Chapter Fifteen #3
In a moment of utter desperation, Zara longed to get to Suzanne, but the uncontrollable movements of the plane pinned her down.
Try as she might, her seatbelt buckle wouldn’t budge.
But then, as if answering her prayer, a man just across from her successfully unbuckled and quickly made his way over to her best friend.
He reached out a steady hand, and relief and gratitude washed over her as she watched Suzanne accept the stranger’s help, then, after settling the sobbing little girl back beside her mother, Suzanne took the spare seat near them as the turbulence continued to batter the plane, each jolt a reminder of Zara’s own vulnerability.
She felt her life caught between the earth and the sky, where loved ones were both anchors and distant shores.
Amid the clamour and fear, the scent of salt lingered in Zara’s senses, a haunting reminder of the moments she and Jay had shared by the ocean.
For a brief moment, she allowed herself to drift on those memories, finding solace in the belief that every storm eventually found its peace.
She just prayed it would be sooner rather than later, because there was only so much that even a plane this size could take.
The captain’s voice came through the intercom, steady beneath the blaring alarms and the panicked gasps of passengers.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. As you are aware, we are navigating through some extremely turbulent weather conditions. I want to assure you that we’re taking every measure to ensure a safe arrival once this is behind us.
So please, help us to help you, and keep our staff safe, by remaining seated with your seatbelts fastened nice and tight. ’
Zara clung to the fabric of her seat, her knuckles white as pearls against the dark blue upholstery.
The hum of the pilot’s voice, usually a comforting reminder of routine announcements, now carried the weight of their collective fate.
She shut her eyes tightly and prayed with all of her might while feeling the tremors of the aircraft reverberate through her bones.
In all her years, she’d never experienced such fear in the air.
And as she prayed for safety, for herself and everyone on board, the plane lurched abruptly once again, like a great bird fighting against invisible currents, and her heart followed suit, fluttering in her chest with frenzied wings.
She thought of her two beautiful girls, their playful laughter like a soothing melody, and how they danced like dandelion seeds on the wind.
She imagined Jay, having to raise them as a widowed father.
And she almost, nearly, broke down and sobbed her terrified heart out as her very soul seemed to stretch towards them, yearning for the simplicity of bedtime stories and goodnight kisses as deafening seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity cloaked in shadows.
Then, miraculously, as rapidly as it had started, the turbulence began to ease.
The wild gyrations of the plane softened into hesitant shudders, then into mere quivers, as if the sky itself was learning to exhale after holding its breath for far too long.
Unaware she’d been squeezing her eyes shut, Zara opened them slowly, tentatively, as if afraid that even a single glance might shatter the fragile calm.
The captain’s voice returned once more with the edges of strain smoothed away by burgeoning confidence. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve managed to find a steadier air stream. Thank you for your understanding and patience.’
Relief washed over Zara like lulling waves caressing the shore after a storm.
She allowed herself a shallow breath, tasting the lingering tang of fear in the air but tempered now by a budding hope.
Then her gaze found Suzanne’s three rows over, and her best friend’s expression mirrored her own relief.
They exchanged a glance that spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgement of the precarious thread that held life together, now spun from moments of terror and tenderness alike as the aircraft continued its course, dipping up and down through layers of cloud and atmosphere, bringing them closer to longed-for solid ground.
As she impatiently waited for the okay to stand, so she could check on Suzanne and their passengers, she exhaled as much stale fear as she could while leaning back in her seat, feeling the faint imprint of her seatbelt across her uniform in a tangible reminder of their harrowing ordeal.
Within her, something shifted like grains of sand beneath the tide, rearranging with each pull of the moon.
She wasn’t so sure she wanted this life anymore.
Many hours later, as the wheels kissed the tarmac with what felt like a lover’s longing after a prolonged absence, their landing was marked by raucous applause from relieved souls within the metal embrace of the aircraft.
The sound cascaded through the cabin, a tumultuous noise to rival the storm they’d weathered above.
Zara’s heart joined in the percussive rhythm, thumping against her ribs as if to remind her that she was alive, that this pulse was the music of survival.
The plane taxied along the runway, the world outside the oval windows transformed from an abstract blur into a breathtaking view of Prague, a city unfurling like a meticulously painted canvas, welcoming them with open arms. The rich hues of sunset illuminated every detail with a warm glow, softening the sharp edges and beckoning them closer with its ethereal beauty.
It was as though time itself exhaled, allowing the moment to stretch and wrap around each passenger in a cocoon spun from threads of golden relief.
Zara’s breath hitched in her throat as she said a silent prayer of gratitude for the pilot’s expertise, and she briefly closed her eyes, imagining the warmth of her husband’s embrace, the laughter of her girls echoing through the hall of their home, and all the little mundane moments she had yet to cherish.
The thought anchored her as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
Suzanne, with her weary green eyes glistening in the last light of day, reached out to her.
Their hands met in a gentle clasp, fingers intertwining.
Then they rose together from their seats, swaying slightly as the plane made its final journey towards the gate at a leisurely pace.
‘Thank god we made it safe and sound,’ Suzanne whispered, her voice trembling like a fragile leaf in the aftermath of a storm.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Zara replied with a wobbly half-smile.
In that space between them they found something unspoken yet palpable, an understanding that life’s fragility often revealed the depths of its beauty, much like the way the sea unveiled its treasures to those who dared to look beneath the surface.
Finally, thankfully, the cabin doors opened, and the natural sounds of life filtered in, replacing the static of anxiety with the soothing melody of routine.
Once all the passengers were disembarked, Zara and Suzanne gathered their things then stepped onto the jet bridge, their heeled footfalls hesitant yet determined.
The airport terminal embraced them with a soft hum of activity as they walked through the arrival gate.
As Zara pondered the responsibilities she’d arrive home to on Friday, the weight of being a mum and wife settled on her shoulders, comfortable and familiar, but carried now with a renewed sense of purpose.
The fury of the sky had reminded her how life could be altered in an instant — sometimes for good, sometimes not.
An hour later, wrapped up in the peacefulness of her hotel room, her fingers trembled as she dug through her handbag, searching for her mobile phone.
She scrolled through her contacts until she found ‘My amazing husband’ and pressed call.
The ringing pierced through the silence that now enveloped her.
‘Hey, love,’ Jay answered, his husky voice a sound that instantly calmed her racing pulse.
‘Jay,’ she breathed out, her words catching on a tide of emotions. ‘There was a storm, and it battered us a fair bit. My gosh, it was terrifying, but we’re here, in Prague, and thankfully everyone’s okay.’
‘Oh, love, that would have been terrifying for you.’ His words rushed to her. ‘I wish I could be there to give you a much-needed hug.’
‘It really was terrifying, Jay.’ She nodded into the phone, wishing she could feel his arms slip around her. ‘I’ve never been through such bad weather while up in the air.’
‘Storms can be brutal above the clouds, so thank god you’re safe.’ The relief in Jay’s tone resonated in her. ‘I can’t wait for you to come home, Za. This house isn’t the same without you.’
‘I’m so grateful, Jay. For you, for our girls.’ A single tear traced its way down her cheek, marking its path across her make-up-covered freckles. ‘Today reminded me just how precious our time on this earth is.’
‘I’ve had my share of scares like that, my love, and they certainly put a different spin on everything.’ Jay’s voice was a soft command, pulling her homeward. ‘I can’t wait to have you back home.’
‘Only three more sleeps,’ Zara promised, picturing the warmth of his embrace and the safety of their shared love.
‘Trust me, Za, I’m counting them down.’
They chatted a while, until they reluctantly said goodnight, the call ending like an unfinished poem hanging suspended in the air.
Once showered and re-dressed in something a little more comfortable, Zara found herself two blocks away, seated across from Suzanne at a charming restaurant nestled in the heart of Prague, where the clink of silverware and hum of conversations surrounded them.
‘Today was a massive reminder,’ Suzanne began, her green eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, ‘of how much we need people, and how much we need each other.’
She didn’t mention Mark’s drinking, or the ways Jay had supported him since he’d discovered what was going on, but Zara knew it was at the forefront of her friend’s mind.
Zara nodded with her gaze drawn to the gentle dance of the flame between them. ‘Support systems,’ she mused. ‘They’re like roots, invisible but mighty strong.’
‘Exactly,’ Suzanne agreed. ‘Thank you for being the amazing person you are, Zara Maverick.’
‘Aww, you’re going to make me cry.’ Zara reached across the table, her hand finding Suzanne’s in a silent thank you. ‘And the same goes for you, my beautiful friend.’
‘Stop it.’ Sniffling, Suzanne grabbed her napkin and wiped at the corner of each eye. ‘I don’t want to ruin my make-up, and on top of that I’m an ugly crier.’
‘You are not,’ Zara chuckled.
As the course of their conversation changed to lighter topics, their laughter mingled with the sounds of the city making their way inside each time the front door swung open.
In this ancient place where time seemed like a friend, unhurried and gracious, they were allowed the luxury of reflection within a valued friendship.
And all the while, Zara’s heart swelled with the knowledge that no matter what skies they were under, no matter what was happening in their lives, their friendship was boundless, a constant amid the ever-changing clouds of life.