This article is a follow-up from parts One and Two
It must have been sometime around 11:00 PM, Sara peacefully deep in her sleep right next to me. I on the other hand was awake in the middle of the night and couldn't find the comfort to fall back to sleep. Then suddenly my cell phone rang. It was Girma and the second best man David Rooney, who was a British white male in his early 30s who I had heard was a very close friend of Girma. They were out having drinks together at Concorde nightclub. They called to see if I wanted to join them for a night out. But I made one of the lamest excuses of being stuck at my uncle's house and that I couldn't leave at that time. We agreed to meet up the next night and we hanged up the phone. David Rooney was a bit of a strange white male to me. I never could quite figure him out with his ambiguous and unexpected friendly behavior that it just makes me feel a little uncomfortable to be around him.
After I hang up the phone, I spent most of the night questioning my values, beliefs, my philosophies and old baggage that may be sabotaging my very own identity as a decent human being. I also examined and thoroughly rated my attitudes and behaviors that I had portrayed in the last two days and came to a conclusion that I was simply a "guilty-man" all around. But why am I experiencing such deep feelings for Sara that I haven't felt since my teen years? I kept asking myself. But no answer made sense. So I continued wondering through the night to simultaneously see myself in Girma's position, and how I would have reacted to the situation. But the response from my own thinking was so horrific and so disgusting that I just simply prayed silently and hoped that this would all be over soon.
But who was I kidding really? I haven't been one bit of a good friend to Girma for as long as I remember. Ever since we were kids, I was always the trouble maker. The kid who had to have it all. But I thought I had grown away from that and became a responsible gentleman. But the last two days just proved me wrong and now I must face one of the greatest challenges of all. How could I look into his eyes again? And how could he ever forgive me for what I have done? God knows……
Somewhere around 3:00 AM, after exhausting my brain with internalized repression, I began to fall in and out of sleep, I was tired. Then suddenly I heard a CLICK around the window and it jerked me off my sleep and my eyes flew open. I looked at the window and noticed the drapes swinging with the wind.
Huh! That was strange! I said to myself since I surely do not remember opening it. I attempted to slowly rise out of bed without disrupting Sara from her sleep. But somehow my hands were stuck, and so were my legs. I jerked my left hand once or twice to free myself but only to discover that it was tied to the bed post, and so were my right hand and both my legs.
What the fuck! Okay this is not happening.
I called out to Sara.
Hey! Hey! Get up. Why did you tie me up for?
She didn't respond.
Sara! Sara! Get up!…I moved a section of my body an inch or two from left to right, but stopped when I felt the sheets soaked in some heavy liquid. I swerved my pelvis to the left only to find the sheets covered in what looked liked a blood.
What the hell?
I continued with yelling, struggling and suddenly stopped when I saw a figure coming towards me in the dark. In his hand a cold weapon, a sharp blade. He sort of chuckled, standing just in front of me slowly revealing his face.
Okay Girma listen, you don't know what you're doing…… And what have you done?…… We need to talk about this. I begged, at the same time trying to release myself. He didn't say a word. He got up on the bed and pressed both his knees against my hands and sat on my stomach. He had me locked in control to where I can not move anymore. He immediately grabbed the sheets and began to stuff it into my mouth. I felt the fabric slowly taking up each gap until I can't taste it anymore. Then he picked up the blade and slowly started to press it against my chest.
First it was more like a poke until it began to feel real on my skin. I felt each and every millimeter of the blade slowly immersing in my body, and a stream of blood rolling down my armpit and onto the sheets.
Drip………drip……..drip……drip..drip.drip.drip.drip
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed, jumping out of my bed.
I was terrified, shaken, trembled in fear, and short of breath. Just gasping…..
"What happened? You okay?" Sara screamed in confusion and concern.
I took a long breath of relief, and turned on the lights. "Whew!" I said to myself talking out loud, okay you need to chill out buddy." "it's a nightmare. Just a nightmare", I told myself.
What happened baby? You okay? Sara was concerned.
I just had the craziest nightmares ever. I said, still working on catching my breath.
A nightmare? She asked.
I…um…died, I think…and you got stabbed! Weird ha?
But it felt so real.
Naked I stood up, and looked around the room. I made sure that the window was literally shut and locked in position. I went to the bathroom sink and began to sprinkle water on my face. I did not want to fall back to sleep. Sara got out of bed and followed me to the bathroom. She stood behind me with her hands around my chest, and her hair all over my shoulder. I felt a sense of relief, and reconnected back to the moment. Each and every muscle on my back felt the warmness of her breasts as she held me tight and began to appreciate my muscles with the wondering of her lips. I turned around in search of her breathing as I needed to get back into the world of other possibilities.
She looked even more desirable in her natural appearance. I took her by the hips and pressed my lips against her forehead and onto her eyes and nose and finally wondered around her lips. With her eyes closed and fully in the moment, I followed her through the journey in heaven as I caressed and tasted every part of her body. We then landed on the bed and her fully naked body went on top of mine.
But that moment wasn't just about making love, it was a moment where both our souls reconnected and danced to the occasion.
She's moving slow, allowing me to experience the feeling of her inner world with passion.
"I want you to stay inside of me!" she muttered drowsily, as she held me even tighter.
I too wanted to stay and feel her warmness all around me, as I had never felt and fully connected to that level with anyone else like that before. She has been lost in my hands as I have been taken by surprise once again, and the result was a profound alienation from the intuitions of our divine spark within, and from the impulses produced by our instinctual sex drive.
We must have been fully swamped in that experience for more than a half hour, but somehow it felt like nothing else I had ever encountered, and that it gloomed every little possible feelings I had developed for her in just the last two days.
Whatever happens, she said, I want you to know that I have been in love with you for quite sometime. And my only regret is that I haven't had you in my arms way back when I should have.
I only smiled and kissed her in the forehead as a reminder that I too was heading in the right direction if not there yet already.
But what now? I said to myself. The shocking truth behind the existence of this affair between Sara and I obviously
goes beyond my comprehension. She had been together with Girma for almost 4 years and never once did she confess her feelings about me to anyone. But I, myself began to realize that it was more than just a random feeling or a strange fantasy to both of us.
So how was it that you felt this way about me? I asked, I was curious and wanted to hear it for myself.
She pulled out a bundle of letters from her purse. About 20 of them. Each looked almost 10 years old. She began to unfold one of the letters and handed it to me. It read…..
Dearest ….
Today is July 4th 1999, which means that the city skies will be brightened with fireworks. Families, friends, and lovers will be out camping and admiring the stars' reuniting with the flickering of the fireworks. But this obviously is not the day I would have liked to remember the stars. I wish you were here with me, so we could both lie on our back on the beach sharing the ocean breath and watching the stars make way, as the warm ocean water washes away the sand off our feet. You would have liked it.
Why is it so strange to think that I have fallen in love with you and I don't even know your name? ……..
I didn't have to finish reading the letter as it happens to belong to my old collection of letters I wrote to nature reflecting my mood about that specific day. But how in the world did it got into her hand? was the question that bothered me the most. But the answer was quite simple and involved a bit of a manipulation from someone we both knew, and have to answer to given our current behavior.
Girma had obviously led her to believe that he too was a man of arts and poetry. She had fallen in love with the works of mine thinking they were his until she uncovered the truth and realized that the one thing she thought they had in common turned out to be a fraud. Girma had no choice but to confess to her but the relationship between the two hadn't been the same ever since. So in fulfillment of her fantasy and dream, she tracked me down to the nightclub at the Sheraton Addis and now here we are wrapped in each others arms and lost in between our common world.
So are you sure you're ready to tell Girma the truth when you see him tomorrow? I asked to make sure she wasn't getting cold feet.
I have to, she said without hesitation.
I think we should go together. I am just as guilty as you are. It's only practical to be upfront about it and face the consequences together. I only said that because I didn't want her to have to face him all by herself.
Sara agreed to the idea, and that we planned on going to his apartment the first thing in the morning so that we could confess to our guilt.
Girma had rented a fully furnished two bedroom apartment at bole for himself and the second best man, David Rooney. The apartment was on the first floor and had a large French window by the front porch. It had its own brick fence to keep the burglars out. As soon as we arrived at his apartment, Sara exited the car and attempted to knock on the outside gate, but discovered that the gate was left unlocked. It was a bit of a strange to see the gate unlocked. It had only meant two things. One is that the place had been attempted by some intruders or it just means that Girma and David came home last night drunk and forgot to lock the gate. Whichever the case, we rushed in and entered through the gate leaving my car parked outside.
As soon as we stepped in to the front porch, we noticed the drapes partially left a portion of the window uncovered and that we could almost see thought the glass into the inside of the apartment. There was a big couch in the living room with a naked white male sleeping in it. He only had part of his body covered from waist down with white thin blanket. It was David. I realized they came home drunk. Then I noticed a movement just underneath him and it looked as if there was a girl quite in her deepest sleep. But then it became harder to distinguish whether the person under him was a male or a female.
Sara was at the door knocking onto it hard. But the guys weren't responding at all.
Can you see anyone, she said approaching towards me to look through the window.
Yeah I can see David, and it looks like he got laid last night too. I laughed, and continued on banging the glass window. But then the face of the person underneath David revealed showing the drunk and awakening face of Girma himself.
I stood there shocked. Speechless. Looked at Sara, she looked as if she just saw someone get hit by a bus. She held her head with two hands and just screamed…..
"BLOODY FAGGOTS!…. I KNEW IT! was all that came out of her mouth. I could not find the right words to say. All I could say was…
Uhhhhhhhhh, I mumbled. Cold sweat made its way down my neck. My tongue was dry and thick, like I had a felt eraser in my mouth. The last part of what I said was mumbled under my breath, sounding something gibberish.
The shocking truth behind Girma's failure to satisfy his woman has now been revealed. Suddenly it all made sense. But why would Girma hide this from her? We don't know.
Girma looked through the window and immediately jumped from the couch. David fell flat on his ass. Sara is sitting on the door step crying her hearts out and I was just standing there with my jaw almost on the floor. Girma immediately ran to the bathroom and David, confused as hell proceeded to following him. I sat on the door step next to Sara and held her close to me. She couldn't stop crying. But her reaction sort of told me that somehow she saw this coming and just didn't think it was actually true. I felt a sense of relief in a way that now my guilt could be washed by the wrong doing of Girma himself. But felt sooooooo bad for Sara.
But then I couldn't believe it all. Flashback memories from all the conversations I had with Girma, his most precious time spent only with the guys watching football, going traveling for work and everything else added, started to make a lot of sense. He was as gay as anyone could be, I just didn't quite figure him for being one. Or perhaps I over looked the details.
As soon as he opened the door, Sara went slapping the day light out of him, and he screamed like a little girl.
Wait, let me explain… he mumbled.
No you don't have to explain, she yelled, oh and just so you know, I have been sleeping with Mekdim for the past two nights. Have a nice life.
She barged out of the apartment. He looked at me with mixed emotions; all I could do was shake my head and said I was sorry it all happened this way. But told him we'll talk about it more and rushed out following Sara. I opened the door to the car and we both got inside. She immediately threw her hands around my neck and cried like she's never cried before. I was sad to have to see her go through that but what could I say? Deception is a bitch. No one is a saint.
It's been almost a year now. Girma and I had never talked since that day. I heard that he fled the city the very next day and his parents took it upon themselves to inform the cancelation of the wedding to the people that were already invited. I also heard that he finally decided to come out of the closet in London for good and is now living with his roommate, David Rooney.
Sara and I still kept in touch with each other through phone calls and emails and occasional letters. She still is a sweetheart to me as I am to her.
Published by January 3rd, 2007 in Dating and Series.
Habesha men on the DL like we dont have a shortage of black men already… and no happily ever after for David and Sara either-This story sounds like real life! Betam Yasazenal!
Good job Chelema!
hahha hahah ha hah ahha ha hahhah ah hahh ah a h hahhah hahah
sorry ayeee ye.. I have to say that my interest in sara has dwindled so much.. she is not only a cheat but a fool to have been interested in gay ethio male….
Oh Chelema, I laughed, I cried, I lusted and it was all interesting thank you so much for sharing….
but one question why would two gay men invite you to go to concorde nightclub.. i thought that was were all the pro girls hanged out… and would you disown your friend even if he is gay… you guys should be friends…
Nolawi, that’s a good question. I would not dishonor a friend even if he is gay. But I didn’t know. I guess I should be glad that I didn’t go to the club when invited. You know its hard to detect habesha homos… just cause they find it hard to come out of the closet. But whatever blows their skirt(or whatever…). I had to fight with myself on the ending. But like I said before, I am gonna write the shit outta this story and take it much further. But for Bernos, this is good enough. thank you guys for being supportive.
Oh btw you guys, just so you know, the original title for this story was a long one(nolawi can testify on this). But it was left as “Was it love at first sight? or Was it pure infedility? you be the judge”. But too long of a title, so it had to be cut.
I meant to say no happy ending for Mekdim and Sara… David got his man!! Why did’nt they end up together??
they had a happy ending four times… if you dont know what I am talking about ..i guess you haven’t been to the neighborhood korean massuese parlor… 50$ more for a happy ending i hear…
This has been a great story. I never thought it would end this way though. I see some similarities with Kells “Trapped in the Closet” series, just one thing after another.
Good Job!
B
hahaahhahah…. don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Totally unexpected ending. u r gooodddddd! But choosing u for a second best man is making me think…do Girma and David know something that we don’t? let’s know when u decide to come out of the closet
Ere closetabash yitfana maferia! I am just glad you enjoyed it.
Chelma – Very unexpected and interesting twist to the ending. This could make a good Ethio movie. You’ve done a good job.
Was it a hint that this was a true story when you wrote:
“But I didn’t know. I guess I should be glad that I didn’t go to the club when invited.”
Chelema
ishi ke-kum-SaTin sitweTa? but what were u doing in there in the first place?hehehe
What an emotional roller coaster! Thanks chelema for making us hold our collective breaths for a few weeks. It was worth it.
You forced me into participation to these columns where I had been a constant visitor ever since I found Bernos.
I enjoy the follow up comments from the lovely wudnesh, the incredible celebratelife and all the rest.
Nolawi, great job!
ababiru
hope to c u more often.
inkuan ke free-grazer(in the words of Nolawi) wede contributer ashegageresh
sorry #12…ashegagereh!
Thanks wudnesh. Free-grazer, that’s a good one Nolawi. BTW, you might wanna remove the second s from ashegageresh. Aba… get it. lol!
nice chelee. What a story bro. Now I believe it might be based of true story. I have heard a lot of habesha’s female converted to gay’s in the west cost. Even though they have boy friends on the DL and among their friends they are flat out lezie’s . Hey that’s their choice it was shielded under the culture for a while. Even though I don’t support being gay, after I wathced dateline/20 20, that shows two 7 year old twins boys with one flat out feminine and the other not…that is when I question myself…Is being Gay a Nurture or Nature? I will leave that too individuals…
Nice story send it to Ababa Tesfayee….oh sorry…I forgot he’s fired….
Peace.
Chelema…sorry am not trying to be not supportive but..I hope there is no Part III. You are a good writer but we don’t have time to read really really long never ending blogs.
whenisit….
tadia iko yegidd manbeb yeleb-ihim/shim. His story was long….but worth waiting for.
I hate myself right now…I scrolled down to see if there was a “to be continued” and read the doggone comments first before the story. Even with that it was still good but I was a little disappointed, I so wanted Sara to end up with you. What’s so funny is that you two thought you were in love when in actuality it was lust. When it all hit that you have to be there for one another all of the sudden you didn’t find each other desirable…what doesn’t kill you will make you strong.
I found it interesting that Sara had an emotional breakdown over a man she had no desire to be with. I would think she would feel relieved and guiltless and happy, like you. And most of all I loved the fact that Girma didn’t give a damn that the two of you were cheating behind his back…now that’s a man for you too bad he’s gay!
So she suspected he was gay and instead of dealing with that issue she goes on and plans her wedding and gets some on the side…hmmm…it makes me think again and again and again if she was using you for her sexual pleasures but she ultimately wanted to be with him. I don’t know that she would have had the guts to come clean. I think she went there to win him back and make him jealous.
As a woman I guess I would be hurt if a guy left me for another guy versus another woman. Because when it’s a woman you have the chance to see what she has to offer him that you don’t. If it’s a guy well you can’t compete with that. But then if I didn’t want him why would I care who he leaves me for so long as he’s out of my life?
Oh my goodness Chelema what have you done to me…you have my mind going crazy over this darn story. You have to do another one. Next time make it a mystery so we can try and solve it. The who done it would be nice. I love your writing.
People please stop with the gay bashing….there are a lot more gay Ethio men then you wish to acknowledge and to be honest I could care less what way they swing so long as they’re not after my territory. That’s why I stick with the manly men.
Whenisitgoingtostop, Whyshoulditstopwearelovinghiswritingandhisimaginationpleasedonotdiscouragehim. Chelemailoveyourwritingandicannotwaitforthenextstory. Youhaveagoodfanbaseanddonotreadwhatwhenisitgoingtostopwrites.
Btw where is Shanti, wonder if she knows this part is posted. Shantiiiii where are youuuuu. Come out come out where ever you are. I miss your emoticons and your humor.
celebrate, thank you sweetheart. I must admit, I did not see it coming myself. The original idea I had for the finishing happened to be guessed by one reader so I had to change it. A lot of people asked if this was a true story, my answer “Why not?” shit happens don’t it? oh by the way, my eyes are itching now just after reading this…
but thanks for the encouragement.
Unexpected twist indeed. Good writing chelema.
Should we expect another series ???
I’ve very much enjoyed ur story, Chelema. Thanx for sharing.
It’s a very timely subject. Your writing style/skill is also commendable.
Good luck on your future endeavors!
Chelema, a very unexpected ending to an interesting story. Thank you. I was expecting Sara to go to and fro between Mekdim and Girma for six months unsure which way to throw the dice.
In that time all three woud live in the same house each unable to let go until one night fate intervenes in the form of Sara’s best friend who on a night out introduces her to her brother who turns out to be Sara’s “the one” to Girma and Mekdim’s despair. She leaves them both to live the happy wedded life in another city. She has two boys which she named after Girma and Mekdim and she makes them Godfathers, with he full agreement of her husband since he got the girl in the end. Both children belong to the husband not girma or Mekdit. All four remained firm friends for life and continue to share other things when they meet once a year but not Sara this time.
Nice going Chelema,
I wish I was the one who guessed the alternative ending. I am sure you will put the other ending in the extras of the DVD version, once one of your fans or partners persuade or coerce you to make this a movie.
How about “Infidelity Sucks” for the title? Celebrate was right from the begining, there is no better title to the story that made her mind crazy. Are we going to read more of CHelema on Bernos or in the flashy websites of CHelema productions?
It is funny why straight people take it easier when their pal cheats with a gay person. I think, I also fall in this category. I wonder if the same is true for gays? YemiyaqaTelew ena Yemiyabegnew kihidetu new weys yezian sew fiqir maTat? Or is it just a wounded ego?
Well done chelema!
I loooove the new violet hearts! betam yamraluuu
Chelema…wonderful story. I LOVE the ending…..It’s unpredictable, it’s new, it’s controversial…heck its life…..yup, I’ve been waiting for some kinda good story, light story, weird story…..story that you want to write about, story you want to never be part of with characters you would love to hate…..good authors take the reader in new journey or untouched territory, I think you’re accomplished that regardless of how we feel about Girma’s sexual orientation….
Thanks for posting it Nolawi (what can I say, your blog helps me get through my day)…
ayayayayayyyaa… my American guy friends always telling me that why Abesha Guys look feminine? I told them no they are just nice and polite dosent make them Gay. but now I see many of the abesha guys are gay. If you see gay looking abesha guy don’t even question he is a gay. especially if he have a lot of female friends, that is gay. Chelema, I need your permison I want to make a drama based on this story. just for fun do you mind? email me
Good Job !!
fefekebede@yahoo.com
Fefe, kelebesh new?
wow, maybe it’s just me gen how can you characterize and generalize many habesha guys being gay from this story or from the looks? Abesha wendoch kechech menamen kaluna & yesaet features kalachew gay belen endemdem? wow beye alefewalehu
hewe, yes keanjette neaw…never admit dat.. dn’t you? endezza bemalefe amesegnealew. look Girma… so abesha guy never come out in the closet. and I am not generalizeing anything. if you see a gay guy can you tell? I am not saying Abesha gay. I am saying American or other country gay. so why it’s so a big deal when we see abesha gay looking guy? which is gay gay.. in my life I know this abesha gay in Columbous Ohio enna. everybody hates him. I don’t know why? he is a such a nice guy. people call him Loottee. bushitti minamin. but he is out. he is proud of being gay.look Girma was ready to get married. i was dating this abesha guy and I had feeling he is gay. and i seated him up with my gay friend. i am not jocking, guess what? he was gay. very gay!! I don’t even think about that now…
this could start a whole topic on habesha gay phenomenon. This article got me thinking about my culture shock going back home and seeing men holding hands..maybe it’s easier to be gay back home.
If my man cheated on me for a man, I’d feel better and sympathize with him, but for a woman.. that would hurt because it means I dont measure up in some way…
[quote comment="11405"]ayayayayayyyaa… my American guy friends always telling me that why Abesha Guys look phenomenon.? I told them no they are just nice and polite dosent make them Gay. but now I see many of the abesha guys are gay. If you see gay looking abesha guy don’t even question he is a gay. especially if he have a lot of female friends, that is gay. Chelema, I need your permison I want to make a drama based on this story. just for fun do you mind? email me
Good Job !!
fefekebede@yahoo.com[/quote]
[quote comment="11414"]this could start a whole topic on habesha gay phenomenon. This article got me thinking about my culture shock going back home and seeing men holding hands..maybe it’s easier to be gay back home.
If my man cheated on me for a man, I’d feel better and sympathize with him, but for a woman.. that would hurt because it means I dont measure up in some way…[/quote]
curious,I used to say the same thing like that.. but when it happens it don’t matter your feeling will change you will hurt double.. every thing from may be he got a STD, and he is gay, and actually you had bushitti boy gay friend.
Curious, I was a little uncomfortable when I saw men holding hands (tekakfew or soto teyayezew)sehedu when I went back home this summer. I completely forgot, but most men in ET who do that are not gay. They are just close…I think we are programmed to assume that since we are exposed to it here. I think there are gay guys in ET and everywhere else, but the culture in Africa is not accepting to homosexuality. I was shocked to find out that it is actually illegal to be homosexual in ethiopia (kelkel new, metaser menamen)…..
Regardless of appearances, we can’t assume one’s orientation….think about brothers on the DL in this country (down low), it’s such a huge phenomenon now…..what I’m saying is, we can’t generalize by looks fifi.
hahahhah…Chelema, who knew your story would start another one?
Fefe, I think u r generalizing BIG time! Some guys are popular with girls…and have more female friends…doesn’t mean anything. I have mostly male friends…what does that make me? hoho. What makes your American guys more manly? deretachewun gelbitew silehedu? or do they perform better in bed? hahaha.
indiawm there’s 95%more chance for non abesha to become gay than abesha…but then again, this will lead to another topic by itself of whether being gay is a matter of nature or choice. As a Christian, I wouldn’t want to go there!
But I have a question; if we c yemikleseles wond(..i know, yak!), can he not be just that?….why does he have to be gay? maybe he grew up with many sisters and no brother..or whatever. I have an abesha gay friend, who is beTam nice person…and do not have a problem with gay people, but behavioral profiling doesn’t sound right. Culture is a determinant too. Look at Indian men….can we say most are gay just because silemiKleselesu? i hope not.
Shanti…where r u buried? miss u.
Curious
I’d rather he left me for another woman. I THINK I’d feel worse feeling i’d been in a relationship with a gay.
fefe, It’s very nice of you to ask for my permission to use this story. But I don’t think I want to do that just yet. I have continued to write more on this story and possibly turn it into a large manuscript. Part I through Part III have already been sent to the copyright office. I obtain copyright on everything I write.
But what did you have in mind anyway? Stage drama? Short film? TV series? just curious.
I don’t see the difference between Indian guy and abesha guy sometimes. that’s the reason people think ethiopian guys look Indian. I am not generalizing all abesha looks like Indian but some of them are, you can’t even tell unless names even the name sometimes close Vikrim from India Kibrom from Ethiopia/Erteria hahahaha.. about tekakefo slemeddo goddaye demoo, that’s back home. I am talking about here Abesha in USA, who knows first gay person was discovered in Ethiopia. like Loussi
Shelema
You might have skipped a week…but the wait was worth it…you got me with this one!!!
Initially I thought this would have been a tale of a broken heart, but reading on I learned otherwise.
I mean Wow…This was great, couldn’t stop reading…and from reading all the comments you have captured all of our imagination, touched our spiritual side, and satisfied the hunger for our excitement in one short writing. I mean what an inspiring 3 part series. It weaves together so very smoothly and invites the readers into each set of lines, while carrying them to the next. Very Nice
Your Stories have been thought provoking, honest, not mention well written…I hope your writing skills serve to inspire.
So, thanks! And keep it up Shelema
Chelema, thanks can be stage drama, but the way I see it the story, it can be a good short film.every thing can be based on true story. you know our culture. if is that happend somebody nobody tell the truth what happned tedafno yekeral enjie. because it’s very neweer neaw. enna asebebet this can be good short or large manuscript.
chelema…very entertaining. thanks for sharing.
and now for something compeletely different…
why does the gay issue always focus on men??
i guess that doesn’t ‘measure up’ to your standards of how a man acts? and where do these standards come from? pointing fingers upwards or towards your tv?
Chelema,
Obtaining the copy right was a very smart idea. If you expand a little bit on the ending without going too much into the gay scene, (since you will be marketing to a mostly Ethiopian audience) and perhaps elaborate on a few parts of the story, I see this becoming a touching, and thought provoking two hour movie.
Hehe … homophobia in habesh culture is out of control. A couple of days ago I called home and told my mom I may be coming home for a visit. Then I casually added I may be coming with an American girl. There was an unmistakable awkward silence during which I briefly wondered whether I should break it with my usual belligerence, or just suck it up and allay her fears.
I opted for the latter and explained my friend is from college, but she’s now teaching elsewhere in Africa. She wants to see Ethiopia while I’m in Ethiopia so we actually won’t even be flying in together. “Aah … indezzzzzzzzza new indae?“, she said. “Ay Tiru. Bey amCHat … shiro tibelalech.”
I was very, very amused.
“I lay it out– for y’all to play it out!” I think it was Snoop that said that on a movie “Starsky & Hutch” Anyway, I can’t comment on the issue of gays/lesbians. I once heard from an old lady friend of mine when I asked her why she broke up with her boy friend, she replied by saying –”he liked d*ck more than I did” That in itself was plain disturbing.
My philosophy is simple. “If you’re a man, then BE A MAN” Its not how you look, how you talk, how you walk, how tall you are or how much muscle you carry that defines your man hood.
I found this piece (quite interesting I might add…read on)
Get it…
good writing, chelema … but i’m going to be a tad more critical about the ending. i thought it was a cheap cop-out, honestly. as if the writer just couldn’t address the seriousness of the issue, and instead opts for a *gasp* taboo-esque sort of tit for tat. all the intrigues, the moral complications, the mental horrors, the possibility for an interaction that’s a bit more mature than “you fucking faggots!” … well … i guess that’s all gone now. in one paragraph you managed to castrate a story that you took so much time drawing out. a little lazy and halfhearted, i think.
but hey … maybe when you “write the shit out of the story” eventually (for film, blog, book, or otherwise) … maybe then you can address the more morally challenging issues at that point.
ok, that’s all for now. just constructive criticism/opinions, that’s all. no offense taken, i hope.
Chelema ante Demoo… what? what are you not going to tell us? leb manteletelehe eko over hahahaha.. sewyewn Gay aderkehgew eko arrefek. belle yene konjo ahunees alemenem eshi. LOL
Toothpick ,
I agree, and that was exactly my thought process when I said to expand on the ending. The story will be so much more interesting, if as you said, the seriousness of the issue is addressed.
I am not trying to be achebcabbe.. but I like more
Part I and part II. Part III, I was seffe byee neberre I guess. I thought Sara might have Aids and gave to merkeb what ever his name is.. teneshe the ending is weak. Chelema, you still did good job. I wish I can write like that. you know you are a writer. some people like your work some people don’t, so just know that all this good and bad comments makes you a good writer. this is just my advice.
toothpick, just so you know, “I am not offended a bit, if anything, I am grateful”. You were right when you said it was a “cheap cap-out”. Last night I started writing a different version of the story starting from the time they left the hotel. I think I mentioned this before, but I wanted to continue writing this story with a lot of other interesting twists to it. But the article for the bernos blog had to end, so I decided to spin it to a different direction and end it THERE.
But I do greatly appreciate your honest feedback.
However for the record, I have no intentions of turning this into a movie what-so-ever. My only objective when it comes to filmmaking is to tell some of the untold stories of ethiopia. films that inspire and bring about a positive image. I wish to create modern day heros and role models for our generations through film and other media communications. We have done enough talking about Alula Abanega, Tewodros, and so forth.
I like to see a poor little girl from under the bridge in the carton board boxes, where she played home, make it to become a hero for the next girl just down the street under the ruble. I would like to see one farmer family’s struggle to make ends meet, and when he does and goes beyond, he becomes an inspiration to the next farmer just across the river.
Creating modern day heros is the driving engine behind my filmmaking effort. Our current film in pre-production is within the scope of my objectives. that’s why this story will never make it to the big screen. nothing wrong with it, its rather entertaining, but I do have a lot of other stories in line that demand immediate attention.
Toothpick, did I thank you for being honest. you’re a cool cat in my book! no jokes
Why is everybody concerned about abesha gay man? How about the females? There are more females abesha gay’s than males (at least from the people that I know). I am lost yo!!! is it acceptable for abesh lesbian or what? Hey if it is where my ladies at?(just kidding) I am just telling this from my experience? My 1st wife left me because she start sleeping with the guy and later with his wife. Then his wife got jealous after they got laid few times and called me if I want to sleep with her and her husband. I was like huh…shocked to hear the whole story let alone sleep with them. After I confirmed with my x-wife that she has slept with both of them for about 6 month that is when I got divorced(thanks God ) I know she had an experience with habesha females(not only once ) before she got married with me so I was not surprised or hurt about her deeds, I just don’t want to be involved in that crap. So, I know for fact that there bunch of abesha females out there who are lesbo’s but unless they are out there it is hard to tell.
chelma that was nice of you to say about toothpick. You know how to be politically correct and think positive. that’s a good attitude toward life. Because that is what I was thinking this morning coming to work positive attitude, towards everything. While I was thinking about it at a stop light, I heard a bump from my rare and one white lady had jut hit me…I didn’t say anything I went out saw her she was panicking and apologizing “’am sorry…am ‘sorry, I was looking at my tooth…” I looked at my car and has a small dent on it…I taught about calling a police…calling work…insurance…and I said it is not worth wasting time and energy for little things like that and I asked her he she is hurt or not and she literally hasn’t expect that from a black guy asking how she is her after an accident…she paused for a while and made sure that she was not daydreaming. Anyways I like your attitude, hey I am not gay it is just a compliment
hilarious. lol.
people need to chill out on the homophobia, for real.
Chelema -
This is too good to be true. Habesha people discussing homosexuality? This is a giant step in itself.
I personally believe that great films can create hope and unite people and break down barriers of hatred, prejudice, and intolerance among peoples of different races, gender, religions, and cultural backgrounds.
Keep up with the good work of delivering positive images about our culture.
[quote comment="11468"]This is too good to be true. Habesha people discussing homosexuality? This is a giant step in itself.
I personally believe that great films can create hope and unite people and break down barriers of hatred, prejudice, and intolerance among peoples of different races, gender, religions, and cultural backgrounds.
Keep up with the good work of delivering positive images about our culture.[/quote]
errr beloww.. Positive images? what is positive image ?being gay? Dawittk, I am prejudice when I see abesha gay person. that’s make me sick. sorry that’s not ok for me.. you can call me ignorant for that. we do not have to have positive image to for gay since you are talking about culture.
we shouldn’t accept that being gay it’s ok in our culture.even if it’s happen to be a move about gay story in our culture, the gay part have to send to wrong message to young Ethiopian people. that’s I think. we already have enough disease to kill faster than any thing.
our people copy faster any thing from western country’s… because it’s ok here USA or Europe doesn’t means we have to be the same like western countries. that also doesn’t make us open minded people.
Fefeeeee
LOL! erre yimechish…talk about phobia! I believe ppl are entitled to their belief, but this part
CHelema,
The idea of making a movie celebrating modern day heros is commendable. Will this be a film tailored and directed to the plasmas that will soon equip the audio visual studios of Ethiopian schools, or artistic expression projected on the silverscreen? As a very talented artistic guy, will you also write a story that celebrate true form of art/craft for art sake?
remember the production of green dramas and paintings that were supposed to celebrate the green revolution.
fefe,
homosexuality is as much a part of nature as is breathing and walking. we see it in other species too. and it’s not a “western” thing either … you can even find it in the most remote, most “disconnected” parts of the planet (check the aboriginal communities in papua new guinea, for example). so there is nothing culturally or morally special about ethiopians that makes them “immune” from a sexual orientation that you seem to address as a “disease.”
if you’re just a misinformed hypocritical homophobe who just parrots everything you’ve been spoonfed, just admit so, and move on and work your own mental/moral kinks out.
otherwise … all these knee-jerk type reactions and rants really make you sound quite … well … “critically handicapped.”
poor wax fishies.
i second that.
I like when gay’s support eachother. toothpick,you sound like you know morethan anybody here. ya abesha gay is the most uglyiest thing. deal with it..
chelmmayee. good job.
thanks
Ayeee. Nowadays i’ve ran out of steam to argue the sexuality issue, especially for internet atekara but so far there’ve been two recurrent arguments from the homphobe camp that keep coming, and always leave me bemused.
One is the line, ‘it’s not in our culture – it’s an acquired behavior’. OK. Never mind that culture is acquired behavior. For a moment, let’s indulge this person and agree that homosexuality is indeed a learned behavior and that one can chose to be ‘noble’ & straight. I, of course, cannot attest to this since I didn’t have that experience. So then if we take the homophobe’s word for it, the person must have experienced this ‘learning’ of being attracted to the same sex to judge and come to the conclusion that they want to ‘remain’ straight. So now we’ve these angry, gay & very closeted people who’re upset coz they chose to be straight while others, the ‘gays’, have given in to the temptation and are enjoying being free and gay. My suggestion: either see a shrink, or please start with an assumption/delusion that won’t trip you down the road. Hint: you may want to try, ‘sexuality is by nature’.
On the other hand, there are these funny statement that come in the form of sose’s comeback, ‘i like when gay[s] support each [other]‘. Oh! If you speak out you must be gay! I guess for a homophobe that’s an insult. But why the hell would anyone insult a person arguing that being gay is OK by calling them gay? I mean …that’s some really dumb shit. If one doesn’t have something sensible to say, at lease say, ‘ante ahiya, dedeb … ‘ minamin. , which again, will be … ayeee. Never mind. Leka we’re talking homophobia.
The comments that I made was not related to one another.
The first is my amazement on the fact that we can discuss homosexuality in a mature matter. I always say never jump to conclusions as opinions are always forming and changing throughout life.
The second part is me appreciating Chelema’s desire/vision to portray our people with a positive image through his movies.
Dawitk, thanks Dog. Encouragement is always appreciated. I want to make sure that I am very much consistent when it comes to that.
Anyway, zgent, on post #56, to answer your question, our upcoming film will without a doubt make it to the big independant movie screens here in the US, Europe, Canada, and possibly Asia. We have a lot of prominent filmmakers and producers including Spike Lee’s team and the sundance institute supporting us in terms of grants and equipments. The american embassy in addis has also been a great supporter.
In additions, we will soon be launching what we call the “GO GREEN Movement” expect this to come out by the end of this month. The GO GREEN Movement is a new campaign by Ethiopians of all ethnic background united as one to help put their differences aside. The movement will change lives, cultures and most of all, raises a GLOBAL awareness against the current trend of ethnic conflicts and division. We are students and teachers, musicians and party animals, church ministers and community leaders, children and grand parents, we are Ethiopians of all beliefs and every walk of life united as one.
Our aim is to spread the word around the globe to all Ethiopians to unite despite their ethnic backgrounds. By wearing the GREEN wristband, you are showing your support to the movement. Whenever and wherever you wear the GREEN wristband, you say, without even saying a word, that you care for unification of our people, and that you are against ethnic conflicts and division.
So the idea behind the filmmaking is big and is never been attempted before(to my knowledge). I am glad to be the man behind the scenes. The website (www.ethiofilms.com) will be fully loaded with this info by Jan 10.
I am comfident that I have you guys’ support on what we’re trying to do here.
Toothpick
hahahhahaha…Fefe-n chefechefkat iko! indiee..take it easy. By the way, I beg to differ on what u said about homosexuality being as much part of nature as breathing. Maybe because I believe God created Adam and Eve…and not Adam and Steve. But then again, if someone chooses to be gay/lesbian, that’s their call….I mean, who am I to judge?
)
Sose,
lol! but I think Toothpick is as straight as u can get if the way girls are drawn to him is anything to go by (I was paid to say so
Tobian
here is a Qn for you: Don’t u think a young adult in America is more likely to think he/she is gay if he/she liked another person of the same sex so much that they feel they have to see the person everyday, than in Ethiopia? When I was in school back home, there was this girl who liked me and another friend of mine so much that she comes to see us everyday before we leave school….sometimes with gifts etc. Imagine if it was here…she’d have been labeled a lesbian…and may be even forced to feel she was a lesbian. But the girl is straight and now happily married.
So, I would say….let everyone feel free to be whoever they want to be…while at the same time allowing others the freedom to believe in what they perceive as true.
Zagent,
Comment #24 You’re hilarious! The dvd extras alk? You know that’s my favorite part of any dvd movie. Infidelity truly does suck! When it happens to you it’s even worse and it’s unforgivable, unforgettable and possibly could make you welll….not kill him but make him suffer. Nah, not worth the energy.
Maybe I’m crazy but the rules for a ‘committed relationship’ should be black and white. You’re either into it or not, you can’t half ass play the game then it becomes a booty call. Love is such a beautiful thing why would anyone wanna mess it up by bringing someone else into the picture. Infidelity is nice to read on paper but not cute in reality.
I think we’re witnessing homophobia to the 3rd power here.
Toothphick, if I may piggyback on your comment #58 DITTO! Well said!
Now I’d rather someone come straight out of the closet, whether Abesha or not, then to suffer for life. Everyone has a right to choose who they want to sleep with and I’m not one to judge. Hey they may not agree with my way of getting busy the same way I would criticize theirs. So there is no need to judge who does what, who, how, and where.
Chelema, although the story didn’t have the ending I had hoped for I appreciate you bringing up the subject of homosexuality. There are too many gay Abesha men being bashed in our community and they have as much right to exist as we do.
Speaking of there is this African American guy I’ve know for many years and he has dated many women and he’s loved in our area. Very giving, caring and goes beyond your expectation to be there for you. Not an inch of feminine behavior is detected on him. Well….he broke it to of us before the holiday’s that he’s a vegetarian (term he uses for being gay). I was so shocked that I was left speechless, he only told a few people to ease into the coming out process. I was very happy that he’s happy. There was a big change in him and how he interacts with people overnight. His sexual orientation doesn’t lesson our friendship so I gave him a gift for being true to himself. He didn’t have to tell anyone he could’ve lived on the down low. I have to admit I’ve had thoughts of him being attracted to a person I’m dating. The what if was there but then as I really thought about it if I’m that paranoid then I have to be more worried about the females then the males going after our men.
Celebrate
hahhaha…betam taznagnalesh!
LOL!
Wudnesh,
Alasazenem? What a waste of energy I spent on that thought and I’m not even the jealous type.
LOL, LOL, LOL… I laughed and laughed and laughed until I just could not laugh no more… so many thoughts but not sure where to start? Actually, not sure if it was worth my time and energy… only thing I can add is, Toothpickiye – I love you even more, fiker be’ fiker
Chelemayee, yene talented artist, love the way you write and most certainly encourage you to keep it up. I do agree the ending could have been different, however, just bringing some of the homophobes to make ignorant comments was purely entertaining… you should have added some ménage à trios to that ending. I wonder what type of response we would have read about then?
Anyway, did you reveal which reader had guessed the original ending? I must have missed it as I had to stop reading a few times to bring myself together.
Celebratiyee, sweetie, how have been?
Wudiyee, yene konjo… how are you and did you have a wonderful vacation?
Tobianiyeye… xoxo, emuasiye (no emoticon is availble for a kiss – dang, does that make me a lesbian?
)
Toothpickiye… Maybe I should go back and attempt to solve your unfathomable puzzle in “Interlude to Nonsense” the more I think about it, that was fun as it took less brain cells to digest then the comments in here… can I join your happy world for a moment please?
Noliyee, just like bgFelasfit (comment #25) – I love all the colors on these hearts… where did you find them?
CHelema,
I will gladly wear the green band to my coffin if it indeed brings all of us together embracing our diversity.
I am glad to hear that your efforts are supported by notable individuals of the movie making industry and benevolent organizations. Most of the recent poductions, mostly those by the diaspora or returnee filmmakers are marred by some problems the cumulative effect of which is rendering the production almost useless. Somre of these are:
1. absence of coherent story line or carefully crafted dialogue exacerbated by the one take phenomena that put the actors in frame without proper rehearsal
2. casting ones own friends and family to reduce production budget (serious casting problem, it is not unusual to observe the actors mostly acting out of character)
3. lack of clear objective other than fulfilling the actor/producer/director’s film making dreams
4. Inability to distinguish film making from producing stage dramas
5. A thoroughly thought out screenplay that is done professionally
wezete
The Ethio film site is one of my favorites, I will check it out on Jan 10. I am confident your production will not have any of the above mentioned problems. Keep your art grow.
Celebrate, the one thing that made me rush to buy my first DVD palyer was the extras. As a movie freak that is where I got most if not all information about film making. Infidelity and its consequences are not infact nice on paper either. The story of Anna Karenina, or Sara and Mekdim is heart wrenching inspite of our romanticising it. LibE indee bua siwerd yisemaNal yesewochun (yetefenegeluten ena yefengayochun) yeCHelemebet hilina bemenabE sangewalelew.
Sorry CHelema, I just looked in Ethio Films site and it was not the one I mentioned in my earlier post. I meant ethiopianfilms.com.
Let me also add another point
6. Most films also try to address all the ills of Ethiopian society and wander with no purpose
great comments on filmmaking zgent. you’d make a good movie critic.
Isn’t it amazing to find: Ethiopian history and landscape; all the possible classes and occupations: CHiseNa, Balabat, Negus, Liqemenber, Teqlayminister, negade, sera askiyaj, birokrat, telalaki, yemeged eb’d … plus all the diseases and epidemics contained in one film and all played by glib characters.
abet sirra mattat… I am tired all the bulshit comments it’s enough
yo nigga, can you write somethn about weed and niggers…we all are niggas aren’t we? like life in North America …smokn pot and selln shit…you feel me…I am a guy who you buy weed from… so I don’t understand your way of life all this crap …write somethn about me and you will see my compliment flown…I guess I am on the wrong blog…where is the weed…cash flow…men I love those hardcore rappers…they make my day…
life is good
smoke weed and drink like there is no tomorrow
….here it goes …
I have to agree w/ Toothpick…Fifisha you seem very judgmental and one sided in your argument….its a good thing to read, research and talk about different issues, I think it’s weird that you use the word “I am prejudice when it comes to gay Ethiopians…” and not back that w/ anything concrete…..
Christians usually refer to Matthew 19:4-5: “And He (Jesus) answered and said, “Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,” and said, for this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh’?” (got this and I’m using quotes)
So the point Wudenesh made on two men together or two women together can’t reflect the image of God’s creation of mankind, I agree …..with that being said (as my faith) I will piggyback on the comment in being a Christian whether it is an nature or nurture (in born or developed) to me, it seems like homosexual attraction is no more sinful than heterosexual attraction…..it says in the bible “…not to practice homosexuality” (Leviticus 18:22)….so it talks about the practice, so it is there, God didn’t intend it to be there (as the creation story) but it just is there…. (am I making sense?? Or am I just talking…oh well)……..geen ezger yemetelaw neger (hey, had to research the biblical passages to support my case….i’m sure you could refute it by finding other ones …meaning it exists ……ena endewem the passage everyone refers to is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah…meaning even in biblical times, homosexuality existed but God hates the practice of it. I am not as deep in my faith and can’t speak for all Christianity except in how I view things….so it’s nothing ‘Mete’ it goes far back as B.C times…..so the existence of homosexuality is there
Coming back to my point- homosexuality is part of nature as it is nurture (as toothpick said it)… …I think when we put feelings on it (I hate it, I don’t agree w/ it), it becomes the practice that we hate …..to me, I think it’s Nature as much as nurture….i remember in college I had to take ‘Physiological Psychology’ class and we all had rats (we were determining the sexual behavior of rats….we would inject them w/ estrogen and progesterone menamen….anyways, someones rat was gay…..i swear they wouldn’t participate ena we found out because the teacher told us….true enough it was active when we put male albino rat…..the point is, as toothpick put it, it exists even in animals….To me, the difference is our consciousness so personally what I say is, it is hard to pick and choose which one is bad and good if we take the way of Christianity, sin is sin to practice or succumb to it, if you go w/ the bible….wow I’m really done and ready for ya’ll to throw your shoes (or words at me)….and don’t attack my sexual orientation if you choose to make a point, cuzzz I am straight and practice Christianity.
NOLAWI– i know this is your blog, sorry it’s too long maan
Chelema, meen serten enebla beleh neew? tenesh enkwaan geze enasalef w/ out opinions enji…..see, you opend pandora’s box…
Ende, Chelema demo min aderegge? Dear Setew ass… what the hell is your problem?you don’t have to open your nasty mouth every time when you see smokin good staff, NOT WEED. he did a good job. any way your Ghetto comment I don’t think it will hurt Chelema.. he is way smarter than you think. Chelema, I am sorry body what can you do.. people have different openion soo.. I hope you will hundle all this.
Good luck
Nolwi, you need to close this shitt.. it’s too much this
is my last comment on this area.
Oww hewe baby i am glad you agree with Toothpick, 1st I didn’t read your comment since is too long for me to read. I just sow my name Fefishaa balesasat. you can’t change my mind and my personality how I think about gay, no matter what I don’t think God like gay either it’s so sick to see two gay people getting married in my church.
besmamam..you think God like that?
I don’t have to research to prove you why I don’t like gay. GAY IS HITIATT. GAY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HELL. GOD CREATE EVE FOR ADAM!! HE DIDN’T CREATE 2 ADAMS!! you see when Eve tell Adam to eat that Belesse ferre
God punish her what she did. the same time after her punishment God didn’t create Adam for Adam. or Eve for Eve. but sittan create Adam for Adam Eve for Eve..
don’t tell me ignorant and judgmental when I tell the truth.
fefesha … as someone very learned used to say …
“mehayiminet ye’tenefesse gomma new …. yetim ayadersishim”
Post #78, who in the hell posted that under my name? How rude! Whoever did that, I guess you don’t know that I can see your ip and email address. that’s not cool at all. very much ingnorant.
toothpick, minew? hodde basshee endezzhe. siddeboon min amettaw?? sorry my gay friend, Ketchacha baryyaa.. antem seaw honkenna. yea you are smart !!! if you don’t like the way I think, you don’t have to call me Mehayime. endezamma andefaefer. I know who you are R. Wow..
Toothpickiyee, beka Marry Me? ke’fiker lela men ale?
I just can’t deal with these comments anymore… to each his own!~ Live and let live…
________x_______x_______x________x______
Reading the series actually brings up a question to which I have had several discussions with friends in the past, but am just curious to know from everyone’s perspective:
1) What is the difference between Love and Lust?
2) Also, how is one to recognize it in the situation between Sara and Mekdim during the first couple of days? In other words, can there be love after a one-night/one time engagement? Remember, I did not say a “one-night stand”. There is a difference…
And no, this did not come up after an event on New Years Eve either… its just a simple question.
CORRECTION, I WAS REFERING TO POST # 75. SOMEONE WROTE THE FOLLOWING USING MY NICK NAME, NOLAWI, ANY IDEA WHO THAT MIGHT BE?
I did not write this
the name is Robel. Robel Kassa. and yes, i do think your comments come from a very misinformed and hateful place. but hey … i’m entitled to that opinion, no?
but your empty threats are … adorable.
Chelema, # 78 is my comment…..i put your name and then there’s a comma….. i said meen serten enebla chelema….read it again
whatever dud.. I don’t have time for you…
Chelema, got you!!
Toothpick tew bakeh….let it go, this will be a never ending battle….there’s a saying ‘don’t argue w/ fools, they’ll drag u down and beat u w/ experience’ point being…well u get it…
Shanti- ene endegeban (my opinion)…lust is just the craving, betaam mefeleg, instant gratification aynet neger beka hormones and parts b/n legs taking over….short term….. love is the long haul, you see past the lust menamen……..oh and after a one time engagements, i don’t know if there could be love….i don’t think u know the person well enough in that amount of time, it takes longer than that to love a person because you have to discover and learn them, want to be w/ them, want to be better for them kebeterse aynet neger…..either way…..
hewe, sorry honey, I wrote a correction (post # 85). someone used my nick on Post #75, and wrote a comment on my behalf. I didn’t know people would actually do that to others.
Homosexuality is not something that you want to be, it is created in you. It is been proved by many researchers. Why don’t we leave them alone and worry about some other problem.
Ahhh….it’s very encouragin to see perceptions, judgment and enlightenment reachin’ “triple state”, without much hostility or resentment.
I stop to think, however, whether sometimes established beliefs are clouding our judgment (or perceptions). Or maybe there’s this fear of challenging or questioning authority which has become a hindrance to our quest for broader and deeper knowledge….just a yemenged hasab.
“Ayee endew Basha Zerfu Enkwan yihenin saya_u motu” ale habesha.
[quote comment="11662"]“Ayee endew Basha Zerfu Enkwan yihenin saya_u motu” ale habesha.[/quote]
I think this is funny
that was a wonderful story with unexpected ending. I am not surprised that he turned out to be gay. Ladies be cautious with your men, watch for details of your men movement.
For Fefe and others..
http://www.globalgayz.com/g-ethiopia.html
Across Ethiopian or according to most Ethiopians, homosexuality is regarded as a white disease and an inexcusable sin. There are three legal systems in Ethiopia, tribal, religious and state law. Homosexuality or being gay, according to this law, the penalty is often death. So homosexual life is extremely difficult to live openly. Even to mention your sexual orientation is feared. Rural people in Ethiopia don’t know about it. If someone knows that you are gay they won’t shake your hand; they want you burned in the everlasting flame. I think this is how 98 percent people think.
If you are lucky, God gives you your partner who will have the same sexual identity. But if you are not lucky, you will be suffering mentally and emotionally until you eventually get one of your own.
Do you see how much gay or homosexual life is difficult? I am surprised with one point still now, not one human rights activist from the country or from out side the country ever criticised the government for human rights violations or abuse in terms of minority freedom and rights.
Part 2
July 2002
With my last edition I promised to mention about the discrimination against the gays and lesbians and how their rights are violated in Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia this moment many gays and lesbians are living with intimidation and harassment under state, religious, and tribal law. So some of them cannot explore their sexual orientation freely and openly.
In this moment there are so many political, social and economical issues or agendas in Ethiopia. Most political activists in and out of the country criticise the government about human rights, real democracy, free speech and press freedoms, about multi-party and free and fair election. Especially in this time Addis Ababa University students and teachers protest about academic freedom. These are the current political issues.
In terms of social issues, there is the aggravation of poverty, AIDS and HIV, gender issues, children’s right, education, health ,and so, all that besides the current emergency issues for that country – economic privatisation, free market, corruption and allegations, as well as investment issues.
As we know politicians, economic experts, human rights activists, NGOs and observers have said much more about the country’s crisis. But no one from in the above mentioned bodies or organisations blamed the government officially about gays and lesbians and the violation of their rights.
In addition, I would like to say some about this sexual orientation issue; this is directly related to social, economic, and political agendas. We can’t split it out from these. Each and every right without sexual rights or freedoms are incomplete.
So I want emphasise to Ethiopian gays and lesbians that international human rights commissions must force this government to respect and accept each and every persons rights.
Part 3
August 2002
I tried to mention in the last edition that there are so many gays and lesbians living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – but they live undercover, unconfident and in fear.
Speaking to fellow Ethiopian gays who live in South Africa I tried to get a picture of life back in Addis – my own experience there being so limited. One man shared with me his sexual experiences as well as telling me about other gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people in Ethiopia.
His name is Rush, he is 26 years old, and he came to South Africa in the last months of 1998. He started his gay life when he was 7 years old around his village when he was playing with his friends. He said, “I don’t forget that day, that was really fabulous and exciting.”
And I asked him to share with me about gay people, those who live in Addis. He said, “Of course! I know plenty gays people in and outside of Addis, especially around Piazza, Arat Kilo, Ambassador Theatre house, in province Bahar Dar, Awasa, Nazareth, Dera Dawa, there are many places that you find gay people.”
My next question was how can they communicate with each other? Is there a specific place like, bar or other places like in South Africa?
“We have our own code language or words. For example, “I am nation” means that I am gay. About places to meet, we had specific places, in addition we could make contact in our home vicinity as well.”
Can you tell me about the circumstances or major problems for gay and lesbian people in Ethiopia?
Rush answered, “They have so many problems, specially this state, tribal as well as religious law, as you know their sentence is death so our life is in disaster there. For most of us we don’t have plan to stay in our nation, this is why I left my place of birth, my country, Ethiopia.”
Do you know any one who has been victimized by the government?
“Yes! I know two gays who were executed by the government.”
How do you compare your life from Addis Ababa and South Africa?
“Indeed there is a lot of differences between in Addis and South Africa, especially in terms of my sexual life. Now I can explore freely, it is clear for any one how is difference in terms of legal or constitutional system as well as people’s awareness.”
Do you have any message for your gay friends and for other people who have same sexual orientation?
“Yes, when I came to in South Africa I was thinking that homosexuality is as a disease or abnormality, but now I understand that it is natural, so each and every person must understand as this is a part of nature.”
“Meanwhile, each and every Ethiopian should emphasize, what is the sprit of democracy? Where is the starting point of human rights?
I think still we don’t understand the sprit and principle of democracy and the culture of human rights. Let us see the experience of other developed countries in terms of this question. They are based on giving respect for differences or identification, for the beginning of democracy and the culture of human rights.”
About Ethiopia
Official name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Capital: Addis Ababa Head of state: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
State: multi party democracyPopulation: 65, 9 million
Languages: Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages, English
religion: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%
Status of homosexuality: illegal
Age of consent: 15
Laws covering homosexual activity: Sections 600 and 601 prohibit homosexual acts between men and between women, with a penalty of 10 days to 3 years’ “simple imprisonment”. This penalty may be increased by 5 or more years when the offender “makes a profession of such activities”, or exploits a dependency relation in order to excercise influence over the other person.
The maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment can be applied when the offender uses violence, intimidation or coercion, trickery or fraud, or takes unfair advantage of the victim’s inability to offer resistance. The maximum sentence can also be applied when the victim is subjected to acts of cruelty or sadism; when the offender transmits a venereal disease although fully aware of being infected with it; when an adult is charged with committing homosexual acts with persons under 15 years of age; or when distress, shame or despair drives the victim to committing suicide.
Background information and government attitudes: One lesbian is known to have been granted asylum in 1995 by the US (IGLHRC AP)
Ethiopia voted against ILGA having consultative status at the UN in January and on April 30, 2002. Berhane Meskel Abebe, the Ethiopian representative on the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Oganisations, said his country voted against ILGA in january because homosexuality is a crime punishable by imprisonment in Ethiopia. “It doesn’t go with our society’s belief and general culture and practice.” He is reported to have said.
I am nation means in Ethiopia I am gay.. wow
BeTaam yemigermew, all that talk about Sara in #1 and #2 is replaced by discussion of homosexulaity…and homo-phobics in #3.
Fefe inna T-Pick, I knew it….i knew u’d end up loving each other. Seriously though, atasdebrunna..indieee! des aylim. Just kiss and make up…u know what they say…the S** after making up is the best
I recall what I heard about this orthodox priest who found two guys argue whether Mariam tamaldalech? The priest said ‘I don’t know what there’s to argue about’ and asked the first guy ‘aante, Mariam tamaldalech?’ The guy answered ‘Yes’…then, the priest said ‘tamaldahalech‘. what about you? and the second guy said ‘NO’…so, the priest said, ‘silezi atamaldihim. atamaldim iyalk beggid atamalidih ingdih!‘ I heard that recording and said to myself ‘well said.’ And nowwww, if u guys think homosexuality is part of nature..let it be for you. and for those of us who think it is by choice…it is by choice. How about we leave it there until it’s time to go HOME and find out….hopefully, it won’t be any time soon.
Peace!
Who would have thought this article would bring up such a heated topic? I must say, I am very much impressed by the people here putting their points across and arguing accordingly. Sose, thanks for the info.
My stand on the issue of Gays/Lesbians is a simple one. I believe people have a right to choose who and what they want to become. I am in no position to insult/critisize them for choosing to be gays/lesbians. But I do wish that ADAM will keep falling in love with EVE, and EVE falling in love with ADAM. Not ADAM for STEVE, or EVE for AIDA.
Chelema, I hope you are not regretting the outcome of this story? Imagine if you managed to write enough to create a book/novel, which would be made into a blockbuster, eventually making it the most read or watched ET movie of all time!
Oprah would be calling on you to try and get you to authorize her to add your book to her book club.
I think we can attempt to learn a lot from controversy and those that bring a difference of opinion… of course, this also depends on the subject matter. Some things are just plain and simple that requires no discussion whatsoever…
In any case, I like what DK said in #62:
Chelma,
Thank you for sharing. Perhaps my expectation for a happy ending has caused me a mild disappointment about how the story ended. Not to take anything away from your work but I agree with toothpick post #44. I am glad to read your posting on #48 and will look forward to read the alternative ending/s.
Reading all this posting it is clear your article in particular the issue of sexual orientation has touched a nerve. It is interesting to see strong opinions at each end of the pendulum.
My only comment in this regard is to say let us not forget few years back and perhaps even today we are judged based on the color of our skin and we intern should not fall into the trap of judging others based on sexual orientation.
Wudnesh you said
I say DITTO. If anyone believes homosexuality is not a choice it is their belief,but they shouldnlt try to shove their opinion down my throat.
Wudnesh you said
Wudnesh you said
“I heard that recording and said to myself ‘well said.’ And nowwww, if u guys think homosexuality is part of nature..let it be for you. and for those of us who think it is by choice…it is by choice. How about we leave it there until it’s time to go HOME and find out….hopefully, it won’t be any time soon.
I say DITTO. If anyone believes homosexuality is not a choice it is their belief,but they shouldnlt try to shove their opinion down my throat.
Are Elias and Chelema the one and the same people their writing is very similar
Low Fidelity By Elias E.
This story was posted on Seleda April 2004
http://www.seleda.com/apr04/lowfidelity.shtml
A not so dear old friend’s arrival in New York City, allowed me reprieve from a long and lately tired marriage.
“How come you’ve never spoken about him these last eight years?” Sarah, my wife, asked suspiciously when I told her of Victor’s arrival and my plans to take him out for a night on the town.
“We went to high school together; we were on the basketball team together; I don’t know. I just never knew where he was for the last 15 years,” I replied. “Why don’t you come with us? It’ll be fun,” I added with more enthusiasm than I really felt, knowing she would not accept. “Abdehal! kenante gar sesaker lamesh!?”
This would be a night without curfew. It would be a night when I wouldn’t have to check-in at home every other hour. A few years earlier I would have gone head-on with Sarah whatever the consequences; but I am a few skips away from the big 4-0, and my capacity to engage in ChiqiCHiq was at an all time low. It helped that Victor, my not so dear friend, was a non-Ethiopian.
I hadn’t seen Victor in fifteen years. He worked for a UN agency in Nairobi, and the few times he had come to the US we had been unable to connect.
After several phone calls we decided to meet in the East Village. Victor brought along a couple of his West African buddies, Sela and Omar.
Victor had changed quite a bit since high school. He was now lean and athletic. The Ethiopian kids used to tease him mercilessly in school about his long arms and huge hands, the way they swung pendulum like when he ran down the basketball court, his shoulders stooped, the whites of his eyes highlighted by his jet black skin.
As the leader of the amoral minority in high school, I was a magnet for the disenfranchised, the misfits and the dooreyes in general. So on a rainy afternoon in September, I watched Victor’s back as he kicked the shit out of his most vociferous persecutor. So it was that Victor pledged his allegiance and was initiated into the group.
Unlike the rest of the group, Victor didn’t smoke or drink back then; he did, however, keep us supplied with duty free cigarettes and liquor that he pilfered from his dad. In addition he had a most generous allowance, which he shared with the group selflessly.
The night started off slowly with one drink following the next as we reminisced about the old days, African politics, and the unforeseen paths our lives had taken.
Victor had wanted to be a football player and I had wanted to find my way to Hollywood. But as fate would have it neither of us attained our childhood dream.
As the night went on, the topic turned to music and women, both subjects that had to be discussed with unmitigated passion. We laughed about the time I took Victor to Lyceé gwarro where I introduced him to Elfenesh, a charming WelloyE from Dessie. Elfenesh was my partner in the war against virginity. It was there behind the cloth curtain that divided the single room that Victor, with excruciating groans and grunts, discovered the essential meaning of life.
After that, a significant portion of his allowance became unavailable to the group. We laughed about the time he caught the clap, and in a sheer panic wept like a baby; and the embarrassment of taking him to the clinic to get the problem fixed.
We left the quiet bar we had been in and headed to a new spot in Alphabet City.
There, a group of European women who were sufficiently tipsy wiggled their hips and made eyes at us across the bar. We smiled, and Victor, the lecher that he is, went over and started up a conversation.
The rest of us wondered why he was wasting his time with these tired white women. He came back to his spot at the bar with a wispy Spanish woman clinging to his arm. “This is Josephine,” he announced with flair. “She’s from Barcelona.” We introduced ourselves. “I asked her to hang out with us,” Victor added. I pulled Victor to the side. “There is no way I am going to walk down the street with these women in tow, in my town. Lose them,” I hissed at Victor. “Lose them,” echoed Sela.
We left a disappointed group of women at the bar and headed for the next location. Omar, a Muslim and recently wed, insisted he had to go home and caught a cab. The three of us walked with renewed energy. It must have been 2:00 a.m.
We walked in to the sound of salsa music and heaving mass of human flesh. We made our way to the bar, got our drinks and moved to the wall to better survey our surroundings.
At the bar there were three Puerto Rican girls or so I thought at first. We listened to the music, admired the pretty women in the joint, and as it was approaching 3:00 a.m., we decided to look into one other place before the night was through. As we left, I heard one of the Puerto Rican girls call out my name. Surprised, I turned around and walked towards the woman.
“ReshaheN indE? Lullit neN.” I searched my memory bank futilely trying to match the face with the name until all relevant facts finally clicked. Her hair was longer and straighter, she’d also put on a few pounds, all in the right places.
“Aye, indEt eresashalehu, Lullit? Tadias,” I replied.
“These are my friends Eme and Tsehay,” she said waving towards the other two women. I shook their hands unable to take my eyes off the one called Eme.
This was trouble: the alcohol, the smell of their skin, the seeming perfection of face and form all mixed in with the nostalgia of wilder days gone by… ripe recipe for some kind of disaster of monstrous proportions.
Years back I had had a reputation for being wild. My deserved notoriety had led to the undesirable situation where even the most casual acquaintance somehow felt they where intimate friends. This part of my history irked my wife to no end. “Eswan demo yet new yemetawqat?” was her first question at every social event where I would bump into a woman I used to know.
I hastily, if somewhat reluctantly, disengaged myself from the three finest looking women I had seen in some time, and bidding them goodnight, went to join Victor and Sela at the door. So who are they, they asked. “Just some girl I used to know,” I replied casually, leading the way out the door.
The evening was flying; one last spot to hit before lights out. I had a spring in my step, feeling like I was 25 again, or at the latest 30. I suddenly was glad that I was still fit; that my stomach was flat and my arms toned; that I didn’t have a double chin like some of my friends. As we walked up Avenue A, Victor and Sela where gabbing away while my mind was fixed on the occupant of a barstool in the place we had just left.
My body ached with a longing that I could scarcely contain. Fidelity was only the half of it. Though I loved my wife, the sexual tension, that oozing dissonance between desire and reason, the raw excitement of seemingly endless possibilities no longer existed. Sex, but for those rare occasions, was pedestrian and unfulfilling.
I had ‘cheated’ on my wife a few times during our years together. Those incidents happened when we had separated a couple of times. In time our differences where reconciled and we got back together. But one thing I had never done was cheat on my wife with an Ethiopian woman. Now there are those out there who think cheating is cheating period. But I don’t quite see it that way. If I had an Ethiopian lover, and my wife discovered it, I am sure it would hurt her deeply.
So even on a solo trip to Ethiopia, much to the chagrin and utter amazement of my friends, I had refrained from sampling the local delicacies.
Perhaps in the back of my mind was that anxiety, that only I seemed to have; that the only safe sex in Ethiopia was no sex at all.
Perhaps I loved or feared my wife, but these where all moot points now.
I had been wondering for some time about the new breed of Ethiopians.
It seemed as though expatriates of the last decade,the women particularly, were a staggeringly different breed than those who came before them.
Besides their obvious physical attributes, these new women were more risqué and self assured. They did not suffer from yiluNta, that particular Ethiopian characteristic that is often mistaken for diffidence here in the America.
We got to the last bar, which was half empty. I ordered the drinks. Sela and Victor looked unhappy. “What’s up?” I inquired.
“Man, there’s nobody here. We should go back to the other place and hook up with those girls you were talking to,” Sela bemoaned.
“No way, man” I replied, “Tomorrow’s Ethiopian radio will have the whole city and a few other states knowing what I was up to tonight. Just get it out of your mind.”
“What Ethiopian radio?”
“The grapevine broadcasting service.”
Fifteen minutes after our arrival Victor and Sela were looking dead bored. What right did I have to impinge on their happiness? What kind of host would I be if I didn’t acquiesce to my guest’s most reasonable request?
“All right, drink up and let’s go back,” I announced. Before I had finished my sentence Victor and Sela had downed their drinks and turned for the door.
Lullit, Eme and Tsehay were in the same spot, a couple of guys hovering over their shoulder. We joined them, jockeying for a spot at the bar beside them.
“You’re back,” Lullit commented.
“Yep, nothing else happening out there tonight,” I replied. “Let me introduce to my friends.”
I introduced Victor and Sela to the girls, and Lullit and I engaged in small conversation about mutual acquaintances. Sela was talking to Eme, who was looking at me.
My blood raged. How do I step away from Lullit and approach Eme without being too obvious? What was I going to do anyway? Should I tell her I was married? She probably already knows that by now. I looked down at my hand. Duh. I was wearing my ring. Ahaaaaaa! This whole thing was F#$K*!g with my head. Forget about it, I thought, just have a good time. You’re an adult. You can control your desires. Besides, a little flirting never killed anyone.
“Why don’t we go somewhere else,” suggested Tsehay”, who had been talking up a storm with Victor. “We know a place that’s hopping on Tuesday nights and they stay open late.”
Victor’s wristwatch stared back at me. It was 4:10 a.m. I rolled my wedding band between my thumb and pinky, praying that all would end well.
I finished my drink my third in less then an hour. My head felt light and my face felt flush, but I felt real good. We paid the tab and walked out.
The streets were empty, and the girls set off ahead of us at a brisk pace, arms wrapped around each other’s waists.
The guys fell back to enjoy the view. God, they didn’t make ET girls like that when I was growing up. Their wonderfully shaped behinds bopped along like apples in a barrel. They all had great legs, which till recent years, was the forgivable flaw of most Ethiopian women. They never turned back, forging along, their laughter carrying in the early morning air.
A surly bouncer with more ink on his body then the Sunday edition of the New York Times stopped us at the door of a nondescript building. He stared long and hard before nodding us in. The place was pretty full, with Hip-hop blaring from the speakers. A few couples danced, while others where scattered around the room. We made our way to an empty corner of the bar.
Eme was sitting on the stool, her large brown eyes a little bleary, her dark olive skin radiant. She waved me over and I went. Her luscious full lips seemed strangely appropriate for her delicately chiseled face, and had a hypnotic effect as she spoke. I wasn’t listening. I was just watching her mouth form words that breezed by my head.
“You’re cute,” she said, “Waking me from my stupor.”
“I… beg your pardon?” was how I could only reply. She curled her index finger, beckoning me closer. I leaned closer and her warm, moist lips pressed against my stiff surprised ones. Phew.
“I am sorry, I couldn’t help it,” she said.
“It’s o.k.” I was saying the words as I was moving closer to return her kiss.
I moved back unsteadily, unsure of what had transpired, but thrilled and terrified. My jeans felt tight. I turned back to the group, pretending to listen to what they were talking about.
I felt Eme’s hand grab mine, and as I turned she started leading me towards the dance floor. It was a fast number, but somehow we danced close, her chest hard against mine, her hips gently swaying against my leg. Her perfume soaked into my pores, and I let my lips brush against her ear. We must have stayed on the dance floor for a while; a film of sweat covered my forehead, and my t-shirt felt damp. “Let’s get back with the others,” I said.
Victor, Sela, Lullit and Tsehay had moved from the bar to some couches nearby, talking about who knows what. They seemed remarkably sober. I sat on an ottoman and Eme squeezed in next to Tsehay. I finished off my drink under the watchful eye of Eme.
It must have been about 5:00 a.m. Eme rose from her chair and announced she had to go to the ladies room. “AbirrEysh l’mTa?” Lullit asked. “Aye gedelem,” replied Eme, making her way out of her tight corner. A few feet away Eme stopped, turned and reached a hand out to me. I rose ,and walking over, took it.
The unisex bathrooms were lined up in a row in the back. I grabbed Eme by the shoulders and turned her towards me.
My lips found hers, and I was again surprised by their fullness. She was a good kisser; her mouth was both malleable and assertive. We stood there making out for a few minutes, and then I led her into one of the bathrooms.
Passions welled as we groped, caressed, kissed and tasted each other. Not a thought in our minds of place and time.
I felt my jeans drop to my ankles and I lifted Eme’s perfect bare bottom onto the edge of the sink.
“Do you have a condom?” she moaned.
“No,” I mumbled, my head clearing. Suddenly realized where I was and what I was doing. I thought about my wife at home in bed. I thought about Eme. I thought about AIDS. And I thought about a condom.
I wasn’t a condom-packing player on the prowl, I was just a restless, married, thirty-something guy looking to recapture a fading youth. I looked down at Eme’s beautiful face. Somehow we both knew the moment had passed. I pulled up my jeans and she her panties. We kissed again. I splashed water on my face and Eme fixed her makeup.
We walked back to knowing looks from the group. I lit a cigarette and sat down. “Don’t sit there we’ve got to go,” Tsehay said. I reached for Victor’s wrist to look at his watch. It was 5:35 in the morning. I could smell Eme’s perfume and scent on my skin.
“Do you have a pen?” asked Eme as we left the joint.
“No,” I replied. Lullit and Victor hailed a cab.
“Let me give you my number,” she said.
“Eme, come on!” yelled Tsehay. Eme got into the cab.
“Wait, wait” she said. On a scrap of paper, with a gnawed BIC pen borrowed from the impatient driver, she scratched her name and number on the paper and handed it to me.
“Call me?” she said as the cab pulled away.
“OK. I will,” I replied, knowing right well that I never would.
I remember Victor and Sela joshing me about the evening. I remember telling them that I took her outback for some fresh air.
I could still smell Eme on me by the time the cab pulled up to my building. I jumped off with a hurried goodbye. The doorman buzzed me in. I was too embarrassed to look at him, afraid that my indiscretion was written on my face.
I carefully opened the door, slipped off my shoes, stripped off my t-shirt and jeans, and, tossing them in the broom closet, headed straight for the bathroom. I scrubbed my face and arm with soap and water; rinsed my hair in the sink and brushed my teeth.
Sarah was sleeping, snoring softly as the morning light seeped through blinds. I slipped into bed and closed my eyes. I dreamt about the phone number scrawled on a torn piece of paper that was tucked in the front pocket of my jeans. I dreamt that Sarah found it. Was it a dream? Shouldn’t I get up and destroy the evidence? Nah.
I woke up the next afternoon to find a note on the kitchen table. “Have gone to the hairdresser. Will call you later. Love, S.”
My head was pounding as I recovered my T-shirt and jeans. I fished out Eme’s phone number from the wrinkled singles and fives in my jeans pocket, the sad remains of the crisp fold of fifties and twenties I had had earlier last night. I looked at the scrawled name and number, recounting the events of the night before, trying to piece together how it all happened, wondering how it would have been, and where, if anywhere, a consummation of our desires might have led.
Sarah and I know in our hearts that our relationship was good for maybe another year or two. We were too different. Sex had brought us together, and sex would tear us apart. The raging fire that were the first few years of our marriage had slowly died down, and except for the occasional spark, there was not very much heat left.
I know, though Sarah denies it, that she had had an affair a few years back when our marriage was on the rocks. Hers, unlike mine, was a proper affair. It wasn’t a terminal fling. Good thing fidelity was not what I had expected, or particularly desired, when I got married.
That morning I burnt the piece of paper with Eme’s number knowing there will be another Eme. Or perhaps I would run into Eme again some night. One of those nights devoted to Dionysus
hmm.. okayyy
Amazon, thanks.. but Chelema, don’t make me to hate you man, answer Amazon question are you Elias. E? is all your work? please say yes.
The two pieces could not be written by the same person, though a remarkable coincidence in choice of expressions shown. The overall style, as observed in choice of words, sentence construction and character build up suggest different authors with different flow of thought and level of talent.
Regardless of whether it’s the same person, I LOVE the story. Thanks for posting it Amazon.
Love at first sight by Chelema .
After 10 years of living in the United States, I returned to Addis Ababa to be the best man on my best friend’s (Girma’s) wedding, but only to find out there were missing things and things that mattered the most and weighed heavily on my democratized soul.
Addis Ababa had changed quite a bit since I left at the age of 17. Back in my old days, the closest we came to going out on a date was to a neighborhood Shai beet. One ET birr was good enough to entertain a lady. All we needed was one SHai for me and one WOTET for her. After that, we would be on our way to heaven. Now things are different.
The women are almost a different breed than the ones that came before them. Their beauty and physical attributes were both remarkable. It seemed that they no longer suffer from the typical Ethiopian characteristics of YeluGNta.
The youngsters were way a head of their games. Most of them attempt to implicate the western style of living.
On a Friday or Saturday night, I would go out to the bars and nightclubs with my oldest friends just to be amazed by the beauty of my Ethiopian sisters. The women always managed to look extremely attractive, and it was obvious that there would be some men who would continually go to such places only to satisfy their sexual desire.
However, I promised myself that I would not attempt to engage in any sexual activities with any of the girls I see at these bars. The safest sex at the time was no sex at all. Period. That was my philosophy and I intended to stick to it.
One Saturday night, my friends insisted that we go to the nightclub at the Sheraton Addis. The beauty of that hotel was like no other. The service and the luxuries atmosphere added a couple of more stars to an already 5 star hotel.
As we made our entrance to the nightclub, we noticed a group of young ladies wiggling their hips and kinda checking out the crowd.
Three of my friends went straight to the girls and I made my way to the bar, got me a drink and I lit a cigarette as I moved to the back of the crowd to better check out the surroundings. The place was full of beautiful women.
May I borrow a lighter? A woman’s voice in a British accent sank into my ears. It must have been the sexiest voice I have heard in years. I turned around to see if that was directed to me. Then there she was; the most beautiful thing my eyes had ever witnessed. She certainly defined everything I knew about beauty instantly.
Her nicely shaped figure and long legs caught my attention right away. She was wearing a not-so-short tight skirt and a silky top covering nothing but her breasts. Her dark olive skin astonishing. I checked her out from top to bottom with a quick glance before I answered.
I …beg your pardon? I was almost mumbling when I said that. May I borrow a lighter?… she said it again. Of course I heard her the first time too.
Sure, I replied as I was searching through my pocket. At this time, she was very close to me that I could smell her perfume. I wondered if she spoke AmaRiGNa.
You come here often? She said, as she was lighting her cigarette.
No, this is my first time. I replied, yet wondering about her seemingly appreciable full lips. She had a hypnotic effect when she spoke. Her soft and curly dark hair was getting in her way every time she spoke. She would run her fingers through her hair and curls it behind.
Her head would follow the motion as she attempts to flip her hair backwards.
My name is Mekdim, I said stretching my hands for a handshake
”I am Sara”, we shook hands.
So you live here? I was saying the words as I was moving closer to her.
No, I have been here only two days. I live in London. What about you? She said, not attempting to move back as if she wanted me to get closer.
I live in Miami, I am on vacation too. I replied,
We talked for almost a half hour telling each other about life and what we had been up to since we left home. She was only 4 when she left home and this was her first trip back. She must have been in her late twenties now. She held a masters degree in accounting and is now working for an insurance company.
I offered to buy her a drink, she didn’t resist. I will get the second round she said. We had two more drinks. The night was getting hot. And the alcohol was helping to smooth the conversation.
You’re very cute, I said,
Oh thanks… you’re one sexy man yourself, she replied.
By this time my blood pressure was increasing. My body aching with a desire. I felt the sexual tension, the raw excitement of a sexual desire. Sex, only for that matter. I pictured grabbing her from her hips and aggressively pushing my lips against hers. But that only stayed as an imagination.
Wait a minute…what happened to the promise I made to myself? NO sex period. But she is not from here? Does that count? TiyaQe-be-TiyaQe my head was going nuts. Though I had began developing what I considered a quintessential sensation of a sexual desire, I began to refrain from the idea.
Music was playing…may be I should ask her for a dance, I said to myself. Yeah, that’s a great idea.
How about a dance? I stretched my hands to her…. I felt her hands grabbing mine… I was again stunned by the softness of her hands. I led to the dance floor. Meanwhile, I could feel my head getting lighter. May be it was the alcohol. Oh well, what ever it was, I didn’t care at the time.
The music was kinda fast, and I hate fast music…but I danced to it anyway. I think I was enjoying her movement more than I cared what she thought about my dancing style. As soon as the music ended and the next one began, I had the courage to pull her closer and made an intention to dance a little slower. She didn’t seem to mind. Even though the rest of the dancing crowd was moving with the fast beats, we were doing the slow dancing
She had her hands wrapped around my neck and mine around her hips. Now its ON! I said to myself as if I needed a reassurance from my conscious. But my thoughts were interrupted by the sudden lip-lock of my lips against hers. Did I make the initial gesture to kiss her or did she initiate it? At the time, the question was irrelevant. If I saw her come one percent of the way to kiss me, I was ready to cover the remaining ninety nine percent. Either way, my lips found hers and we were in heaven.
I couldn’t remember the last time I kissed a girl the way I kissed her. Her moist and fully appreciable lips so malleable that I kissed her with my eyes closed and really forgetting where I was at the time.
As my lips met hers, I moved her even closer. I felt her hands tight around my neck. No air in between and no time to breath. Just a long and passionate kiss. My knees went weak and my palms became sweaty. All of a sudden, the world around us just simply disappeared.
Seconds after that moment, there was no need for a word to be spoken between us. We both knew we needed to get out of there as fast as possible. I turned around leaving my right hand behind for her to grab. I led the way to the front and made our exit straight to the parking lot.
She asked if I drove. Of course I drove my brother’s new BMW. The car was parked a little further to the end so it became even harder to find it.
As the longing to be all over each other fueled the passion’s flames, I got to the point where I could not wait anymore. But all that thought got broken into pieces when she suddenly pushed me against the Toyota 4 Runner that was parked in the middle of the parking lot and locked her lips against mine. I was again stunned by her aggressive move and yet to my surprise, her lips tasted even better and sweeter.
I quickly turned her around and did my portion of the slamming. As I turned her around, she dropped her purse on the ground and quickly raised her hands against the back window of the 4 Runner and locked them together. I felt her breathing for desire and as she inhales, she would rise up from her chest and her breasts would swell up.
Her sweaty face and sweaty chest, all combined with her soft and malleable lips, drove me to that edge where I had to have her right there and then.
Slowly my right hand made its way down her waist and to the thigh and inside her mini skirt. Then I moved my hands upward feeling each and every inch of her buttock until I reached up to her panties. Of course she was wearing a thong. I didn’t bother to take it off as there was no time to do that. Then suddenly I felt her hands unbuckling my belts and before I knew it, my pants were right down to my ankle and her left leg wrapped around my waist.
And immediately following that, I felt her hands moving inside my boxers as I was literally tearing her thong into pieces.
Wait, I said and quickly searched through my right pocket and grabbed what I felt was a condom.
My subconscious thanked Girma for slipping a few pieces of condoms in my pocket the other day just as a pre-caution. I quickly took the condom out of the sack and slipped it in.
Now passion’s flame took its course and everything in us bursts with the excitement of SEX. At that moment, all I heard was her mourning and my heart jumping with the beat. I craved every inch of her, and wanted to touch and taste every part of her body.
I am now consumed by her, and my body suddenly set on fire.
So we were lost in each other touching, tasting, and exploring while body was crying for more of one another and each other’s soul touched with that moment’s passion. I could feel her body shivering with excitement as she got lost in my hands and gave herself up to me completely.
Suddenly her body became so stiff as she mourned even louder than ever and with all the power she processed, she had me squeezed. Then we were one. I felt the need to squeeze her bottom even harder and pushed everything I am in her. Suddenly I too felt my legs getting weaker and my body doing …”I don’t’ know what”…
And then there is was. After a long yet unforgettable passionate moment, the mind was right back to its original state. I pulled up my pants and she her panties. We both breathing hard as hell, I kissed her softly and she gracefully returned the favor. I looked at my watch, while she straightened out her hair and picked up her purse. She took out a hand mirror and fixed up her eyebrows and her lips. I kissed her softly and smiled.
The night was young, I offered if she would like to get out of there and get a bite of the rest of what the city has to offer. She didn’t refuse. She made a call to her friends who she left in the club and there we went off. We checked out a few places in town and in between every stop at the traffic lights and at every parking lot of a night club, we would kiss.
It was obvious that we still didn’t have enough of each other and we wanted the night to go on so we can taste each other again once more.
As the night progresses and morning took its turn, I suggested the idea of spending the night together. She fully supported the idea and we headed back to the Sheraton Addis to get a room. There were plenty of rooms available at the Sheraton Addis. Being the gentleman that I am, I certainly took charge and secured a room. paid cash up front. It was mighty expensive for Addis but totally worth the experience.
The room was elegant and sophisticated. I quickly glanced around and paid my admiration right away.
Now here I am in one of the most luxuries hotels in the world and with very sexy, beautiful and highly sophisticated girl that everything seemed unreal.But who cared, I was ready for a second round.
So the idea of jumping in shower together was something that didn’t need justification. The shower dripping our bodies wet as we caressed and tasted each other once again. The softness of her body was astonishing. Every part of her body I touch, I embrace.
The second time around was even better. Our bodies were both steamy and fully connected.
After we got out of the shower, we lay down on the bed with my waist covered with a towel and hers not covered at all. She laid her head on my chest and my hands went around to support that gesture. Occasionally, she would rub my chest and quickly compliment the broadness of it.
You must work out everyday, she said.
I do okay.
Well, you’re body is yummy, she said it with a beautiful accent. I turned her towards me and gave her a soft kiss. That was my way of saying, “thanks for noticing my guns”
We both wanted the night to go on. But the comfort of each other’s company was strong enough to put us both to sleep. And next thing we know, the housekeeper was knocking on our door, telling us it was time to leave.
I looked at my watch, it was 11 AM, she looked at hers and quickly jumped out of bed and started putting her clothe on. At the time I was confused and asked if everything was okay. She said she was supposed to meet a very close family member of hers at the Bole International Airport. And that she was already 15 minutes late. I believed her somehow; I got up as quick as I can myself and offered to drive her to the airport. She refused right away. She insisted that I stay behind and that she could take a cab to the airport. I noticed something was up but left it alone anyway.
We kissed, exchanged phone numbers and then she was off.
I lay back to bed for an extra five more minutes thinking what had surpassed the night before. Was that just a one-night stand? I asked myself. She couldn’t possibly be a prostitute. Questions were bouncing in my head from left to right when suddenly my cell phone rang and interrupted me from crazy thought.
It was Sara, she apologized for rushing to leave like that and said that that night was a night she couldn’t forget and that she couldn’t wait until she sees me again. I felt a sense of pride, and was reassured again. We made an appointment to see each other again at 7 pm in the evening at a local bar in Piazza and we hanged up the phone.
I left the hotel at exactly 11:30 am and headed straight home. The city of Addis Ababa was crowded as usual. Cars rushing to get in front of one another, and people yelling at the taxis that almost hit them. The town was as crazy as it always was. I drove through the Filwoha area through Kazanchis made a right turn at the church of Urael and headed down to the Meskel Square. I wanted to stop by and get a cup of coffee at least, as I pulled over at a small coffee shop my cell phone rang again.
It was Girma. Oh shit! I completely forgot about Girma. I was supposed to meet him and his fiancé for lunch at Lalibela Restaurant. Though I never really met his fiancé in person, I heard she was adorable. So I closed the door and told the waiter I didn’t need anything anymore, gave him 5 Et birr for his trouble and rushed to get to my appointment on time. Girma was calling to tell me he would be late a few more minutes. It was okay, because I could have my coffee at Lalibela restaurant.
I got to the restaurant at exactly 12:00 PM. Girma and his fiancé didn’t make it there yet. So I went straight to the sofa chairs by the window and called one of the waiters and asked to get a cup of coffee. Occasionally I would look through the window and find myself gazing in mid air. And sometimes, I would be smiling when I remember some of the things I said or Sara said the night before.
“isn’t she amazing?” I asked myself. And then suddenly, every part of my body from my feet to my brain froze instantly. My eyes wide open and my body trembling in fear. I tried to get up to get a closer look at what my eyes are witnessing at that very moment. My brain sends the message telling my body to get up but my body wouldn’t allow it. I felt like I was just hit by something awkwardly big.
There he is, Girma and his fiancé “Sara”. It all suddenly got rewind back to the very first moment I saw her at the club in Sheraton Addis. The love making scene, the hotel shower, and the morning rush to get to somewhere. It all just hit me right in between my eyes. Ohhhhh shhhiiiiit! was all that could come out of my mouth.
They both made their way in. I wanted to hide, and disappear, but I couldn’t as he already saw me looking stupid.
There he is, he said.
She looked to her left, and of course, there I was. Our eyes locked, she stopped right there where she was, looking like she had just seen a ghost. Her face suddenly turned blue.
Are you okay babe, Girma insisted.
Yeah I am fine, it must be the breakfast I just had, she said. Rubbing her stomach as if she just experienced a cramp.
Girma and I hugged, he introduced her to me as Sara. I couldn’t tell if I felt stupid or glad to know her name was really Sara.
Nice to meet you I said and extended my hands,
Glad to meet you too, she said. Sort of squeezing my hands tighter. Somehow I got the message she was trying to send.
I looked at him (he is very excited to see me), and I looked at her (highly disturbed to see me). I didn’t know whether it was the fact that Girma was my very best childhood friend, or that I just spent an unforgettable night with a beautiful woman who now happens to be my best friends fiancé or if I was just jealous that somebody else had his share of that moment with that beautiful woman I spent the night with.
What ever it was, it certainly was making me ill. And I couldn’t stand to be there for one more minute…
comment 3 Chelema Oh btw you guys, just so you know, the original title for this story was a long one(nolawi can testify on this). But it was left as “Was it love at first sight? or Was it pure infedility? you be the judge”. But too long of a title, so it had to be cut.
Low Fidelity is the name of Elias story Pure infedility????
In Elias story Low Fidelity, he goes clubbing with 3 friends like Chelema, and the story is set in a club or hotel in both stories, coincidence????? .
Amazon, No relation with Elias E what’s so ever. We’re not the same person. I think we both may have gotten our inspiration from the same place. So for the record, I AM NOT ELIAS. E, AND NEVER BEEN TO THE SITE
http://www.seleda.com/apr04/lowfidelity.shtml
The story was very Entertaining I must admit.
Amazon, why are you dissecting this and what are you trying to prove? Chelema is obviously a good writer. Coincidence, maybe but so what? He didn’t claim this story to be true and may I remind you he stated the original was posted on the internet, years ago, so how do you know Elias didn’t take the idea from Chelema huh? Whatever the reasoning behind it, who knows and who cares, the point is we discussed this important issue infedility/homosexuality within the Ethiopian community.
This is what amazes me the most about people. As soon as a person gets all the attention someone else has to surface to steal the limelight. Let it be and let us enjoy the story. How many romance/thriller books have you read that had major similarities including but not limited to the title…too many in my book. Don’t try to discredit the guy by nit picking every little part of the story. And have you contacted Elias to see if he was influenced by Chelema’s original posting?
Honey you have way too much time on your hands. I did enjoy the Low Fidelity but not as much as Love at 1st sight.
here you go starting another subject… I don’t care anymore about the skills or the story any more. Bettam yasazenal gen
Amazon, I hope my post #111 answers your question. But you may be digging too much into this. Infedility means only one thing, so don’t be surprised if you see it being the title of many stories.
“We’re I think we both may have gotten our inspiration from the same place. So for the record”
Chelema, it’s amazing the place you pick and the number of people you choose the same us Elias. when I read your storie it’s rmeinded me I read this story somewhere else long time ago. I agree with Amazon there is no fucking way can be coincidence. somebody must still someones work like Girma..
weyeee gooooddd
please Chelema STOP
Fefesha minew yene Konjo, accusing ppl right out bluntly? How about learning to give ppl the benefit of a doubt for 2007?
I finally read each and every comment.. and i have to say that there are one or two things that are similar in wording… but the story is completely differnt and the style of writing is completely different…
and amazon you just have too much time on your hands to try to connect stories that are completely different.. i personally still think chelemas story is great and he is an excellent writer….
chelema don’t let this fool.. ( hater) bother you… continue to write and continue to make your movies.. you are a great writer…
you know when ever someone does something extraordinary a lot of haters pop up… in any community… the more haters you have the better you are… !
last but not least… I am not a writer but I was a reader of Seleda… i connected to the seleda articles because i thought i was similar to the people that wrote the many wonderful articles… i was very much influenced when i finally decided to jot stuff down… the style and the content… greatly influenced me… and i think its always a good thing…
so all the haters puff get of chelemas shoulders…
fefe, I am a very reasonable guy, so I won’t respond to your blunt accusation with an insult, nor do I even try to pick lines from a story and try to explain to you so you could understand. You are entitled to your opinion and if you choose to accuse, let it be “I AM GUILTY” Does that make you feel better? I hope so.
Would it have changed your opinion if I had said that my original story was posted on one of my websites three years ago? I am not even going to emphasize that because if I do, it would somehow mean that I am suggesting Elias E had gotten the inspiration from my original story. But I don’t want to, because the last thing you could ever want to do is falsly accuse a writer of plagarism. His story and mine had no connection what’s so ever. From reading his story, he is a very good writer as well, and I wouldn’t mind reading more from him if I ever get a chance. So I want to leave it at that. But your opinion is yours, and so you may believe anything you want.
chelema, you should get mad at Amazon not Fefe.
Nolwi ante demo endeww just kidding…
It was obvious that the two pieces were written by different persons. o eed to question the writing integrity of Chelema, however only Elias E could tell us if he was indeed inspired by Chelema. Unsubstantiated allegations, however, are not constructive. Writers get inspired by their own as well as the works of others, and borrow some things in the process. Dagnachew Worku, one of the giants of Ethiopian literature has something to say about this. Check this site it is quite informative. http://www.adefris.net/amharic_docs/crt_es_01.htm
My own view is both writers are gifted, however of the two pieces low fidelity is more artistic and deeper. I wish fans did not rush the publication of Love at first sight.
I Should mention from the most read article’s in the bernos stats is love at first site parts 1 through 3 and all in the top 8…
they have found a life of their own in which the links for those articles is being forwarded through email… part two is the the most forwarded…
this says a lot since on the popularity of chelemas writing style.. eventhough there are many amazing articles on bernos..
the top article btw is how to ask ethiopian girls out?
i mean what does this say..about ethiopians.. they want to talk about dating sex…minamin… with ethiopians.. aygermem
WOW THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ARTICLE I HAVE EVER READ, WHEN I GOT THE E-MAIL FROM MY FRIEND IT WAS REALLY LATE BUT ONES I START READING THE ARTICLE I WAS UP TILL I WAS DONE WITH PART ONE AND 2 EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO GET UP @ 6 IN THE MORNIN THE NEXT DAY IT GOT MY ATTENTION. A NOW THAT I READ PART 3 I WAS SHOCKED CUZ I DIDNT REALLY EXPECT UR FRIND TO BE GAY BUT IT WAS FUNNY AS HELL LOVED IT. CHELEMA WHO EVER U ARE I THINK UR ARTICLE WAS AMAZING AND I LOVE HOW U WENT IN DETAIL ABOUT EVERYTHING UR REALLY GOOD, U SHOULD RIGHT MORE STORYS..WILL BE UR # FUN FOR SURE..LOL
P.S.
HMMMMMMM yeaaaaaaa
Sizzling hooooottttt! Ouuuuu! Take one, take two, take three! Is this series out in print? I want the full story! what is the authors last name?
Wow very shocking. I hope you don’t mind changing your nick name as “Demeke”. It is perfectly fitted after the confession.
so wht is planning to do with her
LOL Every detail in side the article makes a big seance,the ending was a greet relief for the one who felt guilty.for me that is a happy ending,not ketch at all.
ALTENZAZAME.bravo.
yonatan from swiss.
10 kudos 4 u!
God damn! u got me so wetttttttttt!
can u plz do my english 101 essay.
man! you can really write a descriptive essay.lol
Well done Chelema. I disliked the idea of Girma turning out to be gay because its uncommon for our culture… But overall, well done, continue to entertain your readers….
WOW, Nice gift article displayed in the article. This kind of gift to a girl friend with a Hip Hop music . at the background, will bond the relation more strong.
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