I have a way of dealing with people, but if Maanya is included, I just can't think straight. Samar stood with Maria, introduced himself as her fiancee, and spoke about his investment plans for Maria. Maanya had a pained expression on her face, but a million-dollar deal was much more important than her feelings towards her ex.

" I understand you want to shift to Mr. Samar here. If this is your decision, I would like to inform you that our company has asked me to relay a message that we will not be going forward with this deal. You will be asked to pay whatever amount we agreed if our contract expires. My colleague Anish will handle further details." Maanya said moving away. We left them alone in their home office. Jose was serious about this, he had a hunch that something was happening here. Anish looked into our return tickets for the day after tomorrow. We did everything we could for our client Maria, Our CEO was frustrated but was quiet. Financially, we are not at a loss but this can impact our deals. It is like Samar just made fun of our hard work and showed we are not needed for a person like her. Maanya locked herself in my room, explaining all the details to our CEO. Other group managers were serious about work ethics and there raised an escalation on our team. After all this, Jose and me sat before the fireplace silently looking at the flames. My relationship with her started the moment we decided to give a chance to each other. But now I am sure she will blame this for the failure.

"Dwijain." She called out opening the door, I looked behind and nodded my head.

"I just got off a call with Samar's assistant. He informed me that Maria deposited the amount for violating the deal and even sent an apology mail to our head. The manager is furious that we could not hold on to this deal." She spoke with stress evident on her face. I hummed knowing where this was going.

"What did you decide about us?" I asked her. Maanya stopped in her tracks, looked at me with a pained expression, and sighed.

"At this point when we go back, I cant concentrate on my work knowing some day we will be caught in the office with our romance. I cant let people blame you for being in a relationship with me at this point of failure in my life. I cant-" She kept on going.

"What if I say, I don't mind them blaming me for this failure? They are going to do it anyway since I introduced Jose to the company and Maria is not happy with the manufacturer not with out work." I spoke standing close to her. Maanya had tears in her eyes, clearly indicating that if I said one more supporting word she might go back to being with me. But I waited for her.

"I don't know what to say. It is going to slit us apart. We need to rethink what we want to do with our relationship now since I will be getting a promotion and you will given higher-value projects." She said scrunching her hair.

"Whatever you decide Maanya, I can't stay with someone who thinks of breaking up with the person she loves because that is the only thing she can control among all this chaos," I said taking two steps back. My heart broke knowing she proved my hunch right. I am just an interest of love for her. Her pained expression made me think she would defend my statement but she chose silence.

"This is not time for us to decide upon our relationship Maanya. Let us be the way we want to be and let things settle in the office. We are not at fault and who knows? Maybe people will calm down once reality sinks into their brains. We need to give space to them not to each other." I said trying for one last time. Maanya huffed and sat on her bed holding her head. 15 days of our trip we loved each other as if we were deprived of it our whole lives. Now? I don't know what exactly happened between us. Suddenly I feel heartbroken.

"Let us take a break then." She said. I nodded my head and walked out without a word. Anish followed me with a questioning face. Before he could ask me what happened, I spoke for the first time about my personal life.

" Do you know what's the difference between December and January?." I asked him.

" What's the difference? Both have severe winters." He replied chuckling a bit.

"They both seem to be close, yet they are so far that one mistake that they can be together for a long time. The weather seems to be the same but the hope each month gives is different. Am I right?." I questioned him back. He nodded his head not saying a word.

"Beauty lies in knowing one needs to go through the harsh winters of December to enjoy the happy new beginnings of January." He added patting my shoulder. I don't know what came to me. My heart bled this time for an unknown reason. Jose silently sat on his couch looking at us. I wanted to say so many things but I know this day will come for sure in our lives. Packing my bag, I sat on the porch feeling the chilly salty wind blowing my face. I always loved to be around oceans, it made me think about my life.

" Jose, I understand you are worried. I think you are right. As long as I am healthy you will be less worried right?." I asked him. He nodded his head with tears in his eyes. I calmed down pulled my bags up and walked to her.

" Do you have a minute ?." I asked Maanya. She turned around with a phone in one hand and a laptop in another hand. Nodding her head she walked to me. I looked at her beautiful face and strikingly bright eyes.

"You want to take a break in our relationship right?." I asked her to confirm if that's what she is willing to do. Maanya hesitatingly nodded her head as yes without looking at me. I threw my bag on the ground and walked closer to her.

"Because these office people will talk about us and the failure we had here?." I questioned her. She nodded her head as yes. Keeping strands of her hair away from her face, I smiled at her.

"Are you doing this because you feel people will wrong us and our relationship? Because you can't take it? If someone points at me or you?" I asked her. She was silent. I made her look at me.

"I am going to resign as of today Maanya. It seems the people I love don't want me near them due to the profession I chose." I declared making her eyes go wide.

"What???" She asked holding my hand.

"You heard me right. I don't want to be somewhere, where people will talk behind my back against me or you. Even if they understand, you are not confident enough to sustain their reactions.

"I didn't mean you should quit your job, you are mad and I will break up if you do it!" She shouted.

"Maanya there's a reason I took this decision. You are part of it. That's all." I said.

"Is it about her??" She questioned. I took a sigh. No, it is not about her. It is about you, Jose was right, this time it is just a project. Jose can get as many deals as possible but Maanya? I can't hurt her, she can't go through the same thing twice professionally and personally.

"No. The person you are asking about is no more. She used to be my best friend and Jose's girlfriend. This decision is to safeguard our future and make Jose live in peace." I said. Maanya had no words nor comebacks. She simply looked at me with an unknown expression. I couldn't open up more than what I told her. It was hell for me to recollect what happened to my best friend but I guess someday, I need to let go of all her memories.

To make new ones...

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Unedited.

Please vote comment and share my story.

I will be updating once or thrice a month depending on the time I get. I was exhausted with all the work and my health which led to a mental block. Although I knew what I had to write in chapters, I just couldn't do it. Opened multiple times to update but my mind went blank for no reason. So until I get settled, I will give one or 3 updates per month. I am sorry, this is not what you guys came in for.

thank you for understanding.