About 9 hours plus later, we landed in Istanbul. My stepdad was waiting at the airport for us.
Once I saw him, I immediately ran to him. He gave me a tight hug, and our tears just silently fell. We pulled away, and he filled me in on 2 pieces of news that was both good and bad.
Good news, my sister was in the clear. The bad news was that my mom was still unconscious. We decided to head to the hospital straight to see them first. He saw Pond and thanked him profusely for accompanying me.
Pond just smiled and nodded, and we all went to the airport straight. I went to see my sister first, who cried upon seeing me. Thereafter, I went to see my mom, who was still unconscious. I sat by her side for a bit, just holding her hand and praying.
We stayed at the hospital for about 2 hours before my stepdad told me to go back to the family home to rest first. He knew I had had a long flight. He said I could come back after a few hours of sleep.
I nodded, not fighting him on it. He passed me the house keys and Pond and I went off. My stepdad was originally from Turkey, so we had a family home here and a car with a chauffeur.
Pond had been quiet all this while, just quietly and steadily being in the background. No matter where I went, I just turned briefly to my right, and he would be standing there, waiting for me.
Once we got to my family home, I showed Pond briefly around first before bringing him to my room.
"You can sleep here with me. Is that OK?"
Pond nodded. "This is good enough. Why don't you go and shower first?"
"No, it's ok. You go ahead first."
Pond nodded and took a shower while I informed my manager, Aou, Santa, and Dunk on my arrival and what had happened so far. Phuwin had texted me too, so I replied to him too.
I was unpacking my luggage when Pond came out, feeling and looking much better.
He smiled at me as he told me to shower while he settled the luggage. I nodded and went off to get a nice long shower. I was guilty of sobbing in the bathroom for a bit, but I needed that.
I came out, dressed in something warm, but my red eyes gave me away. Pond took one look at me and just sighed softly.
"Come here."
I walked towards him. He just pulled me towards him for a hug.
"Pond..."
"Don't fight it, please."
I nodded. I was tired of fighting. I was tired of pretending like I didn't care or didn't want to be protected. I was tired of fending for myself. I was tired of looking after everyone. I was tired of being the one looking out for people. For once, I just wanted to be in the other shoes.
But my brain was telling me otherwise. I looked up at Pond who looked down at me.
"Is this even right?"
"What does your heart tell you?"
"What?"
"I asked, what does your heart tell you?"
"I know your brain is telling you to pull away from me, fight my attentions, fight my gestures, pull away from me and to stay away from me. But what is your heart telling you?"
I kept quiet for the longest bit. Then I finally looked at him.
"My heart just wants all of it. Wants all of you."
Pond smiled as he hugged me in response.
"Good. Listen to your heart for once."