Is the story of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq and his interpretation of "he guides me on the path" during the Hijra true and did it actually happen?

The story is authentically established in Sahih al-Bukhari, where Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, approached Medina with Abu Bakr riding behind him. Abu Bakr was an elderly, well-known man, while the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was a young, unknown man. When asked about the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr would reply, "This man guides me to the way," intending the way of good. Abu Bakr resorted to allusions (ma'areedh) because they allow for dissimulation (tawriyah) from lying when there is a need to conceal the truth. It appears that the two Companions were not veiled, as evidenced by people recognizing Abu Bakr but not recognizing the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. This is because Abu Bakr was known to the people of Medina through his trade journeys.