Subtle Endearment

31. Airport Shock

Kira

"It's about time you got here," Malik says eyeing the presents Ian and I hold. "Are these all for me?" Malik says feigning surprise. "Yup, here you go," I say stacking three large sized presents in Malik's arms. I watch as he carefully walks to the living room and places the presents on the living room ground. My grandparents sit on the couch coffee in hand as Malik begins to tear away at the present wrapping.

"These are for you," Ian says handing gift bags to my grandparents. "You didn't have to," grandma says accepting the bag. Ian and I take a seat on the adjacent couch just as Malik unveils his first present. "Really? The latest PlayStation? How did you get this? It's not supposed to be released for another two months," Malik exclaims. "The company has an exclusive contract with PlayStation so it wasn't too hard to get my hands on it," Ian responds.

"You're really too kind, Ian," grandma says as she pulls out a Visa card and gift card to several popular eateries. "Thanks, son," grandpa says examining his Visa card. "Five hundred dollars? Yeah this one's a keeper," grandpa jokes.

"I have a present for you too," Ian says pulling out a small box from his pocket. "What's that?" I think out loud hoping it's not him trying to propose. Ian opens the small box revealing a glimmering ring. "It's a promise ring, Kira," Ian says sliding the ring on my finger. I'm at a loss of words. " I promise to replace it in one year. We'll be in a better place then," Ian says with confidence. "Okay," I say letting my heart lead the way. "Replace it in one year," I repeat as a tear escapes my eye. Still holding my hand, Ian leans in for a kiss and I melt into his soft lips almost forgetting where I'm at.

"Get a room," Malik says in between a fake cough. I smile up at Ian tears still in my eyes. "I've made my decision. I'm not going to run anymore," I say so that only he can hear.

Christmas is filled with laughter and joy. Ian and I spend the next two days in Georgia before catching a flight back to New York.

***

"I'm going to go get a snack while we wait," I say getting up from the stiff airport seat. We arrived at the JFK airport two hours ago but I can't seem to sit still. I'd slept the entire flight back and hadn't had the chance to really talk to Ian about what he'd said on Christmas. I was so caught up in the moment that I had spoke without reason. It's not that I want to take back what I said because I mean every word I said but it's not reasonable, for us to be together. "I'll go with you," Ian says taking my carryon bag and placing it on his suitcase before slipping his hand in mine. 

"What are you doing? People will see," I whisper. "Let them see," Ian says. Before I can object he places a gentle kiss on my forehead rendering. I march ahead to the Shake Shack with Ian dragging behind me his hand in mine. When we're done eating I check my phone. It's now been three hours since we've landed. "Are you sure that someone's coming to get us?" I ask avoiding eye contact. "I'm sure," Ian assures me. "I'm going to go stand outside. I need some fresh air," I say pulling at my sweater. 

Ian follows closely behind me and leans up against the railing outside the building. "What's on your mind," Ian says pushing away the silence. "I'm just worried. I don't see this ending well for either of us... and I'm still worried about what I said earlier," I admit. "About the promise ring?" he questions. "No, about you hiding something," I say waiting for a reaction from him. "Kira, let's not talk about this now" Ian says in a tone indicating his statement is final.

"No, I want to talk about it," I push. "I think it would be better if we did this somewhere else," Ian says scratching the back of his head. "Like where? We have plenty of time to address things now," I state. "Kira," Ian responds sternly. "Ian," I mock. As Ian goes quiet I spot a familiar car approaching from behind Ian.

"I think I see the company car over there," I say pointing to a car in the distance with the company logo on the front license plate. "No Kira, I think you're mistaken. Landon's picking us up. Even with his driving he shouldn't be here for another hour," Ian says stepping in front of me shielding my view.

I watch as the car continues to move forward in the line as travelers find their rides. "It might be better to go back inside and sit for a while," Ian says suddenly fidgety. He pushes my back guiding me back through the airport doors. The gentle push that he was once giving suddenly turns more into a hurried shove causing me to drop my phone. "Are you going to replace this one too?" I joke. I rise to my feet to see that Ian's focus is on someone else.

An older woman with dark red lipstick and wavy black hair stares back at me. Where have I seen that woman? I take a step past Ian to get a better look. I look from Ian to the woman who's quickly approaching. A look of panic quickly overtakes Ian's usual confident apperance. I look back to the woman and twenty years seem to flash by in one moment. My whole world comes crumbling down as I make out her features. As she continues to slowly approach me I feel my heart skipping beats. Images of that day suddenly flood my mind and it feels like someone is suffocating me. I feel light headed and suddenly it feels like I'm falling. Falling and falling, never to stop.

"Kira, Kira," I hear amongst the ringing in my ears. I notice that I'm no longer looking up at Ian the way I was before. I feel a throbbing pain in the back of my head as if someone is squeezing my brain. My eyes flutter at the distant sound of screaming that is heard along with distorted cries from Ian. You knew.