Layla hadn’t slept a wink all night. Her mind had been overwhelmed with thoughts that wouldn’t let her rest. At times, she convinced herself that her father would never want anything wrong for her but then another voice inside her whispered that this still wasn’t right. She even thought, just for a moment, of running away like her mother did. But then her father’s face appeared in her mind, and like every other girl trapped by duty and emotion, she felt powerless.

The night passed in this turmoil, and even when the morning call to prayer echoed, she felt no will to rise. Yet, with forced effort, she got up and offered her prayers.