Unrequited Love

Chapter 7 - Luciana

With my hands clammy and a heart that was thundering in my chest, I locked the door of the lavatory as softly as I could. I leaned on the counter of the basin as I dared to look at myself in the mirror. It was crazy how much different someone could be in a mere 9 hours. The woman that looked back at me in the mirror looked haggard and exhausted - a stark contrast to the Luciana that was getting ready in the morning for her flight.

My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath. I somehow managed to hold myself up in front of everybody else. But when I was alone, I broke down - a lot. Closing my eyes, I tried to remember what Mama told me whenever I'd feel that all hope was lost. Whenever I'd feel that Papa would never change.

No dejes que nadie apague tu luz. Dios te bendiga, mija.

Don't let anyone dim your light. God bless you, daughter.

I steeled myself as I heard mama's voice ringing inside of my head. Unexpectedly, tears welled up in my eyes as I attempted to control the onslaught of emotions that threatened to overpower me. A few escaped my eyes as they trailed down my cheek. I covered my mouth with my hand as I tried to muffle my sobs. I was a mess tonight. I didn't even know whether I'd make it out of here alive tonight or whether I'd be another addition to Mikhail's list of victims.

I was scared of him. Very very scared. I didn't know what he was capable of - and a man like that was the equivalent of danger in my books. I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed for lusting after this evil man who took lives for a living - even if I didn't know it at that time. It was so out of character for me to feel things so strongly for a stranger - and I was even more shocked as I realised that those feelings still lingered, to an extent.

I slammed my fist as I looked furiously at myself. I would die fighting that man. I wasn't about to give up so easily. Picking up the phone, I dialled the already synced number of the ATC in my phone.

"Air Traffic Control New York. What's wrong?"

"Hello. This is the head purser, Luciana Rodriguez, for Skyline Airlines flying from New York to Oslo speaking. We have been hijacked and one passenger has been shot in the head."

I said this all in one breath as I tried to get my erratic breathing in control.

"Alright Luciana, can you tell me how many hijackers there are?"

"7 of them."

"Right. I need you to stall them as much as you can until we send our security services over ok? Make sure that the passengers are calm and unhurt."

"Ok yeah. I can do that."

"Great. We'll be sending them as soon as possible so please stay calm."

"Ok. Thank you."

With a small click, the line went dead as I whooshed out a heavy breath. At least now someone knew what predicament we were stuck in. There was hope - hope for us to be saved.

I stood there for a moment longer as I attempted to collect myself - to put up a cool and composed front. Summoning all the energy and courage that I had left, I pushed the lavatory door open as I walked out. My gaze flitted across the seats in front of me. My body immediately relaxed as I saw no sign of Mikhail or his cronies. With a smile, I went around to each passenger making sure that they were alright. I was stopped by an asian man that looked to be in his mid eighties. He grasped my arm in his frail, wrinkled hand as he looked up at me with unshed tears.

"Miss. What is going on? I need to see my grandchildren. They must be eagerly waiting for their grandpa. Oh and my daughter she must -

"Sir," I said as I held his weak hand in mine. "We're going to land in Oslo in no time, don't you worry." I said with an assurance that would've fooled anyone else but me.