Jane was sitting next to her on the bus and must have seen Val turn away with attitude because she asked,
“Is that who you were talking to the other night?”
Val was surprised. “Yes. Did you hear us?”
“Just tiny bits. I saw what looked like a serious conversation from my window. I tried not to eavesdrop, but I did catch a little bit here and there,” said Jane.
“Oh. Yes, well, we won’t be having any more conversations outside your window.”
“It didn’t go well? That’s too bad. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” said Val. “I wish it had gone differently, but in the end, he wasn’t willing to try. He doesn’t think a long-distance relationship would work.”
“It is a long way. Had you been together long?” Jane asked kindly. Val felt a little relieved to talk about it. Val didn’t think she was being nosy, just caring.
“No, just two weeks. But it felt real, like more than a quick fling. I thought we could have been something.”
“But he disagreed,” Jane said. “Maybe it’s for the best. When Charles and I met, we went to different colleges. Neither one of us wanted to keep dating and go back and forth between our schools, and that was only a couple of hours distance. We kept trying not to be drawn together, but it didn’t work. We kept running into each other until, and eventually, we had to admit that we wanted to be together. We’ve been together ever since.”
“That’s what Adam said. If we were near each other, we could give it a shot, but it’s too far to try.”
“Maybe, maybe not. If it’s really meant to be, I think it will work out. If it’s not meant to be, then it won’t. Either way, you’ll feel it. You’ll know.”
Val agreed. Although she was initially stung by Adam’s rejection of her and their relationship, she was starting to think that this was for the best. While she was loving this trip and the things she was experiencing, she did want to go home. She couldn’t see herself living in Rwanda. She missed her family and friends, and even her job. Also, in the back of her mind, she missed Jared. Jared, her solid, stable, comfortable Jared who was willing to wait for her. She had a stirring of feelings for him that she couldn’t deny.
“Jane, how did you know Charles was the one for you? Did he light your fires and make you forget yourself when you were around him?”
Jane laughed. “Oh no. Definitely not that. I wanted someone dashing. Someone with presence. I fancied this one man on the rugby team. He was so handsome and brave to play such a rough sport. Charles was not my type by a mile. He was smart and clever. He knew what he wanted, and eventually, he decided he wanted me. As he tells it, once he decided that I was the one, he set out to prove it.”
She continued telling Val their story, and Val was spellbound. “I agreed to our first date to be polite. It went fine, though it was nothing special. When he asked me out again, I said I was busy. He asked a couple more times, but I turned him down. I thought I had fended him off when he stopped asking, but then he started showing up in places I didn’t expect. He took a friend of mine to a dance, and I saw him there. He came to see a football game at my school with a buddy of his and ran into me. There were a couple of other times that seemed innocent, but I was beginning to suspect otherwise.” Jane raised her eyebrows.
“Did you think he was stalking you?” Val asked.
“No, nothing sinister like that, but it seemed like he was everyone’s best friend all of a sudden. Everyone had something nice to say about him. It all sunk in enough that when he asked me out months later, I said yes. He had planned a whole evening: from a candlelit dinner to an evening stroll, even dancing. He had it all planned perfectly. I was impressed, and he knew it. He proceeded to sweep me off my feet with wonderful dates and thoughtful gifts. He went out of his way for me, and eventually, I only had eyes for him,” Jane said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Jane’s story made Val think of Jared. This sounded exactly like him. He would be the one to go through so much trouble just to catch her eye.
“It worked. Once I graduated, he proposed to me. We were married that fall. It’s been 40 years together now, and I haven’t regretted a bit,” she said with a grin. “Charles has shown me the world. Treated me like a princess. Supported all my goals. I couldn’t have picked a better man.”
“Did you ever worry that you missed out by picking Charles over the exciting rugby player?” asked Val.
“One time, I did. I looked up the rugby player to see what happened to him. He married and had children, ended up divorced. He was a salesman for a while but bounced around to a few companies. Would he have been more exciting? Maybe, but he wasn’t the one for me. Charles puts me first. If I want excitement, Charles creates adventure. If I want peace, Charles calms the waters. He’s spoiled me more than I deserve.”
“Wow,” said Val. “That sounds amazing. I wish I could find that in my life.”
“You will. I think everyone can find it. It’s just about seeing what is right instead of what is exciting. It took me a while to learn that the best thing long term is not always the most appealing in the short term.” Jane patted Val’s arm gently.
“That’s so true,” said Val. “I struggle with that idea. What is the best overall, not just right now?”
“I just hope I have made Charles as happy as he’s made me. Not that it’s always been perfect. We’ve had our share of fights and hard times, but he is the one for me. That won’t ever change.” Val looked past Jane to Charles sitting across the aisle from her. He looked over at Val and winked. Val guessed he had heard most of Jane’s story and reading his expression she knew he had, indeed, been just as happy as Jane.
Val contemplated Charles and Jane’s love story as she stared out the window for the rest of the trip to the trade school. The story contained so much wisdom, and Val knew there were life lessons she could learn from it.
Chapter 24
As they drove into the village, Val was struck by how large the community was. The trade school was not a traditional school as Val had expected, but more like an apprentice program. Different men in the village that knew a trade were teaching young adults how to do those skills instead of heading off to Kigali for work. The group spent the morning visiting with different tradespeople and seeing them demonstrate their craft.
Adam explained how the program worked and each person’s role to the group. He was personable and treated Val like everyone else in the group. Val felt more resolved after listening to Jane and Charles’ story. She wanted a love like theirs. Not just someone exciting, but someone willing to put her first.
They ate lunch in the van before spending more time touring the community. This was a village that ESAG had helped with wells and water pumps and repairs to the school. The older men and apprentices were now involved in constructing a concrete block building to house the school.
The group said their goodbyes at the village, drove back to Kigali, dropped Adam off, and then returned to the guesthouse. A full dinner was laid out for them, and afterward, Val read in her room. The whole day, she couldn’t get Jane’s story out of her head.
If she was Jane, Jared was clearly her Charles. He always went out of his way for her. His speech to her about being whatever she needed before she left was a perfect example. Adam would be the rugby player. Adam was excitement and adventure, but she couldn’t depend on him. She couldn’t count on him to come through for her. She could count on Jared. Jared would move heaven and earth for her. That’s what she wanted. She wanted to feel like she was the most valuable thing in someone’s life. He cared deeply for her and she cared deeply for him in return. Their relationship was easy and comfortable and sweet and loving. Even though it wasn’t exciting, it was right. That night, she fell asleep thinking about Jared and how he made her feel like a treasure. She slept the best she had in weeks.
Later that week, instead of visiting a project, the group was dropped off at a local marketplace. They could do some shopping for local p
roducts before they headed home the next day. Luc and Gogo helped them translate and negotiate prices for the souvenirs they bought.
Val purchased a scarf for her mom and a tiny basket for Bri. She bought carved wooden giraffes for all the girls and some salad servers for John. She even bought some Rwandan candy for the office when she got back. She hoped it would all fit in her backpack or her idea of coming back lighter would be for naught. Her suitcase would be filled with souvenirs instead of clothes.
The group showed off their souvenirs on the van ride back to the guesthouse. For dinner, the kitchen staff and cook had prepared traditional Rwandan food. There were mashed matoke and a fish sauce that tasted like peanuts. There were cassava bread and sambusas, which were little fried beef turnovers. And avocados and pineapple.
The food was unusual, but Val was thrilled to try it. She thought back to before she decided to come on the trip. She rarely went to different places for lunch at work, much less eat food that was so foreign to her, but this was the new Val. She could embrace novelty and fun but also crave home. She realized she could be both. She was her routines and books, and she was new restaurants and trips around the world.
She smiled as she ate. This was like nothing she had ever had. She thought about Jared as she ate. She wanted to share this experience with him. She wanted to talk to him and tell him what she was feeling. She wanted to hear him make little jokes and show her things she hadn’t noticed.
After the meal, she walked back to the kitchen and thanked the staff there.
“Thank you for the meal,” Val said slowly. She knew they didn’t speak much English but she wanted to thank them personally. They seemed shy but happy to talk with her. The cook and the dishwasher both smiled and nodded at her.
Val smiled back and pointed at the dirty plates from the meal. “The food…is very good,” she said while holding two thumbs up. The staff continued to smile at her. Val had no idea if they understood what she said but she hoped they did. She left the kitchen with a little wave.
Her last day ended better than she could have hoped. She had enjoyed this trip. It was exactly what she had needed, but now she was ready to go home.
Chapter 25
When the last day dawned, Val couldn’t wait to tell Bri all about the trip and show her mom the photos. She wanted to tell John all about the ESAG projects and give out her souvenirs. She wanted to see Jared. As a friend or as a boyfriend, she didn’t know yet.
The group was lively at breakfast as they chatted in anticipation of heading home. Everyone went around the table telling the parts they had liked best about the trip and what they planned to do at home. They had all enjoyed the trip and were impressed with the ESAG projects. The trip was sure to result in increased support from people connected to the trip participants once they got home. Charles and Jane renewed their dedication and donations to ESAG and promised to come on a future trip. Frank and Brian were going to get more involved in their local ESAG chapter. Jerry had figured out some answers to his career change questions and no longer thought he’d switch to a career in international development. He would stay in engineering but find some other outlets to fill his volunteering urge.
Val wasn’t sure what her biggest takeaway from the trip was. She was very impressed with the projects and what ESAG was doing on the ground. She wanted to show John all the photos and tell him—and the office—all about it. Maybe she would get involved with the chapter that John led or maybe she would get involved with another group. She did like the child sponsorship model that one nonprofit provided for the school where they served lunch.
Just as importantly, she learned what she needed from Adam, and what she needed, he couldn’t provide. That door had finally closed.
Every relationship was about taking a chance. Taking a chance that this person would be the right fit, taking a chance that you wouldn’t get your heart broken, and taking a chance that it would be worth the time and effort invested. In the case of Adam, the chance didn’t work out, but in the case of her Rwanda trip, her taking a chance was just what she needed. She loved being on the trip and seeing Rwanda. She was grateful to meet the group members and spend time with them. The trip scratched her itch for adventure yet made her realize her longing for home.
After the group finished their leisurely breakfast, they scattered to return to their rooms to pack up for the return home. Val was about to go to her room when Charles waved her over to the living room. She had seen Jane go back to their room already, so Val was intrigued.
“Hey, Charles,” she said. “What’s up?”
“I overheard you and Jane talking yesterday on the bus,” he said. “I wanted to give you my side of it.” He paused. “I knew as soon as I saw Jane that she was for me. Her smile, her confidence, and the way she talked with people. I thought she would see the same in me and we’d ride off into the sunset, but, as she told you, that wasn’t what happened at first. She wasn’t crazy about me, although any time I spent with her only solidified my feelings, so I stepped back. I tried to figure it out. I’m an engineer at heart; solving problems is my specialty.
He continued on with a smile, “After thinking about it, I decided that I would do whatever needed to be done to show Jane that I was serious and that I would be the right choice for her. I started finding ways to show up around her. Not asking her out, just being near. Then, after she seemed used to me being around, I stepped it up by asking her out. I knew our first date hadn’t impressed her, so I pulled out all the stops. I planned a special date with all her favorite things. That seemed to tip the balance. After that, she warmed to me. Each time I put more effort into dating her, it paid off with more affection from her.
“Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an easy ‘you put in effort and it all works out’ type of story. We did eventually get married, but I want you to know that I was willing to do what I had to do to win her heart. I don’t think it was a conscious decision on her part to pick me though. I was just around, and then we dated, and then we grew serious. I think if she felt there was a moment that she had to ‘pick’ me or make a decision based on facts, it might not have gone my way. She just let it grow; she let her feelings develop until they were just as strong as mine.
“Judging from what she says, she doesn’t regret it,” Charles said. He paused again. “It seems to me that you’re trying too hard to make decisions and figure out the long-term consequences of things. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow. If life is putting someone in front of you, what’s the harm in seeing how it goes?” He smiled at her.
Val didn’t know how to respond. Charles was sly. She gave him credit for reading her situation accurately. “Thanks, Charles. I do think I get caught up in the future at the expense of the present in a lot of ways. Jane is really lucky to have you—or should I say you two are lucky to have each other.” They went their separate ways to their rooms to finish packing.
Once the team had packed and gathered all of their luggage, it was time to load the vans. Val tossed her fully loaded backpack into the back of the van and sat by the window. The group boarded, and they drove off to the city. They had their last lunch at a restaurant in downtown Kigali with a fancy buffet and sodas with ice. It seemed a little too much after all the rural life they had seen in the past week, but it was refreshing to have a cold Coke.
When they arrived at the airport, they waited in several lines, one for passport verification, one for bag check, one for security, and one for boarding, until finally, they were seated on the plane to leave. The flight was delayed in taking off but finally departed for Europe. Val tried to sleep on the flight but was restless. She kept having snippets of dreams when she did doze.
The plane landed in Brussels. Now that Val knew the basic layout of the airport, she headed to the duty-free store and the Starbucks. Charles and Jane were going to stay in Brussels for a few days to enjoy the sights. Brian, Frank, and Jerry all had different flights from Brussels back to the States. After hugging goodbye at t
he gate, everyone went their separate ways and Val was on her own with a huge coffee and a brownie. She wasn’t ashamed to have a brownie for breakfast; desserts like this rich chocolate delight were not common in Rwanda. She missed them and was surprised how well she did without them considering her sweet tooth was the size of Texas.
Before she was ready, it was time to get on her last flight. As much as she wanted to be home to tell everyone about the trip and give her souvenirs out to her friends, she was sad the trip was ending. It was wonderful and exhilarating. But now, it was time to return to her regular life. She was surprised how excited she was to get back to her routines.
This trip had solidified that she wanted both travel and home. She decided that she should plan and book another trip shortly after she got back. This way she could fit adventure into her life without upending everything. She could stretch her boundaries in her travels, exploring the far reaches of the globe, but always return to her home base. Her family, her friends, even her job, were all parts of the life she wanted to keep. A life that she loved.
Chapter 26
She boarded the plane when her row was called and settled into her window seat thinking about possible destinations to travel to next. She had always wanted to go to Iceland. She could visit the ice lagoons and take a dip in a thermal spa, then eat fermented shark and take a shot of Brennivín… Okay, maybe not the fermented shark part—that sounded disgusting—but, hey, this was Val 2.0, who knew what she was capable of?
Love Without Borders Page 15
