She wasn't sure how she managed to board the plane. The events leading up to that moment were a blur, only that after sinking into her seat, an elderly gentleman seated next to her extended a handful of tissues. "Young lady," he began gently, his voice filled with kindness, "you should wipe your tears... Everyone on the plane is observing you." His face was etched with empathy and understanding.
It was only then she became aware of the salty trails staining her cheeks since disembarking from the plane. Her emotions were a whirlpool, uncontrollable and chaotic. Despite this emotional turmoil, she couldn't halt the relentless cascade of tears streaming down her face.
With trembling hands, she accepted the tissues offered by the old man. Methodically, almost in a daze, she dabbed at her eyes and cheeks, erasing the evidence of her sorrow. Her voice barely more than a whisper choked with emotion as she thanked him, "Thank you."
