The way I reacted that day after Professor Marwan asked about Yusuf, also the way I stuttered and told him Yusuf was fine, the professor knew something was totally not right. He knew about my relationship with Yusuf right from our old school days; so he expected a big explanation, not pretence.

"What happened, Fatimah?" He had asked.

"Nothing, sir" I had lied fidgeting my finger.

"No, something isn't right" He had said and thence persuaded me to tell him what was wrong and I reluctantly told him what had happened without making up false stories. "You know what, Fatimah?" He had asked, after hearing everything. "Meet me in my...