Page 19 of Five Goodbyes

We make it to the food and are handed overloaded plates. I feel guilty taking so much when I know many people here go without too often. But to turn it down would be the worst of insults, so I graciously accept.

We move out of the main crowd surrounding the tables full of food, then sit on the ground and eat beside a group of people who speak slowly for Mora. She relays everything that’s said. It’s an incredibly wonderful experience being here. We all clear our plates. I don’t think any of us had much of a stomach earlier in the day and we were pretty dang hungry.

A man wearing a smile says something to Mora and she turns to look at our group.

“He says it’s time to dance. Family always goes first, and tonight you’re family so you must join them, and start things off,” Mora tells me.

I’m immediately pulled off the ground, and I’m led near where an impressive fire is raging. Singing, chanting, clapping, and stomping ramp up into a single euphoric beat. This isn’t a funeral of sorrow and pain as I’ve come to know back home, it’s a true celebration and thankfulness for a life known and loved.

From a deep part of his soul, Agneau gives a guttural cry that goes on for an impressive amount of time. As he finishes, the rest of the men release the same exact sound. It’s a mix of a howl and a scream and it makes the hair on my arms stand up. There must be something in our DNA that brings us to know a cry like this because I find myself hitting the same depth, and for the same length of time in my own cry with all of the other men on the second round of the scream.

After the third time, all of the men rip off their shirts, and begin bouncing up and down. Agneau begins bouncing in a circle around the fire with his family behind him. As he slips past me, his hand grips my wrist, and he pulls me into their circle. I have no clue what I’m doing but I mimic them the best I can. After the second time around the fire, I’m in my own mind and element.

The night wears on, with no slowdown in the singing, dancing, and clapping. Other fires are built, and more people circle them. I take a step back from the fire, and find Jasmine, Philip, and Mora dancing with another group.

Jasmine is a warrior in her own right. I’d say even more so at her core than what I am. This moment right here, she has no clue I’m watching her, and she doesn’t care if she’s alone or with others. A primal moment is happening for her, and I think fire does that to many of us. As she begins to cross the backside of the fire I take in her flushed cheeks and the look in her eyes. They radiate an equal amount of power and beauty. Whatever trance she’s put herself in she comes out of it just in time for our eyes to lock, and then she disappears behind the fire.

I was fairly certain I was in love before this time in Africa, but with every fiber of my being I become aware that it’s in this moment right here, right now, that I’m going to ask this woman to marry me. I’m going to ask this woman to stand by my side for the rest of our lives. I’m going to ask this woman to carry my children. I want nothing else in this life than for her to be mine, and for me to be hers. Nothing else matters. Nothing, except for me telling her how I feel.

There will be no further waiting. Taking large strides, I get through the lines of people in time to catch Jasmine as she pops out on the other side of the fire. I pull her back from the group.

“Are you okay?” Jasmine asks, gasping for breath, her cheeks radiate from the heat, her eyes bright, true beauty shining inside and outside on her.

“I love you. I’minlove with you. I adore every piece of who you are,” I say, as I drop to a single knee. “I know this isn’t traditional in any way, and I promise you I’ll get everything together when we get home, but I know without a question of who I am, that I have to do this right here, and right now. Jasmine Anderson, will you marry me?”

Tears instantly form and freely flow from Jasmine’s eyes as she nods her head up and down. She falls to her knees, cupping my face and kisses me. The people all around us fade as this moment becomes just her, and just me. This is my happy place; this is where I’ve always been meant to be.

Jasmine pulls back. “Yes, I’ll marry you. A thousand times over, yes. I love you more than anything I’ve ever known.”

The next few minutes meld together, but rudely we’re pulled back to the real world as hands touch down on our shoulders. Philip and Mora are standing in front of us, confused as to what is happening, and as soon as we tell them, they both yank us to our feet and throw their arms around us.

Mora pulls back after a long moment. “I can’t wait to tell everyone you proposed at a funeral. It’s going to be amazing to see their reactions!”

“NO! Please don’t say anything until I have a chance to talk to her parents. We don’t want anyone to know until they do. Okay?” I ask, all but begging.

“Fine!” Mora gives a fake pout.

“Now, let’s dance!” Jasmine calls.

She pulls my hand as we jog back to the massive fire and we dance together, our hands united just as we will be for the rest of our lives. Until complete exhaustion takes my legs out from under me, the two of us keep our hands locked together as we dance and dance and dance. Sweat drips off us when we finally walk away from the group.

“Hunta!” I hear.

I can’t find Mora so I try to tell our host that we’re leaving. His face begins to fall as he realizes what I’m saying. He steps to me and gives me the side head salutation but keeps us here like this for a longer time. When he does pull back, he places his hand on my chest, above my heart, and does the same on his own chest with his other hand. This is a goodbye and a thank you. I feel it as much as he does.

It’s unlikely I’ll ever see this village again, but I think it may have an impact on me so much so that it will direct my life’s path onto a new journey.

We nod, then walk away. We find Philip and Mora holding each other away from the crowd. We then all walk back to the Jeep. It’s good it’s a long walk because it cools us down and allows us to find the first silence in many hours all while darkness envelopes us so we can once again see the brightness of the stars above, that give us enough visibility to find the jeep. It also allows us time to reflect on what all has happened in such a short time.

Yes, this may be one of the greatest nights of my life. And it all starts and ends with Jasmine being by my side. No matter what we’ll go through in life, we’ll do it together. This is the greatest gift that can be given to anyone.

Chapter Seven

Mora and Phillip scatter faster than leaves in a windstorm as soon as we arrive back at the house. They said there was a medical emergency that will take them at least four hours, but the wink they sent our way, tells me they’re giving Jasmine and me some alone time on our engagement night. This is just one more reason I love and appreciate them so much.

I’ve showered, which I appreciate here so much more than at home, because we have to go a couple of days without, and it’s hot and sandy, making me feel extra sticky by the end of each day. A sponge bath just isn’t the same as a hot shower. It’s true that a person doesn’t truly appreciate something until they realize what a treat it actually is.

I move out onto the back patio and take in a long, deep breath, loving the crisp, warm night air filling my lungs. The stars are shining brightly, scattered across the vast expanse of sky with no lights around to cover up their brilliance. It’s amazing what a peaceful night this is, and there’s no one else on this planet I’d rather experience it with than Jasmine. Damn, I’m a lucky man. I can’t believe she’s agreed to marry me. I hope she doesn’t wise up.

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