"Then why the hell do I have a mail that says you are resigning?"

"That's because I am. And you can see the reason just below the resignation statement."

"What makes you think I will believe," he looked down at his laptop and read out loud "planning on continuing education, as the reason for your resignation."

Is he mad?

"What do you want me to do for you to believe me?"

"Well for starters you can tell me why you have not spoken to me before mailing me this atrocity and second why would Nick not casually bring it up in our conversation when he was crashing on my couch yesterday?"

Although Nick found a new apartment to live in, some changes were needed and that was to be completed by the end of this week. Nlogics decided to partner with a small firm whose CEO Nick was friends with and the two of them were currently scouting for an office. Ryan helped bring in some investors and his legal team was preparing a full profile to sue the cr*p out of the guy that cheated Nick. Everything seemed to be going fine. Every night Nick and I had an hour long, ok maybe more than that, talk about everything and I was still trying to help him in every way I could.

"You know what? I will come back in sometime when you have calmed down a little and are not raising your voice with every syllable you utter."

"No, I need you to tell me now. I thought we were friends and I feel betrayed. You decided to jump companies the minute you got close to Nick and didn't feel the need to at least inform me about it?"

"You were not here, or you were busy, and this was not something I could do over the phone..."

"But you could do it over an email? And you tell me I was busy? I was busy trying to help your boyfriend. It is not a good enough excuse Riya..."

", Nick doesn't know about this. So, there is no way he could have simply brought it up in a conversation." I am not usually someone to interrupt but Ryan was irritating me with his thick headedness.

"Wait so you are really going to study?"

"Do you want a copy of my admit letter from LSE?"

"You got into LSE? Which program? Dad will be so proud. Hell, I am so proud of you." He now looked like a kid high on sugar.

"MSc in Global Media and Communications. Term starts in September."

He was smiling from ear to ear when suddenly the smile disappeared and was replaced by a worried expression.

"Nick does not know yet. When do you plan on telling him?"

*******

Say it.

Say it now.

What are you waiting for? Divine intervention?

Riya dumbass, say it. Nowwwwwwwww.

These thoughts have been running on loop in my brain for the past two weeks. Every time I was in the presence of Nick the incessant nagging in my brain never stopped. It was becoming difficult to concentrate on what he was saying since my brain wouldn't shut up.

"And then I had to talk to my father about it. I think he is upset with me for not taking his help. What do you think I should have done?" he looked at me expectantly and I babbled out

"I am leaving the country."

Well done. Amazing. Outstanding. Worst timing of the year goes to Riya- the witless moron.

He took time to realize I said something completely out of context and reacted unintelligently "What?"

"What?" i said with my lips turned downward.

Don't play dumb you idiot. Say it, tell him what is going to inevitably happen.

"You said something about country. I didn't get it. Is something wrong? Why do you look so..."?

Stupid? Dumb? Sissy? Empty headed?

Shut up brain.

"Nervous?" he added worriedly holding my hands that were fidgeting with things that were on his table. Although his table was separating us, it felt like the distance was not enough.

I was worried about the way he was going to react. We have not exactly given a name to our relationship and I have not given myself the freedom to think if there was anything between us to begin with, I feared his reaction. I was scared of upsetting him and somehow it was important for me to have his support.

My instincts yelled at me to screw everything and make a run from him but for once I did not want to run away. I wanted to stay and tell him, talk to him and listen to what he had to say. His reaction to what I was going to elaborate on was going to make a huge impact on me. I sure was not ready to accept any of my feeling for him, but it would break me if he reacted negatively.

"Riya you can tell me anything. I am here for you, tell me what happened? Why are your hands turning cold?" I drew a lungful of air. Here we go.

"I always wanted to study Business. I wanted to major in Business Administration in my under graduation but that meant going back to run my father's business. I wanted to spite him and that was the only reason I chose Public Relations as a career. Not the wisest thing to do but I was stupid... For some time now, I have been questioning my choices and I'm not happy. Not because I hate my job or there is no learning but because I know I can do more and I want to explore, learn and know more. When I know I have the potential..."

"Why settle?" he said with seriousness in his voice, eyebrows knitted together and posture very stiff.

"I was going to say, 'I want to do it.' So, I applied for some schools and I got into LSE for Global Media and Communications."

He nodded his head and looked down at his lap. Everything about his stance was worrying me except the fact that he was still holding my hand. It looked like he was in deep thought and every so often he nodded his head as if having an internal conversation that he completely agreed with. All I could hope for was his brain to be in my favor unlike mine that was just being a b*tch to me.

"How will you pay for it? I know you are not going to take your parents' help. "

Not a bad response. But my heart was pounding like crazy.

"I received some Graduate Support Scheme scholarship for the first term. For now, I have applied for some jobs in LSE Behavioral Research Lab. I have a few savings. I have three more months to decide and if I still think I don't have enough money I might apply for loan."

"Loan might take time and it is an arduous process. How long is the course? Where will you live?"

"Two years, one year in London and other year in Cape Town. I am looking for housing options." Frankly I have not thought so much. It has just been few weeks and the first thing I wanted to do was resign and have some time for myself.

"My resignation was approved last week. I need to serve a month's notice."

"What do you plan on doing in the three months you are here? You don't have to hang around here for my sake." There was an edge to his voice.

"Look at me, I have not helped you because you've asked for it. Also, you never asked for my help, I did it because I wanted to. And I need to make some amends at home, fix things with Sasha and plan on what I want to do once I graduate. So, I will not be hanging around your neck if that is what you are worried about."

I don't know why but what he said hurt. What did he mean? Now that his company has coped up he will not need me anymore? How can he say something like that when I just told him I'll be gone for two years?

"You think I wouldn't want you here?" his voice raised a little and anger was very evident in his face. I merely shrugged.

"Doesn't matter what I want," he mumbled and rose from his chair. He let go of my hands and started packing his bag and grabbed his coat. "Let's celebrate your acceptance. Tell me all about the interview during dinner."

I was dumbstruck. I opened and closed my mouth like an oxygen deprived person but got over it once he came walked towards the door and looked back at me.

We started walking towards a small restaurant that was very near to his current office building and there was silence all around. I did not hear the cars around me or people talking. I was too busy hearing him think and digesting the way he took everything I said.

"I wish I hadn't lost all the money now, you know. If I was not stupid enough, I would have used it for your education and housing and at least then I'd be at peace knowing you were safe and comfortable."

"What makes you think I'd take money from you?" that came out harsher that I'd wanted, but I couldn't help myself.

"I know you wouldn't, but, maybe I'd lend that money to you with interest. Maybe persuade you into taking that money. If that didn't work out, maybe force you. I don't know." he said like that was possible. I'd never take his money.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Knowing you are fine will keep me peaceful."

"I really want to kiss you, but I would not do that before our first date. I'm still waiting on your answer." He smiled at me and in that moment, I knew we were going to be fine no matter where life took us.

~*~*~*~*~