Between our hands

Chapter 75: Samy.

Laughter continued to fill the air as anecdotes flew around the room. Sacha then turned to Samy, a mischievous look on his face. 
“And you, Samy, did you get into trouble at school, or were you more well-behaved?”

Samy smiled shyly, running a hand behind his head. 
“Well... as you can see, school here wasn’t quite the same as for you,” he began, glancing around the room. “The schools were really very basic. If you wanted to get ahead, you had no choice but to listen and take things seriously. It wasn’t a place for messing around; otherwise, you quickly found yourself doing something else, like working in the fields from the age of 12.”

Maëlle, sitting next to him, shot him a sympathetic look. She knew how different Samy’s life had been from theirs. 
“If I can read today,” Samy continued with a smile, “it’s mostly thanks to my mother. She spent time with me in the evenings, after her long days at work, teaching me by reading books. I owe her a lot.”

There was a hint of pride in his voice, but also a sense of humility. It was thanks to his mother’s efforts that he had been able to achieve a higher level of education than most children in his village. 
“So, you understand, when it comes to anything school-related…” he said, laughing softly, “I wasn’t really the best. I did my best, but it was mostly to please my mother.”

Sacha, who had been listening attentively until now, couldn’t help but throw a cheeky glance at Maëlle, a spark in his eyes. 
“Well… don’t worry, Samy! If you ever have any gaps in your knowledge, I’m sure Maëlle could give you some private lessons. Very private, if you know what I mean,” he said with a playful wink.

The whole room burst into laughter at the innuendo-laden remark. Samy instantly blushed, feeling uncomfortable under Sacha’s teasing. Maëlle, amused, placed a hand on Samy’s shoulder to reassure him. 
“Oh, you know, I could be a very good teacher if you need help,” she said, gently teasing him, before adding in a whisper for only Samy to hear, “but I’m not sure you’d stay focused…”

Samy turned an even deeper shade of red at this remark, while the rest of the group continued to tease him gently. Sacha and Daniel didn’t miss the chance to add a few jokes about the “private lessons” Maëlle could offer, further exacerbating Samy’s embarrassment. 
“Hey, don’t pay attention to them,” Maëlle murmured to Samy with a smile as she leaned closer to him. “They love teasing you, but I’m really proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished.”

The conversation continued in a light atmosphere, but at that moment, Sacha, somewhat indiscreetly, asked where Samy’s mother was. He had already mentioned his father but not his mother. A heavy silence fell over the room. Samy, who had always been so open and warm, looked down. His smile slowly faded, giving way to an expression of contained pain. 
“My father passed away, yes…” he began softly, his voice trembling. “And my mother… she’s gone too. She died from an illness that no one could ever diagnose. We couldn’t afford the necessary care, and she succumbed to that illness.”

Samy’s account, although he remained stoic, revealed a huge burden he had carried for years. He spoke of the lack of family from a young age, of loneliness, of feeling ignored, wandering the streets with nowhere to go. His words were steeped in profound sadness and admirable resilience.

As he spoke, Maëlle’s family members understood the difficulty he felt in sharing this painful part of his past. The atmosphere in the room became darker and more empathetic. Maëlle, heartbroken for him, rushed towards Samy. She wrapped him in her arms with infinite tenderness, seeking to provide him with all the comfort he needed.

Samy, having finally found a safe space to express his pain, let go and cried in Maëlle’s embrace. His tears were a testament to years of accumulated suffering.

Seeing this, the family members, touched by his vulnerability, joined in for a collective hug. Even Sacha and Daniel, usually less demonstrative, moved closer and surrounded Samy. Sacha, with rare gentleness, whispered in Samy’s ear, “Now, you’re my brother, no matter what happens. I love you, and I’m here for you.”

Maëlle, still holding Samy, placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, trying to convey through this gesture all the love and support she felt. The other family members remained silent, offering their presence and solidarity to Samy in this moment of shared comfort.

This collective embrace, filled with understanding and human warmth, marked a precious moment where Samy finally felt surrounded and accepted, a moment where he could let go and find solace among those who had now welcomed him as one of their own.

As the hug began to fade, each family member took the time to share a few words filled with compassion, pride, and love with Samy, moved by his poignant story and vulnerability.

Victor, with a sincere look, said to him, “Samy, I want you to know how proud we are to have you among us. Your strength and courage are admirable, and I am honored to count you as part of our family.” Sacha added, with a warm smile, “You are more than a friend or a bodyguard, Samy. You have become a true brother to us. Never doubt your place here; we love you and support you.” 
Maëlle, still emotional, softly murmured, “Samy, you have no idea how proud I am of you. You are an extraordinary man, and I’m happy to have you by my side.”

Each person took a moment to embrace Samy warmly, one after the other, expressing in their own way the support and love they felt for him. Nahia kissed him on the cheek in a friendly, almost fraternal gesture, symbolizing the collective affection they held for him.

Before they returned to their respective rooms, they gathered one last time to give Samy a collective hug. This moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for him, where he now felt fully accepted and supported by the family he had chosen and who had welcomed him with such warmth and kindness.