Seeking Her Forgiveness

18. Shahana, You are my Destiny

Present:

"You?"

"Yes, it's me..." Azlan removed his sunglasses and placed his luggage in the plane's overhead compartment. Then, he calmly sat down next to Shahana.

Shahana stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. She blinked rapidly, as if trying to clear her vision, to make sure it was really him.

"Luckily, this plane doesn't belong to your father; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here," Azlan remarked with a sweet sarcasm, a playful glint in his eyes.

Shahana took a deep breath, steadying herself. "What are you doing here?"

Azlan leaned back, a smug smile playing on his lips. "I think everyone here is heading to Turkey."

"You're going to Turkey, but why?" Shahana's voice was edged with curiosity, though she already knew the answer.

"I'm going for my third marriage. You know, Turkish women are quite beautiful. Inspired by your father, I thought I might marry a Turkish girl."

Azlan's words were like a slap. Shahana's mouth opened, then closed. Her face turned red with anger. She, who had been crying for him, now felt a surge of rage. "You... Why are you even here? Just go!" she shouted, pushing him away with trembling hands.

Azlan, unfazed, chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. I'll leave, but only if you come with me," he said, his voice dropping to a tender whisper as his gaze softened, locking onto hers.

Shahana's determination faltered. Her eyes darted away, and she hugged herself tightly. "I am not going anywhere with you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Around them, the noise of people boarding, the clatter of luggage, and the announcements from the air hostess filled the air, but they seemed far away, like a distant echo.

For a few moments, an uneasy silence settled between them, heavy with unsaid words.

"That's why I'm following you," Azlan broke the silence, his voice gentle but firm.

Shahana's heart skipped a beat. She pressed her forehead against the window, the cold glass a small comfort. "You're chasing a mirage," she murmured, her reflection pale and ghostly against the sky outside.

"You are not a mirage, you are my destination," Azlan replied, his voice steady and sincere.

Shahana closed her eyes, fighting back tears. Her mother's words echoed in her mind, telling her that Azlan would never be happy with her. If her mother said so, it must be true. She trusted her mother more than herself.

The air hostess's voice crackled through the speakers, announcing the imminent takeoff. Shahana's hands shook as she fumbled with her seatbelt, stealing a glance at Azlan.

"Are you really going to Turkey?" Her voice wavered, a mixture of hope and fear.

Azlan's lips curled into a small smile. "Do you think I'm here just to waste time?" he replied. A hint of annoyance in his tone as if she asked a very silly question.

Shahana's frustration boiled over. "Talking to you is pointless," she snapped, turning away again. But in the next moment, Azlan leaned in close, his presence warm and reassuring. She held her breath as he gently fastened her seatbelt.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting hers. "Your father told me a lot. 'I will take care of my daughter myself. You are not needed. Now her father is with her. I will do this. I will do that.' But I don't see him anywhere now. Where is he? He abandoned you as soon as you stepped in the plane," Azlan taunted, his voice soft but cutting.

Shahana's eyes flashed with anger. "Who's talking about abandoning?" she shot back. "And don't say anything about my father. There was a mix-up with the tickets, so he had to sit away from me. Otherwise, he would have sat right here." Her voice was fierce, defending her father without hesitation. She glared at Azlan, suspicion creeping into her eyes. "How did you get a seat next to mine?"