My Once True North

A Chance Encounter

The airport was a bustling hive of activity, a never-ending stream of people coming and going, all with their own stories and destinations. The air was thick with the smell of jet fuel and the sound of announcements blaring over the intercom. The bright lights of the airport terminal glared down on the scene, casting a harsh glow on everything and everyone below.

As the taxi pulled up to the curb, Maya peered out the window, taking in the chaos around her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the airport, with its endless rows of parked planes and throngs of passengers bustling about.

As the taxi came to a stop behind a car that had slowed unexpectedly, Maya's attention was drawn to the man getting out of the car in front of them. There was something about him that caught her eye, a sense of familiarity that sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't quite place why she felt this way, but it was a feeling she knew all too well - the feeling of a heart once broken.

Despite the delay, Maya didn't feel irritated. In fact, she was almost glad for the chance to watch the man as he strode purposefully towards the terminal, his tall, lean figure moving with a sense of quiet confidence. She felt a twinge of sadness as he disappeared into the crowd, her mind wandering to memories of the past.

As Maya walked through the airport, the noise and activity around her seemed to fade away. Her thoughts were consumed by the man she had seen earlier, her heart heavy with the weight of unfinished business. She tried to push the thought from her mind, but it lingered there, tugging at her like a half-remembered dream.

Maya made her way to the gate, her eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of the man who had caught her attention earlier. It seemed that no matter where she went in the airport, he was always there, just out of reach.

She felt the gushing longing to talk to him, to hear his voice and feel his touch, but her heart couldn't bear the thought of it. Every time she saw him smile, even when he was alone, she was reminded of the pain that love had caused her in the past..

As Maya took a seat at the gate, she saw him again, standing off to the side, his eyes scanning the crowd. She couldn't help but stare, and before she knew it, their eyes had met. Caught off guard, she smiled and waved, feeling foolish and vulnerable.

As the man made his way towards her, Maya's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know what to say or how to act, but as he drew near, she felt a strange sense of comfort. For a moment, it was as if everything was right in the world, and the pain of the past was just a distant memory.

But then the man walked right past her, not even glancing in her direction. Maya's heart sank, and she felt foolish for thinking that he would finally talk to her. She chided herself for being so foolish, and for thinking that a chance encounter in an airport could lead to anything more. With a heavy heart, she gathered her bags and made her way to the gate, trying to push the man and her feelings for him from her mind.

As the girl settled into her seat, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. She had been hesitant about taking this trip to Palawan, but something inside her urged her to go. Glancing over at the man in the seat next to her, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. Was he the one she had come all this way to meet?

Summoning up her courage, she decided to strike up a conversation.

"Hi there," she said, giving him a friendly smile. "Excited to be heading to Palawan?"

But the man seemed uninterested in small talk, giving her a curt nod before turning away to look out the window. Undeterred, the girl tried again.

"Have you been to Palawan before?" she asked, hoping to break the ice.

Again, the man barely acknowledged her question, and the girl began to feel a little disheartened. But then something unexpected happened.

As the flight attendant came by with a tray of drinks, she asked the man if he wanted a soda or orange juice. The man hesitated for a moment, and before he could even answer, the girl spoke up.

"Please give him the orange juice," she said, surprising both the man and the flight attendant.

The man looked at her in surprise, wondering how she could have known that he preferred orange juice. "How did you know?" he asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.

The girl shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed now that she had drawn attention to herself. "Soda isn't good for your health," she said, hoping to sound casual.

The man nodded, seeming to appreciate her concern. "Thanks," he said, popping open the can of orange juice and taking a long sip.

For the rest of the flight, they didn't talk much, but the girl couldn't help stealing glances at the man from time to time. Her heart fluttered every time their eyes met, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of attraction. She knew it was foolish to think that a chance encounter on a plane could mean anything, but she couldn't help the excitement that bubbled up inside her. As the plane began its descent into Palawan, she found herself feeling grateful for the stiff neck she had incurred from her frequent glances towards the man. It gave her an excuse to keep looking in his direction.