Yohan leaned back in his chair, stretching his stiff arms above his head after finally resolving the persistent errors in the company's website. Hours of troubleshooting had left him drained, but at least everything was running smoothly now. He glanced at the time—almost evening. Just as he was about to shut down his computer and call it a day, his phone vibrated on the desk.
He picked it up and saw Alexander's name flashing on the screen.
"Yohan! We're heading out for dinner. You coming?" Alexander's voice was full of energy.
"You have to come," Denver's voice chimed in from the background. "It's on me tonight!"
Yohan chuckled, rubbing his temples. "Alright, alright. Give me ten minutes."
After shutting down his system and tidying up his desk, Yohan grabbed his coat and stepped out of the office. The city was alive with the usual hum of traffic and pedestrians hurrying home. The warm glow of streetlights illuminated the sidewalks as he made his way to the restaurant where his friends were waiting.
When he arrived, the place was already bustling with activity. The aroma of grilled food and spices filled the air, making his stomach growl. He spotted Alexander and Denver at a corner table and walked over.
"Finally!" Denver grinned. "We were starting to think you bailed on us."
"Wouldn't miss it," Yohan said, taking a seat.
As they waited for their food, they made small talk, discussing work, office rumors, and weekend plans. The conversation flowed naturally, filled with laughter and teasing. Midway through their discussion, the Managing Director of the company happened to pass by.
"Ah, Yohan! I heard you fixed the website issues. Well done," the MD said, offering a nod of approval.
"Just doing my job, sir," Yohan replied with a polite smile.
"Keep up the good work," the MD said before walking away.
Alexander nudged Yohan playfully. "See? Even the boss recognizes your talent."
Yohan chuckled but didn't say anything. His mind was elsewhere, and a decision he had been holding onto weighed heavily on him.
Their food arrived, and they began eating, savoring the delicious flavors. As they reached the middle of their meal, Yohan set his fork down and took a deep breath.
"I need to tell you guys something," he said, his tone suddenly serious.
Alexander and Denver immediately looked up, sensing something unusual in his voice.
Yohan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I'm leaving the company."
The words hit the table like a thunderclap.
Alexander froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. "Wait… what?"
Denver blinked in disbelief. "You're joking, right?"
Yohan shook his head. "I've made up my mind."
Alexander leaned forward, frowning. "But why? You just got a raise last month. You're doing great here."
Yohan sighed, glancing at his friends. "I have some personal matters to take care of back in my hometown. I can't ignore them any longer."
Denver exhaled, setting his glass down. "And there's no other way? You have to leave everything behind?"
"It's not that simple," Yohan admitted. "I need to be there. It's important."
A silence fell over the table as both of his friends processed his words.
Alexander shook his head. "Man, I just don't get it. You worked so hard to get here, and now you're leaving it all behind?"
"I know it's sudden," Yohan said softly. "But this is something I have to do. I didn't want to leave without telling you guys first."
Denver sighed but managed a small smile. "Well… damn. I guess this is our last meal together, huh?"
Yohan nodded. "Yeah… sorry, guys."
For a moment, none of them spoke. The weight of the conversation had changed the mood, but Denver suddenly raised his glass.
"Alright, enough of that. No sad faces. Let's enjoy this meal first. We'll toast to Yohan's next journey."
Alexander smirked, clinking his glass against Denver's. "Yeah, you better not forget about us, man."
"Never," Yohan said with a small smile.
They finished their meal, trying to lighten the mood with jokes and memories. As they stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night air brushed against them. The neon signs flickered above, and the streets still buzzed with life.
Yohan turned to face them. "Take care of yourselves, alright? And… thanks for everything."
Denver patted his shoulder. "You too, Yohan. Do what you have to do."
Alexander sighed but then grinned. "Guess we're gonna need a new guy to handle all the tough projects now."
Yohan chuckled. "You'll manage."
With one last nod, he turned and walked away, blending into the night. His heart was heavy, but his resolve was strong. He had made his choice, and there was no turning back now.