In Her Own Footsteps

XVIII

"Dear passengers, please straighten your seats and open your trays. Meal service will begin momentarily. Please find the in-flight menu in the seat pockets." The flight attendant's announcement reverberated through the cabin.

The soothing hum of the airplane's engines filled the cabin as the flight attendants began their preparations for the in-flight meal service. Aanya and Connor exchanged glances, their excitement mixed with a touch of hunger after a long day of farewells and travel. Indigo, still tucked away in her carrier beneath the seat in front of them, seemed calm, unaffected by the plane's movements.

"Look how beautiful it is!" Aanya exclaimed, pointing to the view outside the porthole on her left. The evening hours were casting its shadow over the world outside. The lights of cars, roads, and building structures from far away looked like a light show, dancing in the distance.

Connor glanced over to Aanya's side, taking in the magnificent view of some European country they were flying over. A look of wonder spread over his face.

All around them, passengers reached for their seatbelts to unfasten them, preparing for the upcoming meal service. The trays were pulled down from the seatbacks in front of each passenger. Aanya reached for the pocket in front of her, right below the small screens embedded in the back of the seats.

Aanya reached forward and retrieved the in-flight menu. Her eyes scanned the choices written over the glossy menu card. The aroma of warm food began to fill the air, and her stomach responded with a gentle growl. The menu offered a variety of options, from delectable entrees to sweet desserts.

"Looks like they have quite a selection for a flight meal," Aanya remarked, holding the menu up for Connor to see.

Connor nodded, his eyes fixed on the choices. "I think I'll go with the chicken curry. It sounds delicious."

"Same here," Aanya replied, "Meals are my favorite thing on international flights."

Indigo let out a soft meow, seemingly adding her input to the culinary deliberation. Aanya chuckled and gave the carrier a gentle pat.

"Don't worry, Kitty. We'll have something yummy for you too," Aanya said, reaching into her bag for Indigo's travel pouch, which contained her favorite treats.

"I've never been on a flight that served meals before," Connor added.

"The portions are kind of small," Aanya informed before adding, "but the alcohol is unlimited."

As the flight attendants made their way down the aisle, taking orders and serving meals, the atmosphere in the cabin shifted from anticipation to relaxation. The sound of clinking cutlery and hushed conversations filled the air, creating a sense of camaraderie among travelers embarking on their respective journeys.

The chicken curry arrived at Connor and Aanya's trays. Their seats were engulfed by the fragrant aroma wafting through the air. The steamy white rice made Aanya's mouth water and the rumble in the stomach grew louder. In a small container, they were given salad vegetable salad, doused in a Mauritian vinaigrette, a sign that their flight was nearing its destination.

The aroma of the curry transported Aanya back home as a teenager. Aanya's mind wandered to the familiar scents of spices and the sound of sizzling pans in her childhood home on Sundays – the feast of the week. Her parents' culinary rituals were not just about food; they were a way to express love and care. However, she also remembered having to tip-toe around prior to the meal being ready, making her presence undetectable. The preparation that preceded these sumptuous lunches came with a lot of stress – misdirected emotions from her parents. Aanya had navigated their minefield of emotions during her entire childhood but wondered if perhaps, things had changed.