Resolved

Zale was astonished. The words still rang in his ears after Meru had left the apartment. He lay in bed for several hours, chest devoid of emotion. Though he didn't want to sleep, it eventually came in fitful bouts. Meru didn't come over the following day nor reply to his messages. Neither did she the day after.

Rather than suffocate in stagnation, Zale made preparations for departure. He collected all the clothes he thought he'd need, found his passport, and cleaning the apartment. Unlike his last departure, he'd be ready for this one.

The work didn't solve the unease in his gut, but it suppressed the thoughts. Resolved to move forward at all costs, he made his plea to Effie. "So you're not even going to lie, huh? I would've had more fun if you tried to pull a fast one over on me," Effie said, pouting over her ramen bowl.

Her blonde hair was pulled into a neat ponytail to keep it out of the ramen. Her suit, however, wasn't as fortunate to avoid the broth stains. "I just didn't feel right trying to lie to you. It's been a rough few days," Zale admitted with a small shrug.

Effie feigned a sigh and smiled at him. "Well, if this is something you're willing to jeopardize even your relationship over, I guess I can't say much. You'll probably go no matter what I tell you."

"Huh, It's almost like you know me or something. It's only been, what, fifteen years?" Zale joked.

Effie rolled her eyes. "It'd be stranger if I didn't know you after fifteen years, you ass clown."

"All right, peanut gallery. At least I'm not thirty and single."

"Yeah, you're about to be twenty-eight and single," she jabbed.

"Oof. Two points for you," he chuckled, the insults somehow easing his stress.

"What will you do about Meru, though?" Effie asked after a bit.

Zale let silence span the gap between them until he'd put his thoughts in some semblance of order. "I want her to be happy, but I want her to understand, too. I have to do what I have to do. If she won't speak to me…" he stopped, fearing the possibility.

His stomach tightened, his lunch threatening to make a reappearance. "Are you willing to sacrifice her for this chance?" Effie asked, echoing the same thing Meru had asked.

Zale set his jaw and straighten his back. Though boney, his shoulders were wide. For a moment, he commanded the same presence he had before the accident. "Yes, I am. I'd do damn near anything for her, but sacrificing myself isn't going to make either of us happy. I will live my life with no regrets, and so should she."

Effie was taken aback, just for a moment. "Well, if nothing else, you've made up your mind," she said, putting on a smile.

She pushed her bowl away and stood. "I'll support you however I can. I just hope you're making the right choice."

"You and me both," he replied with a wry smile.

They paid their bill and went their own ways, Zale's business with Elvash taken care of for the time being. All that was left was to arrange the departure with Shai and handle his business with Meru. The thought tightened his chest, but there was nothing he could do about this. It was his fight to take.