Lust And Deception

3

“And we’ll be landing Los Angeles in five.” I informed my passengers.

Carefully, the plane landed and everyone gently walk out the door.

Only me, I still sat on my flyer’s seat, cracking my neck from left to right. I’ve been flying this thing for hours, only God knows how long.

Majority of my passengers are from India and that’s where am coming from.

The distance from India to LA wasn’t a stone throw. I had to eat too much before this journey began and here we are. Safely landed.



The moment I got out of the plane, the first thing that crosses my mind was calling my daughter.



I didn’t tell her about my journey. I don’t usually share my work issues with her, it’ll be a bother to her. Because, she doesn’t like my type of occupation.


She is too believing towards the things she sees on TV and magazines about pilots and aircrafts crashing in deserts, seas and land.

Sometimes, she’d call on purpose to tell me about the weather forecast for the day and to warn me to stay indoor – forever.

That’s why she said she wants to be a nurse or microbiologist. So she can have plenty of money, save people’s lives instead of perishing with them,  live a happy life and also take good care of me.

My little girl. Whenever she tells me this, I’ll just laugh and tease her. She hates teasing.


“Just let me know if your allowance is draining.” I don’t want her to preach about life and death to me.



That’s not why I called. Besides, that’s the only money I can send without getting a refund.



“Hello, Mom. FYI, ma’am, my account still blinks green.” She greeted me then mumbled something after, “Besides, I know you just got back from your 50/50 journey and didn’t want me to stick my nose.”



I laughed. So, she is still frugal? How many more money does she want to keep on saving in her piggy bank until she realizes how thin, frail, slender and skinny she has become?

“I heard that.” I nodded, smiling. “Very loud and clear in my ears.”



She kept quiet for a while like she’d already hung up, but I know she was still there.



It didn’t take too long before she said, “Mom, I miss you.”



I melted into her sweet voice and my heart started craving for her real image.

Oh my baby girl.

She’s only bubbly when am with her and dull when she’s alone.

My sweet, introvert girl.

“I miss you too, darling. You don’t just know how…..” Am I tearing? So emotional all the time. “How I really want to see you now. My job and your study is oy making a demarcation.”



“I know, I know, I know.” I imagine my daughter tearing up too, but she’s barely emotional like me. Heart of a stone, like her father. “Soon, we’ll see.”



“That soon…” I rolled my eyes and wipe the tears at the side of my eyelids. “Hope it shows up on time. Am so lonely.”



I miss her long talks, dramas and crazy meals.



“Have you eaten yet?”



Now am craving for her delicious delicacies.



I haven’t had lunch yet and it’s almost evening from here. Meaning, I already skipped lunch. But am not gonna tell her the truth. Or else, she’ll get worried.



“Yes, yes.” Am not too good at lying. “I just had lunch with my coworkers – and you?”



“It’s still early here. I’ll have something later.” She said. “Anyway, mom….” I sense her stretching her arms. “I have to go now. Shower.”



“Okay my princess. Take good care of yourself, I’ll call you later. I love you.”



“Love you too, mom. Bye.”



We hung up after I planted a kiss on the phone. I heaved a deep breath with my eyes closed and my phone pressed on my chest.



I really miss Irene. I hope to see her soon during the holidays.



My tommy made a little sound from the inside, I could feel it. I knew am hungry.



While I was thinking of what to get for myself…..



“Virginia Greene!”



Someone called out my name. As I turn my head to my side, a feminine figure approached me with a bright smile plastered on her face.



I remember her.



“Coral Dawson!” I bounced into her embrace.



We remained like that for seconds. I can’t believe after a these years, I finally got to meet the only one true person that showed me love and made me feel valuable in this world after my parents.



Coral and I first met when I was eighteen. At that time, I was preparing to grad from highschool to enter college.



My school – highschool, was on an excursion to UK. Only for the senior final year. We went there to visit one of the museums – the biggest that talked about the tradition, culture, aristocracy and Britain way of life.



There, I bumped into Coral – a student nurse. It was her first year in nursing school. She is an indigene of the country. A certified British girl.



She was with her fellow coursemates and some invigilators that came alongside with them for a brief check-up practical thing in the environment.



Coral and I didn’t became close friends instantly. Until the moment I needed to use one of the bathrooms in the museum.



She was at another bathroom next to me. She had no idea if someone was in my side of the bathroom but she knocked on the wall and whispered help.



She was in need of a sanitary pad at the moment, her period just started flowing and she didn’t came with any.



I usually took a spare with me just Incase it change date. I volunteered to help her. And that was how we exchanged numbers and became good pals.



During holidays, I fly to the UK to see her. She could barely come to see me because her parents won’t permit her to leave the country at that age just to see a friend.



One time, she couldn’t make it to clinic practice because she broke her arm. Her professors won’t understand because they’re very strict.



It turned out to be her day of test with the patience and there was a great score which might boost the assessment for the semester.



Then, I was already done with highschool and reading for my entrance examination into Air force school.



I went to her aid in the middle of my exam month.



Her arm was getting better but before she resume, I had to fill up for her since I had clues and good grades in biology and all the five O’ level credit subjects back in highschool.



That was the only moment I met one on one and face to face with the Prince of England. It was a FirstClass hospital and he was admitted there because he had a terrible car accident.



It turned out that I was in charge of his care for the day and the next.



I barely fall for people at first sight, especially the opposite sex, so, I didn’t bother giving him attention. He was the only one staring at me all the time.



At that time, his medication report states his age as twenty three. Too much gap for a young girl, huh?



But I’d admit he was kinky, sinfully handsome and gorgeous with the long dark hair like a knight, pointed nose tip, thin pink lips, breathtaking facial features and skyblue eyes that were sharp opened like an hawk.



Duh uh.



Wasn’t my type.



When Coral recovered, he was already discharged from the hospital. Coral told me the palace seek me in two weeks after I had flew back to complete my Air force exam.



I kept asking Coral why do I have to come and who needed to see me. She only end up giggling and saying that she couldn’t tell me who it was or who sent for me.



Just like that, the invitation blurted out when I lost contact with Coral.



That was like decades ago. I can’t even remember the date.



I wanted to fly back to her place in the UK but it was too late. I already gain admission into college – Air force school.



Things fell apart just like that. But the friendship was still there till date.



“Where have you been?” I couldn’t help but beam.



She too was super duper excited to see me. We kept holding hands and grinning at each other.



“In the UK, currently, I came to the US to see one of my family friend. And you? How have you been doing all these years? Look at you. You look so average in size. Have you been gyming?”



Oh, how I love her British accent.



I spun around to give her the VVIP sightseeing of my body. “Uh huh, you can say that again.” I giggled. “And you too, you look a bit chubby.”



She rolled her eyes and groaned, “Hmph. Oh please, don’t sound like my husband now.”



“You’re married?” That one shouldn’t shock me.



Come on, Virginia. Don’t be dumb. It’s more than two decades already.



She caressed the shining thing around her finger, “Yes, Ginny.” As usual. She’s the only one that calls me that. Glad she still remembers. “Edward is a darling. We’ve been married for fifteen years now and we have three gorgeous kids. Ellie, Earl and Elsa.”



Aww. Am so happy for her.



I couldn’t help but pull her into a sweet hug again. “Congratulations.”



“What about you?” She pulled out with a grinning expression and her brows hanging up in a curve, waiting for my response.



What can I say?



I have been devastated and shattered for the past twelve years of my life. This is not a good story to tell a very good friend.



Is not like she’d mock at me or something but I don’t just think this is something one should be hearing.



It’s sour. Not impressive.



I look at her. Her expression slowly died down. “Virginia….?” She already suspected something in my silence. She gave me a hug and patted my back. “It’s alright, I understand.”



The tears uncontrollable in my eyes fell down on her shoulders. “Not here.” I sniffed my nose. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”



Still in the hugs, she suggested. “Okay. Let’s have lunch. My treat.”



Oh, how I forgot about my hunger.