Her Departure

Fwushhh

I held on to the armrest of my chair tight. Feeling the slight vibration when I took off, I held my breath to reduce my nervousness.

"Fuuu... It's okay, Althea, it's just a plane." I mumbled to myself.

Right. For one who barely ever leave her hometown, riding a plane was the first experience for me today.

I got accepted in the university Ray and I planned to go to with full scholarship just around a month ago.

I still couldn't help but smile in happiness as I remembered the day it was announced.

I still could hardly believe it. It was such a selective process, and I thought my interview didn't go as well as I planned despite my weeks of practice, but thank God I managed to pull it off.

Hearing that news, even my mother seemed excited and praised me with proud eyes, something I rarely saw from her. My father and little brother were celebrating as well and we even invited some of our relatives for dinner afterward to share our happiness.

It was strange in a way that I thought my family wouldn't be that.... warm and happy from my success. Somehow other than Haru, I've been seeing my family in a bad light.

When I realized that, I felt guilty for thinking so. Maybe all they wanted was the good for me?

No, I know that sometimes they wish good for me, but with their interest in it.... Or maybe they were too stressed with their own matters so the way they wish the good for me become distorted?

I shook my head. My thoughts are going to an increasingly negative direction and I don't want it.

If Ray was here... what would he say?

I scoffed at myself. To think I would need someone's help to know how I feel towards my family is just...

Nonetheless, the one who was more excited-if the word could even fit to describe his behavior- was Ray. He looked as calm as always but his jubilant eyes and adoring voice sounds anything but.

Well, it was only normal. We have dated for two years but have yet met each other at all, and the success of getting this scholarship means a lot more to us than just a proper education.

The both of us, with the distance, couldn't meet nor clearly tell others about our relationship even if we wanted it.

We worry about what others' hurtful words might do to our partner as much as we would like to boast about each other. At least to our family, Ray and I tried to keep it to ourselves to prevent unwanted consequences.

We were also conscious of our limits and boundaries, mostly due to my reservation and Ray's consideration of me, but it sure made the activities we can do together limited.

With such conditions, the feeling of longing could no longer be described in words.

But today I'll meet him.

I'll meet the man I had only afford to hear and see across the screen.

Even the wariness I felt from the plane crashing or falling in an accident couldn't hinder my anticipation of meeting Ray.

'Oh, right.'

Speaking of meeting, Karin had asked me to send her greetings to Ray. There were more things she said which I didn't really understand but considering it might be something only Ray and Karin understand, those are better not conveyed.

I unconciously smiled remembering that silly but bright friend of mine.

I can't even express how much gratefulness I feel towards her.

If there is something I would certainly miss the most from my hometown, it would be her. In a way, she had supported me more than my family.

I had persuaded her to try the scholarship with me, but as the scholarship's university has academic backgrounds, she refused.

I think Karin would love to learn subjects related to arts or hospitality. And knowing her personality, I think it'll be best for her as well.

"We will meet again before you know it, Thea." the girl who sincerely accompanied me to the airport with my parents said so when I was about to depart.

I thought I saw an expression saying, 'You'll be surprised!' on her face, but she wiped it away and pushed me to go before I get to ask.

With my mind still pondering what kind of meaning it might hold- if anything at all- I forget about my fear of the flight accident probability and drifted off to sleep.