Shadows Lengthen

The late afternoon sun cast long, languid shadows across the cobblestone streets of Prague, painting the ancient city in hues of amber and rose. It was a stark contrast to the tempest brewing within me. Ethan had invited me to an outdoor concert in one of the city's many hidden courtyards, a place I’d never discovered on my own, tucked away behind a nondescript archway. He was a breath of fresh air, a gentle current in the often-turbulent waters of my new life. He spoke of art, of music, of the simple beauty of a perfectly brewed coffee, and for a few hours, I could almost forget the gnawing unease that had become my constant companion.

“You seem lost in thought, Ramila,” Ethan said, his voice soft, barely audible above the melancholic strains of a cello. He offered me a small, genuine smile, his eyes the colour of a clear summer sky.

I returned his smile, a little weakly. “Just… reflecting. It’s a beautiful city, Ethan. And this music… it’s so peaceful.”