“He’s been lying to you,” Amina hissed. “He’s not a beggar by chance. He chose this life. He’s hiding something.”
Zainab felt as if the ground beneath her feet was crumbling. She pulled her arm away from Amina and staggered back, overwhelmed by a wave of uncertainty. Her mind raced with questions she couldn’t voice, and her heart ached with doubt. Could it be true? Could Yusha, the man who had shown her kindness and warmth, be hiding a secret so profound?
She made her way home, the path familiar yet filled with a new sense of dread. Her memories of Yusha’s gentle laughter and kind gestures now seemed shrouded in mystery. As she stepped into the hut, Yusha looked up from his task, sensing her distress.
“Zainab, what happened?” he asked, concern etched in his voice.
She hesitated, battling the internal storm. Finally, she mustered the courage to speak. “Yusha, tell me the truth. Who are you really?”
