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The first time Idris saw Zara, he was stunned by her air of repose. She rode to the market on a bicycle, wearing a yellow floral dress that fluttered like a flag of rebellion. He had never seen a woman so free, confident, and aware. She rode effortlessly with grace that the road bowed to her majesty as if she were the ruler of the world.
Idris became so enthralled in Zara’s little world that he mistakenly stepped into her path. Zara swerved to the side nearly falling and Idris held her handlebars just in time.
“Oh! Be careful. I'm sorry.” Idris blurted incoherently all at once.
“Well, maybe don't stand in the middle of the whole country.” Zara Smirked.
Idris opened his mouth. “This country..is a very fine country,” he stammered and felt embarrassed when two soldiers giggled as they walked past him.
Zara threw her shoulders back. She looked at Idris funny and shook her head before riding away.
“Fine country? What is wrong with you?” Idris hit his head with his palm and suddenly, an explosive sound filled the air and the ground shook. Idris looked back and watched as Zara steadied herself on the bike. Zara looked back too and their eyes met.
From that day, Idris began frequenting the market hoping to catch glimpses of Zara. Perhaps a little smile or conversation. He'd watch Zara ride home, pick flowers from her garden, and sing beautiful songs while doing laundry. It was in the way Zara lived a fulfilled life doing the most mundane things. A woman who knew exactly what she wanted from life and she was having it on her own terms. It was a quality Idris rarely found in younger women his own age.
“It is indeed a fine country.” Idris found himself saying out loud one evening as he watched Zara cup fireflies behind her yard. It was harmattan in December. A season Zara looked forward to every year because of the enchantment that came with fireflies glittering around large fields. Zara had become the spectacle that Idris found himself yearning for.
“Stalking! Obsession? Is that what they call it these days?” Zara gently blew the firefly in her hand. She watched it flutter with sparks before turning to face where Idris hid behind a tree.
Idris squared his shoulders as he emerged from his creeping position. He rubbed the back of his head and put his arms akimbo. “Errm.. don't trap them. They'd die.. the fireflies!” He rubbed his head again.
Boom!
Another explosion shook the ground. Zara froze and rubbed her bare shoulders looking behind her.
“I think it is going to be a war soon. The government doesn't negotiate and the rebel group has become more daring. Word around the corner has it that they are being sponsored from overseas.” Idris came closer. “I'd say, block the major roads to the city, shut down the power supply for a week, and utilize Air Force intelligence. Just like that, problem solved and the rebels will surrender.” His face went from playful to serious in seconds.
“You are conversant for a boy your age. I'm impressed,” Zara noted.
“I'm not a boy. I'm a man.”
“Men don't stalk.”
“I wasn't stalking. I like what I see.” Idris’tone became firm.
“Go home boy. Isn't it past your bedtime?” Zara leisurely eyed him and walked away smiling.
Idris watched her for a moment. Smiling too, he turned to leave.
Serenge was a small lively town blessed with its fine people and resources. The town soon became a hotspot for miners when Tin was discovered deep in its plateaus. However, the government quickly imposed a sanction across the area which in turn caused an uprising between independent miners and groups.
Zara was tending to her bicycle the next morning when she saw a bunch of flowers and a note neatly tucked in its basket. “By the riverside, behind the fishing boats,” it read. Zara pressed her lips together as if to stop the smile from escaping. She wasn't sure what she was feeling but a part of her wanted it.
Zara found Idris sitting in an abandoned boat by the riverbank. “Corn?” Idris offered roasted corn wrapped in old newspaper. The two relished in silence watching as the fishermen skillfully caught dozens of fish in the morning dew. Zara had been to the river countless times but she had never witnessed its serene beauty like that before. Days passed and Zara and Idris began sneaking around secret places in Serenge just to hang out.
Weeks later, the military presence in Serenge became more intense. Roads became risky and markets emptied. Most people lived indoors for fear of being captured. The rebel group had begun encroaching on Serenge and unleashing their wrath.
One morning after a very unexpected heavy downpour, Zara was out fixing her bicycle when she found another note. “By the railway. Monday evening. Take the forest. It is safer.” Zara pressed the note to her chest and smiled.
Monday came slower than a snail’s crawl and Zara braved through the forest to the railway. Halfway there, she began laughing at herself. “What has this boy got on you woman?” she whispered.
Zara slowed when she sighted Idris standing with a young girl in the middle of the track. They appeared to be arguing but then he hugged the girl before she left.
Zara’s eyes watered but she didn't let the tears drop. Just as she turned to leave, Idris ran and grabbed her. “It isn't what you think Zara! She is-”
“It is exactly what I think,” Zara yelled. “You are only a boy after all. How foolish I've been to believe that I could have something with you. I had butterflies in my tummy. Like a little girl, you made me feel things.” She turned her back. “But in reality, what would a boy like you be doing with a forty-year-old woman?”
“Stop calling me a boy. I am twenty-five and old enough to know what I want. I love everything about you. Your grace, strength, tenderness, passion, and how you've made Serenge a fine place to be in.” Idris retorted. “The day we met, I was going to enlist to fight for Serenge against my parents' wishes. But you..you..” Idris paused and a tear dropped. “She thought I was running away to join the army. That was my sister, Amira!” Idris turned and left feeling depleted.
Days turned into weeks and Zara heard nothing from Idris. He had not snuck into her yard and there were no more random notes tucked in unexpected places. Zara admitted to herself how much she missed him. That evening, she rode through the safest parts in Serenge until she reached Idris’ home. She swallowed hard and knocked at the door. Amira opened and frowned at the sight of Zara.
“Ummh. I'm Zara and I'm looking for-”
“Idris left the next day to join in the fight. He left you this note. You should leave now before our parents find you here. They do not approve of you two.” Amira handed her a note and shut the door.
Zara's heart sank. She sat in her dimly lit room reading the note Idris had left her. “Promise me that you will always be fine in this fine country.” She managed a smile while recalling the first day they met.
Months passed and the fight had calmed down. There was still a strong military presence in Serenge but life was starting to return to normal. There were words around town that enlisted soldiers had been posted out to several regions across the country and some were even starting a new life. Zara couldn't help but wonder if Idris had long moved on with his life.
One windy harmattan evening in December, Zara stood in the middle of her yard cupping fireflies. “If I keep you trapped…” She opened her palms and let several fireflies with twinkling lights slowly waft away.
“They’d die.” A voice responded.
Zara looked ahead and there he was in flesh and blood smiling at her. She ran to embrace him and they remained there for what seemed like forever memorizing each other’s faces. Their relationship had survived its highs and lows. They couldn't tell the future but in that moment, only the present mattered.
