The scent of dust and dry grass hung in the air as the sun dipped behind the hills of Kamuli village. The evening winds stirred the banana leaves, whispering secrets only the trees seemed to understand. In the heart of this quiet village lived 17-year-old Liana, a girl with calloused palms, tired eyes, and a heart full of dreams she was too afraid to say aloud.
Liana lived with her stepmother, a woman who saw her as a burden rather than a blessing. Her real mother had passed away when Liana was just seven, leaving behind a girl who barely remembered her lullabies but carried her absence like a scar. Her father, once vibrant and hopeful, had grown withdrawn, leaving Liana to fend for herself in a home that offered little warmth.
Despite her circumstances, Liana clung to her dream of becoming a doctor. Every evening, she'd sit by the kerosene lamp, poring over borrowed textbooks, imagining a life far from Kamuli—one where she could wear a white coat, heal the sick, and be seen as more than a housemaid.
But the harsh reality of poverty soon struck. Her father's business collapsed. University was no longer an option. After weeks of tears, silent prayers, and disappointment, she reluctantly accepted a position in a nursing institute in the nearby town—a compromise she told herself she'd learn to live with.
It was during this storm of change that she met Alex.
Alex was tall, soft-spoken, and had a quiet confidence about him. He was in his final year of secondary school, preparing to study Agricultural Science at the university. They met at church, where Alex offered her a place beside him. A week later, he sent her a simple text: "Can we be friends?"
Their friendship unfolded gently, through long walks after mass, shared stories, and laughter under mango trees. Then, one day during the holidays, Alex asked her to be more than friends.
"I like you, Liana," he said, eyes searching hers. "But… can we keep this private? Just for now?"
Liana hesitated. She remembered Samuel, her first boyfriend, who vanished without goodbye. Since then, she vowed never to trust easily. But something about Alex's gentleness, his persistence, made her say yes.
And so began a secret relationship—one where feelings bloomed quietly, hidden from the world. Liana wasn't sure if what she felt was love, but she knew it was something close. Yet, deep down, a part of her remained guarded.
Then came Riham.
Lesson:
Even the strongest dreams can bend under pressure, but resilience lies in how we rebuild them.
Message to the Reader:
This chapter explores the internal tug-of-war between hope and despair, reminding us that the journey to becoming who we want to be isn't always a straight path—but it's always worth it.