In her name

ising sight. There, curled up on a makeshift bed of cardboard near the corner, was Darego. She was asleep, her posture a mixture of exhaustion and vulnerability that struck Doubra in a

the bustling street, Darego couldn't help but smile to herself. She didn't know what awaited her, but for once, she allowed herself to hope. Her smile, subtle yet radiant, was a rare sight, and the neighbors who saw her on the road couldn't help but notice how different she looked today. She carried a small sense of purpose, something she hadn't felt in a long time. The building came into view, and her heart began to race. As she approached, her steps faltered slightly when she noticed two sleek, expensive cars parked in front. The vehicles gleamed under the sunlight, their presence a stark reminder of the world she didn't belong to. Her excitement gave way to fear, her hands instinctively clutching the sides of her worn dress as doubt crept in. What am I doing here? She thought, her feet threatening to turn her back the way she came. But then, she saw him. Doubra West stood a few steps ahead, his tall frame commanding attention without effort. His sharp features and tailored outfit seemed almost too perfect, like he had stepped out of a magazine. He was talking to a man in a suit, his gestures calm and confident. The sight of him took her breath away, and for a moment, she forgot her fears. Their eyes met, and Doubra's expression softened, his lips curving into a welcoming smile. That simple gesture reassured her in a way words couldn't. Gathering her courage, Darego pushed her fears aside and made her way toward him, each step feeling heavier than the last. "Hey," Doubra greeted warmly as she came closer. His voice was steady, but there was a flicker of relief in his tone, as though he had been worried she wouldn't show up. Darego stopped a few feet away, her hands nervously clutching the fabric of her dress. "H- hello," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You made it," he said, his smile widening. She nodded, her gaze briefly darting to the cars before returning to him. "I almost didn't," she admitted, her voice trembling. "Why not?" Doubra asked, tilting his head slightly. Darego hesitated, glancing down at her worn shoes. "I... I wasn't sure if I should." "Well, I'm glad you did," he said, his tone sincere. "Come on, let's talk inside." Darego hesitated again, glancing nervously at the other men standing nearby. Sensing her discomfort, Doubra gestured toward the building, signaling the others to give them space. "Don't worry about them," he said. "It's just us." That simple assurance gave her the courage to follow him. As they walked side by side, Darego couldn't help but steal glances at him, wondering how someone like him could be so kind to someone like her. For the first time in a long time, she felt seen, and maybe even valued. Hello," Doubra greeted, his voice warm and inviting as he approached Darego. "Hi," Darego responded softly, her voice laced with nervousness as she met his gaze. "I just realized," Doubra began, a small smile playing on his lips, "I don't even know your name. What is it?" "Darego," she replied hesitantly, her eyes flickering between him and the ground. "And you?" "Doubra," he said, extending his hand in a friendly gesture. "Doubra West." She hesitated before shaking his hand briefly, her touch delicate and unsure. "Come on, let's head inside," Doubra said, gesturing toward the building. He opened the door for her, and she followed him in, her heart pounding as they entered one of the classrooms. The room was quiet, the faint sound of the bustling street outside serving as a distant backdrop. Doubra pulled out a chair for Darego, motioning for her to sit. She did so cautiously, her movements stiff as she tried to mask her unease. He took the seat across from her, leaning forward slightly to close the distance between them. "Please, be comfortable with me," Doubra said, his tone gentle and reassuring. Darego looked down at her hands, fidgeting nervously. "No one has ever been nice to me," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's... sad," Doubra said, his brows furrowing in concern. "Why not?" She shrugged, the weight of her reality pressing down on her shoulders. "I guess... people just don't see me as someone worth being kind to." Her words struck a chord in Doubra, and he found himself struggling to respond. Before he could speak, a thought crossed his mind, and he reached into his bag. "Oh, before I forget," Doubra said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I have something for you." "For me?" Darego asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. He pulled out a sleek, boxed phone and placed it on the table in front of her. "What is this?" Darego asked, staring at the box as though it were a foreign object. "Open it," Doubra urged, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Her fingers trembled as she carefully opened the box, revealing a brand-new smartphone. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked up at him. "Are you serious? Is this for me?" "Yes, it is," Doubra replied with a soft chuckle. "But... why?" Darego asked, her voice breaking slightly. "This is too much." "It's not too much," Doubra said, his tone firm yet kind. "I just thought... you said you didn't have a phone. Now you can call me, and I can call you whenever we need to." Tears welled up in Darego's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to appear vulnerable. "I... I don't know what to say. Thank you," she whispered, clutching the phone tightly as though it might disappear. "You don't have to say anything," Doubra said, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied expression. "Just promise me you'll use it." Darego nodded, her lips curving into a small, genuine smile, the first she'd allowed herself in what felt like forever. In that moment, the barriers she had built around her heart began to crack, just a little. Doubra had given her something she hadn't felt in years, hope. Sadly, the time had come for Doubra to leave. His phone buzzed with reminders of meetings waiting for him at the office, and he knew he couldn't delay any longer. "I have to go now," Doubra said, standing up reluctantly. His gaze lingered on Darego, as though he wished he could stay longer. Darego nodded, masking her disappointment. She had barely noticed how much time had passed until now. "Text me or call me whenever, okay?" Doubra said, his voice warm and sincere as he walked toward his car. "Okay," Darego replied softly, her lips curving into a small, hesitant smile. Doubra paused before getting into his car, giving her one last reassuring look. "Take care of yourself, Darego," he added before stepping in and driving off. Darego watched the car disappear down the road, a strange mix of emotions swirling in her chest. Excitement, gratitude, and a touch of unease all vied for attention. As she began her journey home, she felt the weight of the phone in her pocket, its presence both thrilling and nerve-wracking. She glanced around nervously before tucking the phone securely inside her clothes. The thought of Ronke finding it made her stomach twist. She knew the questions would come, the accusations, the interrogation, and she didn't want to deal with any of it. It was safer to keep it hidden, for now at least. The walk back to Ronke's house felt longer than usual. Every step was heavy with the fear of being caught, but at the same time, there was a spark of hope in her heart that hadn't been there before. This small gift from Doubra felt like a lifeline, a connection to someone who saw her as more than just a burden. When she finally reached the house, she took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping inside. The familiar sight of Ronke sitting in the living room greeted her. Ronke barely looked up from her phone. "You're back late," Ronke said flatly, not even bothering to make eye contact. "Sorry," Darego murmured, keeping her head down as she quickly made her way to her room. Once inside, she shut the door and leaned against it, exhaling a sigh of relief. She carefully pulled out the phone, her fingers brushing over its smooth surface. It was hers, a tangible symbol of kindness and possibility. Sitting on her bed, Darego powered it on, the screen lighting up as if to welcome her into a new world. For a moment, she allowed herself to dream, to imagine what it might be like to have a life beyond Ronke's walls, a life where she didn't have to hide who she was or what she had. But reality soon crept back in, and she quickly powered the phone off, tucking it into a hidden pocket in her bag. She couldn't risk Ronke finding it, not yet. Still, as she lay down that night, the thought of Doubra's kindness brought a faint smile to her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe, just maybe, things could get better. Later that evening, as Darego sat in her small room, trying to distract herself from the quiet that seemed to swallow her whole, a soft ping echoed from her phone. She froze, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message from Doubra, "Hello." A rush of warmth flooded her chest, and for a moment, she just stared at the screen, trying to calm the butterflies that suddenly took flight inside her. Her fingers hovered over the keys before she typed back, her message trembling slightly with the weight of her emotions. "Hi, Doubra. How was your day?" The reply came quickly, and their conversation began to flow as naturally as if they had been talking for years. Doubra shared stories from his time in the United States, speaking with a sense of nostalgia and fondness that made Darego's heart ache. She listened, soaking in every detail, fascinated by his experiences, his adventures in school, the friends he made, and the little things that had shaped him. For Darego, it was a glimpse into a world she had never known, one of privilege, opportunities, and kindness. She found herself laughing at his jokes, and for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel invisible. His words felt like a bridge across the gap between their worlds, connecting them in a way that was both comforting and new. With each message, she felt a little more seen, a little more understood. As the conversation continued, Darego found herself smiling at the screen, feeling the weight of her loneliness slowly lifting. Doubra's kindness, his genuine interest in her, was like a lifeline she hadn't known she needed. For a moment, she forgot about the harshness of her life with Ronke and the constant struggle to survive. But then, after a few minutes of silence, the messages from Doubra suddenly stopped. She stared at her phone, waiting for the next text to pop up, but nothing came. The soft glow of the screen reflected off her tired face as she sat there, heart racing in the stillness. Maybe he's busy, she thought, trying to dismiss the gnawing feeling of disappointment in her chest. Or maybe he's gone to bed. She took a deep breath, telling herself not to overthink it. It's fine. He's probably just tired. Yet, despite her attempts to calm herself, the silence felt heavy. Doubra had made her feel like she mattered, like she was more than just a shadow passing through someone else's life. And now, as the messages ceased, it was as if that feeling was slipping away, just out of her reach. Sighing, Darego slipped the phone into her bag, making sure to hide it beneath her worn-out clothes. She knew Ronke would be checking on her soon, and she didn't want to risk the conversation being found. So, she lay down on her thin mattress, the room around her still and quiet, save for the sound of her own breathing. As she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but replay the exchange with Doubra over and over in her mind. His words, the way he made her feel, like she was more than just the girl who did the chores, more than the girl who had no real place to call her own. For a fleeting moment, Darego allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, things could change. But with the silence of the night wrapping around her, she couldn't help but feel the weight of uncertainty settle deep inside her. Would he really care tomorrow? Would he still remember me when I'm not here, when I'm not texting him back? Shaking her head as if to shake the thoughts away, Darego drifted off to sleep, the promise of his words still echoing in her heart. She hoped, more than anything that tomorrow would bring another message. Maybe this time, she wouldn't have to wonder if she mattered. The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of Darego's small room, casting a warm glow over the peeling walls. She stirred awake, the faint hum of the city outside lulling her back into a