“Solo Itinerary”

“Passengers bound for Singapore, kindly proceed to Gate 11. Boarding will begin shortly.”

No matter the time of day, the airport was always a hustle — the sound of security, the noisy wheels of luggage, the chatter of excited travelers, and the hushed murmurs of people rushing to reach their gates. But there she was, quiet and seemingly small amidst it all, her gaze fixed on the large glass window that overlooked the runway.

It wasn’t her first time on a plane; the stamps on her passport were proof of places she’d seen, memories she’d already made. But she had never flown alone. There was always someone beside her. A friend, a family member, someone familiar. But not this time.

Her heart thumped louder than the announcements overhead as she eyed the row of aircraft on the other side of the glass, recognizing which one was hers. It felt surreal, almost poetic — how each plane was headed somewhere different, carrying passengers with their own stories, hopes, and reasons for leaving.

And here she was, hesitating.

Funny, she thought. Wasn’t this what she had longed for all along? Growth. Change. A new beginning. Still, she clutched her passport like it was a map, a guide to a version of herself she hadn’t met yet. When her gate was finally called, she stood up, took one deep breath, and formed a quiet smile. And without looking back, she walked toward the life that was finally hers to clai