Patience Heart

Telling Anna All - Part 2

The sun had already set, casting long shadows across my room as I stared at my phone, still clutched in my hand. The call with Anna had left me emotionally drained, yet somehow lighter. I hadn't realized how much I needed to tell her everything, to hear her voice and know that she was still there for me, no matter the distance between us.

But even as I sat there, trying to gather my thoughts, a gnawing sense of guilt remained. Anna had been through so much already, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was adding to her burdens. Yet, as she'd reminded me, we were family. And family didn't let each other face things alone.

I couldn't help but think back to the day she'd finally decided to leave her abusive ex-husband. It had been one of the hardest days of her life, and I'd been right there beside her, helping her pack her things, reassuring her that she was making the right choice. We'd cried together, held each other, and promised that no matter what happened, we'd always have each other's backs.

And now, here we were, on opposite sides of the world, trying to keep that promise. It wasn't easy, but I knew that if anyone could understand what I was going through, it was Anna.

My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. A message from Anna lit up the screen:

Anna: I've been thinking about our conversation, and I just want to say... don't be too hard on yourself, Vi. You've always been there for me, and now it's my turn to be there for you. We'll get through this together, okay? And when the time comes, I'll be there for your wedding—even if I have to fly across the world. 💕

A tear slipped down my cheek as I read her message. I knew she meant every word, and the thought of her being there for my wedding, despite everything, filled me with a bittersweet sense of hope.

Me: Thank you, Anna. I don't know what I'd do without you. And... I really hope you can make it. It wouldn't be the same without you. 💕

As I sent the message, I felt a small smile tug at my lips. Despite all the uncertainty, all the fear and doubt, having Anna in my corner made it a little easier to face the days ahead.

But even as I tried to focus on the positives, I couldn't ignore the nagging voice in the back of my mind, the one that kept asking the same question: Was I really making the right choice? Or was I just trying to fix a problem with another mistake?

I didn't have the answers. Not yet. But at least I knew I wasn't alone in searching for them.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing again. It was another message from Anna, this time with a link to a playlist she'd created for me.

Anna: I made you a little something to help you get through the tough days. Music always helped me, so I thought it might help you too. Give it a listen when you have some time. 💖

I clicked on the link, and as the music started playing, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Anna had always known how to reach me, even from afar. She'd picked songs that reminded me of our shared memories, of the times we'd danced around my living room, laughing until we couldn't breathe. Songs that reminded me of the strength we'd found in each other during the darkest moments.

As the music filled the room, I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in it. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to just feel—to let the emotions I'd been holding back come to the surface. And in that moment, I realized that maybe I didn't need all the answers right away. Maybe it was okay to take things one step at a time, to lean on the people who loved me, and to trust that somehow, we'd find a way through this.

Anna had always been my rock, my constant. And even though we were miles apart, I knew she'd be with me every step of the way. Whether it was through a playlist, a late-night phone call, or just a simple message reminding me that I wasn't alone—she was there.

And that, more than anything, gave me the strength to keep going.

As the music played on, I made a silent promise to myself: I wouldn't let fear dictate my choices. I'd face the future with as much courage as I could muster, knowing that I had the support of those who cared about me.

And with Anna by my side, even from afar, I knew I could do it.

When I finally managed to pull myself together, I decided to call Anna back. We needed to talk about the next steps. If she was really serious about coming to the wedding, there were plans to be made, tickets to be booked. But more than that, I just wanted to hear her voice again, to reassure myself that everything would be okay.

"Vi?" Anna's voice answered almost immediately, a little out of breath, as if she'd been waiting for my call.

"Hey, Anna," I replied, my voice a little steadier than it had been last night. "I just... wanted to thank you again. For everything. And... I was wondering if you were serious about coming to the wedding?"

"Of course, I'm serious!" she exclaimed, her tone full of energy. "You really think I'd miss your big day? No way. Just tell me the date, and I'll be there—even if I have to sneak past immigration."

I laughed, the sound feeling foreign yet welcome. "Okay, okay. I'll let you know as soon as we finalize the details. It's going to be a small ceremony, just close friends and family. But I'd really love for you to be there, Anna. It wouldn't be the same without you."

"Then I'll be there," she promised, her voice softening. "And Vi? I'm proud of you. For everything. I know it's not easy, but you're handling it with more grace than you realize. Just... remember to take care of yourself too, okay?"

"I will," I said, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I promise."

As we said our goodbyes, I felt a renewed sense of determination. The road ahead was still uncertain, but with Anna's support, I knew I could face it. Together, we'd navigate the challenges, the heartbreaks, and the joys that life threw our way.

Because that's what best friends did—no matter the distance, no matter the obstacles—they stood by each other. And I was lucky enough to have the best friend anyone could ask for.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about Anna's words, letting them sink in. It wasn't going to be easy, but I knew that with her by my side—whether in person or from afar—I could handle whatever came next.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, things would turn out okay in the end.

With Anna's playlist still playing softly in the background, I allowed myself to smile, knowing that no matter what, I wasn't alone. And that, more than anything, was enough to keep me going.