by Keyes, Janae
Nina simply yawned as my mom also approached. Nina smiled up at her as she worked to sit up in bed.
“Bonjour, Nina,” my mom greeted her cheerfully. “I just came to check on you and little Axel. Sophie also sent a plant.”
“Thank you so much,” Nina beamed at the thoughtfulness of my mom and sister. “It means a lot to me. It really does.” I leaned over and kissed Nina on the forehead. “Did you finally get some sleep too?”
“A little,” I told her as I stroked her smooth cheek.
There was another knock at the door, and we all turned expecting hospital staff when instead there were two men, and one woman dressed in blue, police. They all entered the room and approached the three of us.
“Is there a problem?” I immediately asked in Dutch wondering what the hell was going on.
“Goedemorgen, we received a complaint from a Mohamed Sangare. Do you know him?” one of the policemen asked.
“I do,” I answered.
“He’s my father,” Nina added sitting up a little more.
“Mr. Sangare claims that a Marc Vandenberghe—”
“Me,” I asserted.
“He’s claiming that you, Mr. Vandenberghe, raped his daughter, Nina Sangare and yesterday in the hospital lobby physically attacked his son. We will need to speak with Ms. Sangare, alone.” I stared at the policeman wildly as I couldn’t believe a word that came out of his mouth. Nina’s parents were trying to sabotage my name and assassinate my character with lies.
“I never raped her,” I growled angrily as I stood up straight.
“He didn’t,” Nina insisted along with me. “This is crazy. Marc is my fiancé. We’re having a baby. Did they really file a complaint?”
“They did and we must speak with you alone,” the policewoman interjected.
Nina’s eyes were wide as she glanced at me. She was filled with a raw hurt I didn’t think she could ever come back from and she might never forgive her parents for what they’d done.
“That’s fine,” Nina swallowed.
“I’ll be right outside, okay, mon chéri?” I rubbed Nina’s hand once more before I let it go.
“Okay,” she squeaked as reality hit her and tears began to streak down her face.
I wanted to stay with her and hold her tight but one of the policemen had already taken ahold of my arm and was pulling me toward the door. I yanked my arm away.
“If I’m not being arrested or charged with something don’t manhandle me like a criminal,” I sneered in his direction. I easily towered the man who gave me a nod and motioned for me to exit the room civilly with the other officer following while the female stayed with Nina.
“What is all this about?” My mother inquired as she followed myself and the police officers into the hall. “My son did not rape her. They are getting married.”
“Ma’am, alsjeblieft. We only have a few questions for your son,” the second male officer insisted before he turned from my mom back to me as I stood against the wall opposite Nina’s room. My eyes stayed staring through the small glass window at Nina who was speaking to the female officer. “Mr. Vandenberghe, how do you know Nina Sangare?”
“I’m her fiancé. We met in September and have been together since. Her parents are lying because they don’t want us together,” I explained as I tried to remain calm but it was pretty fucking hard when being accused of rape.
“And you are the baby’s father?” The second officer inquired.
“I am. Her family didn’t know about me, nor the baby, until yesterday when she fainted while with them and she was rushed here by ambulance. They didn’t take any of the news well. I’m not quite the type of guy they want her with.” I shrugged as I told them the absolute fucking truth.
“What do you do for a living Mr. Vandenberghe?” The shorter of the policemen asked as he eyed me. I’d come to the hospital directly from the gym. I was in my usual sweatpants and a tank top.
“I’m a Mixed Martial Arts fighter.”
“Do you know that guy, the Belgian Beast?” The second, taller officer asked with excitement.
I laughed. “I am the Belgian Beast.”
The officer gaped at me until the door to Nina’s room opened and the female officer exited the room and stepped toward us.
“Can I go back to my fiancé now?” I asked anxiously as I itched to be back at her side. She gave me a nod and I bolted from the wall and back into Nina’s room where she sat on the bed with the most distraught look on her face.
“I’m so sorry,” she said in her soft voice as I sat on the edge of her bed and took her hand back into mine. “I didn’t think they would do something like that. For them to make that accusation is beyond me. I’m so sorry, baby.”
“It’s fine and we’ll be fine.”
“Just a moment, what happened with Ms. Sangare’s brother?” the female officer interrogated as she reentered the room with her follow officers and my mom behind.
“He did get in my personal space, I shoved him away before he attacked me. I simply defended myself,” I stated matter-of-factly. “I’m sure you can view the surveillance footage from downstairs. If anything, I should be the one pressing charges, but I won’t do that. He is my fiancée’s brother after all, and I understand he was emotional.”
“Oh my God,” Nina gasped with a hand over her mouth. “He didn’t?”
“He said he was going to kill me and came after me. He got a little busted up, but I had to do it.” I shrugged it off. Her brother was a lightweight compared to the real badasses I’d taken on in the octagon.
“We will look at that footage. Ms. Sangare, I hope you get the rest you need. I’m sure Mr. Vandenberghe will make sure of it,” the female officer gave Nina a smile.
“I sure will,” I boasted as I placed a hand on Nina’s belly.
“Thank you for your time, we’ll let you rest now.” With a wave all the officers were out the door.
I glanced down at Nina who was shaking her head, she was clearly disappointed in how her parents handled the situation.
“Maybe we should just live our lives, you and me, without them,” she suggested but I could instantly see in her eyes how much speaking those words broke her heart.
“I know you want your family to see Axel grow up and I know you don’t mean those words,” I told her. I knew her family meant so much to her, she wouldn’t spend every Friday evening with them if they didn’t matter but I could understand that she was hurt. “Give them time.”
“I guess,” she shrugged before my mom stepped up to us and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I think my son is right,” she noted as she agreed with me. “Time heals all wounds. Until then, you have our family and we love you as one of us, which is why I’ve been thinking about having a little something. It will be a joint wedding slash engagement party. We never had a celebration for Sophie and Basir’s marriage and you two are engaged now. I want to do something in a couple weeks. Maybe you can invite your family.”
“Maybe.”
“It will be something to show them that you’re taken care of and happy. Plus, our families can get to know one another.” I tried my hardest to sound optimistic, but it was a long shot, her brother did try to kill me in a hospital waiting room after all.
Chapter Sixteen
Nina
My spirit was unsettled. My parents nor my brother were answering my calls and I was left as the outcast I’d expected to be. They’d disowned me for bringing shame to the family. I on the other hand, didn’t understand the shame. I was happy for the first time in my life. I finally had the place I fit in and no longer felt completely alone in the world. I had Marc and our son.
I left the mosque near my home after making time to pray. I hoped that prayer would be the cure to my woes. Allah knew my heart and he made the path to my happiness. I prayed for my family to be able to see that this was all part of a purpose. Marc and I were a family.
Even with the stunt they pulled, calling the polic
e on Marc, I was willing to put it behind us and forgive because having my son know my family was important to me. They had their flaws, but we all did. It was what made us human.
Arriving home as the rain started, I entered the building quickly and made my way to my apartment, grateful to be out of the drizzly, yet typical, Brussels weather. I unlocked the door to find Marc on the couch. We’d made the decision to stay in Brussels for the time being and put our search for a house in the countryside on hold. For now, I’d moved out of my apartment and into Marc’s as he had more room and a spare bedroom for Axel.
“Come here, beautiful,” Marc motioned with a crooked finger and patted his lap.
Strolling across the living room, I took my place on his lap and leaned in for a kiss. This was the comfortable life I was building, so different from my isolated life before.
“I don’t think a hijab is supposed to be sexy, but I love when you wear it,” Marc commented as he ran his thumb over my lips. “Something about your modesty is pretty fucking hot.”
“Marc,” I scolded him before allowing him to kiss me once more and deeper than before. “Mmm, je t'aime,” I murmured against his lips before Axel decided he was being ignored for much too long and began to do backflips and pressing into my nerves. “Ouch.”
“Hey little man, stop beating your maman up in here,” Marc scolded my tummy.
“I thought of something crazy while at the mosque,” I told Marc who sat up a little bit and gave me all his attention.
“What’s that?” He asked as I began to take my headscarf off.
“We can just get married, like your sister and Basir. Just go to City Hall and do it. I don’t want a big wedding anyway. I just want to be with you,” I confessed. It was wild but now that Marc and I were no longer a secret, I wanted to jump in headfirst.
“Are you sure?” Marc asked with concern in his voice. I knew I wasn’t acting like myself, but I’d changed so much in the last couple weeks. I was a different woman who was going to become a mother and I was ready to be a wife.
“More than sure. I want to be your wife. I’ve made the decision to say goodbye to my old life, and to the old me. I told you that day in New York I was becoming the girl I was always meant to be. Well, I think she’s arrived.” I shrugged and giggled at the sentiment.
“If you want, I want what you want,” Marc easily declared. “When would you like to do it?”
“As soon as la maison de communale will allow us. Hell, tomorrow if we can.”
I knew there was a possible wait. We couldn’t just walk into city hall and get married. I knew in some communes you could wait up to six months to get your paperwork. I only prayed we wouldn’t have to wait. I wanted to be his wife as soon as I legally could.
Marc gaped at me before the biggest grin spread across his face. I didn’t want to wait or plan anything. I wanted to marry the man who pulled me from underwater. He was the man who saw my tears when I’d hid them from everyone for so long. He changed my world and I wasn’t going to wait any longer to be his wife.
During prayer a thought came to me, I’d already been outcasted for the shame I brought to the family. I had two options, I could grovel and return to my old self, filled with depression or I could continue to live in the light and raise my son with Marc how it was intended. I’d made my decision easily. It was one I should have made for myself long ago.
“I’ll need to let Fabumi know I need his best man services,” Marc noted.
“And Ayo will be there one hundred percent. He’s the only person in my family I’ve ever fully trusted and he’s the only one talking to me.” I used to be able to call my mom day or night and she’d answer my calls but now my calls go to voicemail. I left her a simple message each time, “Bonjour Maman, c’est Nina. I just wanted to hear your voice, I love you and tell Papa I love him too. Have a lovely day. Bye.”
“Do you think you’re ready for forever with the Belgian Beast?” Marc gave me a wink.
“I think I was ready for forever the day we met,” I cooed as I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran the tips of my fingers over the back of his bald head. “You’re my beast,” I whispered before pressing my lips hard to his and absorbing the feel of him as his strong arms enveloped me.
* * *
My nerves wouldn’t let up. Inside I knew I was doing the right thing, but I couldn’t help but have guilt for my family not being there to enjoy the day with me. I was lucky enough to have my cousin with me. We grew up the odd ones out in the family and supported each other always.
“Please tell me I’m not making a mistake,” I begged Ayo as I stood in the restroom of city hall and stared back at my reflection.
I’d found a frosted blush pink lace fit and flare dress on discount. When I saw it, I knew. It was perfection and what I wanted to marry Marc in. We weren’t traditional by any means from Belgian standard to my African Muslim heritage. We’d made our own rules and our wedding day was no different. We had only a few people in attendance and for me it was perfect.
When I first married, I had the big traditional Muslim wedding after the legal city hall ceremony. I gave my parents their dream once, I didn’t want to repeat it again. I didn’t want the spectacle. What I wanted was to share the moment of becoming husband and wife with the man I loved without the theatrics.
“You aren’t making a mistake. You’re taking control of your life because that’s what it is, your life,” Ayo asserted as he placed his hands on my shoulders and looked me directly in the eyes. “I know your struggle. You know I’ve lived the same one. We didn’t want to rock the boat and be the odd ones out, but inevitably it happened. You’ve accepted that finally and you’re the happiest I’ve ever seen you. I’m proud of you, big cousin.”
“Thanks, little cousin,” I beamed before he pulled me in for a tight hug.
I’d never been happier. For the first time, I didn’t worry about what my family thought anymore at least I tried hard to not think about it. They’d made their decision when it came to me. I thought their love was unconditional, but I was clearly wrong. I knew with my son and any future children I would take a different path. I would encourage them to be who they wanted to be and love who they wanted without the fear of persecution under some archaic ideals.
Those ideals were what held me prisoner. I withheld myself from opportunities and allowed myself to drown in the storm of my depression. Today, there was no turning back. The scars on my wrist would always be a reminder of my past life but my new life was just beginning.
“This feels so different from last time,” I commented as I picked up the bouquet Emmy had put together for me of delicate pink peonies. “I don’t feel like I have this duty to anyone. It feels natural.”
“That’s because you’re marrying a man you actually love. I might have to follow your lead,” Ayo winked.
“Would this be with Tristan?” I questioned slyly of my cousin who’d been in a long-distance relationship with a guy he’d met in New York.
“Maybe, one day. Right now, it’s too early to tell but he’s a good one,” Ayo was just as happy as me for once. We were carving our own paths into the future.
I sighed as I thought of my parents. Charlotte and Luc were in attendance to support Marc, but my parents wouldn’t even answer the calls of their only daughter. I had to face the fact our relationship might never be repaired but I also had to recognize I could never live up to their vision because for once I had my own.
“Hey, it will be all right,” Ayo noted as we left the small restroom behind and stepped into the corridor where our few guests waited.
“I know. I just wish they could see it from my side, and I wish they could be here, but they are stuck in their ways. I can’t change that.” I shrugged it off.
“Stuck in the last century,” Ayo joked.
“I invited them, though.”
“Yeah, my parents called and asked if I was going. I told them hell yes, I was your maid of honor. Maman hung up on me,” A
yo grinned at his insubordination, clearly proud of himself.
“You’re ridiculous which is why I love you. Thanks for supporting me.” I hugged my cousin once more before I got a glance at my groom who’d arrived with his best man at his side.
Marc had ditched his signature sweatpants for a pair of black slacks, which he wore with a black button up shirt, and a white tie. I’d only ever seen him so well dressed once, at my ballet performance, as he was usually very laid back no matter the circumstances. He was a fighter after all.
His eyes met mine from across the hall. He grinned proudly as he began in my direction with Fabumi rolling beside him and Emmy right behind holding their baby. As Marc approached, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to his side before leaning down and kissing my temple gently.
“Are you ready for this?” He whispered in my ear.
I peered up at him, his blue eyes boring back into mine. “More than ready,” I told him truthfully. “I’m ready to be your wife.”
“Good, because I can’t fucking wait to be your husband.”
“Nina Sangare and Marc Vandenberghe,” our names were called from the other end of the hall.
Marc took my hand into his as we began toward the door where couples had gone in and out every few minutes for their civil ceremonies. We were greeted by a short, salt and pepper haired woman who gave us a kind smile.
“Bonjour, can I have your documents?” She asked as we entered the room where the ceremonies were performed. It was a small room that could fit twenty or so people and was decorated with fake plants and flowers.
Charlotte came from behind us and handed the woman the folders with our required documents. The woman flipped through the documents and confirmed our provided information and our signed declaration of marriage we’d managed to get the week prior. We were lucky as it was advised to book getting married six months in advance, but we managed in a couple of weeks to get a slot. I didn’t know what magic was worked but I was going to go with it.
