The aroma of the freshly brewed coffee swirled around us, a deceptive veil over the tension that crackled between us. My hands, clasped in front of me, were a tight knot mirroring the turmoil inside. "Kaya, what are you hiding from me?" I asked, putting the cup on the table, my voice a raw whisper, a desperate plea for the truth that I both craved and feared.
Kaya's response was immediate, a shield of forced nonchalance that didn't fool me for a second. Her eyes darted around the room, avoiding my gaze, and a flicker of panic danced within them. "What? I just want to spend time with you." She reached for my bag, her movements jerky, almost clumsy, as she moved towards the door, her escape route.
