Boarding friendship

 

I was all set for the second flight of my life. After waving goodbye to my friends, I showed my ticket and passport to the official at the entrance and stepped into the airport, the cool air messing up my well-combed hair. Even though I had the ticket on my phone, I also brought a hard copy—just in case my fully charged phone decided to shut down. I was leaving for Dubai on a visitor visa, hoping to find a job in the next three months.

As I entered, I looked around the airport and felt oddly lonely amidst the crowd. I had all my documents in place yet I had a feeling like I was sneaking into the airport, afraid of getting caught. The last time I flew, my friend Asif had been with me, guiding me through the process up until the departure section. This time I was on my own, looking for someone whose actions I could mirror until I boarded the plane.

That’s when I noticed her—the curly-haired girl wearing violet pants, a violet top, and a violet cap. She walked with the confidence of someone who had done this before. I tried to catch a glimpse of her face but she passed by too quickly. My mind kept telling me to follow her and see her face but my brain resisted—no time for distractions. I focused on the task at hand though my subconscious kept wondering, Would she be on the same flight?

I hadn’t taken my eyes off her since I first spotted her. She was heading toward the luggage section, so I followed. When I got there, an official in a grey blazer checked my boarding pass and told me, ‘This is the section for Etihad Airways. Emirates is the other way.’

She disappeared from my sight, and I couldn’t help but mutter, ‘Why can’t they just weigh the luggage in one area?’ I shook my head and made my way over to the Emirates section. It was Asif’s suggestion to fly with Emirates, claiming it would be a great experience.

I was annoyed. If there were any way to travel by train or bus, I would have done it instead of dealing with these endless procedures.

‘Go to that counter,’ an official told me, pointing to a set of counters. It felt like I was standing there like a culprit. And of course, there she was again—the girl in violet. As I was about to rush to the counter, I stopped and asked the official if the counters were the same for both Etihad and Emirates.

He smiled and said, ‘Go stand anywhere.’

I smiled back and hurried toward the counter. She was talking to the official. I stood at least seven feet away, unable to hear anything but I watched her movements closely. She opened a file and showed the officer all her certificates.

Damn! Is this a job interview? I thought.

Then she removed her cap, revealing her curly hair fully and shifted her gaze sideways, flashing the camera a smile. And... finally, I saw her face.

Unfortunately, this is an airport and it’s never possible to get another ticket and board the plane I need.

The process was quick and I made sure she stayed within my line of sight. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the official call me, ‘Hello Mr.’

I couldn’t stop wondering why she’d shown all those certificates and why she had wasted that beautiful smile on a camera that wasn’t going to post pictures anywhere.

Next up was the security check. I remembered this from my last flight—leave all valuables in a tray and collect them on the other side.

She was standing next to me now and our eyes met for the first time. Fortunately, this was the one step in the airport process that I felt confident about. I didn’t want to look like a buffoon smiling at her so I tried to keep a neutral expression as I grabbed a tray. She did the same and we both placed our valuables on it. I moved to the scanning section, standing straight with my arms spread like Jesus.

When the tray came back, I grabbed mine. She stood still beside me. I glanced at her again, captivated by her fair skin and sharp nose.

I saw her move toward the official and softly ask, ‘What should I do with this tray?’

He waved her away dismissively and at that moment, I realized something—I wasn’t the only one struggling here. She was just like me.

The romantic fantasy in my head quickly shifted to a more comical thought—two confused nincompoops trying to make sense of the airport. With a burst of courage, I finally spoke up.

‘First time?’ I asked.

She nodded like a child. ‘Yes, I don’t know the procedures. I was just watching what others were doing and copying them.’ She laughed.

‘Ah silly. I’ve seen many like you who panic in the airport. Come on, I’ll guide you.’

‘Thank you!’ She put her cap back on and followed me with her small trolley bag.

I looked around to figure out the next step. I saw people scanning their passports at a kiosk. What the hell were they doing? I didn’t have time to think about it, so I took a shot.

‘Next we need to scan our passports in that machine to enter the waiting area.’

I could see the relief on her face when she realized she had someone to guide her. We walked toward the machine.

She pointed to the entrance of the waiting area and said, ‘There’s no one there to check again. Why the need for scanning?’

‘Otherwise they might catch us if there's a terrorist threat.’

She stepped a little closer and our hands brushed. I quickly bit my lip to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across my face.

Finally we reached the machine. She looked into my eyes and asked, ‘What’s this for?’

I stammered, ‘Yeah… it’s for the pass to enter the waiting area.’

Before I could finish, she glanced at the machine and read the sign: Scan for free Wi-Fi.

I could feel my face flush with embarrassment. ‘Second time,’ I muttered. We both laughed and entered the waiting area.

‘What now?’ she asked, glancing at her watch.

‘We still have about two hours. I’ve got my credit card with me. Want to use the lounge?’

‘I don’t have a card. It’s okay. You go have food, I’ll wait here.’ She sat down on a nearby chair.

I stood there, torn. On one hand I wanted to head into the lounge and eat something but on the other, I wanted to spend more time talking to her.

‘Alright,’ I said. ‘I’ll stay here with you. I’ve eaten at the lounge many times anyway.’

She grinned. ‘And this is your second flight, right?’

‘But I’m more experienced than you, my dear,’ I replied. ‘Each flight matters. Where are you heading?’

‘I’m going to pursue my PG in Ireland, and you?’

Oh, nice. I would’ve gone to Ireland too, if Asif had chosen it instead of Dubai. 'I’m moving to Dubai for a job. Hopefully I’ll find something in the next three months.'

‘That’s great,’ she said with a smile.

I wanted to know more about her. There had to be some common ground between us. So I casually asked, ‘Do you watch movies?’

‘Yes, of course! I’m waiting for Empuraan.’

There it is. I tried to suppress my inner Mammootty fan, who was feeling jealous. ‘Me too. I’m a huge fan of Mohanlal,’ I said.

‘I’m a fan of Prithviraj.’

‘Ah.’ I nodded, searching for something else we could connect on. ‘You know, I noticed your dress. It’s my favourite color.’

She looked at me, surprised. ‘Really? My favourites are black, white, and yellow.’

I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. Why couldn’t she wear one of those colors?

I quickly recovered and asked, ‘Do you have a favourite song?’

‘Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara,’ she said.

‘Nice,’ I replied, trying not to show that I had no idea what that song was.

We kept chatting for another 30 minutes. That was when I realized she was just like me—flying away from home in search of a settled life.

Our conversation was interrupted when I heard a loud footstep near me.

‘Hey writer, what’s up? Long time no see!’ It was my old friend Anand. He pulled me into a tight hug and glanced at her. ‘Who’s this?’

I loosened myself from his grip. ‘This is…’

‘I’m Akhila... his friend,’ she said, smiling.

Anand pulled me aside. ‘Can I take him to the lounge? Something serious man, family stuff. . I need your advice.’

She nodded but before I walked away, I looked at her. She smiled and offered her hand for a handshake. ‘Hope we’ll meet again'

I didn’t know why I felt a pang of disappointment even though we’d only spoken for a few minutes.

‘Will we?’ I asked.

She nodded. ‘Sure.’

I turned to walk away with Anand but before I could go far, I glanced back at her. She was staring at me with that same warm smile.

I excused myself for a minute and hurried back to her.

‘What’s your…?’

‘It’s me Akhila’

‘What?’

‘That’s my Insta ID.’

I couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Oh… Well, we’ll meet again. Until then, goodbye.’

‘Are you a writer?’

‘I write here and there.’

‘Will you write about two fools struggling in an airport?’

I smiled and nodded. ‘But I’ll exaggerate a little bit. Is that okay?’

‘Anything’s fine. Your friend is looking at his watch for the tenth time. Go.’

I waved at her before joining him. I couldn’t shake the feeling that a friendship had just started.