Ilaria
I was standing there, angry and frustrated, desperately trying not to cry, as I looked at my phone.
I was standing in the fucking airport, boarding pass in hand, about to get on a plane, and now this bullshit.
I had already been worried, my two friends, who I honestly thought were really good friends, were late getting here.
We had agreed and planned to be here by 9am as our flight was scheduled for 10:45am. We thought we'd arrive, check in at baggage, go through security, and still have time for a coffee before takeoff.
So, by 9:45, after I had done the check-in, security, and gotten my boarding pass, and they still weren't here, I was so worried something had happened to them. I called, no answer, I left messages, then text messages, no response.
Now, it's 10:40 and I get a message," Hey Ilara, sorry but Zoey and I decided not to go. She wants to spend time with her boyfriend, and I met someone, so sorry about the late notice. I just woke up. We were at a killer party last night. Catch ya later girl."
Zoey, Cassandra, and I shared a dorm room throughout college. The school we attended tried to put people together as roommates who shared similar academic goals. The three of us were all in the arts programs. I was studying painting, and drawing, planning to try to make it as an artist, and teach if that didn't work out. So, a bachelor's in Fine Arts and Art History later and I had graduated.
Cassandra had been studying music and got her bachelor's in Music Theory. Zoey was a designer and got her degree in Fashion Design. About halfway through our first year we started talking about taking a trip after graduation. Once we decided to make it a reality, we planned it all and started saving the money to pay for it.
We had ironed out an itinerary, and we had decided on two destinations, Paris for Zoey to see all of the designers, and fashion it's known for. Our second and longest stay would be in Russia. I loved the Art History of the country, and Cassandra was enamored of the many brilliant composers who were from there. Moscow was to be our 3-week stay.
We paid for flights, hotels, excursions, and saved for food and extras while on a month-long stay, and it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
My parents had died in a car accident shortly before I started college. I had decided that they would want me to continue with the plans we had made for me to go. They had left me a good amount of money, and after selling the house, I had a nest egg to start my life with after school.
When the talk of the trip came up, I thought this would be a wonderful way to celebrate my parents, and what their legacy to me, would allow me the opportunity to experience. So, I used some of my nest egg money to pay for all of my share. We spent the last month of school finalizing plans, shopping for new clothes, and talking about all the experiences we would share.
Our last discussion about it was less than 24 hours ago, so there was never any indication that they were pulling out. It was far too late to get refunded for anything.
The money left to me by my parents after losing them, I thought this trip would be something they would have endorsed, so it felt right to do it, and kind of remember and appreciate them as well.
So now, I had been abandoned at the last minute. There's no way to get my money back, and the sweet sentiments I had put with all of this, and remembering mom and dad, felt like they had sucker punched me. How the hell had I known these girls for three years, and still not known them really at all. I never imagined they could or would do this.
Suddenly I heard them calling my flight, and I made a decision. Perhaps it was a rash decision taking into account my emotional and mental state, but I made it anyway. I boarded the plane. I took my seat and ended up in a 3-seat row, which we selected on purpose, because of course, we all had to sit together. Now there was an empty paid-for seat on each side of me.
My carry-on was stowed, and my messenger bag, with my laptop, phone, tablet, chargers, my purse, and all of my IDs and such, was right next to me, and I kept an iron grip on it. I knew that taking the trip by myself was more dangerous than traveling in a group, but I figured I'd be really extra careful and everything would be fine.
After take off I spent a lot of the flight thinking about my parents and wishing they were with me, but maybe in a way they were. The flight was long, and with connecting flights and layovers, I arrived in Paris, France, 11 ½ hours later. The hotel where we had reservations had a shuttle service from the airport. So, I managed to get my bags, catch the shuttle, and make it to my hotel.
I checked in and let the desk know my companions would not be joining me. They simply acknowledged the change, as everything was already paid for. I made it to my room, dropped my bags in one of the rooms, and walked to the large windows in the living room area of the suite. Then for the first time, I looked out over Paris. I had to admit it was beautiful, but it felt a little hollow after today's emotional roller-coaster. I decided I needed sleep. So I took a shower, got comfy in my pajamas, and had a snack from my stash, brushed my teeth, and fell into bed exhausted.
Now, I just had to survive this trip alone, and I will admit that the first two days in Paris I cried a lot. My "friends", never bothered to text me or call me after that disastrous text I received at the airport. They honestly didn't give a single fuck what happened to me. It made me miss my parents, who showered me with love, so much.
By the afternoon of the 3rd day, I ventured out to a few places. I did enjoy the Louvre, and was very glad I went. I tried some cafés with some very good food, and way too many desserts. I walked around and just observed the people around me. It was actually kind of interesting.
More than once I wished I had my paints to capture something I had seen. I did get out my drawing supplies and immortalized a few things that way. Paris, though great, wasn't the destination I was most interested in. On my last night in Paris, I sketched the view from my hotel suite. Tomorrow the real fun would commence.
Landing in Moscow was a whole new experience. My visa was very thoroughly checked as was my luggage. I did finally manage to escape the airport and boarded a shuttle for my hotel.
I was only staying in Moscow for 2 days, then I would go to Kazan. I was supposed to be there for 4 days then travel to Yekaterinburg. Arriving in Kazan was much better than Moscow, and I made it to my hotel with no issues. I planned to go out tomorrow and explore.
I left my hotel to head to one of the museums on my tourist map. I spent the morning at the museum, and then stopped at a small café where I chose a table outside in the sunshine.
There was a delightful park across the road and I watched people enjoying their day. I'm not sure why but a little girl in a pretty blue dress caught my eye. I watched her play for a bit, but then something else caught my attention.
A man was watching the girl. He was being rather odd, like he was trying to not be seen, so I knew it wasn't her father. I quickly left money for my meal, and carefully crossed the street. I kept my eye on the man and the girl. The guy kept looking around like he was waiting for something or someone. The whole time he was laser-focused on the girl.
All sorts of alarm bells were sounding off in my head. I was a few feet away when the man stood up straight and looked back towards the road. I followed his gaze and saw a dark blue van pull up to the curb, and the sliding door open. No one got out, the door was just open.
I saw the man run towards the little girl and I did the same. Just before he grabbed her, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her to me, blocking the man from grabbing her. The girl screamed as I curled around her protectively making sure he couldn't grab her.
He was yelling in Russian and trying to get me to let go by hitting me in the head, but I didn't. Suddenly the man was yanked away, and I heard screeching tires.
"It's okay sweetheart, I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted to protect you from that bad man. I'm going to let you go now, honey." I started unwrapping my arms and she shocked the shit out of me by locking her arms and legs around me and tucking her head into my neck. I fell to my knees with her, wrapped her in my arms again, and heard her softly crying," shhh sweetie, it's okay. He's gone."
I just unconsciously started to rock her and run my hand over her head and back, trying to soothe her. Then suddenly I was surrounded by several large men.
I pulled her tighter to me and pulled her under me to shield her from this possible new threat. One of the men said something in Russian and the girl answered back. That made me feel better, she seemed to know them.
"Do you know these men honey?" I hoped she understood me.
She pulled back some and looked at me, smiled, and nodded her head," He's my papa."
Then there was a very large man squatting down in front of me. He asked me something in Russian and I just shook my head," I'm sorry, I don't understand you."
I looked back at the grinning little girl and then to the now grinning man, "I asked you if you were hurt. I saw he hit you a few times."
"Honestly I'm not sure about anything right now, I think I'm still hyped up on adrenaline."
He nodded," Most likely. How did you know he was coming for my daughter?"
"I had lunch at that café across the street. I was people watching and your daughter caught my eye as she was playing, and I thought she was adorable. Then I saw him also watching her." I paused and he nodded.
"He gave me a kind of skeevy vibe, so I kept watching them both. It was clear he was watching her, and not approaching, and seemed to be trying to hide. So I decided to come and stay near her just in case."
I moistened my lips and his gaze darted to my mouth," he seemed to be looking or waiting for something. Then a dark blue van pulled up and he immediately reacted. The slide door opened but no one got out, the door was just standing wide open. He turned towards her and we started running to her at about the same time. As soon as I reached her I picked her up and kept her bundled close so he couldn't get to her. He was screaming in Russian, hitting my head, and trying to force me to let go. Then he was gone, courtesy of you and these other men I presume."
"Yes, I'm sorry we weren't faster to keep him from laying his hands on you."
I smiled at him and said," I'm just glad your daughter is okay, she was pretty upset."
"She'll be fine thanks to you. What's your name?" He tilted his head slightly like he was trying to get a better view of me.
"Ilaria." He smiled again and looked down
"Where are you staying?"I gave him the name of my hotel.
"We'll drive you back." His daughter was grinning and reached down and took my hand.
As I stood up I got a little dizzy and the man grabbed onto me to keep me steady, "Thanks, head rush."