"You looked anxious, is this your first time riding a plane?" Faridah asked Kyle as Kyle slowly nodded as they got out of the car.
In the bustling airport, Faridah leads the way confidently, her eyes on the departure board. Beside her, Keteki walks with practiced ease, expertly navigating the crowd and pulling out their flight details on her phone without hesitation. He's done this countless times before and handles the routine with precision.
Kyle, on the other hand, is wide-eyed, taking in the busy environment with the wonder of a first-timer. His head swivels to absorb the sights and sounds his curiosity and inexperience plain to see.
"So, we just… follow these signs, right?" he asks, glancing nervously between Faridah and Keteki.
Faridah smirked as Keteki chuckled softly. "Yes, Kyle, just follow the signs and keep your boarding pass ready. Don't worry, we've got this," he reassures him with a calm, collected tone, handling the situation like the seasoned traveler she is.
Faridah, with a half-smile, glances over her shoulder at Kyle. "Keteki's right. Relax. We're in good hands." She trusts Keteki's expertise but keeps an eye on Kyle, whose nerves are still showing.
As they approach the security checkpoint, Keteki takes the lead. "Kyle, put your phone and keys in the tray. Belt, too. It'll be over in a minute."
Kyle fumbles a bit, glancing around to copy the other travelers. "Right, got it. This is more complicated than I thought," he mutters, visibly anxious but trying to mask it.
Keteki shoots him a reassuring look. "You'll get used to it. It's just the first flight jitters."
In the busy airport, Faridah, Keteki, and Kyle make their way toward the gate for their long-haul flight from Canada to London. The screens above them flash the details: Flight 572, Canada to London, On Time.
Keteki, as always, leads the way with practiced ease, having already checked them in online and selected their seats. He moves through the terminal like he's done it a hundred times before, and in truth, he probably has knowing Faridah's sudden decision-making on where she'd love to go.
Faridah walks closely behind, calm but alert, making sure Kyle is still with them.
Kyle, meanwhile, is wide-eyed, still trying to process everything about his first international flight. "We're flying to London in one go?" he asks, a mix of excitement and anxiety in his voice.
Keteki glances back, a reassuring smile on his face. "Yep. It's about 9 hours in the air, but it'll go by quickly if you're prepared. Make sure you've got something to keep you entertained."
Faridah gives Kyle a quick pat on the shoulder. "And try to sleep on the plane. Trust me, you'll want to be rested when we land."
As they approach the gate, the boarding announcement comes over the speakers. Keteki takes the lead once again, handing over their boarding passes with a confident nod. "Let's get settled in. We've got a long flight ahead."
After the long flight, the plane touches down smoothly at London Heathrow Airport. As the passengers begin to stir, Faridah stretches, feeling the stiffness from the journey. She glances out of the window, catching the first glimpse of London's cloudy skies.
Keteki, ever efficient, is already gathering his things, slipping his laptop into his bag and checking the time. "We've landed on schedule. Let's move quickly to beat the lines at immigration," he says, his voice calm but focused, ready for the next step.
Kyle, looking a little disoriented after the long flight, rubs his eyes and yawns. "I didn't realize flights could be this tiring. How long was I out?" he asks, blinking as he adjusts to the new surroundings.
"Long enough," Faridah says with a smirk. "But welcome to London, Kyle."
As they disembark, the bustling energy of the airport hits them immediately. Travelers from all over the world hurry about, signs in English guiding them through the vast terminal.
Keteki leads the way confidently toward immigration, his experience showing as he expertly navigates the crowds.
Kyle lags a little behind, still trying to take it all in. "So… this is London?" he mutters, feeling a mix of excitement and exhaustion.
The sheer size of the airport overwhelms him, but he follows Keteki and Faridah, trusting their lead.
"Yes, it is," Keteki replies, looking back briefly. "But first, we have to get through immigration, grab our bags, and then the real London will be waiting," Keteki said as Faridah was busy with her phone.
"Kyle don't get lost," Faridah said as she handed her hand to him. "Hold into my hand instead." She said as Kyle nodded like a child.
'How cute...' Faridah thought as Kyle looked like he was having fun.
They arrived in a lavish hotel as they rented a whole studio-type condominium consisting of three bedrooms.
The studio-type condominium was a striking blend of modern luxury and bold, flashy designs.
Despite the compact layout typical of a studio, this space was cleverly segmented into three bedrooms, each separated by sleek glass partitions with retractable blinds for privacy.
The floor plan was open, maximizing the flow of light and air, but the designer had gone all out to make the space feel extravagant.
As you entered, your eyes were immediately drawn to the vivid color palette, bright reds, deep purples, and metallic golds dominated the décor.
The walls were adorned with large, abstract art pieces that splashed vibrant hues across the room, perfectly complementing the glossy, reflective surfaces of the furniture.
The high-gloss, black marble floors gleamed under the LED strip lighting that ran along the edges of the ceiling, giving the space a futuristic glow.
Each bedroom had a bold feature wall, covered in textured wallpaper with flashy geometric patterns.
The furniture was avant-garde, with sleek, angular designs and pops of neon colors that added a dramatic flair. High-end materials like velvet, chrome, and glass were everywhere, from the plush beds to the floating shelves that held designer trinkets.
The kitchen was compact but ultra-modern, with state-of-the-art appliances and glossy cabinetry that reflected the condo's edgy aesthetic.
A metallic gold backsplash added an extra touch of opulence. The bathroom followed suit, featuring floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a rain shower, and marble accents.
Overall, this studio condo was a dazzling showcase of bold design choices, combining luxury and flamboyance in every detail.
The space was meant to impress, offering not just a place to live but a statement of style and extravagance.
Keteki looked at Faridah's reaction if she was satisfied by the room itself or if he'd have to book another hotel with another room.
"Ma'am...," Keteki called as Faridah smiled. "It's fine Keteki let's take a rest here." She said as Keteki nodded and smiled at her.
"Why is there something wrong at this place?" Kyle asked as Faridah shook her head.
"Let's all rest for the day now. I'll see you tomorrow have a good night." Faridah said leaving those two outside as she closed her room.
Keteki showed Kyle his room and was amazed by how big it was together with a bathtub.
"This is quite good!" Kyle said as Keteki nodded. "Is Faridah okay? She seems like she's not in the mood after seeing the room." Kyle asked as Keteki smiled.
"The Madame is fine, I will go and check on her later so you don't need to worry that much about her." He said.
Kyle sat on the edge of his bed, nervously fiddling with the edge of his pillow as he glanced at Keteki, who stood by the window, gazing out into the evening skyline. The room was bathed in the soft, amber glow of the bedside lamp, casting long shadows on the walls.
After a moment of silence, Kyle cleared his throat. "Keteki, can I ask you something? About Faridah…"
Keteki turned, his expression calm but curious. "Of course."
Kyle hesitated, then spoke carefully, "Did Faridah… did she ever have someone before? I mean, a lover?"
Keteki's gaze softened immediately, as though the question had touched on something deep. He stepped away from the window and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Yes," he said, his voice full of warmth and sincerity. "There was one. They were together for almost seven years."
Kyle blinked, the weight of the answer hitting him harder than he expected. "Seven years?" he echoed, his mind racing with the implications. "What happened?"
Keteki exhaled deeply, choosing his words with care. "It was a serious relationship after all both of them were fixed on getting married someday when they got to their legal age, one that looked like it was headed for forever. They were deeply in love, but sometimes, love isn't enough. Things change. Life pulls you apart in ways you can't always control."
Kyle nodded slowly, absorbing the information. He leaned back against the headboard, a slight frown on his face. "That must've been hard for her."
"It was," Keteki agreed, stepping closer, his tone softening further. "But Faridah is strong. She doesn't talk about it much, but I know it shaped her. You don't spend that much time with someone and walk away unchanged. It left scars, but it also taught her what she wants, what she deserves."
'I bet this studio makes her remember a lot of things' Keteki thought as it looked exactly like his ex-condominium.
Kyle stared down at his hands, lost in thought. "I didn't realize…"
Keteki gave him a gentle smile, his words full of genuine care. "She's been through a lot, Kyle. But that's part of what makes her who she is now. She's moved forward, but yes, there was someone before, and that story will always be a part of her."
Kyle looked up, feeling both humbled and more connected to Faridah than before. "Thanks for telling me."