Zoya stood in front of her office window, staring out at the city that had been her home for so many years. She finished her final task in USA, a bittersweet feeling settled over her. The decision to leave wasn't easy to make, but her parents insisted. They were expanding there business to Russia, and they needed to take her charge. At 26, she had achieved more than most could ever dream of, yet here she was- on the brink of something much bigger. Something that she could feel, deep down, would bring her closer to the answer she had been searching for.
The thought of leaving the familiar streets of the USA behind made her uneasy. There was a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, as if her life was about to change in ways she couldn't predict. But there was something else too, a lead she had uncovered, a thread she had been following, that pointed towards Russia. It was tied to very people who had caused the misery lingered in her heart.
Zoya stood up from her desk, her thoughts a mix of uncertainty and determination. She was about to leave the office for the last time, but as she walked out; she caught a sight of a familiar face waiting by the door.
Kaleb.
She sighs in relief. She hadn't realized how much she'd been relying on the comfort of his presence until now. Seeing him felt like a small relief in rollercoaster of her emotions. His smile was soft and warm, she forgot about all her problems for a second.
He didn't say anything at first, just simply watching her, as if he too struggling with the thought of change that was about to come. Zoya smiled weakly and walks towards him, her heart was heavy with unspoken words.
"You okay?" Kaleb asked, his voice was gentle yet reflects concern.
"I will be," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Kaleb gave her reassuring smile, leading her to nearby restaurant for lunch. The conversation flowed easily between them, filled with kind of laughter that two people who had spent so much time together could share. Yet, beneath the casual tone both of them knew this might be the last time they would sit down like this.
After lunch, they went to Zoya's apartment. Kaleb helped her pack last of her things, folding clothes and stacking them neatly in the boxes. There was stillness in the air- an unspoken sadness hanging between them. Her colleagues had gathered to bid her farewell, gifting her small token of appreciation, but none of could understand what this moment truly meant.
That night, they stayed up talking. They didn't sleep. Hours passed in a seconds as they talked about past, happy and sad memories they made together. Kaleb silently admired Zoya as she spoke. He'd always admired her, but tonight, something inside him stirred. He was no longer just friend to her, and the realization hit him like a wave.
When the clock finally ticked past midnight, Zoya stood up. It was time for her to go. Kaleb watched her, feeling pain in heart that he couldn't ignore. He helped her gathered her things for the morning, the silence was so loud.
The next morning Kaleb drive her to airport, they stood there, it was the time to say final goodbye. The ache in his chest was unbearable but he didn't speak. He couldn't.
"You will be fine, "he said, his voice hoarse. "You will do great things there, Zoya."
She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I will be in touch. Promise me you'll stay in touch?"
"I will," he replied quickly, his voice was steadier than he felt.
They hugged-in that moment Kaleb's mind raced with thought- I never told you about my feelings for you, Zoya. Maybe i should've... maybe you already know.
But he stayed silent, unable to speak. When they parted, Zoya gave him a final soft smile and turned to walk towards the gate. Kaleb stood there, watching her leave, his heart heavy with a realization he wasn't ready to confront.
Is this love?
But he couldn't ask this question to himself now. Not when she was walking away. Not when she was stepping into new chapter of her life, one that didn't involve him. Deep down he couldn't accept that it was really a goodbye- not forever.
As she disappeared through the gate Kaleb let out breath he didn't realize he was holding.
It's never goodbye, Zoya. Not for me.
As Zoya walking toward airport she keep reminding herself, I have promise to keep. Whatever lay ahead, she would face it head-on.
She couldn't help but think, some chapters need to be closed to open new ones.