EPISODE 11: Coming back
1108 Words
AIRPORT – DEPARTURE AREA – DAY
The airport is alive.
Rolling suitcases echo across polished floors.
Flight announcements blend with distant chatter.
People rush past each other—some excited, some anxious, some saying quick goodbyes, others holding on a little longer than they should.
In the middle of it all—
Carol and Chanel walk side by side.
Not touching.
Not speaking.
Just… walking.
Carol pulls Chanel’s suitcase with one hand, steady and quiet as always. Her steps are even, controlled—like nothing about this moment is difficult.
Chanel, on the other hand, carries nothing.
No bags. No weight.
Except the one in her chest.
Her eyes drift to Carol every now and then.
Studying her.
Waiting.
But Carol keeps looking ahead.
Calm.
Composed.
Untouched.
They reach the entrance to security.
The invisible line.
The place where people either move forward—
or stay behind.
Both of them stop.
For a second, neither speaks.
The noise around them fades—not literally, but it feels like it does.
This moment is too loud on its own.
Then—
Chanel turns.
And suddenly—
she pulls Carol into a hug.
Tight.
Not polite.
Not careful.
Not something you give to just anyone.
It’s the kind of hug that says don’t forget me.
Carol stiffens for just a fraction of a second—
then relaxes.
Her hands slowly come up, resting lightly on Chanel’s back.
Not as tight.
Not as desperate.
But still there.
Still real.
Chanel closes her eyes.
Breathing her in.
Memorizing.
Then—
she pulls back just enough—
and presses a soft kiss on Carol’s cheek.
Quick.
But not meaningless.
CHANEL
“This isn’t goodbye,” she says with a smile.
“I’ll always come back for you.”
Her voice is light—
but her eyes are searching.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Carol looks at her.
Steady.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Or at least—
that’s how it seems.
CAROL
“You don’t have to come for me. I don’t want you to get tired,” she says, a small smile forming.
It’s gentle.
Kind.
But it draws a line.
Chanel lets out a soft laugh.
Not offended.
Not discouraged.
Just… knowing.
CHANEL
“Don’t worry—” she says, tilting her head slightly,
“I’ll never get tired of you.”
There’s something in the way she says it.
Something deeper than the words.
She studies Carol’s eyes carefully.
Searching.
Still.
Always searching.
And in her mind—
Even if you don’t look at me the way I look at you… I’ll still come back.
That thought settles quietly inside her.
Not painful.
Just… certain.
Carol doesn’t look away.
That’s what makes it harder.
CAROL
“Chan.”
Her voice softens.
There’s weight in the nickname.
Familiar.
Close.
Dangerously close.
Carol exhales slowly before continuing.
CAROL
Don’t forget how proud I am of you. I’ll never get tired of reminding you every time you go. You’re brave enough to leave and chase your dream. Not everyone can do that.
Her tone is sincere.
Grounded.
It doesn’t waver.
Chanel’s expression shifts.
The teasing disappears.
What’s left—
is something softer.
More vulnerable.
CAROL (CONT’D)
To be a fashion designer in Singapore.
That’s not small. Don’t shrink yourself because of me.
She gives a small smile.
Chanel swallows.
Her throat tightens slightly.
Because this—
this is why it’s hard to leave.
Not because Carol is holding her back—
but because she isn’t.
CHANEL
So you really want me to go? ಥ_ಥ
Her voice is quieter now.
Not accusing.
Just… asking.
Carol doesn’t hesitate.
CAROL
I want you to win.
Simple.
Clear.
No confusion.
And somehow—
that hurts more.
And heals at the same time.
Chanel lets out a soft breath.
Then smiles.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Hopeful.
CHANEL
I really had a great birthday. We had fun… you stayed, you laughed—and that meant everything to me.
Carol nods slightly.
CAROL
You deserved that.
A small smile follows.
But it doesn’t linger.
CAROL (CONT’D)
Focus on your runway first.
That word.
First.
Chanel catches it.
But she doesn’t say anything.
Instead—
she steps closer.
Again.
Just enough to close the space.
Her eyes search Carol’s face one more time.
Looking for something.
Anything.
Love.
Want.
Something that matches what she feels.
But she doesn’t find it.
Not exactly.
What she finds instead—
is care.
Deep.
Genuine.
Steady.
And for now—
that’s enough.
CHANEL
I’ll call you when I land.
CAROL
“Okay,” she says softly.
“Go before you miss your flight.”
Chanel doesn’t move right away.
Just looks at her.
As if trying to hold onto this moment a little longer.
Then—
slowly—
she steps back.
One step.
Then another.
Still facing Carol.
Still not ready to turn away.
CHANEL
“I’m coming back for you!” she calls out, louder this time.
A few people glance at her.
But she doesn’t care.
Carol doesn’t answer.
She just watches.
Silent.
Still.
Until—
Chanel finally turns.
And walks into the crowd.
Disappearing.
Just like that.
Carol stands there for a moment longer.
Longer than she should.
Then—
she exhales.
And turns away.
- Writer
