TNN ONESHOTS

The card - MK & AFK

Marjorie sat at her desk, a smile creeping across her face as she carefully decorated a Valentine’s Day card. She had always cherished her friendship with Autumn, who had become her best friend over the years. Their bond was filled with sarcastic comments, gentle support, and countless shared moments that brightened even the toughest days at the office.

As the clock ticked closer to lunchtime, Marjorie decided it was time to surprise Autumn. She tucked the card into a small envelope, adorned with little hearts, and made her way to Autumn’s desk. When she arrived, she found Autumn buried in paperwork, her brow furrowed in concentration.

“Alright my love!” Marjorie called out cheerfully, catching her attention. Autumn looked up, her expression shifting from stress to curiosity. Marjorie handed her the envelope, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Happy Valentine’s Day! Open it!”

Autumn’s eyes lit up ever so slightly as she opened the card, revealing Marjorie’s heartfelt message inside. “You’re the best work wife ever! Thank you for always being there for me,” it read, accompanied by a doodle of two coffee cups clinking together. Autumn’s heart swelled with warmth as she realized just how much their friendship meant to her. “This is so... nice of you, Marjorie. I guess I’m kind of lucky to have you!” she replied, her smile slight, but her voice remained collected.

Marjorie glanced at the clock, realizing it was now lunchtime. She decided it was the perfect time to grab lunch from Greggs, a treat she and Autumn often enjoyed together. With a smile, she grabbed her coat and headed out, excited to pick up their favourite pastries.

As she walked to Greggs, Marjorie thought about how much she appreciated her friendship with Autumn. They always shared stories and laughter over their lunches, making even the busiest days feel lighter. After ordering four sausage rolls and a couple of doughnuts, she headed back to the office, her mind filled with thoughts of sharing the meal with Autumn.

However, as Marjorie entered the office, she was met with an unexpected sight. Autumn sat at her desk, tears streaming down her face, her shoulders shaking slightly with the card placed in front of her.

Marjorie’s heart sank at the sight of her friend in distress. She quickly rushed over, placing the bags of food on the desk.

“Autumn! What’s wrong?” Marjorie asked, her voice filled with concern. Autumn looked up, her eyes red and puffy. She took adeep breath to steady herself  before speaking. “I just feel overwhelmed today,” she admitted, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Without hesitation, Marjorie wrapped her arms around Autumn, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “It’s okay to feel this way. I’m here for you,” she whispered softly, holding her friend close. As Autumn leaned into Marjorie’s comforting presence, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. The warmth of their friendship was a reminder that she wasn’t alone, even on the hardest days. Marjorie kept hold of Autumn she knew she wasn't a fan of physical affection, so Marjorie made the most of the time she could hold her friend.

They sat together for a moment, the lunch forgotten as Marjorie offered her support, letting Autumn know she could share her feelings without fear. In that comforting space, the bond between them grew even stronger, a testament to the power of friendship.

“Hey, Autumn, it’s okay. Just breathe,” she said softly. After a while, Autumn adjusted herself slightly, which Marjorie knew meant to let go. Marjorie moved slightly and placed a comforting hand on Autumn’s back, gently rubbing it as she spoke. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

As Autumn took a few deep breaths, she felt the tension in her shoulders start to ease. Marjorie’s presence was calming, and she appreciated the support. “I’m really sorry for breaking down like this,” Autumn said, as Marjorie listened while wiping her eyes.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Marjorie replied with a warm smile. “But you know what you do need? To eat those sausage rolls I brought for lunch! You can’t tackle your feelings on an empty stomach.”

Autumn chuckled lightly, the sound breaking through the heaviness in the air. “You’re right for once, I forgot all about them.” With a grateful heart, she reached for the sausage rolls Marjorie had brought, feeling a sense of comfort in the small act of sharing lunch.

As they sat together, munching on the warm pastry, Autumn felt her spirits lift. The combination of Marjorie's support and the delicious food made the day feel a little brighter. At that moment, she realized that even the toughest days could be softened by the kindness of a friend and a good meal.