Tales of a Hawaiian Getaway

A Rumble in Paradise

"We have now landed in Honolulu Airport. Current time is 1:30 PM. At this time, we ask everyone to put away all electronic devices. Please wait until the plane has made a full stop on the tarmac to obtain your carry-on luggage from the overhead bins. We hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation and thank you for choosing American Airlines."

The pilot's voice over the intercom calmed Lucinda down, knowing that they had finally reached their destination.

Lifting her eyeglasses from the bridge of her nose, Lucinda released a deep sigh of relief.

We're here! Thank you Lord! Now, I could kiss the ground we'll walk upon!

----

During the flight, Lucinda experienced the bumpiest ride she ever had. Once the plane flew over the Pacific Ocean, the passengers endured rough turbulence. Thus, Lucinda panicked. She was afraid that the plane would fall into the sea, since stories of missing airplanes flashed before her eyes. She hugged herself dearly, and folded her hands to pray that they would land safely.

Whoosh!

When Lucinda turned around to see how Iris felt, she was surprised to see that her friend didn't even move an inch.

"Iris! Aren't you scared? The plane just jolted!"

Iris shrugged her shoulders.

"It's just a sudden violent shift in airflow, Luci. If you're scared I can hold your hand."

Stop treating me like a baby, Iris. I could handle this on my own. I think?

Seeing how it deeply affected her seatmate, Iris placed her hand around her friend, and smiled to assure Lucinda that everything will be alright. She closed the airplane's window as well to keep Lucinda from glancing outside.

Iris continued to speak without stuttering.

"Nothing to worry about, Luci. I trust these pilots, since they should know how to maneuver the aircraft in these conditions."

Lucinda's mouth stayed ajar,as she remained aghast. She didn't know this part about Iris; how could she remain brave in a moment like this? She had a hunch that her friend was scared as well, but it struck her on how Iris tried to hide it.

When we were kids, Iris would always be jumpy once she heard a loud noise that came out of nowhere. Thus, I wonder what changed all of that? Maybe I haven't spent most of my time with her as I used to. Ever since our Senior Year in High School, Iris spent more time with her new boyfriend, Adrian. Never liked him since he seems to be controlling. Perhaps that must explain it.

"Come now, I won't buy that, Iris. How can you remain so calm? What if the plane went down?" Lucinda tightly held onto the handlebars of the side of her seat as she grew tense.

Whoosh!

"I understand your fear. But don't you remember Luci, that I've flown to Hawaii many times before. What you and I experienced is normal. And my cousin told me that pilots are put through rigorous testing and training to deal with these turbulences. He's studying to become a pilot himself. So, don't be uptight!"

Squirming in her seat, Lucinda became hysterical!

Uptight? Who's uptight? Okay, I'm getting a bit edgy now and my hands are shaking, but it's because of you!

Since she did not want to cause a commotion, Lucinda remained quiet, yet she pouted. Dismayed because she could not understand this airplane jargon Iris was talking about.

Lucinda nodded as she didn't know what else to say, but was glad that the abrupt movements have now stopped.

- - - -

Earlier, Lucinda's constant outbursts caused her irritable seatmate on her left to continuously stare at her as if he wanted to wring her neck.