Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

37~Flying

The rest of the ride was quiet, that was until Aria noticed he didn't take the curve that would lead to his house, instead, Kachi drove straight on. She looked up at the road ahead and saw signs saying they were on their way to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. She looked at him, expecting an explanation but he remained focused on the road.

"Where are we going?" she asked when she realized he wasn't going to say anything unless she asked.

"Do you have any identification card with you?" he replied with a question.

"I have my voters card and national ID card. Why?"

He simply nodded, his gaze still focused on the road. This man was the most frustrating person she'd ever met. Conversing with him was like trying to pull teeth.

"Kachi?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are we going to?"

"Where does it look like we're going?" He turned to look at her and she narrowed her eyes at him. "To the airport. Our flight leaves by seven."

Flight? She'd never been in an airport before and he expected her to be on the plane with him? Where were they even going that they couldn't get to by bus? She immediately pictured the crowded buses that was always stuffy no matter how many of the windows were open and tried to imagine Kachi in one. She couldn't. There was no way he'd travel by bus to any destination.

"Flight to where? And why do I have to go with you?"

"We're going to Anambra State. And do I really have to answer the second question?"

She immediately shook her head, not wanting him to remind her that he called the shots in this their relationship. Should she tell him that she wasn't sure she could get on the plane? That she was scared shitless? But then, Kachi was the type of person to mock someone about their fears. Not long ago he'd laughed and made a mockery about her dreams, she was not about to give him more ammunition.

"You've been quiet," he said after a while. She didn't bother answering or turning to face him. It's not like she'd ever talked to him in depth before. How would he know if she was being quiet or her usual self?

"I'm always quiet," she finally responded after an entire minute had passed.

"No you're not. You've always been chatty, from the first time at the club to when we met at the staircase. You always have something to say, but you've been quiet for almost the entire drive."

She let him figure it out, after all he'd been the cause of her silence.

"You've been quiet since we talked about you writing. Is that it? Because I laughed?"

It wasn't just that he'd laughed. His comments had been really mean. How could he belittle her like that without even seeing any of her works?

"You shouldn't take everything so seriously, Zariah," Kachi said after she remained silent and then chuckled.

No apologies, nothing. She'd been hoping for too much when she expected him to apologise. Aria wasn't sure how she felt now. It would have been better for him to ignore it, instead of bringing it up again and covering everything with that laugh. She could see the airport entrance now, so she decided on focusing on her fear of being in a plane and heights.

***

Aria had fastened her seat belt like she'd been instructed and was now praying that she could disappear from this plane. What if it crashed? She didn't think only this seatbelt would be enough to save her if things went terribly wrong.

She turned to look at the mostly empty aisle, wishing there were more people around. Like she'd expected, they were in first class and Kachi had taken the seat beside her before plugging his ears with his buds. She could hear faint music coming from them and wished she'd thought to bring something too. It was his fault that she'd been so unprepared.

She turned to look at him, his hands folded on his chest and his eyes closed. The man looked so relaxed while she was so close to shitting herself.

The plane roared as the engine started and began to travel down the runway. The plane vibrated and she immediately gripped Kachi's wrist, praying and hoping she didn't die tonight.  She felt the plane tilt and tightened her grip, her nails biting into his flesh. Her chest heaved and her stomach tightened for the entire minute it took for them to be in the air and then the plane began to climb up.

Aria imagined the craft dropping back to the floor and all of them snapping their necks on impact. She whimpered and shut her eyes. Kachi loosened her grip on his wrist and held her hand in his instead. She held on even when the plane leveled out and the hostesses began moving around.

"I should have asked if you've flown before. Would you like anything to help you calm down? I'm sure they have a few drinks," Kachi asked, his fingers still wrapped around hers.

"No," she croaked out.

"You can open your eyes now, you're safe." There was something soft about his voice that convinced her to open one eye and then the other.

When she was sure that they were still in the air and not about to crash, she looked out the windows, seeing nothing but clouds. They were not close to the windows so she couldn't see much. Still, the view was enough to forget her momentary fear of being so high up.

Aria breathed in and then let it out. It was then she realized she'd been gripping his hand and he'd held hers instead, grounding her and offering comfort and safety while she freaked out. She looked to their joined hands, noting the contrast in their skin tones. Hers was much darker than his and she could clearly see where her fingers had marked him. The skin there was tinged red, still he still held her hand.

"I'm sorry about that." She immediately pulled her hand back and tucked it between her legs. "And thank you."

Kachi stared at his hand before shaking his head. "It's fine. It's my fault for not asking first."

She nodded, her gaze still traveling to the windows.

"We'll seat by the windows when we're coming back, so you can see outside. I'm sure you'd freak out if I ask you to move to the seats over there," he smiled and pointed to the window seats. "We'll land in less than an hour, just try to relax, okay?"

Thinking about landing was even more scarier. If going up had freaked her out, what would happen when she felt the plane hurtling for the earth? She shut her eyes again, nerves eating her stomach.

Kachi placed one of his buds in her ear, the quiet music immediately distracting her. "I'm here, just relax. We'll be back on land soon, okay?" His fingers found her hand and he held on while she tried to regulate her breathing.

***

This man is playing with my heart I swear 😂

No one should come for me o. I've never flown before so if I get anything wrong, you can softly correct me.

What are your thoughts about this chapter?

Please vote and comment.

Thank you so much for reading ❤️