Chapter 2: Whispers and Shifting Loyalties

Aleena returned home and sought out her father, the gifts from Sajan clutched in her hands. Alhaji Fu'ad was in his usual spot, watching the news, with his wife, Aleena's mother, by his side."My baby, where have you been?" he asked, his voice full of warmth. "I've been waiting for you all day.""What are you eating without me, Dad?" Aleena asked, ignoring his question and peeking into a flask.He smiled. "It's rice. You can have yours," he insisted.

She closed the flask and stood up. "That's. . .