Losing someone important can be an incredibly painful experience, one that feels like a heavy weight in your chest that simply won't go away.
Often, this pain is internal and doesn't show on your face; instead, you might appear stoic while the pain lies deep in your heart.
This was the pain that Safiya felt as she stood by Ahmed's freshly-dug grave. She had never imagined this day would come.
She had always thought that they would grow old together, seeking justice for her father's killer. She had never expected to lose him so suddenly.
Safiya's eyes remained fixed on the covered grave, even as others began to walk away.
Her fists tightened at her side as she vowed to find out who had done this to him. She wouldn't rest until she uncovered the truth.
Meanwhile, Ahmed's mother had been brought to the gravesite and was now being carefully led away.