Chapter 1

For several weeks, Elias had felt a persistent pull toward Ethiopia, without knowing why.

It had all begun after he returned from a business trip.

Little by little, the feeling had grown stronger within him.

A specific memory came back to him.

A strange moment during his transit in Ethiopia.

Passengers moved forward, one by one, toward the boarding gate.

Elias waited for his turn.

Several travelers went ahead of him, their documents checked quickly and without a word.

When he handed over his passport, the officer paused.

He looked at him longer than the others, then said his first name.

No smile.

No explanation.

After a brief silence, he handed the passport back and motioned for him to move on.

Nothing more.

Chapter 2

Elias understood that this pull was not temporary.

It had settled inside him.

The days passed, and he went on with his life as usual.

Yet the idea of returning to Ethiopia kept coming back.

One day, he decided to go back.

He organized his departure, looking for the right moment.

He did not want to leave in haste.

When he finally booked his plane ticket, he felt neither excitement nor fear, only the sense that he had answered something.

The decision was made.

There would be no turning back.

In the days before his departure, Elias told his loved ones he was going to Ethiopia. When they asked why, he simply said he felt the need to go.

He had no clear plan.

Only the certainty that he had to go.

The night before departure was short.

Elias slept in fragments, without real rest.

His mind already seemed elsewhere.

He arrived at the airport at the scheduled time.

Inside, the place was filled with artificial light.

Passengers spoke little. Some were tired, others already lost in their thoughts.

Elias moved forward without haste.

The checks went smoothly.

When the night flight was announced, he stood up and followed the other passengers.

He passed through the gate leading to the plane and took his seat.

Shortly after, the aircraft left the ground and rose into the night.

Chapter 3

As the plane approached the runway, the landscape came into view, followed by the city stretching across the hills.

Moments later, the aircraft touched down and came to a stop.

When he stepped out, he felt the cool air.

He joined the other passengers and boarded a bus toward the terminal.

He collected his luggage, then headed for the exit.

When he walked through the doors, the day was already well underway.

Outside the airport, taxis were lined up.

Elias got into one of them and gave the address of his hotel.

“Is this your first time in Ethiopia?”

“Not really.”

“I’ve passed through twice, without staying.”

The driver smiled.

“They say the third time’s the charm.”

Elias gave a slight smile.

The taxi stopped in front of his hotel in the city center.

Elias got out and paid the fare.

The man wished him a good stay before driving off.

Inside, the welcome was simple.

The check-in was quick.

A staff member walked him to his room.

He set his things down and closed the door behind him.

Chapter 4

The next day, Elias went out to explore the city.

He took a taxi to the Adwa Memorial.

Inside, objects and images told a powerful story.

He observed them closely.

Suddenly, an unusual sensation came over him.

An inexplicable sense of well-being.

He paused for a moment.

A voice echoed within him.

"Elias."

He turned his head.

No one.

Then the feeling faded.

Everything returned to normal.

He resumed walking.

After his visit, he took a taxi and went to a restaurant overlooking the city.

The city stretched as far as the eye could see.

He sat by the window and ate.

After the meal, he returned to his hotel.

Chapter 5

The following day, a Sunday in the early afternoon, Elias lay down on his bed.

Calm slowly settled over him, and he closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, he was no longer in his room.

He was by the sea.

In front of him stretched a vast sky covered with gray clouds.

On the horizon, the sea extended as far as the eye could see.

Waves crashed against the rocks around him.

He took his time to observe the sky.

Far away, beneath the clouds, a long, dark shape undulated slowly as it moved toward the horizon.

He followed it with his gaze for a moment, then it disappeared into the clouds.

He then observed the movements of the sea.

He no longer had any memory of who he was. All he knew, deep inside, was that he would not stay in this place for long.

He turned around and saw behind him a wide valley, framed by two mountains.

To the right, near one of them, stood a small group.

He stood on a rock, closer to the sea. He stepped down and moved toward them.

When he reached them, he made out two men and a woman.

Nearby, a box rested on the ground.

They looked at each other for a moment.

He spoke to them.

"I am only passing through."

They remained silent.

He had the feeling they understood.

They headed toward the valley, and he followed them.

They wore beautiful garments of deep red mixed with white, with red dominating. He had never seen anything like it.

The woman, slightly behind the two men, had partially braided hair flowing into long waves of deep red.

She was young, of rare beauty.

They continued walking through the valley scattered with stones.

After a few minutes, a strange sensation came over him, close to fainting.

He stopped for a moment and focused on the present to keep from giving in.

When the feeling eased, he resumed walking beside the group.

The valley still stretched out before them.

Soon after, the same sensation returned.

A sudden weakness came over him. He slowed down, then stopped.

The group stopped as well and turned toward him.

He understood that he would not be able to stay any longer.

He looked at them.

"The time for my departure has come."

He walked to the left, near the mountain, then lay down on the ground away from the group.

Before closing his eyes, he gave them one last look.

The two men had already continued on their way.

The young woman had remained still.

She was watching him in silence.

Then he let himself drift away.

He felt a movement, as if he were passing through a space, before returning to his body.

He opened his eyes again and remained lying still for a moment.

He checked the time on his phone: barely two hours had passed.

Chapter 6

The next morning, Elias went to a café.

The place blended modernity and tradition.

He sat down, ordered an Ethiopian coffee and a croissant, then opened his laptop.

He worked for a few hours, occasionally watching the flow of people around him.

A faint sensation came over him.

A subtle sense of well-being, for no reason.

It faded right away.

In the afternoon, he went to a traditional restaurant.

He sat down and ate without haste.

After the meal, he took a taxi and asked the driver to drive without a specific destination.

The city passed by.

He watched the streets, the people, the buildings.

On his way back, he noticed a shopping mall not far from his hotel.

He stopped there and walked through it.

The same sensation returned.

Then it disappeared.

He bought a few things, then went back to his hotel.

Chapter 7

The following day, in the early evening, Elias left his hotel and went to a large park in the city.

The place was lively.

Tiered seating curved down in a semicircle toward a lake.

Fountains rose at the center.

He slowly walked down the steps and sat facing the water.

The sky gradually darkened.

He remained still, his gaze fixed on the lake.

A presence caught his attention.

He slightly turned his head.

She approached and sat beside him, leaving a small distance between them.

He looked at her.

It was the young woman from the valley.

Her hair, partly braided, flowed into long waves of deep red.

She wore a different outfit from what he had seen before.

She looked at him, then looked away.

Elias remained still.

Then he moved slightly closer.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

"My name is Elias."

"And you?"

"Selam."

"Are you from here?"

"Yes."

"I’m visiting the country."

"Welcome."

"Thank you."

A silence settled between them.

"I have to go."

"Wait."

"Can I have your number?"

She looked at him for a moment without answering.

Then she gave it to him.

They stood up and began to walk side by side, slowly leaving the park.

After a few steps, Selam slowed slightly and turned her head toward him.

"You’re limping a little."

"Yes."

She watched him for a moment.

"How long?"

"Almost a year."

"Have you seen a doctor?"

"Yes, I’ve seen several. I’ve tried different treatments, but the pain always comes back."

He gave a slight smile.

"Don’t worry, it will pass."

Selam remained silent.

She looked at him for a moment.

They kept walking.

After a few steps, they stopped.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

They went their separate ways.

Chapter 8

The next day, in the early evening, Elias left his hotel and walked toward the nearby shopping mall.

After buying a few things, he headed back to the hotel.

At one point, the pain in his leg grew stronger.

He had more difficulty walking.

He stopped for a moment, scanning the street for a taxi.

He finally spotted one and signaled to it, but it already had a passenger.

He stood still for a moment, waiting for another car to pass.

Then a second taxi appeared.

He signaled to it.

The taxi slowed down and pulled over.

Elias walked as best he could and got into the back seat, his bags in hand.

"Hello."

"Hello."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Take me back to my hotel."

He gave him the direction, and the taxi drove off.

"If you ever need a taxi, I can give you my number."

"Yes, that would be great."

The driver gave him his number.

He saved it in his phone.

The taxi arrived in front of the hotel.

The driver got out right away and opened the door.

"Take care."

"Thank you."

Back in his room, he lay down for a moment to ease his leg.

Later, he stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air.

The sun was setting over the city.

Chapter 9

The next morning, Elias took the elevator to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast.

He walked slowly, limping.

After breakfast, he went back up to his room.

At lunchtime, the pain was still there.

He chose to order a meal.

In the evening, Elias called Selam.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

They exchanged a few words.

"How is your leg?"

"The pain has gotten worse. I’d rather stay at the hotel until it settles."

"What exactly hurts?"

"It mostly hurts around the knee and in the thigh. Sometimes, the pain goes down to the calf."

A slight silence settled.

"I can help you."

"I’ll tell you where to meet me."

A few days later, Selam met Elias in the lounge of his hotel.

When she arrived, she greeted him, then asked him to lie down on the couch and roll up his pants.

She took a small jar out of her bag.

She leaned forward and slowly applied the ointment to his leg.

She massaged gently, taking her time.

Elias felt something pass through his leg, like a flow of energy.

It was acting deep inside, where the pain was felt.

He did not move.

He let her continue.

After she left, he returned to his room to rest.

A sensation remained in his leg, like the presence of that energy.

After a moment, the pain eased.

Chapter 10

A few days later, Elias invited Selam to join him in the evening at a restaurant in the city center.

He waited in the lobby.

A few minutes passed.

Then his phone rang.

Selam was waiting outside the building.

He stood up and went out.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

She was wearing an elegant dress.

"Let’s go in."

They entered the building.

He walked with her to the elevator.

The doors closed behind them.

Silence settled as the cabin slowly rose.

The numbers passed by.

Then the elevator opened.

They arrived at a restaurant suspended above Addis Ababa.

Large windows surrounded the room, offering a panoramic view of the city.

They sat at a table by the window.

The menus were already laid out.

Shortly after, a waiter came to take their order.

Selam gazed at the city lights below.

He had eyes only for her.

"The view is beautiful."

He smiled slightly.

"Yes."

A silence settled.

"You are beautiful."

Selam looked at him.

"Thank you."

After dinner, he suggested a short walk.

They left the restaurant and walked along the lit avenues of the city center.

Streetlights lit the road.

A few people were still out.

Addis Ababa was gentler at night.

They walked side by side, unhurried.

Then he slowed down and stopped.

Selam stopped as well and turned toward him.

"Tomorrow, I’m going back to my country."

She remained silent.

"I will come back."

"I will be here if you return one day."

They stood there for a moment.

He looked at the road, searching for a taxi.

A taxi passed by.

He signaled for it to stop.

Selam got into the taxi.

He exchanged a few words with the driver and paid the fare.

Through the window, she looked at him one last time.

The taxi pulled away and disappeared into the traffic.

He remained still for a moment, alone under the lights of Addis Ababa.

Chapter 11

The next morning, Elias took a flight.

When he arrived, nothing had changed.

Elias lived alone in a studio apartment.

He worked remotely on digital simulations for technology companies.

The following day, Elias went to the supermarket near his home to buy some provisions.

On his way back, he took a detour.

A little further on, several tents were set up near a stone wall.

As he arrived, the father recognized him.

The two children stayed close to their mother, without approaching.

Elias moved forward with his cart.

He took out two packs of white eggs, two packs of milk, and two packs of sugar.

He placed the provisions on the ground.

The children watched in silence.

The man thanked him.

Elias left.

Back home, he prepared a meal.

Then he sat down at his computer and resumed his work.

A few days later, he visited his mother.

"I'm going back to Ethiopia."

She looked at him for a moment.

"Why?"

"I feel like I belong there."

"And I met a woman."

She understood.

"Then go."

"Don't wait."

In the following days, he organized his departure.

Then he booked his ticket.

Chapter 12

On the morning of his departure, Elias arrived at the airport as the day was just beginning to break.

In the waiting area, he sat facing the large windows.

It was still early.

The light remained soft and cold.

The plane stood still on the tarmac.

Ground staff moved around the aircraft while luggage was being loaded into the hold.

He went into a shop and bought two large boxes of chocolates.

The clerk placed them in a thick paper bag.

He returned to his seat.

With the bag beside him, he watched the plane that would take him to Addis Ababa.

When boarding was announced, he stood up, joined the line, showed his ticket, and walked down the jet bridge.

The plane left the runway and rose into the morning sky.

A few minutes later, the seatbelt sign turned off.

The sound of the engines settled.

After having breakfast on board, he lowered his gaze to the paper bag beside him.

He opened it slightly and saw the two boxes of chocolates.

He never bought them for himself.

He bought them to give away.

An idea crossed his mind: to offer them to the crew.

A flight attendant passed down the aisle. He raised his hand slightly.

"Excuse me."

She stopped.

He held out the bag to her.

"These are for you. For the crew."

She looked inside and smiled.

"Thank you."

She continued toward the back of the cabin.

A few minutes later, another flight attendant approached.

She scanned the rows, then stopped near him.

"Are you Elias?"

"Yes."

She smiled at him, then walked on.

The man sitting beside him looked at him for a moment, then looked away.

A few minutes later, a woman approached his seat.

Her uniform was different from that of the other crew members.

"Mr. Elias?"

"Yes."

"I’m the cabin manager. We have a seat available in business class. If you’d like, we can move you there."

"Alright."

"Do you have any bags with you?"

"Only my backpack."

He stood up and retrieved his backpack from the overhead compartment.

"Please follow me."

The man sitting beside him watched him, his brows slightly furrowed.

Elias did not turn back.

Chapter 13

The cabin manager invited him to move forward.

Elias followed her down the aisle as passengers glanced discreetly.

They passed through the curtain that separated the cabins.

The rows were more widely spaced.

The atmosphere was calm and peaceful.

She stopped in front of a seat by the window.

"This is your seat."

The seat was wide, more comfortable.

In front of him, a large screen took up part of the panel.

"Thank you. That’s very kind."

Elias sat down and looked around, still surprised.

The cabin was filled with a soft light, accompanied by the steady sound of the engines.

Controls allowed him to adjust the seat.

A flight attendant handed him a small travel kit.

A little later, the meal service began.

A flight attendant placed a white tablecloth in front of him and asked whether he would like a glass of champagne or a glass of wine.

The meal continued with a starter, then a main course of his choice.

He opted for an Ethiopian specialty, served with injera.

Then he was served cheese, followed by a dessert, along with a coffee or tea.

Once the meal was over, he slightly reclined his seat and browsed through the screen options, then chose a film.

He watched it for a moment, then dozed off before falling into a deep sleep.

A flight attendant approached him.

"Sir, we are beginning our descent. Could you please bring your seat upright and fasten your seatbelt?"

Elias opened his eyes.

He adjusted his seat, fastened his seatbelt, then lifted the window shade.

Night had already settled over the landscape as the plane began its descent.

In the distance, the lights of the city slowly came into view.

Chapter 14

A few days later, they arranged to meet at the park.

The evening light was slowly fading.

Elias sat on one of the steps, facing the lake.

A few minutes passed.

Then she appeared.

She approached and sat beside him.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

"I didn’t expect to see you again so soon."

"I did."

"I was thinking about you."

She smiled slightly.

"Do you come here often?"

"Sometimes."

"What do you appreciate in a man?"

She looked at him for a moment.

"Someone discreet."

They sat there for a while.

Night was falling.

"It’s getting late. We should head back."

"Yes."

Elias took out his phone and made a call.

A few minutes later, a taxi stopped at the entrance of the park.

The driver waved to him.

They stood up and walked side by side toward the exit.

Elias slowly moved his hand toward hers, then took it.

A sense of well-being came over him, then faded.

They reached the taxi and got into the back seat.

She gave the driver the address.

The taxi pulled away.

They remained silent, watching the city.

The taxi stopped in front of an elegant house.

She turned slightly toward him.

"Good night."

"Good night."

She got out.

The taxi drove off.

Chapter 15

The days passed.

Elias settled in.

They saw each other often.

Their relationship evolved.

A few weeks later, they decided to get married.

A hall had been prepared to welcome their families.

Guests arrived one by one.

Elias and Selam entered the hall.

They wore traditional clothing.

Both their families were gathered.

They took their seats.

The ceremony began.

Later, Selam prepared the coffee according to tradition.

The celebration continued.

That day marked the beginning of their life together.

Later, they were alone.

Elias was lying on the bed.

The bathroom door opened.

Selam came out and approached slowly.

She stopped beside him.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

She gently placed her hand on him.

At her touch, a sensation more intense than anything he had known passed through him.

A deep sense of well-being filled him, while his senses became sharper.

"I am your wife… in this life and in the hereafter."

The night passed peacefully.

Chapter 16

One day, Elias returned to his apartment.

Selam was in the kitchen.

The smell of spices slowly filled the room.

He placed the bags on the counter.

She put the groceries away.

A few minutes later, they sat down to eat.

The meal passed in silence.

Then Selam prepared the traditional coffee.

She served him first, then sat on the floor near him in the living room.

Elias turned off the television and looked at her.

"Why do you always sit on the floor?"

She turned her head toward him.

"It’s a sign of respect."

"You don’t have to do that."

"It’s not an obligation. It’s a choice."

"Your mother told me I was lucky."

"Many men had been interested in you."

She remained silent.

"Why me?"

"Because I sense intentions."

Elias looked at her without answering.

"I saw the box in our room."

Selam remained silent for a moment.

She had brought a matte dark gray metal box, traced with fine grooves that hinted at a hidden opening. She had placed it in a discreet spot in their bedroom.

"It’s mine."

"My parents found me, still a baby, with this box in front of their door."

"Come, sit next to me."

She stood up and sat beside him.

Elias turned the television back on.

He gently put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

Chapter 17

One morning, they were lying on their sides, facing each other.

Selam turned and lay on her back.

She gently pulled him close, and his head came to rest against her right breast.

Elias sensed her scent again, light and subtle, which he found pleasant.

She slowly ran her hand through his hair, as if soothing a child.

Elias was awake, his eyes closed.

An image came to him.

The outline of her right breast, as he felt nourished by something deeply pleasant.

A few moments later, she gently got up.

She went to the bathroom, then headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

During the day, Elias felt something different.

He had the feeling of having been nourished and satisfied by something very pleasant.

Like a form of spiritual nourishment.

Chapter 18

One evening, after dinner, Elias stayed in the living room and watched television.

Selam walked toward the bedroom.

A few moments later, she returned and placed something on the small table in the living room.

"What is it?"

"It’s gold."

"I know you’re not comfortable."

She had brought several cube-shaped pieces of gold, perfectly smooth, with slightly softened edges.

Elias took one of the pieces in his hands.

"It really is gold."

"Yes."

"I have enough."

"Use them."

Elias remained silent for a moment.

"I was thinking about how I could grow my business to give us a more comfortable life."

"Rent a bigger apartment and buy a car."

Days passed.

He used the gold.

He bought a large modern villa with a swimming pool, with marble finishes and large glass windows, in an upscale neighborhood.

He also bought a high-end car he had always wanted.

He had found his smile again.

Their life had changed.

Chapter 19

The day was breaking, the morning light entering the bedroom.

Elias stayed close to her.

The room was silent.

She showed no sign of pain.

Everything unfolded simply.

The child was born.

Selam gently took him in her arms.

She had given birth to a boy.

Years passed.

The child grew.

His red hair often drew attention.

At school, he stood out from the other children.

He spoke little.

Where the others were restless, he remained calm.

His teachers noticed that he understood quickly.

But that was not what surprised them the most.

It was his silence.

One Sunday, early in the afternoon.

Selam had gone out.

Elias was working on his computer.

Time passed without him noticing.

The child was watching cartoons, sitting not far from him.

A familiar sensation came over him.

Elias stopped.

He looked at the time and understood.

The child was hungry.

Chapter 20

One evening, they were in their bedroom.

Selam looked at him.

"Tomorrow morning, we will cross."

Elias understood.

"Okay."

The next morning.

Selam was wearing the same clothes, a dark red mixed with white, with red dominating.

She held the box.

They got into the car.

The child was seated in the back.

They drove off.

Selam showed him the way.

They left the road and stopped to the side.

Elias got out.

He took the child and secured him against himself.

They continued on foot.

The trees surrounded them.

Then, as they climbed, the trees became more and more sparse.

At the top, there was almost nothing but rocks around them.

The city was visible below them.

The wind blew.

She guided them.

She took his hand.

He was looking ahead.

Then he found himself facing the valley.

They stopped.

It stretched out before them.

"Did we cross?"

"Yes."

He observed the place.

Then he turned around.

Behind him, the sky was wider.

On the horizon, the sea stretched as far as the eye could see.

Elias moved closer.

Rocks lined the shore.

The water brushed against his feet.

The wind blew gently.

The air was cleaner.

They stood there for a moment, facing the sea.

Then they moved forward.