“Ma’am, is there something you need help with?” asked a flight attendant after noticing 39-year-old Linda weeping for a long time.
“No, I’m fine…” Linda replied, her voice shaky and eyes red from crying.
But Linda was not okay. She recalled the pilot’s voice, again and again, crying like a child. It was a familiar voice, one that echoed from her past, stirring emotions she had long tried to bury.
For the rest of the journey, Linda’s tears flowed freely. The other passengers, sensing her distress but wary of her obvious temper, gave her a wide berth, preferring not to intrude.
Five hours later, the flight landed, and everyone except Linda started to get off the plane. The stewardess noticed that Linda was still seated and walked over to her.
“Ma’am, the flight has landed. Do you want any help with your bag?” she asked gently.
Linda shook her head, her determination clear. “No, I’m not getting down! I MUST SEE THE PILOT! I’m not moving from here until I see him!”
The flight attendant, sensing the urgency in Linda’s voice, nodded and went to fetch the captain. Moments later, the pilot, a man in his early forties with a distinguished yet familiar face, emerged from the cockpit. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Linda.
“Linda?” he said, recognizing her immediately.
Linda stood up, her emotions flooding back. “Eric, it’s you. I knew it was your voice.”
Eric’s face softened as he walked over to her. “Linda, I… I didn’t know you were on this flight.”
Linda’s tears began to flow again. “Why, Eric? Why did you leave without a word all those years ago? You just disappeared, and I never heard from you again.”
Eric sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know I owe you an explanation. Can we sit and talk?”
Linda nodded, and they both sat down, the plane now empty except for them and a few curious crew members. Eric took a deep breath and began to explain.
“Linda, I was young and scared. We were in love, but I didn’t know how to handle the responsibility. I got an opportunity to join the air force, and I took it without thinking. I thought it would make me a better man, someone worthy of you. But once I left, I didn’t know how to come back. I felt ashamed for abandoning you.”
Linda listened, her heart aching but understanding the fear and confusion that Eric had felt. “I waited for you, Eric. I waited and hoped that you would come back.”
Eric reached out and took her hand. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I’ve thought about you every day. Seeing you now, it feels like fate has given me a chance to make things right.”
Linda squeezed his hand, a mix of relief and sadness washing over her. “I don’t know if we can just pick up where we left off, Eric. So much time has passed.”
Eric nodded. “I understand. But maybe we can start by catching up, by being friends again.”
Linda smiled through her tears. “I’d like that.”
As they stood up, Eric looked at her with sincerity. “Thank you for waiting, Linda. I hope I can earn your trust again.”
Linda nodded, feeling a sense of closure and a new beginning all at once. “Let’s see where this journey takes us.”
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They walked off the plane together, the past still heavy but the future holding a glimmer of hope.
