CHAPTER 4- The Risk of Wanting More
243 Words
Wanting something in Amina’s world was dangerous.
Because wanting led to hoping.
And hoping, more often than not, led to disappointment.
Still… she went.
The palace recruitment was being held in a nearby town, far enough to feel like another world. Amina woke before dawn, her heart already racing, her mind filled with everything that could go wrong.
She wore her cleanest dress.
It wasn’t new. It wasn’t impressive.
But it was all she had.
By the time she arrived, the line was already long.
Girls.
Dozens of them.
Some dressed better. Some louder. Some confident in ways Amina didn’t understand.
She almost turned back.
“What are you waiting for? Join the line.”
A voice beside her broke the spiral.
A middle-aged woman stood with her arms crossed, eyeing her like she had already made a decision.
Amina nodded quickly and stepped into place.
Time passed slowly.
The sun climbed.
Feet shifted.
Voices rose and fell.
And one by one, names were called.
Until—
“Amina.”
Her breath caught.
She stepped forward.
Inside, the room was simple but intimidating. Two officials sat behind a table, their expressions neutral, their eyes sharp.
“Why do you want this job?” one asked.
Amina hesitated.
She could lie.
Say something polished.
Something safe..
But instead—
“I want a different life,” she said quietly.
The room fell still.
The officials exchanged a glance.
Not impressed.
Not amused.
Just… interested.
- Writer
