The woman, drenched and shivering, stood up with an unexpected steadiness. Her eyes, which moments ago had reflected sheer terror, now held an unyielding resolve. The laughter subsided, replaced by an uncomfortable silence as her family watched her intently, waiting for her reaction.
With a deep breath, she removed her headscarf, wringing it out with deliberate slowness. Her son, grandsons, and daughter-in-law exchanged quick, uncertain glances as if reconsidering their actions for the first time.
“Mother, are you alright?” her son finally asked, his voice carrying a note of guilt that hadn’t been there before.
