Stars in Your Eyes | AnunKamol

Chapter 7: Begin Again

Anna sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of case files and the faint hum of her computer. Each file she closed was a chapter of her professional life ending, filled with stories of people she had helped, lives she had touched. She had informed her employer about her condition, and now she was wrapping up her work, ensuring a smooth transition for her colleagues who would take over.

Her office door creaked open, and Anna looked up to see a cluster of her colleagues standing there, grinning widely. "Surprise!" they shouted in unison, stepping aside to reveal a banner strung across the room that read, "We'll Miss You, Anna!"

Anna's eyes widened, and she felt a lump form in her throat. She stood up, tears welling in her eyes as she walked towards her colleagues. They had set up a small table with a cake, flowers, and a collage of photos capturing moments from her years at the agency.

"Thank you all so much," Anna said, her voice trembling with emotion. "This means the world to me."

Her colleagues gathered around, sharing memories and stories, each one a testament to Anna's dedication and compassion. They laughed, cried, and celebrated the impact she had made, both professionally and personally.

As the party wound down, Naomi, who worked nearby Anna's office, approached her with a curious but kind expression. "So, Anna, what's next for you? What are you moving on to?"

Anna smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll still be working until I close Lila's case file, but after that, I plan to do some travelling. That's why I've decided to resign."

Naomi nodded, sensing there was more to the story but choosing not to press further. "Well, I'm sure whatever you do next, you'll do it brilliantly. I've got a date with Poppy, so I need to run, but take care of yourself, okay?"

"Thanks, Naomi," Anna replied, giving her a warm hug. "You too."

As Naomi left, she cast a worried glance back at Anna, her brow furrowing slightly. Anna noticed but gave a reassuring wave. Once Naomi was gone, Anna let out a deep sigh, her heart heavy with the weight of the secrets she was carrying.

The party had been a beautiful gesture, but it also marked a poignant turning point in her life. Anna returned to her desk, the room now quiet and still. She knew she had to focus on Lila, to give her the support and care she deserved. But beyond that, Anna's future felt uncertain, a blank canvas waiting to be filled with whatever time she had left.

Anna began sorting through Lila's case file, making notes and planning their next steps. She might not know what lay ahead, but she was committed to ensuring Lila's path forward was as bright and hopeful as possible.

___________

Naomi and Poppy strolled hand in hand through the apartment complex, their date night glow evident as they returned from the festival. The evening had been filled with laughter, games, and the delightful aroma of festival snacks. Poppy, always thinking of others, had picked up some treats for Lila, knowing how much she loved trying new foods.

As they reached the entrance to their apartment building, Poppy glanced at the clock. "It's getting late," she said, a slight pout forming on her lips. "I wanted to drop these off for Lila, but maybe it's too late now."

Naomi smiled, squeezing Poppy's hand gently. "We can bring them over tomorrow. I'm sure she'll appreciate it just as much then."

They headed inside, and after a warm shower, they settled into their cosy living room. Poppy was arranging the snacks they had brought back, humming a soft tune, when she noticed Naomi standing by the window, lost in thought.

"Hey," Poppy called gently, walking over to Naomi and wrapping her arms around her from behind. "Is something wrong?"

Naomi leaned back into Poppy's embrace, sighing softly. "I'm just worried about Anna."

Poppy's brows furrowed in concern. "Why? Did something happen?"

"I don't know for sure," Naomi admitted. "I saw her at work today after her farewell party, and something felt off. She said she's resigning to travel, but I got the feeling there's more to it than that. I'm concerned she's not telling us the whole truth."

Poppy nodded slowly, taking in Naomi's words. "I haven't had a chance to reach out to her recently, but now that you mention it, she does seem different. Like she's carrying a heavy burden."

"Exactly," Naomi said, turning to face Poppy. "I don't want to push her, but I feel like we should do something. Make sure she knows we're here for her, you know?"

Poppy cupped Naomi's face in her hands, looking into her eyes with a determined smile. "We'll figure it out. Maybe we can invite her over for dinner one night, make her feel comfortable enough to open up."

Naomi smiled, feeling a bit lighter. "That's a great idea. And who knows, maybe spending more time with us will help her feel less alone."

Poppy kissed Naomi's forehead gently. "It's settled then. We'll reach out to Anna and let her know we're here for her. Now, let's get some rest. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."

Naomi nodded, feeling reassured by Poppy's unwavering support. As they settled into bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was happening with Anna. She resolved to keep a closer eye on her friend, hoping that together, they could offer the support Anna needed.

The next morning, they would visit Lila with the treats, check in on Anna, and continue being the caring, supportive friends they had always been. And perhaps, in their own small ways, they could make a difference in Anna's life, just as she had made in so many others'.