In the quiet recesses of the heart, there exists a mystery that has confounded men for centuries-a creation so delicate, yet so resilient, that even a mere glance, if harsh, can unravel her.
She weeps not just with her eyes, but with her very soul...
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The wheels had turned relentlessly, carrying the weight of sadness with them. The air inside the car had felt heavy, laden with the lingering emotions of their departure. For Nazlae, this had seemed more like the true farewell than the one that had occurred a week before.
Leaving the place she had called home for her entire life was a decision fraught with challenges. The thought of living miles away from everything familiar had felt like an insurmountable hurdle, and the reality of it had sunk in with every passing mile.
The decision to relocate to another city had come unexpectedly for both families. It had been thrust upon them out of nowhere, leaving little room for adjustment or protest.
As the car had sped ahead, the uncertainty of her choice had weighed heavily on Nazlae. She had struggled to contain her sobs, each one tugging painfully at her heart. Her soul had already longed for the comforting warmth of her mother's embrace, the familiar presence she had left behind. The pain had been palpable, a shared burden between mother and daughter as they had exchanged tearful goodbyes.
Umair, the silent observer of the emotional turmoil, had stayed unnoticed. Though he had said little, the sadness that mirrored his family's eyes hadn't gone unnoticed by him.
The finality settled deep within her when she was now seated in the business class cabin of the plane. Nazlae tried to steady her breathing, but the unfamiliar environment did little to ease her anxiety. The luxury of the spacious seats and the refined atmosphere seemed to blur around her, as her focus remained on the sensations of the plane—the hum of the engines, the soft click of seatbelts, the subtle pressure against her back as they prepared for takeoff.
Umair glanced her way and noticed the tension in her posture, the way her fingers gripped the armrests too tightly. Sensing her unease, he cleared his throat softly before speaking. "This is your first time flying, isn't it?"
Nazlae turned to him, her expression giving away the apprehension she felt. She nodded, a brief almost timid acknowledgment. Umair offered an understanding curt nod. "It's quite normal to feel uneasy on your first flight. The experience can be... overwhelming."
He paused, searching for a way to distract her from the growing anxiety. "You know," he continued, keeping his tone light but slightly formal, "the flight path today offers some rather interesting views. We might pass over some notable landmarks. It's worth looking out the window once we're in the air."
Nazlae managed a faint smile in return. Though the tension hadn't fully left, his words provided a small, welcome distraction from the turbulence of her thoughts.
-*-
It had been just over an hour-long flight, and when they landed, a sleek SUV was waiting for them at the airport. Nazlae still marvelled at the experience of flying—the sheer height, the breathtaking views above the clouds, and the surprising smoothness of the ride had left her in quiet awe.
