A kept secret whispers in the darkness of your mind, growing louder until it becomes a scream only you can hear.
The café buzzed with low conversation and the rhythmic clink of porcelain. But for Manya, the sound of coffee cups clattering became an irritable drumbeat, scraping against her already frayed nerves.
The familiar aroma of burnt espresso and overly sweet pastries, once comforting, now wrapped around her like an oppressive blanket. Manya sat rigidly in her chair, arms crossed and lips pressed tightly together as if to seal away her frustration.
Across the table, an ash blonde-haired woman who had yet to introduce herself was mid-ramble, her hands dancing animatedly as she spoke.
“...and honestly, my boss is so uptight! I swear, this’ll only take a minute!” The stranger's voic
