Kirana had grown into a vibrant young woman, her laughter light and easy, carrying the energy of youth wherever she went. At twenty, she moved through her days with effortless charm, balancing studies, friends, and small adventures that made each day feel alive. đ§
Her biggest dream, however, remained quietly tucked in her heart: to become a journalist. She spent hours reading articles, following news stories, and writing notes in her journal, practicing the craft she hoped would one day give her a voice strong enough to be heard. Her curiosity was endless, her questions constant, and her determination unwavering.
At home, the dynamic was different. Though her parents; her mother and father, maintained a composed exterior, both carried a quiet weight within them. They missed Anisa, their firstborn, in ways they could not admit openly. Their home seemed fuller with Kirana around, yet the absence of her elder sister lingered in every corner, silent and unavoidable. đ€
Kirana noticed the subtle melancholy in their gestures,the way her mother lingered by the window, glancing at the road as if hoping to see Anisa appear, the way her father's voice softened when speaking of the past. Yet, she never asked. The unspoken sorrow hung in the air, invisible to guests but palpable to anyone who knew where to look.
The night of the party, when Anisa had arrived, Kirana felt a surge of joy and comfort. She had missed her sister terribly. They laughed, shared memories, and for a few hours, the years apart seemed to vanish. đȘ
But home was different. Their father had forbidden any mention of Anisa's visits. For reasons Kirana could only guess at, speaking her sister's name aloud was a line not to be crossed. So, when she returned home that night, the warmth of reunion remained unspoken.
Kirana smiled politely at her parents, kept her joy hidden behind ordinary chatter, and did not hint at the evening she had spent with Anisa. She had learned early how to navigate the rules of silence in her family, to protect her sister, to respect her parents, and to keep her own happiness intact. đ§
Inside, however, her heart was full. She replayed every laugh, every story, every glance they had shared. Though the world around her demanded discretion, Kirana allowed herself one private truth: that the bond with her sister was unbreakable, even if it could not be acknowledged aloud.
And somewhere deep within, she silently hoped that one day, the day would come when she could share everything without fear, without restriction, and without secrets.đ§Ą