Kristin’s heart raced as she stood frozen in the aisle of the airplane, staring at the man seated by the window. It wasn’t just a passing resemblance; he looked remarkably like her late husband, David. The same strong jawline, the deep-set eyes, and even the way he held himself had an eerie familiarity.

“Kris! Can’t you hear me?” Cassandra’s urgent voice broke through Kristin’s trance, jolting her back to the present

“He wants to talk to you,” Cassandra whispered, her eyes wide with astonishment.
With shaky steps, Kristin approached the man, her mind replaying memories she thought she had buried deep. David’s smile, his laugh, and the void his sudden death had left in her life rushed back with overwhelming intensity.
As she stood before the man who could easily pass as David’s twin, he looked up at her with a mix of curiosity and concern. His voice, when he spoke, had the same gentle timbre that once comforted her.

“I’m sorry to intrude, but… you look strikingly familiar,” the man said cautiously, his eyes searching hers.

Kristin managed a weak smile, trying to steady herself. “You… you remind me of someone very dear to me,” she admitted softly, struggling to find the right words.

The man nodded understandingly. “I’ve been told that before. My apologies if it’s unsettling.”

“No, it’s… it’s quite alright,” Kristin replied, her emotions swirling. She wanted to ask him questions, to know more about this uncanny resemblance, but she felt overwhelmed by the flood of memories and emotions.

Cassandra, sensing Kristin’s distress, stepped forward. “We should get you back to your seat, Kris,” she said gently, guiding her friend away from the man who had stirred up such a storm of feelings.

Back in the galley, away from prying eyes, Kristin leaned against the counter, trying to catch her breath. Cassandra stood beside her, offering silent support as Kristin processed the unexpected encounter.

“I can’t believe how much he looks like David,” Kristin murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like seeing a ghost.”

Cassandra squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I know, Kris. It must be incredibly overwhelming. Do you want to talk about it?”

Kristin shook her head slowly. “Not right now. I… I need some time to process this.”

Cassandra nodded in understanding. “Take all the time you need. We have a long flight ahead.”

As the hours passed, Kristin couldn’t shake the image of the man from her mind. She wondered about the coincidences that had led to this moment, and she silently hoped that maybe, just maybe, this encounter held some deeper meaning for her healing heart.

When they finally landed, Kristin gathered her belongings with a newfound sense of introspection. The man who resembled David had disembarked earlier, leaving behind a lingering sense of wonder and melancholy.

As she stepped off the plane, Kristin glanced back one last time, her thoughts drifting to the past and the future. Perhaps this unexpected encounter was a gentle nudge from fate, reminding her that even in the most unexpected places, echoes of loved ones can still find their way back into our lives.