Unfinished Business

Night Decisions

The airplane's descent was marked by a gentle lurch, a reminder that our journey was nearing its end. The seatbelt sign blinked off, and the cabin came alive with the shuffling of passengers preparing for arrival. Kai and I exchanged a glance that held a mixture of readiness and reluctance. As the wheels touched the runway, a subtle jolt resonated through the aircraft. Applause erupted briefly, a collective celebration of safe arrival. The airplane taxied towards the gate, and the city we had left behind stretched before us, a landscape that had changed since our departure. As the seatbelt sign blinked off, Kai and I stood, retrieving our overhead belongings. The process was methodical, a choreography of movement that mirrored the journey we had

taken together. We joined the line of passengers exiting the airplane, the promise of reunions and familiarity beckoning us forward. The terminal was a flurry of activity once again, a mosaic of faces and destinations. Kai and I walked side by side, the weight of our suitcases rolling along the polished floor. The terminal's familiarity was a stark contrast to the foreignness of the world we had briefly inhabited.

We stepped out of the terminal into the open air, the rush of the city greeting us with its cacophony of sounds. The weight of exhaustion settled in, a reminder of the hours spent in transit. With a shared glance, we made our way to a waiting taxi, the driver loading our suitcases into the trunk. As we settled into the back seat, the taxi pulled away from the curb. The city passed by in a blur, the world outside the window a reminder that life was continuing its relentless pace. The taxi's movement was a soothing rhythm, a cadence that matched the lull of our thoughts. Eventually, the taxi pulled up in front of the building, and we stepped out onto familiar ground. The exhaustion of the journey seemed to seep into our bones, a heavy reminder of the distance we had covered.

"Home at last" I murmured, a mixture of relief and weariness in my voice.

Kai nodded, his gaze fixed on the entrance of the building. "Yeah."

As we entered the building, the familiar faces of Xavier, Marissa, and Diana greeted us. Xavier's eyes held a mix of concern and curiosity, Marissa's smile was warm and genuine, and Diana's expression was a blend of amusement and knowing.

"Welcome back" Xavier said, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing.

Marissa's embrace was comforting, a silent understanding that needed no words. "I'm glad

you're both back safe."

Diana's grin was mischievous. "We've been keeping the fort steady in your absence."

"Gosh I'm exhausted" I announced.

"Oh really? I could say the exact opposite. I slept on the plane and now I feel energized" replied Kai.

"If that so, how about we go for a drink, you and I?" proposed Diana.

I was furious, she was here flirting with him, in front of my eyes. But I can't blame her, she doesn't know.

"Yeah, it would be nice if you guys go out, Xavier told me that Kai hasn't seen someone for a while, and it's the same for Diana" said Marissa.

Oh hell no. Marissa pushed both of them outside to go out and took me and Xavier home.

I decided to take a nap. The room was bathed in soft afternoon light, the gentle rays filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow across the space. I blinked my eyes open, the remnants of sleep clinging to my senses. The world beyond my dreams slowly coalesced into reality, and I became aware of the familiar surroundings of my room. A sigh escaped my lips as I stretched, the comfort of the bed a temporary sanctuary from the demands of the outside world. The nap had been a much-needed respite, a brief escape from the events and emotions that had unraveled in the past days. As I shifted, a soft knock on the door caught my attention. I turned my gaze towards the sound, surprise flickering across my features as the door swung open. Kai stood in the doorway, his presence a mixture of familiarity and the unexpected. He closed the door behind him, the soft click resonating in the air.