Twenty Six

I was zipping up my big blue suitcase when a knock came to the door. "Sam, I'm sorry. I had no idea," Abby's voice broke through the door. I opened it up after a short moment. "When I returned home earlier, your father were just about to knock. If I had known that Namjoon were with you, I would've told your dad to stop by a little later," she explained the situation to me. I'm not mad at her. She did nothing wrong. She pulled me into a tight carefree hug. "Are you going somewhere?" Abbs asked as she pushed me slightly away, eyeing me confusingly. I pressed my lips together and nodded. "Running away had never been a solution, Sam," she advised me. I smiled at her sadly. "I just have to get away for a little while," I assured her. The mere thought of being so far away from him kills me inside. "What about your responsibilities, not even to mention work?" My friend questioned. As I were packing up my belongings, I thought everything through. Where do I go? How long will I stay? When will I return? "I will give Professor Harolds a call and ask him to contact the Substitute, to fill in for me. A few weeks would do it," I informed her. She nodded in understanding, but before she could question anything else, I concluded: "I will leave tonight and show up unannounced on my brother's porch. Clear my mind and come back on a clean sleeve." Without another word, she pulled me into a second hug, much tighter than the first one.

I gave Professor Harolds a call as promised, informed him in as less details as possible about my family drama and asked if the Substitute Professor could fill in for my absence for a few weeks at most. He approved my request. Everything's up and going. Tomorrow I'll be back in my home country. I'll see the family that matters to me. Nothing more, nothing less. The day passed much to slowly to my liking. Can anyone say tortoise with an extra heavy load? Well, that's what today's passage reminded me of. "FaceTime me anytime," Abbs said with a sad smile. I nodded. My suitcase is on the ground beside my feet, handbag dangling over my shoulder. Ticket at hand. I'm not very keen on leaving, but it will do me good. I just wish that I had a photo of him, either in my wallet or as a wallpaper. Unfortunately I have neither! He's just a figure of my imagination. The mere thought sets uneasily on my stomach. The knowledge of knowing that we'll be world's apart, is almost enough to make me turn back and forget all about this plan of mine. The robotic voice called out my flight number. It's time!

I put my bags on top of the luggage escalator and moved through the metal detector. I smiled at the officer as I gave him my passport and plane ticket. He stamped it and motions for me to move forward. After I retrieved my things, I waved goodbye at my friend. So long Abby, until we meet again.