The veil was supposed to protect her, to shield her from the world's gaze. But for Amina, it had become a mask, one that hid not only her face but the fire smoldering in her chest.
She lived carefully, dutifully. Morning prayers whispered, lessons attended, her smile obedient when her parents asked about her day. To everyone around her, Amina was the picture of purity. But inside, desire gnawed like a forbidden hunger, growing sharper each time she stole a glance at Leila.
Leila was everything Amina was not, free-spirited, reckless with her laughter, hair uncovered and curling wild in the wind. They met in the quiet corners of campus, their friendship a fragile rope stretched between caution and temptation. Leila never pushed, never asked. But her eyes lingered too long, and her hand bru
