Tangled: Hearts and Truths

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air, a stark contrast to the nervous energy buzzing between Akshara and Aaliya. "I'll say it first!" Akshara declared, her voice a little too loud, drawing amused glances from nearby patrons.

"No, me!" Aaliya shot back, her eyes sparkling with competitive excitement. Akshara had invited Aaliya to this cozy cafe to share her big news, only to find Aaliya claiming an even bigger announcement.

Akshara, ever the one for dramatics, leaned across the table. "Me!" she insisted, her volume causing a small boy at the next table to freeze mid-bite, spoon suspended in air. Aaliya winced, offering a quick, apologetic smile to their unwitting audience. Akshara, however, simply continued to munch on her pastry, unfazed.

"Okay, fine," Aaliya conceded, taking a sip of her coffee, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You can say it first."

Akshara beamed, convinced her news would overshadow anything Aaliya had. "Papa allowed me to go to NYC for my M.S.! And I'm ready to go next week!" she announced, expecting a joyous reaction. Instead, Aaliya shot up from her seat, shouting, "Next week?!"

Akshara sighed, apologetically. "Sorry, sorry," she muttered, now on the receiving end of curious stares. "I know it's a shock. I didn't know you loved me so much that you couldn't bear for me to leave." She felt a pang of guilt. "What's wrong?"

Aaliya, still standing, delivered the bombshell. "Next week is my wedding... you can't go before that!"

"What the fuck!" Akshara roared, her shout echoing through the cafe, louder than anything before. This time, even the servers stopped, and the little boy, Doraemon-obsessed, seemed to drop his spoon in sheer shock, his eyes wide as saucers.