Welcome to The New Classic, where the past and the present merge, to form a new future.
Once that no one can see coming...
Join Angelo, Vanessa and the rest of the gang three and a half long years after that fateful night.
Lo kept count. V didn't...
MOODLIST Water Get No Enemy- Fela Kuti Arromba - Neyma Del Mar - Ozuna featuring Doja Cat and SIA Gimme The Wheel - Alina Baraz featuring Smino SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY (Remix) - Amaaree & Kali Uchis featuring Moliy
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"Please return soon Jasmine! Do consider this as your home away from home! And take time to think over my proposal, I would be honoured if you chose to accept, my dear." Gio's goodbye was a tender one. Although his eyes were covered by sunglasses, I could see him peering over the top of them slightly, trying to gauge my willingness to acquiesce.
I almost did at that point, but his use of one of my aliases reminded me of the circumstances of the situation.
We were at a small private airport just outside of Maputo, Mozambique. The crew and I were due to leave for Paris in just a moment.
As I was speaking with our gracious host, I felt the little arms of a child wrap around my leg. A look down confirmed to me that it was my sweet Amala who came over to ensure I would, indeed, return with her. Her curly hair had been pulled up into two bantu knots, with a crown of baby hairs telling the tale of her signature wild child ways.
My mellower baby boy Yonas was sleepily walking towards the plane with Selassie, my security and close friend. He had been calm enough to sit of a set of small plaits, which were in contrast, still neat. That fact spoke to his calm, gentle temperament. His hair was a rich brown, with a slightly looser coil than his sisters, but despite their differences, together they made the most beautiful pair of children I'd ever cast my eyes on.
I had been touting this fact since their birth, but I had a reason to be ever so slightly biased.
Childishness wasn't only reserved for children, as India and Malia were waiting patiently, trying to convince me to accept Gio's proposal with their body language. Nesto had already boarded the plane, not one to want to see his sister being romanced.
From behind Gio, Indy and Mal were in the perfect position to make exaggerated gestures of placing a ring on a finger and crying with joy as a woman who had just been proposed to would.
Admittedly, they weren't the kind of friends, or sisters as I now considered them, to push me into the arms of any man who showed interest. This wasn't the first time I had been proposed to by a man of influence, but it was the first time that they were proponents of me becoming someone's wife.
But I got everything I needed from this trip. I got professional satisfaction that one of my longest standing projects coming to a beautiful close, with the reburial ceremony bringing tears to my eyes. I had a tan I hoped to keep for as long as possible, Fulani braids that went past my ass and luggage trunks full of souvenirs and clothes to remember this trip by.
A husband wasn't on my itinerary and I did not intend to change that. Instead, I wanted to unwind before my work and personal life were thrown in the blender.
