Transit, 41, Interlude

Three days before, Lori sat in the back seat of the taxi, her gaze fixed on the city lights that blurred past her window, Moscow's streets bathed in the amber glow of dusk. She held her phone close to her ear, her voice steady but carrying an edge of frustration as she explained the airport mix-up to her partner at VIP Agency, John.

“I don’t know how this happened, John,” she sighed, her tone tinged with exasperation. “They said there was a visa anomaly, something about a five-day delay for clearance. So, I’m stuck here until then.”

There was a pause at the other end, and Lori could almost picture John pinching the bridge of his nose, his usual gesture when dealing with complications. “I know it’s inconvenient, Lori, but look at it this way. Maybe this is an opportunity to unwind for once,” he replied, trying to inject a bit of optimism.

She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head even though he couldn’t see. “Unwind? You know that’s not in my vocabulary, John. Besides, there’s so much work piling up. This trip was supposed to be quick.”

“But it’s not like there’s anything you can do about it now. You’ve been running nonstop, Lori. Maybe these few days away from the office could be a blessing in disguise.”

She frowned slightly, her gaze drifting out the window as she considered his words. "I suppose," she murmured, the thought settling uneasily. "It just feels like wasted time."

They exchanged a few more words before she finally hung up, sinking back into the seat with a sigh. The cab rumbled quietly beneath her, the rhythmic hum a steadying presence as she reflected on John’s suggestion. Maybe, she thought, he had a point. She’d been buried under a mountain of tasks and meetings, every day blurring into the next. Her life had become a constant juggling act of deadlines and expectations, with little time for herself.

The idea of having a few days without any obligations, no constant calls or emails, was strangely appealing. Lori allowed herself a small smile, imagining a version of those days where she could perhaps explore a little, enjoy the city she’d only seen through quick glances between business meetings.

"Maybe," she thought, settling more comfortably into her seat as the taxi neared her hotel, "I could actually take this time to relax, just this once."