Maya was busy with her preparations. She was pacing around the living room, her phone glued to her ear, discussing last-minute details with her client. Steven watched her, a mixture of admiration and concern in his eyes.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" he asked, leaning against the doorway.
Maya glanced at him, her face softening. "I'm fine, Steven. Just a bit overwhelmed, that's all."
Steven walked over to her, taking the phone from her hand and ending the call. "You need to take a break. You've been working non-stop."
Maya sighed, letting her shoulders relax. "I know, but this is important. If I nail this deal, it could mean a lot for my career."
Steven nodded, understanding, "Alright. I won't interrupt then." He stopped for a second and looked back again, "You are going to Office, right?"
"Yeah, I will be late though. Probably after lunch," she replied.
"Alright, once you are done, we will return together, is that good?" Steven asked.
"Good. Are you leaving now?"
"Yes. Got a meeting to attend."
"Okay. See you then," she smiled she waved him off.
Sara and her parents planned a family trip for one night and two days for the Christmas. Sara was excited but also felt a tinge of sadness knowing Maya wouldn't be there. She has an important business with her new client who said, would come over to Washington from Zurich to have this done. It's an important business for her to handle.
. . .
The office was closed for a week during the Christmas season from December 21st to 27th. Both Maya and Steven were busy at home, doing their own work. Steven's parents had gone to Sweden for the vacation, so he chose to stay at home. Maya woke up late at noon and found Steven having lunch with the leftovers from last night.
"Morning," she said, stretching.
"You're quite the sleepyhead these days, Maya," Steven retorted, focusing on his food.
"I sleep after dawn these days," Maya responded, yawning.
"That's unhealthy," he said, shaking his head.
"I made you some sandwiches. Heat them up," Steven said.
"Thanks, Steven."
Maya took out sandwiches from the oven a few minutes later and sat across from Steven, who was still eating, slowly. Neither of them spoke, the only sound was the munching until Maya's phone rang.
"No, I wish I could, but I have to stay here this time... I'm sorry, Papa... Yes, sure... Yes, I'll keep in touch... Love you too," she spoke, her voice softening at the end. Steven looked at her, pouting, knowing she wouldn't be able to visit her parents this year even though their house wasn't that far away.
"You could really go, you know. If you want, I can talk to the client. I can manage it," Steven offered.
"No, it's really okay," Maya retorted. "Are you not going too?" she asked after a pause.
"No," he replied.
"Reason?" she asked again.
"My parents are in Sweden. Besides, I don't like going home for Christmas," he admitted.
"Why?" she inquired, curious.
"Family crowd. I'm not a fan of it," Steven said, making Maya chuckle. Steven looked at her, puzzled.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked.
"Nothing," she replied, shaking her head with a smile.
They were silent for a few more moments. As they finished their lunch and washed the dishes one by one, Maya was about to go upstairs to her room when Steven called her.
"Maya?"
"Hm?" she turned around.
"How about we spend Christmas together? Just the two of us," he suggested.
Maya smiled at him, and he smiled back, knowing her answer. She nodded and went back to her room.
. . .
Before they knew it, it was already Christmas Eve. Maya was working on her document while Steven was watching Netflix, sitting on the couch, occasionally glancing at Maya and admiring how beautiful she looked, even when she was serious.
"Hello," Maya spoke on the phone, catching Steven's attention again. He saw the disappointment on her face a few seconds later. He walked towards her as she got off the phone and knocked on her table soon after she banged her head on it, exhausted. Maya looked up at him, weary.
"Something happened?" Steven asked.
"The client... he was supposed to be in Washington by tomorrow, but he had a heart attack this afternoon. There's no chance of him coming anytime soon," she heaved a big sigh. Steven pulled out a chair and sat across from her while she knocked her head down again, muttering, "Why did I do all this work then? I can't even go on a trip with my parents!"
Steven just smiled. Maya looked at him again, puzzled.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked.
"Let's go out now," Steven suggested.
"Can't you see that I'm pissed off right now?" she snapped.
"Yes, that's why I'm telling you. Let's go for a drive and have dinner," he said, trying to cheer her up.
"Are we really going?" Maya asked, still in disbelief.
"Yes, I know a great place. Go, get ready, I will just get my key," Steven said as he went upstairs.
Maya fell asleep in the car, exhausted from working nonstop on the project. Steven sighed, seeing her so tired. He turned down the AC and spread a blanket over her that had been in his car's backseat for times like this. After two hours of driving, he pulled the car near a secluded beach. He got out quietly, careful not to wake her, and made his way to the waves, lost in thought. He took off his shoes and let the cold water wash over his feet, glancing back at the car now and then to check on her.
There was a distant sound of fireworks and faint laughter from some far-off celebration. Steven pulled out his phone and scrolled through his gallery until he found a cherished video from his college days. It was his birthday, and his friends had thrown him a surprise party. He fast-forwarded to the part where Maya sent him a birthday message, looking so cute and earnest. He couldn't help but smile, watching the video on loop, his heart aching with unspoken words.
A sudden tap on his shoulder startled him. "I was looking for this video," Maya said, her voice soft yet tense. Steven quickly put his phone back in his pocket, feeling caught.
"You were watching me on loop, weren't you?" Maya teased, though her tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
Steven gulped, choosing not to reply. Instead, he started walking along the beach, the silence between them heavy. Maya followed, the air thick with unspoken tension.
"Is this your great place?" Maya asked, her voice breaking the silence.
"Yes. Don't you like it?" Steven replied, his words clipped.
"I do," she answered softly, sensing the undercurrent of his frustration.
"It's like a date, isn't it?" Steven's words hung in the air, making Maya freeze. She couldn't meet his gaze, her mind racing. Steven stopped, turning to face her, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hope.
"Maya, isn't it time you give me an answer instead of just hope?" he asked, his voice gentle but strained. Maya looked away, unable to speak. After a few moments of silence, Steven's shoulders sagged, and he turned away, disappointment etched on his face.
"Let's go," Steven said after a few minutes of silence, his voice devoid of emotion. Maya stood rooted to the spot, torn between her fear of falling in love and the guilt she felt for keeping him waiting. She wanted to run to him, to tell him everything, but the words caught in her throat.
"Maya," Steven called again, his voice a mix of impatience and longing. "Let's go."
Maya finally took a hesitant step towards him, her heart pounding. She knew she had to make a decision, but the fear of the unknown held her back. As Steven walked ahead, the distance between them felt more than just physical.
They drove back in silence, each lost in their thoughts. When they reached their home, Maya finally spoke.
"I'm sorry, Steven," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"For everything. For not being able to give you an answer," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Steven looked at her, his expression softening. "Maya, it's okay. I understand. I just... I just want you to be happy."
"I know, and I appreciate that. I really do. It's just... complicated," she said, wiping away a tear.
"Life is complicated, Maya. But we don't have to go through it alone," he said, taking her hand in his.
She looked at him, her eyes searching his. "Thank you, Steven. For everything."
He smiled, "Anytime, Maya. Anytime."
They stood there for a moment, holding each other, finding comfort in each other's presence. Steven spoke up, "How about we make the best of the time we have left this Christmas? Just the two of us, like we planned," he suggested.
Maya nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "I'd like that."
They spent the rest of the evening decorating the house, cooking a festive meal, and watching Christmas movies. They laughed, they talked, and for the first time in a long while, they felt truly at peace.
As the night grew late and the fireplace crackled, Steven looked at Maya, who was curled up on the couch, tired, fast asleep. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, "Merry Christmas, Maya," he whispered.
Maya stirred, opening her eyes slightly. "Merry Christmas, Steven," she mumbled before drifting back to sleep. Steven smiled, looking at her close. In that moment, everything felt right.