Who Is the So-and-So?

Fasil Hotel. Solomon walked in. Azeb greeted him. He greeted her back. He ordered gin. Azeb brought it. Who but Azuka!

There’s something like music. “He had it, he had it, and when it bored him he slept,” goes the song. He listens to the soul; in his heart he chews on Azuka. Oh, Azeb!

Azeb’s a good girl. He’s known her a long time. This same house. Three years ago today. She hasn’t changed. Don’t people change? A thing left in trust!

He remembers that first day, when he knew her and she knew him:

“Azuye.”
“Yes, dear.”
“That’s your name, isn’t it?”
“Yes, my soul.”
“Tell me, have I ever said it to you?”
“Said what, my soul?”
“That I like you?”
“You’re not the only one!”
“Meaning?”
“Plenty of men say it.”
“Really?”
“On Girmish’s grave.”
“And who’s Girmish?”
“My husband!”
“When did he marry you?”
“The day Sammy left me.”
“Why did Sammy leave you?”
“He suspected me with Ermi.”
“And who’s Ermi?”
“My lover!”
“How, exactly, does he love you?”
“Like Asfaw, like Taye, like Fikru, like Ambaye, like Getish, like Bekish, like…”
“Enough, enough. Drop it.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“No reason. Sit down instead.”
“Bringing what?”
“Whatever you like.”

She came back with cognac.
They spent the evening together; they spent the night together. They loved each other… and today…

He drinks his gin. He listens to the music. He chews on Azeb. Oh, Azeb! Thought, that horseman. Hyah!

“What’s Azeb?”
“A whore.”
“What’s a whore?”
“Azeb!”
“What part of her whored?”
“All of her!”
“And why did I come here, again?”
“To enjoy myself.”
“With whom?”
“With Azuka.”
“What’s Azuka?”
“A whore.”
“And me?”
“‘Who is the so-and-so?'”
“Who said that?”
“Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin.”