Weeks later, the inhabitants of Watch Dal who had opposed the project began to be overwhelmed by hunger.
Kheuch Dal traveled to Deuk Wolof and explained to Salif's group that those who had refused to work now had nothing left to eat, and if nothing was done, a tragedy could occur.
The village chief, once informed, made a request to the local authorities. This time, they responded, sending two trucks loaded with food supplies.
Then the chief gathered all the villagers of Deuk Wolof, encouraging them to take part in an act of charity.
Salif, now a successful merchant, contributed using his own profits.
At the very moment Kheuch was informed that the drivers were bringing the food toward Watch Dal, the news accidentally reached Mous Dal's ears.
He quickly informed Neub Dal and the rest of their group, who had fully recovered.
They left Watch Dal discreetly and went to intercept the trucks.
Mous Dal's group managed to sneak behind the convoy unnoticed. They climbed onto one of the trucks, emptied it, and vanished without a trace.
When the trucks arrived, one of them was completely empty.
Kheuch Dal smiled, knowing exactly who was responsible, yet he remained relieved to see that two large trucks were still full of food.
Unlike him, Chief Daouda Gassama and Abdoulaye were furious—but powerless.
After finishing his business, Salif was summoned by his father, who informed him of the troubling news.
"One of the trucks was looted," Abdoulaye said.
"What?" Salif exclaimed, eyes wide. "Looted, you say?"
"Yes," Abdoulaye replied with a sigh. "Most likely some youths from Watch Dal."
"Fortunately, there's still enough food left," Salif said. "So it's not that bad."
"That's not what worries me," Abdoulaye answered gravely.
"I don't understand," Salif said, now attentive.
"The authorities will be informed by the drivers," Abdoulaye continued.
"And given their past… it won't take long for law enforcement to realize that these people are made up of former criminals.
And when that happens… all of Dof Dal's work will be destroyed. Even worse."
Salif's face darkened instantly. He fell silent, crushed by the realization.
"So much effort… all that effort…" he murmured.
"Incredible…" Abdoulaye added quietly.
When Tierno Diagne heard the news, he had the same thought as Abdoulaye.
But the respect and admiration he had for Dof Dal would not allow him to stand by and do nothing—especially since he had once lived in Watch Dal.
So he went to the police station… and confessed.
He claimed that he was the one who had looted one of the trucks, and that he felt such shame that he wanted to return what he had stolen.
"After this, I won't even be able to look at myself in the mirror," Tierno said to the police chief.
"But what pushed you to do something like this?" asked Chief Ndour.
"I wanted to give Soukeyna a better life," Tierno replied.
"With women, even a lion can seem small," Ndour said.
"But prison bars are different from a lion.
Stealing from an entire village's relief effort just to live more comfortably…
Even thieves should have principles."
The news quickly spread to Deuk Wolof, bringing anger and frustration.
Barely three hours later, Salif rushed to the police station to see Tierno Diagne.
Without even greeting him, he confronted him:
"What are you doing?!" Salif shouted. "What are you doing?!"
"Don't try to understand," Tierno replied calmly.
"I understand everything—and it's madness!" Salif yelled, drawing attention.
"Stop shouting," Tierno said. "I've thought this through."
"And Soukeyna?!" Salif snapped. "Did you think about her? You're going to break her! I never thought you were this selfish!"
"She'll get over it… she'll forget," Tierno answered quietly.
Before he could finish, Salif turned his back and walked away, his eyes burning red.
Soukeyna, devastated, shut herself away, spending her days in tears.
Her parents were helpless.
Salif and his group stopped seeing each other; each withdrew into isolation.
But unable to bear it any longer, Salif eventually gathered his friends and led them to Watch Dal.
Once there, they assembled as many Dal as possible.
"We came to you as friends," Salif declared.
"And this is how you repay us? By putting one of our own behind bars?"
"We don't follow you," Mong Dal replied.
"Tierno Diagne is in prison to save you from your own downfall," Salif said.
"And what hurts the most is that the ones responsible for the looted truck are probably laughing at us right now."
"I know Tierno Diagne," Mong Dal said. "We used to be friends. This kind of thing—it's just like him."
"We know," Modou answered. "But that doesn't make it any easier."
Without even looking for Kheuch Dal, they turned and left.
But May Dal ran after them.
She told them that she had seen Mous Dal and his group returning with supplies the very night the trucks arrived.
Not surprised, they asked her to come with them to the police station.
After May's testimony, the police released Tierno Diagne.
However, the chief seemed unwilling to pursue the matter further and decided to let the incident go.
May Dal stayed at Abdoulaye's home until the next day.
On the way back, as Salif accompanied her, he finally confessed:
"I love you."