I had been hiding my secret from my fiancé, James, for way too long. I thought I could handle everything by myself and spare him any pain. But when the turbulence hit and the plane started shaking like crazy, it felt like death was staring right at me. That’s when I knew — I couldn’t keep my secret any longer.
It all really began in Stacy’s warm, little kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee was comforting. I remember holding out my hand, showing Stacy the engagement ring James had given me. It sparkled under the kitchen light, reminding me of the future James and I were supposed to build together.
The ring felt strange on my finger, but in a good, exciting way. James and I had been together for four years. I wasn’t in any rush to get married, but that ring made my heart race.
“Olive, this is amazing! I’m so happy for you!” Stacy said, her eyes wide. She reached over and grabbed my hand.
“Thanks, Stacy. I’m happy too,” I said, forcing a smile.
“So, when’s the big day?” she asked, leaning in closer.
I paused, pretending to be casual. “Oh, we haven’t really planned it yet. Maybe in two years.”
“Two years? Really?” Stacy’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yeah. James is super busy with work right now, and I’ve applied for this art program in Europe. It’s eight months long… something I’ve dreamed about forever. But there’s a problem.”
“Did you tell James about the program?” she asked, suddenly serious.
I looked down and shook my head. “No. I’m scared he’ll ask me not to go. What if he says, ‘Please stay, Olive,’ and I can’t say no?”
“Olive,” Stacy said, squeezing my hand, “he loves you. He’ll support you. You have to tell him.”
“I want to believe that,” I said quietly. My stomach felt heavy with guilt.
Before I could say anything more, my phone rang. It was James. I tried to smile. “Speak of the devil,” I joked, stepping out to take the call.
“Hello?” I answered, trying to keep my voice normal.
“Olive! You won’t believe this! I have incredible news!” James sounded so happy, I could almost see his grin.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart starting to race for a different reason.
“Remember that place you’ve always dreamed of having our wedding?”
“Yeah, but that’s impossible now. They’re tearing it down at the end of summer. No more events.”
“Well,” James said proudly, “I’ve been talking with the owners for weeks. Calling, emailing — they agreed to let us have our wedding there!”
My jaw dropped. “What? But… that’s so soon! In three months?”
James laughed. “Actually… in two weeks. That’s the only date they gave us. But who cares when it is, as long as we’re together, right?”
“I… wow…” My mind was spinning.
“Olive, I’m so happy. I just want to make you happy too.” His voice was so soft and full of love, it broke my heart.
“Yes, yes. I’m happy too,” I said, but my smile felt fake.
“Great. I love you, Olive.”
“I love you too, James,” I whispered, even though my heart was sinking.
I walked back into the kitchen. My eyes were wet. Stacy stared at me, concerned.
“James found a way for us to have the wedding at that place,” I said, my voice trembling.
“But… I thought they weren’t hosting weddings anymore!”
“He made a deal,” I said, wiping away a tear.
“That’s amazing, Olive!” Stacy said, but then her face dropped. “Wait… when’s the wedding?”
“In two weeks.”
Stacy looked horrified. “But you’re supposed to leave for Europe in two weeks!”
“I know,” I whispered. The weight of it all crashed down on me.
“Did you tell him to cancel everything?”
I shook my head. “I couldn’t. He was so happy. He worked so hard for this.”
“Olive, you have to tell him. You don’t want to get married right now — you want your art program! That’s your dream!”
“No, I can’t. I’ll just cancel the program.” And then I broke down, sobbing into Stacy’s shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, Olive,” she whispered, hugging me tight as I cried.
Two weeks later, James and I were walking through the airport, heading to the plane that would take us to our wedding. My heart was pounding. My hands shook as I dragged my suitcase behind me.
James looked over at me, concerned. “Are you okay?” he asked gently.
I nodded, forcing a smile. But inside, I felt like I was dying. I had been pretending for two weeks. Every day it got harder to lie to myself.
When the plane took off, James wouldn’t stop talking. He kept going on about flowers, music, our vows — how perfect everything would be. But I could only think about the dream I was leaving behind.
I loved him so much, but I wasn’t ready. Not like this. Everything was moving too fast.
The seatbelt sign came on. The pilot’s voice crackled through the speakers. “We’re hitting some strong turbulence, folks. Please stay seated and buckle up.”
I grabbed James’s hand and squeezed it so hard. The plane jolted. Overhead bins rattled. A drink cart slammed into seats with a bang. My heart jumped into my throat.
The plane dipped sharply. People gasped. Some screamed. My eyes squeezed shut as I prayed. James squeezed my hand back, whispering, “It’s okay, Olive. It’s okay.”
But all I could think was, What if I never get my dream back? What if I die right now without ever trying?
And then the words just burst out of me. “I don’t want the wedding!” I shouted.
The plane lurched again — and then, as if on cue, the turbulence stopped. The cabin fell silent except for my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
James stared at me, shocked. “What did you just say?”
I looked down, panicking. “Nothing. I was scared.”
“Olive. You said you don’t want the wedding.” His eyes were searching my face, seeing right through me.
I sighed, feeling like I couldn’t hide anymore. “James, it’s not that simple…”
He stood up, his face pale, and walked down the aisle toward the bathroom. I watched him go, my heart breaking.
I couldn’t just sit there. I got up and went after him. I knocked on the bathroom door. “James? Please… listen to me.”
He didn’t open the door. “What, Olive? You don’t want to marry me?” His voice was muffled, but I could hear the hurt.
“It’s not that. I do want to marry you… just not right now.”
“When then?” he asked.
I took a deep breath. “In two years.”
“Two years? What difference does it make when we love each other?”
“I got accepted into an art program. In Europe. For eight months.” My voice cracked.
“When were you supposed to leave?” he asked, like he already knew.
“Today,” I whispered. “But I canceled it. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Now you regret it.” His voice was quiet, heavy.
“Yes,” I said. “I was afraid to tell you. I didn’t know how you’d react.”
There was a long silence behind the door. Then he said, “I love you, Olive. But I need some space right now. Just… go sit down.”
“Okay,” I said, my voice shaking. “I love you, James.”
I went back to my seat, staring out the window as tears ran down my cheeks. The pilot’s voice suddenly came over the speakers again. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain. Olive, your fiancé, James, wants you to know that he loves you very much and when we land, he’ll get you on the first flight to Europe — or wherever you need to go. He says he’s ready to be your fiancé for as long as it takes.”
I turned around and saw James walking back to me. His eyes were sad but soft. He sat down beside me.
“Olive,” he said, taking my hand, “I don’t want you to feel like marrying me means giving up your dreams. We’re canceling everything. You’re going to Europe. I’ll come visit when I can. Maybe I’ll work remotely. We’ll figure it out together.”
My eyes filled with tears. “Would you really do that for me?”
“Yes,” he said, squeezing my hand. “I love you more than any wedding date. I want you to be happy.”
I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight. “I love you so much, James.”
“I love you too, Olive,” he whispered in my ear. In that moment, I knew that somehow, we’d be okay.
What about you? Would you risk it all for your dream? Let me know in the comments below!