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Novel Catalog
Chapter_38
Canceled Flight
My mind was heavy with worry and guilt as I made my way into the boarding area, my steps slow and heavy. I wished, more than ever, that I had someone beside me. Someone who could go with me back home, someone who could ease this knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.
I tried to convince myself that Matthew had only left because of the urgency of the situation. After all, the call had come in suddenly. But no matter how much I tried to calm myself, a dull ache lingered. I called Ivanna to keep her informed, then settled into the airport lounge to wait.
Matthew had only visited my hometown three times in all the years we had been together. The first had been after we graduated, when he came to meet my parents after our relationship became official. The second time had been when we were struggling to get our business off the ground. We needed their help—capital to start—and went to them with that request.
The third time was the hardest. It was when we had mortgaged my parents’ house to secure a loan, and once it was approved, Matthew insisted on taking me home to thank them. But after that, we never went back together again. The reason, as always, was the same—he was too busy.
I didn’t blame him. I knew the challenges of running a business, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices. My parents had always been understanding, telling me that the early years of a company required dedication, hard work, and relentless effort. They knew that we were both chasing a dream.
But now, as I sat in the airport, my heart felt heavy. I hadn’t been there for my parents as much as I should have. I had let work and my own life get in the way. And now, I was rushing home because my father had suffered a stroke. The guilt was unbearable.
The minutes dragged on. My anxiety built with each tick of the clock. The flight, which should have taken just four hours, had been delayed repeatedly. The airport had grown more crowded, the tension in the air palpable. It was already 8 p.m., and yet I hadn’t boarded my flight. I felt trapped, helpless.
And then, at 10:40 p.m., the announcement came: all flights were suspended due to the hurricane.
The words struck me like a blow to the chest. How could this happen now? Just when I needed to get home the most, the world seemed to conspire against me.
I stood frozen, trying to process the news. When I saw the airport staff leaving the terminal, I shakily reached for my phone and called my mother.
“Mom…” My voice cracked, barely able to hold it together. “They’ve canceled all the flights because of the storm.”
“Chlo, don’t worry,” my mother’s voice was calm, a soft comfort. “Your dad is doing much better now. The doctor said there’s no major concern. He’s recovering. Don’t worry. Wait until the weather clears up. We’ll figure it out.”
I let out a relieved breath but still felt uneasy. “Should I try to take a train instead? I’m worried about you and Dad…”
“No. Absolutely not. The weather’s too bad right now, and with the pandemic, travel’s unpredictable. If your dad’s condition improves by morning, you don’t have to rush back. We’ll wait until the storm passes. Take care of Ava too, okay?”
I felt my heart sink. “Mom, I’ve been such a bad daughter…”
Her voice was firm, but loving. “Chloe, enough. I understand. Now, listen to me. Go home quickly. Rest and wait for my call.”
After hanging up, I crouched down in the crowded airport, wrapping my arms around myself, overwhelmed by the weight of regret. I hadn’t been there when they needed me.
Around me, the airport was full of frustrated and stranded travelers. The delays were causing chaos. People rushed toward the buses, causing long lines and making it impossible to get a cab. I tried calling Matthew, but his phone was off, probably from running out of battery. He had asked me to call once I had landed, and I felt a pang of loneliness as I realized I couldn’t reach him now.
I didn’t want to bother Ivanna, so I stood still, letting the crowd move around me. It was hard to focus, my mind spinning, feeling lost in the sea of faces. People jostled past me, unaware of the emotional storm raging inside me.
A group of teens bumped into me carelessly, their laughter loud and oblivious. One of them knocked into me with such force that I stumbled and dropped my bags.
I steadied myself, ignoring the dull ache that throbbed in my body from the impact. I bent down to collect my things, my mind scattered.
But before I could get back up, a man carrying a massive suitcase came rushing toward me. I saw him too late, and before I could move, he collided with me.
The impact was sharp and jarring.