Yusha let out a long, weary sigh, carrying the weight of unspoken stories. “I was not always the man you know now,” he admitted softly. “There are parts of my past I am not proud of. But I’ve tried to leave that life behind.”
Zainab felt a pull between doubt and compassion. She had seen his kindness, the gentle nature he shared, yet Amina’s words lingered. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered.
“I wanted you to know me as I am now, not the man I used to be,” Yusha said, regret in his tone. “I feared the truth would change how you saw me.”
Zainab’s fingers traced the worn mat beneath them. She realized Yusha, like her, had been forced to navigate a harsh world, and yet he chose to show kindness and openness.
“I don’t care about your past,” she said finally, her voice steady. “I care about who you are now… and who we are together.”
Relief softened Yusha’s expression as he squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Zainab. I promise to always be honest with you from now on.”
In that quiet moment, Zainab understood that love is not defined by perfection or past mistakes. It is about understanding, forgiveness, and the bond forged despite life’s challenges. Sitting together in their dimly lit hut, she felt a peace she had never known—a peace born of being truly seen, truly loved, and truly accepted.
