NOVEMBER GOT ME YOU

Chapter 20

STEVE'S P.O.V

I dialed Heathrow more than 40 times each minute. It was frustrating knowing there must be hundreds of people dialing the same customer care number from around the world. It was 3:13 AM and I haven't slept. My eyes have probably popped out of their place as I have been stayed awake for 30 hours now but I was not going to stop. Dina might be still alive.

Or not.

"Uncle Reynold? Is that you?"

"Uh..."

That voice signed he was unsure of me. Yes I haven't talked to them for couple years, but I had no more relatives in London to do it for me, but him.

"I'm Steve."

"Steve?"

"I know, I'm sorry it's been a long time."

"No it's okay. It's nice to hear your voice again. I was guessing because we only have talked for five minutes last time."

"Yeah right. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. How are you son?"

"Not too good." I bit my nails because couldn't wait to go straight and tell him. "Uncle, I know this is unpolite but I really need your help. Are you in London?"

"I just left Birmingham to London now, I'm in the train."

"Thank goodness. Can I ask you a favor please?"

"Sure."

"My friend is trapped in that plane crash. I have no idea how to reach Heathrow because haven't even got in the line yet. Could you..."

"And your friend's name is...?"

"Dina Filan- no, Dina Sapitri."

"I'll be reaching London in 1,5 hours. For now there's nothing you can do except to keep trying to call Heathrow. I'll go to the airport when I arrive."

"Thank you so much Uncle Reynold I really appreciate it."

"Absolutely. Not a problem at all."

That's all I could do. Uncle Reynold was the only person I could reach by now. He's my father's younger brother and been living in Birmingham for quite ten years now. I hope he could find anything about Dina and the rest of passengers and crews.

***

Oh, I finally fell asleep. Woke up at 6:20 this morning to a missed call and text from my uncle.

Half of the airplane's body was survived floating in the ocean. They're rescuing. Still expecting names of identified victims.

I half died again. Still had nothing from Dina. She might be floating for hours now in the ocean only with a life vest to survive, or has died freezing far off the shore because it's December and you know what's that meant.

I'll find the first flight to London, I responded him.

I wasn't joking. My work has currently done for now so I had free time. I lived only by myself. Had nothing to worry about. So I quickly packed my bag with anything handy, and drove myself to Dina's house.

"Good morning?"

"Steve..."

I caught her weak body in perfect time calculation. Her mother has been very distraught. I took a moment to let them breathe.

"I'm sorry I still can't find Dina yet... However I have my uncle doing whatever needed to get the information. He's at the airport right now."

They didn't say anything. Both bowed and cried.

"And I'm leaving for London in 5 hours. That's the first flight I could find today as Heathrow almost can't handle flight's overlapping schedule. I should be in London in two days."

"I'm coming with you..." Dad with his shaky voice tried to convince me.

"With all respect, Sir. But it's not the wisest decision. I'll keep you updated every single minute."

"Thank you Steve..."

"Not a problem at all Mom. Let me find her for you." I nodded in disappointment. Almost could never prove it to them, probably.

Then I left her house after one complicated talk with them both. I let them rest. And in the mean time, I needed to catch up my schedule. Later at the airport, I parked my car at the overnight parking lot and got a bus to drive me further inside the arrival gate. Queue-ing, checking in, I finally got a perfect time to call the same person I bothered yesterday, again.

"Steve? Hi, didn't expect you to call." He answered my call fast.

"Do I interrupt your sleep?"

"Not exactly, I'm staying overnight making music. Is there something?"

"Con... I'd suggest you to put down anything you're doing, before-"

"What happened to her?"

He deepened his deep tone. It sucks to always be the one who brought people bad news. But I guess her parents didn't have his number and would be too weak to tell everybody about their daughter, but at the same time, Connor deserved to know.

"She's having plane crash."

"Crap."

"Con I swear I mean it."

"If this is as funny as April Fool for you, then Steve I'm not feeling like playing. It's kinda late in here anyway. Good night, or good whatever timezone you're in."

He rudely ended the call. But how. I would just do even worse thing if I ever dealed with things like this.

"Connor, listen to-"

"Do not try to mess up with me-"

"Okay stop it!" I shouted. "Now get your freaking eyes stick to the headline news on TV or anywhere and find that crashed plane they've been talking about! Or if you care enough to do the geographical math, please find the attached longitude to confirm you where the plane last read on the radar!"

He breathed heavily. Processing, I guess. I wasn't mad at Connor. It's just how guys dealed with emotional situation. Somebody has to shut one mouth in order to ask them to listen.

"I'm on my way to London as I just found one quick ticket. Now tell me where the joke is." I cleared my throat to lower my temper. "Think I'm gonna grab some coffee as my flight's about to board. See you somewhere if you care."

I had to. He must be processing all stuff right now but I let him. I wouldn't contact him til I reached London. I didn't even care if Connor was upset or something. Because if he was, please tell him that all I cared about now was Dina's life.