"Ladies and gentlemen, this is to announce that we have now begun our descent into Hiraeth Airport. Please ensure that your seatbelts are securely fastened -"
Ruvy sighed quietly as her gaze fixed on the window.
Below her, Hiraeth stretched out in soft gold and green - the famous Hiraeth river winding through the city like a ribbon, the sunlight making the small little waves into silver linings.
"Finally!" Claire exclaimed beside her, already tugging at her seatbelt before the plane had even fully leveled. "Those 16 hours had been so loooong, aye, mate?"
Claire is a 22-year old backpacker who had just finished college and had earned enough for a 90-day backpacking journey in Hiraeth.
Ruvy met Claire while waiting for the boarding gates to open when she approached her for a phone charger. They got even more close when they learned they are seated beside each other.
They had nice conversations during the flight, Claire telling her about her plans backpacking all over the world while she told her about her boring life as a lawyer.
Ruvy glanced at her and smiled. "Yeah, you're quite excited, huh?"
Claire nodded enthusiastically. "For sure, it's been five years, mate, I missed everything out here."
Ruvy smirked faintly but didn't argue.
The plane dipped lower, engines humming as the runway came into view. When the wheels struck the ground, the impact came harder than expected - a sharp jolt that pulled through her body and snapped something instinctive awake.
Ruvy's fingers tightened slightly against the armrest as she closed her eyes.
For a split second, it wasn't a plane.
It was metal crushing, glass breaking. The violent uncontrollable force of a car losing control -
She blinked and tilted her head, forcing the image away.
"Hey Ru, are you okay?" Claire asked sincerely. She smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, just a bit shocked on the touchdown, I'm all good."
The aircraft steadied, slowing along the runway like nothing had happened. Around her, passengers barely reacted, already reaching for their phones, she can even hear the clicking of seatbelts.
Ruvy exhaled slowly, her chest still a little tight.
She had learned to handle turbulence, sudden stops, all the stuff about travel.
Still—
some impacts never felt just physical - and at times painful.
"A friend's meeting me, by the way, you need a ride?" Ruvy offered Claire. They earlier agreed to have each other's number so that Claire can contact her whenever for help since she's a local.
"Nah, I'm good. One of my college friend actually arranged for a ride, she works somewhere in the city. Thanks though," Claire replied.
As the plane slowed to a stop, Claire stretched her arms overhead. Ruvy didn't move an inch.
Because what she felt wasn't pure excitement, something quieter. Heavier.