Patience Heart

Ticket to Frankfurt

The bustling noise of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport felt like a distant hum as I stood near the entrance of the departure hall, clutching my ticket to Frankfurt. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on my chest, making each breath feel labored. My mother and Adam were beside me, their faces a mix of determination and resignation.

My mother, always the picture of elegance and composure, was doing her best to appear calm. But I could see the stress etched into her features, the anxiety behind her eyes. "Viola, darling," she began, her voice a mixture of firmness and tenderness, "I know this is difficult, but you need to stay in Frankfurt until the baby is born. Your cousin Chris will take good care of you. He has everything arranged."

Her words felt like a knife twisting in my heart. I turned to look at her, the familiar face of my mother now seeming like a stranger. "Why are you doing this?" I asked quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Why can't you just be honest with me? Why do you have to push me away like this?"

My mother's sigh was heavy with frustration and sorrow. "I've worked so hard to get where I am," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I need to focus on my campaign right now. Please, just this one time. It's for the greater good. I need you to do this for me."

The sting of her words cut deep. I had hoped for understanding, for support, but instead, I was being asked to abandon my own needs and emotions for her ambitions. My heart ached as I tried to process the reality of the situation.

Adam, who had been standing silently beside me, finally moved closer. He wrapped his arms around me in a hug that felt both comforting and strangely distant. "I'll come to Frankfurt when the time comes," he murmured, his voice steady but lacking the warmth I had once known.

I pulled away slightly, my heart breaking with confusion and disappointment. "Adam, why did you agree to this? I trusted you," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. "I thought you would be my support, my rock. Instead, it's like you're just... agreeing with my mother. Why?"

Adam's embrace tightened for a moment, but it didn't ease the pain. He didn't say anything more, just held me as if trying to offer solace through his presence. My tears fell freely now, each one a testament to the hurt and betrayal I felt. I wanted to scream, to fight against this feeling of abandonment, but I just stood there, letting the sadness wash over me.

As the time to board drew near, Adam and my mother exchanged a few final words, their voices low and serious. I watched them, feeling a deep, aching loneliness. My mother's parting words echoed in my mind, a reminder of the sacrifices being demanded of me and the weight of my own helplessness.

I made my way to the boarding room, surrounded by the noise and chaos of travelers. I sat down on a nearby bench, my passport and ticket clutched tightly in my hand. The ticket seemed to mock me, a symbol of the distance and separation I was being forced to endure.

Desperate for some comfort, I pulled out my phone and dialed Anna's number. Anna, my best friend since childhood, was always my source of strength. As the phone rang, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could offer me the support I so desperately needed.

"Hey, Anna. It's me, Viola," I said when she answered, my voice trembling.

"Viola? What's wrong? You sound upset," Anna's voice was full of concern.

"I'm at the airport," I began, tears threatening to spill over again. "I'm about to board a flight to Frankfurt. Mom and Adam... they're sending me away. They don't want me here anymore, not with the baby."

Anna's silence was filled with empathy. I could almost feel her trying to process the gravity of what I was telling her.

"Viola, this is so sudden. What happened?" Anna's voice was gentle and reassuring.

"It's complicated," I said, wiping away a tear. "Mom's running for a legislative position, and she doesn't want my pregnancy to ruin her chances. Adam... he just agreed with everything. He said he'll come when the time comes, but right now, it feels like he's just distant. I feel so alone."

Anna's voice took on a firmer tone, her words like a lifeline. "Viola, you need to think about what's best for you and your baby. If you feel like you need support, you should have it. You don't have to go through this alone."

A wave of relief washed over me at Anna's words. "I don't know what to do," I admitted. "I feel like I'm being pushed away, like my choices are being taken from me. I don't want to leave my baby behind, but if I stay, it feels like I'm failing everyone."

"Listen to me," Anna said, her tone resolute. "You have the right to make choices for yourself and your baby. If you're unhappy with the situation, you need to stand up for yourself. I'm here for you, Viola. Whatever you decide, you don't have to face it alone. What can I do for you? I will help you get through this. You don't need to follow what your mother wants if it's not right for you."

Anna's support gave me a renewed sense of strength. "Thank you, Anna. I needed to hear that. I feel so lost right now, but knowing you're there for me helps a lot."

"Of course," Anna said. "Look, I know it's a tough situation, but you need to think about what you want. If you need to come back, or if you need to make any changes, just let me know. We'll figure it out together."

Her words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, offering comfort and clarity in the midst of my turmoil. "I'll think about it. I just needed to hear someone who understands."

As I ended the call, I felt a small but significant shift in my perspective. Anna's encouragement had reminded me that I still had choices, and I needed to make the best ones for myself and my baby.

I stood up, feeling a bit lighter despite the weight of the situation. As I walked toward the boarding gate, I made a silent promise to myself. No matter how hard the road ahead would be, I would not let myself be pushed into a situation where I felt powerless. I would navigate through this, for my own sake and for the sake of my baby.

With my passport and ticket in hand, I took a deep breath and prepared to board the plane. The journey to Frankfurt was just beginning, but I knew I had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.