Tangled: Hearts and Truths

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the chatter of the café, a familiar comfort that usually calmed Akshara. Not today. She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with a victory she was desperate to share.

"I'll say it first!" she declared, her voice a little too loud, drawing a glance from a nearby child who looked as though she’d just threatened his favorite cartoon character. Akshara ignored him.

Across the table, Aaliya, her best friend, smirked. "No, me!"

Akshara had called this meeting to deliver good news, but Aaliya, in her typical fashion, had hinted at something even bigger. Akshara, however, was certain her news trumped whatever Aaliya had cooked up. This was huge. Life-changing.

She leaned back, a triumphant smile on her face. "Me!" she repeated, a little softer this time, but no less determined. The child at the next table, spoon suspended mid-air, watched her with wide, unblinking eyes. Akshara simply shrugged and took another bite of her pastry. Aaliya sighed, conceding the point, and took a sip of her coffee, her eyes dancing with an unspoken secret. The stage was set.