Aisha felt tears pr sting at the corners of her eyes.
No one had ever called her out like this before.
She looked away, trying to compose herself. "You wouldn't understand," she muttered, feeling ashamed.
Rachel sighed and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Try me," she said. Aisha took a deep breath and started to open up. She told Rachel about the pressure to keep up appearances, the constant comparisons, and the fear of being left behind.
Rachel listened attentively, nodding along.
When Aisha finished, Rachel looked at her with a mix of sadness and empathy. "Aisha, you're not alone," she said. "We're all struggling in our own ways. But you don't have to do it like this. You can be real, and people will love you for who you are."