Chapter 10: The Weight of Goodbye

Chapter 10: The Weight of Goodbye

The office doors opened, and I stepped inside, the familiar hum of busy conversations and the click of keyboards a sound I hadn't heard in what felt like forever. Despite the few days I'd been absent, it felt like a lifetime. But today, I was back—ready to face whatever came next, even though my heart still carried the weight of unspoken words and unfinished feelings.

"Hello everyone! Sai is back on duty!" I announced, my voice echoing through the room.

The cheerful greetings from my coworkers were warm, but there was an edge to them, something unspoken in the air.

"Welcome back, buddy! Though, it's only been two days since you were out," Harsh called from across the room, his smile wide but his eyes betraying a hint of concern as he jogged over to me. Harsh, ever the enthusiastic one, had been my rock during my recovery. Every morning, he visited me in the hospital, bringing me breakfast and juice, his efforts unspoken yet deeply felt.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" Keshav asked, slapping a hand on my shoulder as he walked over.

"How do I feel? I feel like I can work like a workhorse again—just like before," I replied, trying to mask the heaviness inside me with a casual tone.

"Yeah, yeah, just take it easy, okay?" Keshav's voice was gentle, his concern evident.

But Harsh's next words made me pause, the casual atmosphere suddenly becoming tense. He leaned in close, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but with everything that happened, I couldn't. Kiara's been acting... weird since the accident."

I nodded slowly, my heart sinking. "I see."

It wasn't that Kiara had fully remembered everything—it was more complicated than that. If she remembered, the guilt would eat her alive again. I couldn't bear the thought of her blaming herself for something that wasn't her fault. But staying close to her... it would only bring back the memories, wouldn't it? I couldn't risk her slipping back into that dark place.

"Keshav, do you have a sec?" I asked, my voice low, though my mind was racing with the decision that had been brewing for days.

"Sure," he replied, sensing the seriousness in my tone.

"I want to talk to you about something... personal," I said as we moved away from the others.

"We can talk in my cabin," Keshav said, leading the way with a furrowed brow.

The moment we stepped into his private office, the air felt heavy, thick with the weight of the conversation to come. Keshav locked the door behind us and turned to face me, his expression all business now, though I could tell he was anxious.

"(Sigh) So, what is it?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"I want to transfer to a different branch," I said, my voice steady, but my heart pounded with uncertainty.

"What? You want to change branches? But why, all of a sudden?" Keshav's voice was filled with surprise. "You know you've got big chances for a promotion here, right?"

I shook my head, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. "It's not certain that I'll get promoted. And besides, I want to see what my limits are, to grow. I don't think I can do that here."

"Are you sure?" Keshav's tone softened, though his concern was still there. "What's going on, Sai? Is this about the accident? You know it wasn't your fault... or hers."

"It's not about that," I replied, my voice quiet but firm.

"Then what is it? Why the sudden change? Leaving everything behind, just like that?" Keshav asked, frustration creeping into his words.

I hesitated for a moment, but then the truth spilled out. "The awkwardness... it's affecting the office. The environment isn't the same. And eventually, it'll start affecting everyone's work. Kiara's a newbie, so we can't transfer her. But transferring me—it's the right thing to do."

Keshav stared at me for a long moment, his brow furrowed, as if weighing my words. "You think that will solve everything? What if it backfires, though? What if it looks like you're leaving just because you're annoyed by her?"

I shook my head, my heart aching. "No. You can tell everyone that it's an order from the higher-ups to improve the efficiency of another branch. There are places that need help, right?"

Keshav was quiet for a long moment, still processing my reasoning. "I mean, there are places that need help... but are you sure? You're not hiding something else, are you?"

"No," I said, my voice firm. "This is the right move. I can grow that way."

Keshav let out a long breath and nodded. "Okay, if you say so. I'll talk to HR and see what we can do."

"Thanks, Keshav. You're my best buddy," I said, clapping him on the back as I stood up to leave. "I've got two days' worth of work waiting for me."

"Don't worry about it," Keshav replied with a grin. "Harsh and I stayed behind after hours to catch up on your work."

I smiled, grateful for them both. "You two are really the best."

"Then why are you leaving us behind, huh?" Keshav mumbled under his breath.

"Did you say something?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing at all," Keshav said with a wave. "You can leave now."

As I walked out, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the only way to protect Kiara, to give her the space she needed to find happiness again. She had forgotten me, but in doing so, she had found peace. And maybe that was for the best. I couldn't let myself be the reason she hurt anymore.

Time passed, and soon enough, the day of my farewell party arrived. Harsh and Keshav threw it at a local restaurant, gathering the team for one last hurrah before I left. The laughter filled the air, but there was an undercurrent of sadness, a quiet ache that lingered in the background.

"Why are you leaving?" Harsh sobbed dramatically, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "You should stay here with us!"

"Dude, blow your nose," I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"I can't... I need to move with Sai!" Harsh continued, his voice muffled by the tissue he held to his nose.

Keshav sighed, shaking his head. "You can't! I'll be lonely without you guys! I can't lose both of you at the same time."

"Wow, you two really get along like siblings," Kiara remarked, watching the banter between us with a small smile on her face.

"Yeah, these two are like my little brothers," I said, gesturing toward them.

"Hey, you and Harsh are my little brothers," Keshav shot back, and before anyone could respond, he leaped toward Harsh, trying to catch him. But Harsh was too quick, jumping up and running around the room, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

"They really care for you," Kiara said softly, a smile playing on her lips. "You're lucky to have friends like them."

"Yeah, I'm the luckiest in that department," I replied, but then the words slipped out before I could stop them. "But aren't you sad that your 'previous life' husband is going to disappear?"

Kiara's smile faltered for just a moment, and I saw the pain in her eyes before she quickly masked it. "Of course I am," she replied, her smile returning, though it was strained. "But life goes on."

I could tell her smile was fake. She was in pain, and I couldn't ignore it. She had been acting strangely ever since the accident, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was starting to realize that it wasn't just a memory from a past life—it was something deeper, something confusing.

As the party continued, I felt the pull of something deep within me. I still loved her, with all my heart. But staying near her was too painful, too confusing for both of us. I had to let go. For her, for me, for our future.

A month later, I found myself in a new state, ready to start fresh. The transition wasn't easy, but it was necessary. There was growth in the unknown, and I could feel myself becoming stronger, more focused. But no matter how far I moved, no matter how much I changed, Kiara's memory—her smile, her pain—remained with me.

And in my heart, I knew that no matter where I went, she would always be the one I loved.