Ripples of us

1

In the middle of a penthouse, surrounded by the chaos of packing. Suitcases of various sizes were lined up, some already sealed and waiting to be transported, while others still lay open, half-filled with the belongings she'd accumulated over the past few years.

A woman in her twenties, holding a phone to her ear, listening intently as her mother rattled off a list of items she insisted not to forget. "Yes, Mom, my clothes are in the large suitcase. No, I haven't packed the toiletries yet, but I will. Yes, I have my passport in my hands. I'll double-check that everything is ready before I leave. Of course, I'll bring the family photo album too." Emily responded, her voice calm and obedient.

Her mother's voice grew louder on the other end of the line, "And don't forget the quilt, honey." She sighed softly, her eyes darting to the old quilt tucked away in her bedroom. "Of course, Mom. I'll grab it right now. And don't worry, I'll have everything ready for the movers by tomorrow morning."

She smiled, even though her mother couldn't see it. The truth was, she was relieved to be returning home. The excitement of living abroad had long since faded, replaced by a sense of isolation and loneliness. She'd missed her family, her friends, and the familiarity of her hometown.

"I love you too, Mom. I'll see you soon." She hung up the phone, a sense of closure washing over her. She made her way to her bedroom, gently picking up the quilt her grandmother had made for her when she was a child. The soft, floral pattern brought a surge of nostalgia, and she clutched it close for a moment before returning to the living room.

Having stepped out of her penthouse, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. She glanced back at the building that had been her home for the past three years, her eyes shining with unshed tears. A tall, burly cab driver named Alex approached her with a warm smile, "Miss Emily, I've been waiting for you. Your mom insisted that I make sure you get to the airport on time."

Emily nodded, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, Alex. I appreciate it." She got into the cab, her large suitcase thudding against the metal floor.

During the short drive to the airport, Emily couldn't help but think about the life she was leaving behind. She had built a successful career in a foreign country and had enjoyed the freedom that came with it. But now, she was returning to her hometown, back where she left her past behind.

As they pulled up to the airport, Alex helped Emily with her bags, Emily with a grateful smile, said, "Thank you again, Alex. You've always been so helpful." Alex tipped his hat, "It's my pleasure, Miss Emily. Safe travels, and don't forget to call me when you're back in town."

Emily made her way through the bustling airport, her heart beating faster with each step. She checked in her bags, went through security, and found her gate. Settling into her seat, she pulled out her phone to send a quick message to her mom, letting her know she was ready to board.

The atmosphere in the waiting area grew tense as the flight's departure time neared. The airport's loudspeaker crackled to life, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are now boarding flight 256 to New York JFK. Passengers, please make your way to the gate."

Emily stood up with her suitcase and taking a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she made her way to the boarding gate. She showed her ticket to the attendant, who smiled and welcomed her aboard.

As she walked down the jet bridge, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew that once she stepped onto that plane, there would be no turning back. She found her seat by the window, stowing her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. Taking a seat and looking out the window as the plane takes off.

"Millie, Millie, come and play!" She found herself standing in a lush green field, bordered by tall trees that swayed gently in the breeze.

In the distance, she spotted a young boy, perhaps six or seven years old, beckoning her with a wide smile. She approached him, her heart filled with warmth as she remembered the days when she used to play with him.

The boy's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he began to run, darting between the blades of grass. Emily laughed as she chased after him, the feeling of pure joy flooding her senses. They ran and played for hours, their laughter echoing through the field.

As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, the boy slowed down and sat on the grass. Emily joined him catching her breath. They gazed out at the breath-taking view of the sunset, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. "That was so much fun," she said, her voice soft and gentle.

The boy nodded, his smile never leaving his face. "I'm glad you came to play with me, Millie," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I don't have many friends to play with."

Emily's heart ached for the boy. She reached out and took his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll always be here for you, okay? We can play together whenever you want."

The boy's eyes widened, and he looked at her with a mix of hope and disbelief. "Really? You promise?"

Emily nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "I promise. No matter what happens, I'll never leave your side. We'll always have each other." They kept talking but soon she couldn't make out his exact words. The image of the boy began to blur, and the dream started to fade.

Suddenly, Emily's eyes snapped open, and she sat upright on her seat by the announcement. Over the intercom, the pilot announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be landing in New York in about fifteen minutes. Please return your seats to the upright position and ensure that all carry-on luggage is stowed away." The blurriness of her vision cleared, replaced by the reality of her surrounding.

With a start, Emily realized that she'd been dreaming of her past. She looked out the airplane window, watching as the landscape below grew closer.

Emily leaned back in her seat, her heart pounding in her chest as the plane descended towards the airport. The past she had left behind was about to catch up with her, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face it. The memories of her childhood, the people she had known, and the experiences she had shared—it all came rushing back, threatening to overwhelm her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she whispered to herself, "This is it."

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Is Emily ready to face her past or not?

Thank u guys for reading❤️