As promised, Tierno Diagne and Soukeyna paid a visit to Modou's group. They were accompanied by Madiaw Thiam and his daughter Yaye to Diamegueune, where his second wife, Fatou, Modou's mother, lived.
Modou managed to slip away, and soon his mother began looking for him.
"Modou? Modou? Have you seen Modou?"
"No," Madiaw said with a smile. "He likes to disappear. He's quick."
"Very much so," Fatou replied, amused.
A few minutes later, Modou returned with Salif, Nder, Nabou, and Nogaye. He had also secured a promise from Babam Ba to join later.
Their day unfolded peacefully, centered around a delicious meal of Thiebou Diaga—rice with fish, garnished with fish balls and tamarind sauce. Just looking at it was enough to awaken a fierce appetite.
In the afternoon, Abdoulaye arrived, followed by Maguette, Thiam, Ibra, Biram, and the village chief, Daouda Gassama.
Fatou, known for her discretion, stayed out of their discussions, aware that serious matters were being addressed—though what she overheard would soon overwhelm her.
Abdoulaye explained to the young men that the Dals were preparing their land for the rainy-season crops. The information had been delivered by the drunkard—what surprised everyone was how he managed to relay the message and meet Abdoulaye.
Funds had also been secured to help purchase seeds and farming equipment.
Their return to Watch Dal was inevitable—but there was concern about those they had previously beaten.
To avoid danger, Tierno suggested they travel at night, since not all the Dals supported them.
That same evening, they set off, arriving in the middle of the night.
Around three in the morning, they knocked on Dof Dal's door.
"I'm coming… I'm coming…" he yawned. "This isn't a good hour. Who is it?"
When he saw them, he smiled—sleep still heavy on his face.
"I didn't expect you at this hour… but never mind."
"We apologize," Tierno said.
"Come in," Dof Dal replied. "It's fine."
"That won't be necessary," Salif said. "We just came to let you know that we are ready on our side. The equipment will arrive soon."
"I'll inform the others tomorrow," Dof Dal said. "By the way… I know what you did."
"We're sorry about the fight," Tierno added.
"No apologies," Dof Dal replied. "They deserved it. And… well done."
"I once saw a girl here," Salif said.
"May Dal," Dof Dal replied. "She's the only girl here. The others are women."
"What is she doing here?" Salif asked.
"Don't even try to understand," Dof Dal said softly. "She's the only one I truly care about."
"It's true," Tierno confirmed. "He treats her like his daughter."
"She is my daughter of the heart," Dof Dal said, pointing to another door. "She's sleeping in there."
After they left, Dof Dal quietly opened the door and looked at her sleeping.
She was small and delicate, with shoulder-length black hair and warm brown skin.
Back home at dawn, the group slept through the morning, while Dof Dal spread the message.
May Dal, however, remained saddened by what had happened to Neub Dal and his group.
She had never known her real parents.
One night in the past, Neub Dal and Kheuch Dal had attempted a burglary. Kheuch was supposed to keep watch.
Inside the house, Neub showed no mercy.
With bottles of gasoline, he set the bedroom on fire.
May, sleeping in another room, woke up to the screams.
Kheuch Dal, knowing his companion's cruelty, rushed to save her—without even thinking about Neub.
The parents' cries echoed through the house as flames consumed everything.
Since that night, Kheuch and Neub barely spoke.
Unable to face the girl after what had happened, Kheuch entrusted her to Dof Dal.
Naive as she was, May sometimes spent time with Neub's group—something Dof Dal often forbade.
Months later, Salif and his friends began helping the willing Dals.
As soon as the first rains came, they worked tirelessly until the first green shoots appeared.
Satisfied, Dof Dal accompanied them back to Deuk Wolof.
There, they found Madiaw Thiam beside his daughter, lying on a bed, her belly now heavy.
At the sight of Dof Dal, Madiaw was stunned.
"I must be dreaming… you?!"
"It's me," Dof Dal replied.
"Make yourself at home! I'll treat you well!"
"Very kind of you."
Later, Abdoulaye and Maguette arrived.
"Where is our great man?" Abdoulaye asked, arms open.
"Great man? You exaggerate," Dof Dal replied.
They embraced warmly.
"You know," Dof Dal said quietly, "my real name is Ibrahima."
"Why call yourself Dof?" Maguette asked.
"For a man like you?" Abdoulaye added.
"I am far from honorable," Dof Dal replied calmly.
He looked at them, his expression heavy.
"Sometimes we commit mistakes that make us regret being born… I killed my own uncle—the only person who ever cared for me. I attacked him for money… and only afterward did I recognize him."
Silence fell.
"I wanted to die. But I didn't. I chose instead to give others a better life. I know I can never undo what I did… but life itself is mercy."
He paused.
"And since May came into my life… I found a reason to keep going."
"I have one request," he continued. "I feel my end is near."
"Don't say that," Abdoulaye said, his eyes red.
"I do," Dof Dal replied. "When I'm gone, speak to Kheuch Dal. And… take care of May. She is the miracle of my life."
The men stood in silence, deeply moved.
"Let us at least walk you back," said Maguette.
From her room, Soukeyna watched them leave and smiled faintly before shifting position with a soft groan.