The gift of the magi- reimagined

 It had been five years that Wendy and Sean were in a relationship. They got together in the first year of college and made it through thick and thin in all those years. Their love and commitment had stood the test of time. They were surely deep in love with each other and wanted to be together forevermore.

It was also the last year they were spending in college. They would be graduating by the year-end and be starting new chapters in their lives – the career chapter. Both Wendy and Sean were ambitious and had similar interests. They were both talented in their crafts too. After college, both of them aspired to be investigative journalists. Despite their similar interests and ambitions, they supported each other and truly wanted the best for each other.

Time rolled in faster than ever and soon, they had graduated and were on the job hunt. They both got their desired jobs in companies. As a few months passed by, they had both started earning a steady salary and were one of the best in their fields.

But as their careers were steadily building, their relationship was not as strong and lively as it used to be. Being in the field they were in, they both constantly had to travel and work overtime to meet deadlines. They were always on the hunt for news and they failed to make time for each other. Their relationship had taken the backseat and they both hated this. In an effort to better things, Sean proposed the idea of living together. That way they would both be close to each other perhaps for the most part of the day and their relationship might be able to regain the color it once possessed. Wendy readily agreed and soon, they were under the same roof.

But unlike how they imagined it would be, they had trouble adjusting, and soon, they were getting irritable at each other. Wendy had also gotten a promotion and had started working even harder and longer. They both hardly had time for each other and living in the same house made it difficult for them to look after their place and themselves. Things were getting really sour.

Their seven-year anniversary was on its way. Sean wanted to do something for Wendy that would bring back what they once had. He was sure Wendy hated the way things were right now as well and that she desired what they once had.

One morning, Sean found himself sitting across his boss in his office. The boss had wanted to talk to him.

“Sean. One of my best journalists at present. I have found your work quite appealing, and it keeps getting better day by day. You clearly have a lot of potential. Hence, I wanted to tell you, that I would be promoting you!”, said the boss.

Sean was ecstatic. This was what he had dreamed of for so long and he was finally getting it. But right when he was about to accept, he remembered Wendy. Taking his promotion would mean straying even further from her. He was too afraid to lose her and he wanted Wendy more than this promotion.

“I am very grateful and honored by this promotion, sir”, said he to his boss. “But I must decline. The time is just not right for me to take it up. I really appreciate it but I am sorry. Good day, sir”, he said as he left the office. The next day was his and Wendy’s anniversary. He decided to break the news to her then during dinner.

Finally, it was date night. They were sitting across from each other at their dining table and eating take-out (neither of them had time to cook) but they were glad they got to spend this time together. They had been talking for a while when Sean decided to tell Wendy about not taking the promotion. But Wendy was the one who wanted to tell him something.

“I gave up my promotion today, Sean”, she said. “I wanted to make things work between us before I climb the career ladder.”

“Oh, Wendy! You needn’t have done that!”, cried Sean. “My boss offered me a promotion today but I refused because I wanted to make things work between us”

“Oh no Sean!”, cried Wendy. But Sean was laughing.

“Pardon me, but this is hilarious. We both gave up our promotions for each other.”

“Oh Sean”, chimed Wendy before breaking into a fit of laughter. “We’re going to make this work”, she said as they both laughed uncontrollably.