The office felt the same.
Same people.
Same work.
Same routine.
But for Anika—
Nothing felt the same.
She didn't cry.
Not in the office.
Not in front of anyone.
Not even alone.
Because sometimes—
Pain doesn't come out as tears.
It settles quietly.
Deep.
Heavy.
She focused on work.
More than usual.
Meetings.
Designs.
Deadlines.
If she stayed busy—
She didn't have to think.
Didn't have to feel.
And most importantly—
Didn't have to look at him.
Because every time she did—
It hurt.
Arman Khurana.
Standing just a few feet away.
Talking like nothing happened.
Acting like nothing mattered.
That hurt more than the distance.
One afternoon—
Rahul approached her again.
"You've been quiet lately."
"I've been working."
He smiled slightly.
"You always say that."
She gave a polite nod.
Nothing more.
No extra conversation.
No smiles.
No warmth.
From across the room—
Arman noticed.
Everything.
The way she had changed.
The way she didn't laugh anymore.
Didn't argue.
Didn't look at him.
And for the first time—
That silence bothered him more than her words ever did.
Later—
Anika stood near the window.
Looking outside.
Calm.
Still.
Arman walked toward her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"Anika."
She didn't turn.
"Yes, sir?"
That word.
Again.
It created distance instantly.
A line.
A wall.
"I need to discuss something," he said.
Professional tone.
Controlled.
"Send it on mail."
That stopped him.
Silence.
Then she turned.
Finally.
Her eyes—
Calm.
But distant.
"You wanted this," she said quietly.
"I'm just respecting it."
That hit harder than anything she could've shouted.
Arman stepped closer.
"This isn't what I meant."
She shook her head slightly.
"No, this is exactly what you meant."
A pause.
"You chose distance," she continued.
"I'm just making it easier for you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Her voice softened slightly.
Not weak.
Just real.
"I liked what we had."
A small pause.
"Even if it was complicated."
Arman's expression changed.
"But I'm not going to stay in something where I feel… optional."
That word—
Stayed in the air.
Optional.
"I'm not," he said quickly.
"You are," she replied calmly.
Silence.
Because deep down—
He knew.
Anika stepped back.
Creating space.
Final.
"I won't chase you," she said softly.
"And I won't wait for you to decide if I matter."
Her eyes met his.
One last time.
"I choose myself."
And this time—
There was no hesitation.
No pause.
She walked away.
And Arman didn't stop her.
Because for the first time—
He realized—
She wasn't someone he could lose…
And expect to get back.
And now—
It was his turn to feel the distance.