The lawsuit was still ongoing before my husband’s death.
My husband, God rest his soul, used to tell me, “I would give my life to save you from prison.”
I was sentenced to prison after his death.
The guy that framed me made sure I’d be sent to prison.

I was on the run for 5 years. I rarely stayed at home.
And when I did, I couldn’t go out into the balcony or look out the window.
I would sneak in and out of the house like a thief.
I was arrested one day when I didn’t know I was being watched.

It wasn’t easy in there.
I kept to myself and didn’t interact with anyone.
My tears were my only company.
I was scared.
I would look around me and not speak to anyone.
Until the day I got out by God’s grace.
My children submitted an appeal and I got out.

I wasn’t the same when I go out.
I was in there for a short time, but I spent 3 years receiving treatment.
It was as if I’d spent 60 years in there.
I didn’t want to speak to anyone.
I was ashamed even though everyone knew I was innocent.
But God avenged me.
I got a phone call when I got out that went as follows:
“Umm Mounir, God has avenged you.”
“What do you mean?”
“He got arrested.”
“How did you find out?”
“It’s in the newspaper.”
I wasn’t exactly happy about it, but I knew that God wouldn’t have let it go.
I wasn’t the same.
But I’m still not happy about it.

Thank God I went back to my home.
I didn’t want to see anyone when I went home.
My children and grandchildren would tell me, “We all know you’re innocent, Nana. Hold your head up high.”
They’d made jokes to make me feel better.
“Tell us what it’s like inside.”
“No, I’m trying to forget.”