Staying With the Black

Toto : Pourquoi tu es blanc comme ça ?  

          Why are you white like that?

                                                                                                                            

Moi: Parce que c’est comme ça.      

         Because it's just so.                                                                                                                                               

Toto : Dans votre Cameroun tout le monde est blanc ?  

           In  your Cameroon, everyone is white?

                                                                                                

Moi: Oui. Dans mon "Cameroun" tout le monde est blanc.  

          Yes. In my  "Cameroon"   everyone is white?

        

Toto : Même vos parents ?

           Even your parents?

Moi : Oui. Même mes parents.

          Yes. Even my parents.

 

Toto : Même vos  frères et sœurs ?

          Even your brothers and sisters?

 

Moi : Oui, même eux.  Tout le monde ! Veux-tu aller là-bas pour  voir ?

          Yes, even them. Everyone! Do you want to go there and see?

Toto : Non, je veux rester avec  le noir.

           No, I want t o stay with the black people.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Minutes After Midnight

The road was silent. Aside from the squeaking tires of cars and buses that passed by, it was only the pouring rain that made a pounding ephemeral sound. By the side I was walking, waiting for anything that would take me home. My frigid body, tired of a day's, or say a night's work, badly needed a rest. Drenched, I walked and waited like forever with only a jacket and a thick, curly hair for protection from the unforgiving rain. Buses won't take notice of me. Occasional jeepneys are full, one refused to take me in upon seeing how drenched I was. Taxis that passed by have their red lights on top that signals they are not available.

I was there waiting, let alone stand, and still. I braced myself and realized, it was all worth it.