Behind Closed Doors

It was raining again. Thin, miserable drizzle that made the cobbles shine and the whole street feel like it was holding its breath. Carla liked it, in a way. It gave her a reason to stay in, to hide under low lighting and avoid the world without needing to explain herself.

The knock at her door came just after three.

She frowned, not expecting anyone, but when she opened it, Rana was standing there—hair slightly damp, scarf tugged loose at her neck, takeaway coffee in each hand.

“I come bearing peace offerings,” she said with a soft smile. “Can I come in?”

Carla stepped aside wordlessly, watching as Rana made herself at home, placing the coffees on the kitchen table like it was the most natural thing in the world. It wasn’t, not really. They weren’t close like that. Not exactly. But lately… they’d found some sort of rhythm.

“You and Michelle have a fight?” Rana asked casually, sipping her drink.

Carla stiffened. “Why would you think that?”

“You haven’t been at the bistro. Michelle said you cancelled lunch. Again.” Rana raised an eyebrow. “She’s worried.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Carla.”

The name dropped with quiet weight.

Carla sighed, sinking into the chair opposite her. She wrapped her hands around the coffee cup, more for warmth than comfort.

“I just… needed space,” she said eventually. “It’s not her fault.”

“So, it’s something to do with her, then.”

She didn’t answer. Didn’t have to.

Rana studied her for a moment—gentle, patient. Carla hated that look. It was the same one Michelle had used that morning. It made her feel exposed, like people could see everything she was trying so hard to bury.

“You know,” Rana said softly, “when I first realised how I felt about Kate, I tried to pretend it wasn’t happening. Told myself I was confused. That it would pass.”

Carla looked up, surprised. Rana rarely talked about the early days.

“I kept thinking if I ignored it long enough, I could make it go away. Marrying someone else seemed easier than facing it. Safer.”

“And yet here you are, engaged to her anyway,” Carla said, a hint of a smirk returning. “Clearly didn’t work.”

Rana smiled, rueful. “No. It didn’t. Because love doesn’t just… vanish, Carla. Doesn’t matter how inconvenient it is.”

The silence stretched between them.

“You think I’m in love with her.” Carla’s voice was low, hollow.

Rana didn’t flinch. “I think you’re scared. And I think you’ve spent so long pretending you don’t need anyone that you don’t know what to do when you actually do.”

Carla looked away. Her throat was tight, her chest too full. This wasn’t who she was supposed to be. Vulnerable. Exposed.

“I can’t tell her,” she said eventually. “It’d ruin everything.”

“Or it might not.”

“It would, Rana. I’m not like you. I don’t get happy endings.”

Rana reached out, resting her hand gently on Carla’s. Not pushing. Just… steady.

“You deserve one, though. Even if you don’t believe it yet.”

Carla didn’t answer. Couldn’t. She just stared down at their hands, her eyes stinging and her breath caught somewhere between a laugh and a sob.