I sighed in relief when the flight finally landed in the Maldives. As I was about to leave the flight, the air hostess standing at the exit took my attention. Her makeup was overly done. I bet she would have looked more beautiful with little or no make-up. It felt as if her face was made up of plastic and the heat of the sun would melt her within seconds if she gets out of the flight. I know I didn't have any rights to judge but it was just what it was. You know what I mean if that makes any sense. She had a plastered wide grin on her face bordered with a thick coat of maroon lipstick.
Air hostess: Thank you ma'am for flying with us. I hope you had an enjoyable ride.
me: Sure, it was.
I hope she did mark my sarcasm. The flight journey was not at all a good one. I would say it was the worst. I had to take my headache pills thrice in nine hours. It was just too frustrating. I hate kids for this only reason. I got out of the flight and headed towards the baggage carousel. I remembered when I was small I loved to play in those carousels. For me, those felt like mini merry-go-rounds set up for small kids at the airports. I would jump and walk on them and then forcefully get dragged back by my glaring mother.
I got my luggage and walked out of the exit hoping for someone to be waiting for me. I was searching for my name in those hundreds of papers and cardboard held by people when my eyes suddenly got stuck on a familiar face. A tall, well-built man. He had a really stunning face and gleaming eyes. His hair put up in a bob, not the super-sleeked, polished bob, it was a soft, tousled, and relaxed version. He wore a black, half-sleeves, white floral printed shirt, and white jeans. His face looked pale and tired. But then his eyes suddenly met mine and his face glowed up. Those crystals reminded me of someone.
Reece.
As soon as he noticed me, his pupils started moving in random directions as if they were searching for someone. This made me think that it was just an accidental meet and he was probably there to pick up someone else. But then my eyes travelled down to the placard he held in his hands. The letter seemed weird and I was unable to read it. I somehow managed to and realized that one of the two names written on it belonged to me. I walked towards him and captured a "no emotion" look on his face.
me: Hey!!! Reece!!! Nice to meet you, Pal.
Reece: Thank God. You remember me.
me: Stop it. Don't bring in old issues now.
Reece: Hmm Okay. But where is Carsten? Naomi said that I had to pick you and Carsten up.
me: Oh he didn't come with me. He will come tomorrow for he had some urgent works today.
Reece: Oh okay... hmm what took you so much time to realize that I was the one to pick you up? I know you were staring at me for few minutes or so. (rather confused)
me: Oh about that... try holding the placard upright next time.
Reece: Oh sorry, my bad. (he giggled as he realized)
I was happy to see him smiling. I didn't know what he felt for me then. If he still loved me or he had accepted the reality, I still considered him as my friend. Look, he was the only one Naomi could rely on to pick me up after Carsten and Seb. He shared all the incidents that happened to him in those ten years. He had become a manager in one of the most famous football clubs in Europe. We had a long chat till we reached the hotel, where we all were supposed to stay. I was really excited to meet Naomi, Seb, and Sofia. I had been talking to them only through digital means but I was, at last going to meet them after freaking ten years!!!