WAITING FOR DAWN

Chapitre 4

                                                                     DISENCHANTMENT

It was 7 p.m. when we arrived in the Capital. I surveyed the surroundings, captivated by the enchanting setting. The frenetic pace of the city was evident once more, though it differed from what I had previously known. My fears, poised to resurface and diminish my fascination, began to make their presence felt, but I resisted. I resolved to silence this inner voice; I needed to fully savor the moment. Cars sped by in all directions, and the deafening cacophony of horns blended together like a poorly orchestrated jazz performance. The lights from the skyscrapers, various shops, and street lamps merged into a brilliantly unified Caporian symphony.

"Do you sense this aroma? The scent of the Capital has always delighted my heart," William declared. "Come, a hearty dinner awaits us; let us not delay too much; I am ravenous. Tomorrow, we will introduce you to places you cannot even imagine."

"I am looking forward to it," I responded, hurrying to catch up with them. We were already in a taxi.

"We will disembark at the 16th," William announced.

Upon arrival, we disembarked, and I need not concern myself with the various means of transportation as William had covered all expenses. In front of the building where we stood, I did not anticipate anything extraordinary, for, based on my experience in Doris, some edifices often concealed "unexpected treasures" behind a modest facade.

"Here we are, my dear friend," William proclaimed. "Follow me."

However, once inside the building, the difference began to be felt. Yet, I did not wish to be carried away too quickly. We reached apartment 19, where a woman of advanced years greeted us with a broad smile, albeit with a reprimand for William.

"I suppose he made you take the stairs?"

"Come now, Mani, we are only on the third floor. You know well that I am claustrophobic; I cannot endure elevators or similar conveniences."

"Enough, Willy," she said with an amused tone. "How about introducing me to our guest?"

"Mani, let me introduce you to Alex. Alex, this is Mani, our Mama Valencya of the house. She cooks as well as she sings, our icon."

"Do not flatter me too much, my boy; I am far from being Chantal Caporo," Mani retorted.

"Oh, Mani likes to be modest," William teased. "Oh, she's being modest."

It was apparent that Mani, the lady in question, was somewhat embarrassed. As for me, I merely smiled awkwardly while rubbing the back of my head, uncertain of what appropriate remarks to make.

"How about we indulge in a session of Valencya?" William proposed, extending his hand to Mani.

He swept us into his enthusiasm, and we sang loudly, before bursting into laughter as though we had just been tickled.

"Welcome, my dear boy," Mani declared.

Even before Mani had finished her sentence, Willi and Alexandra, already seated at the table, began to exclaim:

"We're hungry, we're hungry!" they cried, waving their utensils like two excited children.

"Oh, you two! What am I to do with you? Go wash your hands, off you go!"

"Mani, what will we have for dinner?" William inquired.

"Everything you dislike," Mani responded with her broad smile, which concealed her eyes.