter to get ready for school.

Solange: Hello my darling, get ready otherwise you will be late, and above all don't forget, always be in a group never alone my darling.

Judith: Don't worry mum, I already know the instructions.

**** Therese Tchedji ****

This jug thinks it's over, I'm going to strip her all, mystically, it doesn't work but I know sooner or later she's gonna let go. Now that I have got the house back for my children, there is only civil marriage left, I have been considered the toad for 19 years, that is to say the illegitimate woman but not for very long. There I have an appointment with my gang, that is to say my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law, normally my mother-in-law is a distant aunt, which means that I am from the same village as my husband, but the another is a, foreign, it is me who makes my husband happy I gave him 4 children, 3 boys and a girl, who is everyone's princess, but when I look at my co-wife's daughter, he there's a little thing that bothers me, I don't know what but this insolent little girl bothers me, every time I have to compare her with my princess and I find that this girl has something more than my daughter but I don't know not what is it. When I heard that Solange was pregnant, I almost had a heart attack, I spent a week sulking at my husband, because I thought he no longer touched her and that he was going to love this child. more than mine but fortunately my accomplices and I had discredited this woman. Now there is only the final bouquet, I see Pierre returning from the fields, I have already put the water on the fire for his bath.

Me: Welcome my love.

Pierre: Thank you darling, where are the children?

Me: At your mother's, but Gabin (first son) is at his friends' house to say goodbye.

Pierre: I hope he's not going to shame me over there, that's a lot of money I'm going to spend.

My son had the baccalaureate, so he will continue his studies in Senegal, I did everything for his father to finance. Daniel my second son is in second. Emy will do the bepc in two months with the other's child and my last is in CM1. I am confident my daughter is the smartest so it will be in her pocket, she will go to high school in the capital with my sister who is a civil servant. I put his water in the shower.

Me: I'm going to your mother's I won't take the time, just 30 minutes I'll be back with the children.

Pierre: Ok see you later honey.

I arrive at my mother-in-law's, there is a nice atmosphere.

Me: Hello family, I don't have time, I came to pick up the children.

Mother-in-law: Which child? Émy is already a big one and so are the others so they can go home alone, can't they?

Me: That's the excuse I gave your son for me to come, you even know he doesn't like me coming around when he's there.

Sidonie (sister-in-law): So how was your day?

Me (smile): Well, since I've been in the big house, everything's been fine. I have sweet dreams and my children are comfortable.

Sidonie: And the other one there?

Me: Oh this one! You know she's in her cabin with her child, that's what I'm here for, now what do we do like everything we've done hasn't worked? His weak point is his daughter and as this little one disrespected me, I want to finish with her.

Mother-in-law: That, I said no. I don't want my little girl to be touched, oh no!

When she said that forcefully my heart bled.

Me: What little girl in law? I thought Emy was your only granddaughter?

Mother-in-law: You and I know that Judith is my son's daughter, if you want to go after his mother, I'm for it but not my blood, okay?

This old woman thinks I'm going to listen to her. We'll see

Me: Now what do we do?

****Judith Sena Sonon****

I just finished my exam, we're just waiting for the results, we're moving to the capital in a week, I'm so happy to leave this rotten village, far from these wizards. But among these people, the person I hate the most is my father, who is unworthy, it does not matter what is important is to leave. I see my half-sister passing in front of me without even saying hello, the photocopy of her mother with the same behavior. I arrive in front of the door of my house I hear the cries inside, I come back and I see my father slapping my mother.

Me (screaming): Let go, what did she do to you?

Dad (furious): You stay away from that. You understood me ?

I look at my mother who is on the ground crying, my heart is bleeding, but what have we done that he hates us like that? I take a pestle.

Me: You drop my mother otherwise I'll smash your head, we left you in your villa and now you're following us in our hovel?

I keep threatening him with my pestle, he lets go and looks at me with his red eyes. He comes out of the house, I run to my mom.

Me: Mom, how are you?

Mum: Why did you threaten her my darling? He's your father, you have to respect him.

Me: Oh stop mom, I don't have a father, I'm not a hypocrite, I know everything that's going on here, if you like to let things go, I don't.

It's been a week since my father came to threaten and hit my mother because he wanted to divorce and legitimize his other children but my mother wants guarantees for me, in case, my father does not want to make concessions is where the problem is. Tomorrow they are going to display the bepc, my heart is in knots, mum has gone to the field for the last time to bring back some of the stuff that will go with us to Cotonou. I don't want to be alone here, you never know so I go to my best friend who lives nearby. I find Emy with her gang, I want to overtake them but she blocks my way.

Me: Emy I don't want any trouble please let me through.

Emy (laughs): Are you going to your bitch friend? As they say, birds of a feather flock together.

Me: You said well, because when I look at your entourage pfffff foun foun.

Emy: You have to talk because tomorrow there will be crying here.

Me: If it's for the exam that you're saying that, start crying already my dearest sister.

Emy (angry): I'm not your stupid stupid sister. Come on girls, we have important things to do like preparing tomorrow's party for our exam.

They are gone, I continue my journey to my girlfriend's Crédo. I find her arranging her room.

Me: Hello girlfriend, is it spring cleaning?

Credo: Yes, tomorrow after the proclamation, I'm going to black tip to my sister admitted or not so I want to leave my room in order.

Me: Me too after the proclamation I leave the village with my mother, we will go and look for each other in the capital.

Credo: But it's a good thing my darling, frankly I don't want to go to my sister's, she's a woman who likes to dominate people too much, but since she's my parents' favorite, I can't refuse and above all she is pregnant.

Me: We need to keep in touch my friend.

Credo: Of course my beautiful, by the way I want us to spend the last night together do you think your mother will accept?

Me: I don't know girlfriend, come on, we'll ask her.

We left to ask Mama who had just arrived from the fields. She said yes but with lots of recommendations. For the first for me, I'm not going to sleep with my mother, it makes me very funny.

Credo: What do you want to be later?

Me: I don't understand. To be in what?

Credo: What work do you want to do later.

Me: I would like to be a business woman and have a lot of money to help my mother and above all to make her proud of me and you?

Credo: I would like to open a big restaurant, I will see people eating and congratulating me for my work.

We talked about our dreams part of the night. We slept at one hour not even 30 minutes, we hear people shouting throughout the village, we wake up with a start.

Me (trembling): What's going on?

Credo: I hope it's not serious.

I don't know why, I run out. Crédo follows me behind, I see people running towards my house.

Me: But why do people run like that?

Credo: Come, let's see what's going on.

We also start to run, I arrive in front of my house I find my house on fire

Me: (shouting): Mommm!

I see people pulling me so that I don't go home.

Me (shouting): Leave me my mom is inside. Mommm.

I realize that all the people there are looking at me with pity and sadness.

Me (crying): Noooooo not my momm.