All The Love Songs About You - Englot

Chapter 16: Back Home

Saffron's POV:

I was exhausted as I stepped off the plane and into the bustling airport. The flight back from Warsaw had been long and uneventful, and all I wanted to do was crash onto my bed and sleep for a week straight.

But as I made my way through the crowded terminal, I saw two familiar faces waiting for me at the gate. Nima and Madiha, despite their busy schedules, had come to welcome me back to London.

I couldn't help but grin as I approached them. Madiha wrapped me in a bear hug, while Nima clapped her hands in excitement.

"Saffron, welcome back!" Nima exclaimed. "How was your trip?"

"It was amazing!" I replied, still buzzing with energy from my time in Berlin and Warsaw. "The city is so vibrant and lively. I feel like I barely scratched the surface of everything there is to see and do."

Madiha chimed in, "Well, we can't wait to hear all about it. And we've got a surprise for you back home."

I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Nima grinned mischievously. "You'll just have to wait and see. Come on, let's get your bags and head back to your flat."

As we walked out of the airport, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my friends. They were always there for me, no matter what. And now, after a couple of weeks exploring somewhere new, I was more than ready to come back home and catch up with them.

We piled into Nima's car and zoomed out of the airport. It felt so great to be back in London, familiar sights and sounds whizzing past us as we drove. I was still buzzing from my time in Berlin and with my mom, but there was something about being back home that felt comforting and grounding.

Nima and Madiha chattered away about their latest projects at work and the new restaurants they'd tried while I was gone. I smiled and listened, feeling happy just to be in their company.

We pulled up to my flat and made our way up the porch. I could hear some sort of commotion coming from inside, muffled laughter and footsteps. As soon as we stepped inside, I saw what Nima meant by "surprise."

Patrick was crouching down beside the coffee table where they put Phalo's Aquarium on. Walking closer, I bursted out laughing by what I saw.

Inside Phalo's aquarium, there's a floating banner with the words "welcome back!" And a few plastic gifts floating around with him.

"I tried putting a party hat on him, but he wouldn't stay still." Patrick said beside me.
I glanced at his wet hand and saw the tiny party hat, he's apparently made for Phalo. I giggled some more, holding my stomach and shaking my head.

"You dorks! You're all so cute!" I squealed, beckoning them in a group hug with my arms wide open.

"I missed you guys" I sincerely whispered while hugging them tighter. I have the bestest friends ever.

"We love you Saff!" - Madiha

"Welcome back girl!" - Nima

"You owe me for taking care of Phalo." - Patrick

———xx————xx————-

I sat in my room, staring at my phone. I knew I needed to talk to Erynn, but I couldn't shake the nerves that had been building up all day. We'd been texting and face timing throughout my trip, but I hadn't seen her in person in what felt like ages.

Finally, I took a deep breath and dialed her number, my heart racing as the video call rang through.

"Hey Saffron!" Erynn's voice came through loud and clear, her smile radiating through the screen. "How are you? You look amazing!"