Dr. Carter dashed toward the airport counter, relief washing over her when she saw the short line. Time was against her—she needed to catch a flight urgently to handle a critical medical case. Her hands trembled slightly from nerves.
As her turn approached, she fumbled with her purse, and its contents scattered across the floor. Dropping to her knees to gather her things, she barely noticed the couple stepping up to the counter beside her. “Two tickets to Santa Monica, please,” Michael said, urgency in his tone.
Luke, the man behind the counter, gave a conflicted glance toward Dr. Carter before replying, “Only two seats left.” Dr. Carter quickly stood, clutching her items. “Please, I need to get on that flight—it’s an emergency. I’m a doctor,” she explained, her voice tight with emotion.
Michael barely acknowledged her plea. “We’re here first. These seats are ours,” he insisted, flashing his credit card. Dana, his girlfriend, glanced at Dr. Carter, then turned to Michael. “Maybe we should let her have a seat?”
But Michael shook his head. “No. We made plans. We’re sticking to them.” Dr. Carter’s voice quivered as she said, “It’s about saving a life…” Michael turned, his tone cold. “Life’s hard. Everyone has problems.” Then, to Luke, he ordered, “Go ahead and book it.”
Luke completed the booking. Michael took the boarding passes triumphantly. Dana offered Dr. Carter a sympathetic glance, and the doctor quietly whispered, “Thank you,” before turning back to Luke. “Is there another flight?” Luke checked his screen. “There was one seat left… but someone just booked it. I can put you on standby.”
As Michael and Dana headed toward their gate, Dana glanced back. “I can’t believe you were so dismissive.” Michael shrugged, absorbed in his phone. “We can’t help everyone, Dana. That’s just reality.”
Dana frowned. “Do you ever think about anyone but yourself?” Just then, Michael bumped into another couple and snapped, “Watch it!” The couple apologized, and Dana’s disappointment deepened.
Onboard, Dana grew uneasy. A light flickered above, and she heard a strange noise. “Did you hear that?” she whispered. “It’s nothing. Relax,” Michael muttered, flipping a page in his magazine.
But things took a turn for the worse when turbulence shook the plane violently. People screamed. A suitcase from an overhead bin nearly hit Michael’s head. “That was close,” he chuckled.
Dana stared. “You think that’s funny?” The captain’s voice crackled overhead, urging passengers to fasten their seatbelts. After a tense stretch, the plane stabilized.
Michael waved at a flight attendant. “Almost got hit by luggage. We deserve complimentary drinks.” The attendant returned with two martinis. Michael lifted his glass. “To survive.” He gulped his, then reached for Dana’s untouched drink. “You don’t want it?” “No,” she said flatly.
He shrugged and downed hers. Almost immediately, he began coughing and gasping. The olive had gone down the wrong way. Dana jumped up, wrapped her arms around him, and performed the Heimlich maneuver. With a forceful thrust, the olive flew out.
“Are you okay?” she asked breathlessly. “Yeah,” he coughed, then added, “No olives next time.” “You really need to be more careful with your condition.”
Later, a strange smell filled the cabin. “Michael, something’s burning,” Dana said nervously. “It’s nothing,” he dismissed. But smoke soon appeared. A flight attendant tried to extinguish a small fire.
Dana grabbed Michael’s arm. “We need to help!” Reluctantly, Michael assisted the attendant and successfully put out the fire. Passengers clapped.
“See? Crisis averted,” he boasted. “Did you help to be useful or just to impress people?” Dana asked softly. Michael didn’t answer.
It was later that day when things took another dramatic turn. As the plane descended, Dana hesitated. She had received a job offer in another city, and it would mean leaving Michael behind. Michael sensed her hesitation and confronted her about it.
The argument escalated until Dana finally realized she needed someone who understood her. With tears streaming down her face, she delivered the devastating blow: “You’re breaking up with me.” Michael was left reeling, his heart aching from the pain he had caused.
In a quiet hospital room later that night, Michael lay in bed, his eyes wet from tears of regret. He knew he had been awful, selfish, and thoughtless. But as he looked at Dana’s hand holding his, he saw an opportunity for redemption. “Let’s get you better first,” he whispered. “I’ll support your job. You deserve happiness.” And in that moment, forgiveness began, and hope returned.
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