Hidden : Under the masks ( english version)

Chapter 4 -Safiatou-

"Is it done?" he asked nervously, right after Madam left.

I almost got caught, but it's better to keep that to myself.

"Yes," I replied, nodding.

I finished tidying up the living room before following him to our bedroom. He pulled a tablet out of his suitcase and turned it on. The screen displayed real-time images of every room in the apartment. We could now monitor their every move.

Tidiane was interrupted by a call from Mr. Al-Maktoum, requesting a formal meeting in his office.

Left alone in the room, I suddenly remembered I needed to call my grandmother. She knows nothing about the real reason I'm in Dubai. To her, and to my sisters, I'm here to study management and hospitality.

"Hello, Nene?"

"Safi!" she exclaimed with a laugh, filled with both relief and joy. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Nene..." I said, my voice trembling.

"Oh, now that I've heard your voice, much better."

I let out a laugh, touched by the comforting sound of her voice. Finally, I could hear my little Nene. I had never been separated from her for so long. Since my mother's passing, our bond has intensified, and she has become my confidante, just as I have become hers.

"You're taking your medication, Nene?" I asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Yes, don't worry, everything's fine."

"No, that's not true!" my older sister Aldiouma suddenly shouted. "I've been chasing her around all day, she's exasperating! You talk to her."

"Nene..." I sighed, my voice tinged with reproach.

"Alright..." she said after a sigh. "I'll take them, I promise. But tell me, you sound tired. I hope you're not overworking yourself?"

"No, don't worry!" I quickly reassured her. "It's just... because of the stress from classes."

Sorry, Nene, it breaks my heart to lie to you like this.

"I need your blessing, Nene," I added, my voice choked with emotion as I fought back tears.

"My prayers will always be with you, my dear! You know..." she began, then paused, her tenderness palpable. "You need to stop tormenting yourself like this! Have fun! Make friends, enjoy your youth, and think of yourself for once. After all, isn't life meant to be savored with a little bit of selfishness?"

"Yes, Nene," I replied, finally letting my tears flow while trying not to alarm her.

"Your mother must be so proud of you. I imagine you think of her often, especially in the city where you are..."

I could hear the deep emotion in her voice, as if she was also holding back tears.

"Nene..."

Tidiane reappeared in the room, interrupting what I was about to share.

"Who is it?" Nene asked.

"No one..." I struggled to keep my tone neutral. "We have a curfew. We have to turn everything off. We'll talk later."

"The guests are here," he said. "Mr. Al-Maktoum is calling for you," he added.