Patience Heart

The Turning Point

The moment the plane touched down in Frankfurt, I felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion wash over me. It wasn't just the physical fatigue from the long, sleepless journey; it was the weight of everything that had been gnawing at my mind since I left Jakarta. The steady hum of the airplane engines faded as the passengers around me began to gather their things, but I couldn't bring myself to move. I sat there, staring blankly at the seat in front of me, wondering how I had even ended up here.

My mother's voice echoed in my head, cold and firm, reminding me again and again that this was for the best, that I needed to stay in Frankfurt until the baby was born. Her ambitions, her campaign, her future—it all depended on me stepping aside, being hidden away like some shameful secret. And Adam... Adam had agreed. The man I thought would fight for me, protect me, had chosen to stay silent, letting me go without a second thought.

My chest tightened as I replayed the moment I said goodbye to him. His hug had been warm, but it felt distant, like he was holding back. Like he was already halfway out the door before I'd even left. Tears pricked at my eyes again, but I swallowed them back. I couldn't break down here, not in front of strangers. But the loneliness? That was harder to fight.

I dragged myself off the plane, my legs stiff and my back aching as I moved through the crowded terminal. People were rushing around, meeting loved ones, heading to their next destinations, all with a purpose. Meanwhile, I felt like I was drifting, lost in the sea of unfamiliar faces. Frankfurt felt foreign—cold, unwelcoming. I kept walking, clutching my carry-on as if it were the only thing tethering me to reality.

As I stood in front of the baggage claim, I pulled out my phone to check if Chris had sent any messages. Sure enough, there was a text waiting for me.

Chris: Hey Viola, sorry but I'm going to be about an hour late. Got caught up with something at work. Hang tight, I'll be there soon.

I stared at the message, my heart sinking further. Of course, he was late. Just one more thing going wrong. I was supposed to be relieved that Chris was going to help me, but right now, I just felt more alone than ever. An hour... what was I supposed to do for an hour? Stand around this cold, sterile airport, watching people rush off to their lives while I waited, abandoned?

Suddenly, I couldn't stand the thought of waiting. The idea of sitting in a foreign country, with no one I knew around, overwhelmed me. I needed something—someone. My fingers hovered over my phone screen, and before I knew it, I was dialing Anna's number.

It rang twice before she picked up. "Viola?" Her voice was warm, familiar, and instantly, a wave of emotion hit me. I hadn't realized how badly I needed to hear her voice until that moment.

"Anna..." My voice cracked. I couldn't even get the words out.

"Viola? Oh my God, are you okay? Where are you? Are you already in Frankfurt?" Anna's voice was sharp with worry, cutting through the fog of my despair.

"I'm... I'm in Frankfurt. I just landed," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I feel... I feel so lost. Chris is going to be late, and I'm just... I don't know what to do, Anna."

"Oh, Viola..." Anna's tone softened, and I could hear the sympathy in her voice. "I wish I were there with you. It sounds like everything is crashing down on you all at once."

I leaned against a nearby pillar, trying to steady my breathing. "I don't know, Anna... I feel so lost with everything. I can't tell if it's the pregnancy hormones kicking in or the exhaustion from this long flight, but I feel so abandoned. I didn't realize how much it would hurt until now."

"You're not alone, Vi," Anna said firmly. "You still have me. They're wrong for pushing you away like this. You're not a burden, and you're definitely not something to be hidden away."

Her words hit me hard. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to fight back the tears. "I just keep thinking about it, over and over. What if I don't want to stay here? What if I don't want to play by their rules? I feel like I've lost control of everything, and I'm just doing what they want."

There was a pause on the other end, and then Anna spoke again, her voice calm but resolute. "Then don't. Don't do what they want. If this doesn't feel right to you, Viola, you don't have to go through with it. You don't have to stay there just because they expect you to. You have a choice."

I bit my lip, her words sinking in slowly. "But what do I do, Anna? I feel like no matter what I choose, I'm failing someone. If I stay, I'm failing myself. If I leave, I'm failing them."

Anna's tone turned firm, almost protective. "You don't owe them anything, Viola. They're the ones who put you in this impossible position, not you. You have every right to take control. You're allowed to make decisions that are best for you and your baby. And whatever you choose, you know I'm right here. I've got your back, always."

"I just..." I exhaled shakily. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to go against them, Anna. My mother has always had this control over me. And Adam... I trusted him, I thought he would protect me, but he just... he agreed. He let them send me away."

"I know it's hard," Anna replied softly, "but sometimes the strongest thing you can do is walk away from what's hurting you. I know you, Viola. You're stronger than you think. If staying in Frankfurt feels wrong, then don't do it. Run. Do whatever it takes to protect yourself and your baby. I'll help you get through this."

There was a brief pause before Anna added, her voice full of sincerity, "Let me help you the way you've always helped me, Vi. Maybe this is my turn to pay you back. Please, Vi, let me be there for you."

A fire sparked within me at her words, burning away some of the helplessness I'd been drowning in. Could I really do this? Could I just... run away?

"I think I found a solution," I said, my voice firmer this time.

Anna's breath caught. "What are you thinking, Viola?"

"I'm going to run away."

There was a long pause. "Run away? What do you mean?"

"I mean," I said, straightening up, "I'm not staying here. I don't care what my mother wants or what Adam agreed to. I'm done living by their rules. I'm going to take control of my own life. I don't know where I'll go yet, but I can't keep doing this. I won't."

Anna didn't speak for a moment, and I wondered if she thought I was being impulsive, maybe even reckless. But then she said, "Viola, if this is what you want, I'm with you. One hundred percent. Whatever you need—just tell me. We'll figure it out together."

The weight that had been pressing on my chest began to lift. I wasn't alone in this. "Thank you, Anna. I mean it."

"I'm serious, Vi," Anna said firmly. "If you need me to book you a ticket back home, or if you need a place to stay, anything—I'll make it happen. You don't have to follow their plans for you. You have the right to make your own choices. And if running away is your choice, then we'll make it work."

For the first time since I'd left Jakarta, I felt like I had some control over my life again. It wasn't going to be easy—I knew that. But the idea of running away, of not letting them dictate my life anymore, it gave me a sense of freedom I hadn't felt in a long time.

"I'll figure out where to go," I told her. "I'll call you once I've decided."

"I'll be waiting," Anna said, her voice filled with reassurance. "And Viola, just remember—you're not alone. You've got me, and you've got more strength than you realize."

I smiled for the first time in what felt like ages. "Thanks, Anna. I'll talk to you soon."

As I ended the call, I looked around the busy airport. People were hurrying past me, rushing toward their destinations, but for the first time in days, I didn't feel like I was just drifting along. I had a plan now. I wasn't going to let anyone else decide my fate.

With a newfound determination, I picked up my bag and headed toward the exit. I didn't know where I was going, but for once, that didn't scare me. I was finally taking control of my life, and that was all that mattered.