Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER SONG: BABY BY AYA NAKAMURA

CONGRATULATIONS TO KYKY FOR BECOMING PSG's ALL TIME TOP GOAL SCORER!!

"I think we should... umm get out of here before we smell like garbage too." Her heart was pounding like a drum when she got up.

"Yeah," he cleared his throat, "great idea."

Once they were certain the coast was clear, they got up from behind the dumpster and cautiously walked out onto the sidewalk.

"Come on, let's get away from here in case they think of backtracking."

They crossed the street and headed south, away from the community centre. Luckily, it was late enough that this part of town pretty much was now deserted.

"So, what's the plan? Should I call Martin and call it a night?"

"It doesn't have to be. I mean, the night is young and we were having fun. We could still do something if you're up to it."

His ears pricked up. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well, we haven't had a proper meal tonight," she pulled back her sleeve, "it's ten so the Soul Food should be parked along Avenue de Verdun for the next thirty minutes."

"Food truck?"

"Yeah. It's just a couple of blocks away. Trust me when I say they make the best African food in Paris. Their braised chicken is to die for. We could go there if you like?"

With a dimpled smile, he rubbed his hands together and said, "Sounds great, lead the way."

"Okay then!" she grinned, "Speaking of 'the motherland', have you ever been to any to any other country in Africa, besides Morocco?"

"I've only ever been to Cameroon twice to see my dad's side of the family, but that was way back when I was younger. You have any recommendations?"

She chuckled with a shake of her head, "I might be a little biased there and tell you Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls are one of my favourite places to see and this is the perfect time of the year to visit them." She said and paused for a second. Biting on her lip.

"But I think you'd enjoy Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. That's in Tanzania. It's like stepping into a whole new world, away from the craziness of city life. It's really beautiful down there." Her words faded away into a whisper.

Kylian watched this far off look grow in her eyes as they strayed to the pavement. Because her smile never dropped, he was convinced she was reminiscing something good.

She smiled to herself whilst reminiscing the memories she had hen her family visited those two places. They were some of the best memories she had mostly because it was one of the last ones before he passed away.

"Good memories... with your family?" He enquired, purposefully bumping her shoulder.

She snapped out of it with the shake of her head and laughed. Sapphie had forgotten how much of an observant person Kylian was. Nothing went past him.

"The best. Tanzania was the last family trip we went on," she breathed, "before my dad passed away."

"Oh. I didn't know. I'm sorry."

That answered one of his questions.

She nodded, "Yeah, me too. It's weird that those because of that reason. It was one of the treasured memories we made together as a family when we were still whole. What's strange is that the fact that we didn't know that would be his last days, make it all the more bittersweet."

After she said that, he didn't have time to respond because that's when they turned the corner into Avenue de Verdun.

"You might want to put your beard back on." She whispered. Kylian quickly pulled it up just as they closed in on the truck.

Just like she'd said, the truck was parked exactly where she'd described it would be on a typical Saturday night. He was glad when he saw that only a few people were standing in line.

She grinned as they stepped up next in line, "Excuse me Sir? What would you recommend as the best thing on your menu?"

The bearded man's face light up with instant recognition.

"Well, well if it isn't Sapphie Maida." Kylian watched him reach out with a brawny, tattooed arm and shake hands with Sapphie like they were long lost friends.

"How are you doing Rudy?" she beamed up at him. He forced his face to remain neutral as he watched the two of them interact.

"Everything's been great, Saph. Long-time no see. Where have you been hiding?" He bent over and leaned against the counter.

Kylian was a little taken aback that they seemed to know each other so well.

"You know I can't keep hanging around here too much or else you'll clean out my bank account."

"What can I say, when you're the best in Bizz you're the best." That's when he turned his head to look at him instead.

"Hey, man." He nodded his greeting.

"What's up," Kylian reciprocated the gesture.

"Rudy this is a friend of mine... Lottin. We're coming from this party and we're starving." Sapphie gave out a dramatic sigh and reached up to touch the counter with both hands as if she were trying to peek inside.

Rudy laughed as he stood up straight, his attention back on Sapphie. Kylian reached out between them and squeezed her hand in appreciation.

"I was about to ask what on earth was going on. So, will it be the usual?"

"You know me so well." She nodded.

"And your friend?"

"I'll just have what she's having."

"Alright! Two braised chickens coming right up."

A couple of minutes later, Rudy set two steaming paper serving boats and a paper bag on the counter. Kylian was about to fork over his credit card when she stopped him with a hand on his fore arm.

"Don't worry, I've got this one."

"Are you sure?" he raised his brows and grinned.

"Positive."

She handed over the right amount of money, "Thanks Rudy."

"Anytime Saph, come back soon."

Sapphie was the first to take her food and walk away. As he reached for his, Rudy whispered, "She's a keeper." And then winked at him.

Kylian smirked and nodded, "don't I know it. Thanks."

After they got their food, they went to one of the nearby tables—at the edge of the light so people wouldn't be able to recognise Kylian. To make it even better, she gave him the seat that would award everyone who came by his back view.

"I want to see what you think first." Hands pressed together, she watched expectantly as he tore a piece of his chicken, dipped it into the sauce before having a taste. Kylian couldn't help but groan when a burst of flavours exploded on his tastebuds.

"C'est bon, non?" her smile widened.

"Very good." He didn't need further prompting for him to dig right into his food. This was hands down some of the best chicken he'd ever tasted.

"If I'm to be honest, I'm a bit surprised to see you so willingly deviate from the plan your nutritionist usually has you on. You're usually a stickler for the rules."

"Sapphie, this is the off-season. I can allow myself to cheat once in a while. Besides, this is not that far off." He said, gesturing to the fried plantain and the rice on his plate.

"And I can allow a pass especially if the food tastes this amazing." He did a little dance in his seat after taking another bite.

Sapphie shook her head at his antics, "You're ridiculous sometimes."

After that, they ate their food in comfortable silent. Content to just be sitting with each other and sharing each other's company.

When they were finished, they bought ice cream and decided to go for a stroll through the nearby park.

"You should have told me the Attic was that lit. I would have visited way back."

"We weren't speaking to each other much way back then, remember?"

"And who was to blame for that?"

"The way I see it, I'd say the both of us." She said.

Kylian chuckled and shook his head.

"I was talking to Renée earlier, and she was telling me about it and how you came up with the entire thing."

"What? Phishing for ideas?" She teased.

"Come on..." They laughed.

"No, I think it is a very good initiative you're involved in. I like it when people give back for a good cause, especially children. They are very important to me. I feel like it is everyone's responsibility to help when they can. So, from what I saw, you're doing a great job."

He avoided eye contact for the fear of showing her just how much her felt. And he didn't want to scare her away. He thought back to when they were hiding behind that dumpster. The way she'd watched him with those big brown eyes. It wasn't until she'd gotten up that he realised he'd almost kissed her behind a freaking dumpster! What girl would want that?

"Thanks, Kylian. It's...hard work but that's what makes it worthwhile. Being able to see all the good the programme has done is...life changing."

After that, they walked in silence for a little while. But, while their surroundings were relaxing and tranquil with just the two of them, Kylian couldn't help the curiosity that kept rising within him in waves. Until he couldn't keep it in any longer, so he asked.

"Sapphie? May I ask you something?"

"Sure." She nodded.

"I don't mean to pry, but earlier on you mentioned that your father passed. Do you mind if I ask you what happened?"

She paused licking her ice cream, taken aback by the question.

"Oh."

"I understand if you don't want to tell me it's—"

"No, no it's fine, "she shrugged, "it's just that, even though he's been gone for four years now, I still get a little emotional talking about him...sometimes. It still kind of hurts."

He'd noticed.

"I understand. He was your dad and if you were close, it would be normal if it still hurts. I doubt people who lose their loved ones heal completely after they are gone."

"Yeah." She nodded, pleasantly surprised that he seemed like he understood a little of what she felt, "we were close."

"He passed away in 2020 not long after we moved here. Covid." She sighed.

"Sapphie. I'm so sorry." His food completely forgotten, he instinctively reached out between them and gave her hand a squeeze.

"Most of the times, as a family we feel like we're doing okay. And then there are times when it feels like we're still picking up the broken pieces of our lives. I mean, we couldn't even see him when he was all alone and dying. Let alone give him a proper burial." She had to concentrate so hard to fight off the tears. But the trembling in her voice gave it all away.

What could he say to someone who'd gone through something like that. He remembered testing positive for the virus in that same year. But his experience sounded like nothing compared to what she and her family went through.

"That night, when you said 'everything changed'. That's what you meant."

She nodded.