Next Step.

Safiya gently lifted her head from Malik's shoulder, her eyes meeting his fixed gaze, His brow furrowed with apprehension and felt the wight of unspoken words.

He bit his lip, refusing to meet her eyes, his hands tightly clasped. Safiya reached out and lightly brushed her fingers over his, offering a reassuring smile.

"I usually train with my father, with Salam," his voice hinting at vulnerability.

His voice trembled as he continued, "But that day, I was alone with him training in the woods, learning how to hunt an animal. I was practicing with the bow, so I can learn how to catch meat," he paused, his grip tightening as he admitted, "I shot my father by mistake thinking it was an animal"

Safiya nodded, her touch gentle, urging him to continue.

"I lied when others came," Malik confessed, his head drooping with the weight of guilt. "I told them the arrow has come from no where and had shot him".