RUMA and JABARI

Chapter 5

Ruma woke up a little late than usual; maybe it was the exhaustion from the tears she cried with her Mother. Still, she felt determined and a little bit light about herself. When she checked the time and was still on track, the plane would take off in the next 2 hours. So she went ahead to get ready.

She packed her clothes, which didn't take long. In less than an hour, she was rolling her trolley out of the room. She came down the stairs to find her Mother sitting at the dining table with a plate of pancakes. Ruma greeted her and proceeded to eat. Savoring the taste, she closed her eyes in appreciation. It's been so long since her Mother made these pancakes, and she wholly enjoyed them. Ruma hurriedly ate her meal and kissed her Mother goodbye, giving her one last hug before leaving.

She drove to the airport, where she found Jabari, their tea sommelier and their trip coordinator waiting. They exchanged pleasantries before boarding their flight.

It had been a while since Ruma last got on a plane, so she was a little apprehensive. Today the tea sommelier was beside her on their flight. They discussed the variety of ingredients for the tea they will look for at their destination.

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After 2 hours on air, they had a light snack with a small chit chat.

About an hour later, they all retreated to their own space, some taking a nap while Jabari browsed his tab.

Shortly the plane trembled, catching everyone's attention; it wavered again, making them alarmed.

"Is everything okay?"

the trip coordinator shouted at the pilot.

"I've got control of it," the pilot replied.

The sighs of the passengers could be audibly heard, and they resumed what they were doing.

After several minutes passed by, the sound of a recorder chimed in, catching their attention again.

"Ruma, Ruma", A voice called in an automated voice, followed by devilish laughter.

Ruma turned around and looked up and looked towards the rest, but everyone was clueless.

"What's this voice?" Jabari yelled at the pilot.

"I don't know," the pilot replied back.

"Ruma, Ruma", the voice called again.

Ruma looked up at the plane roof again, trying to locate where the sound was coming from.

"years back, you took the law into your hands and killed my brother by dissolving his body in acid," the automated voice said.

All the passengers gasped and looked towards her. She covered her mouth with her hand in shock, not knowing what to say.

"It was a hit and run, yes but even if he had stayed the man would have died, but you went ahead and killed my brother", the automated voice continued.

They were all shaking and staring at her. Ruma kept her head down in guilt.

"And now you shall pay for it," the automated voice said harshly.

Without waiting to hear anything else, Ruma addressed the pilot. "Is it possible to turn around?"

"No ma'am," the pilot responded.

"Then land at the nearest runway or airport", Ruma ordered.

"On it Ma'am", the pilot responded.

"Too late Ruma, too late," the automated voice goes again.

"I have people with me now, let us land, let them go and then you can do whatever you want with me, it's not their fault", Ruma pleaded to the automated voice.