The Airport Encounter

The conversations...

“Here you go, ms. here’s your hand bag.” said the man.
“Thank you.” I answered.
Then as I looked at him and him looking at me, I just felt this sudden burst of emotions I never really felt before. I just felt home. Like, this guy in front of me is home. I couldn’t understand it. I was drawn to him but at the same time I know he’s just a stranger. I gotta snap out of this, this is quite embarrassing feeling this way he may notice.
“My name is Eric, by the way. Hope nothing in your bag got damaged, ms.” said this man whose name is Eric.
“Oh, thank you Eric. There are no breakables here so for sure everything’s alright. Umm, My name is Susan by the way.” I answered.
“Oh, Susan… Nice bumping into you. Pardon me but I feel like I’ve known you somewhere. *started to laugh a little* But I know it couldn’t be. You’re probably American, right? I’m from Australia by the way and I’m catching my flight back to Melbourne.”
“Yes, I’m American.” *I started to laugh a bit too, his laughter and that big smile on his face is just contagious it makes me feel good and happy* “And I am catching my flight to JFK.” I answered.
“Cool. You travelling alone, Susan?” He asked.
“Yes.” I answered.
“Oh, with all these bags, would you mind if I help you as you check in for your flight? I insist, if you don’t mind.”
“Hmm… Well, if you insist. *I chuckled.*” Then he assisted me to the check-in counter which is just one aisle away from his. We both checked in our luggages and went to the waiting area. I was waiting for my flight to JFK and he’s waiting for his flight back to Melbourne and as it turns out, our gates are just next to each other.
“Can we sit together, Susan? I have 3 hours to spare before boarding, I would love to have someone to chat with to past the time.” He asked.
“Hmm… well, I guess that won’t hurt. I have about less than 2 hours before boarding though so I guess I’d be leaving you to be on your own for an hour then. *I can’t help but chuckle again. Gosh what is happening to me?*
“Okay, then. Would you like some coffee? I could get some coffee for us. I have to tell you, I am not a morning person and at this time my mind’s still unplugged *laughs*I’d get coffee so would you want one too?” He asked with such an irresistible way I couldn’t resist.
“Sure.” I said.
As he left to get our coffee, I started to feel a bit uncomfortable about myself. What am I thinking sitting with this stranger as I wait for my flight back to New York to be with my fiancé? Fiancé for crying out loud! Fiancé! Snap out of it, Susan. But I also thought about the innocence of such an encounter. Well, we are just passing the time and sitting at the airport waiting for your flight is quite boring indeed and he seems to be a good man. Someone who doesn’t seem to want to cause any harm. He’s just friendly and who am I to turn down his friendly gesture? But to be sure I was watching him like a hawk. I want to see if he’d be doing something to the coffee. Oh gosh he’d buy me coffee! What if he’d put something in it? All these thoughts started pouring in and I panicked. So I watched him, made sure I won’t skip anything. So he ordered for coffee, the nice lady gave him two cups of coffee and I saw him happily pay for the coffee and immediately walked straight towards our seats. Hmm, okay, he didn’t put anything in my coffee. I guess he’s not a bad guy after all. He just wanted company… And must admit, having him to chat with appears exciting. What is it about this man I find so familiar? I couldn’t understand it. And, I just couldn’t escape it. It feels like I’m drawn to him.
Okay so he’s here holding our cups of coffee and with that big friendly smile on his face I smiled back and received the cup of coffee he offered.
“So, what made you fly so far away from home, Susan?” he asked.
“Well, I just happen to have my last ever backpacking experience. I actually travelled a few countries around Asia this round. I first visited China then went to Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore and last stop is here in the beautiful city of Bangkok. How about you?” I smiled waiting for his story why he is in this exotic place.
“Wow you’re such an adventurer, aren’t you? Well, I’m here for a business trip actually.” He said.
“What kind of business?” I asked.
“Well, nothing exciting really.” He said with that little burst of laughter again.
“Oh, come on. Just tell me. We have around 2 hours worth of time talking, might as well talk about how we happen to visit such a country as Thailand?” I smiled while glancing at his beautiful blue eyes… Okay, snap out of it, Susan. But his eyes are just so beautiful.
“Well, I’m working for a manufacturing company and I usually travel around looking for good manufacturer of different types of textiles. Thailand is one that offers such products and so I came here.” He explained. “Hmm, I see that look on your face, you find it boring don’t you?” He giggled.
*Laughing* “Well, not really boring but just not that exciting. But were you able to explore around on your trips?”
“Well, I usually don’t have that much time on my hand but every now and then after work I would walk around to see the place and when I have the chance I would sit somewhere where I could watch the sunset. I am amazed at the beauty of the sunset and it’s ours to enjoy daily. It reminds me that everything has an end but every ending starts a whole new beginning. It’s magical, you know?” He said and I could see and feel him with just the expression of joy on his face, he meant it.
“Well, you’re right. But to me sunsets make me feel a bit sad.”
“Why so?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s the hue of the sky. Maybe.  Or maybe because it is to me a signal that the day is ending and I am closer to saying goodbye to something great again.”
“Ah-ha… You hate goodbyes? Is that it?” He asked.
Feeling a little bit uncomfortable “Well, I am not sure… Maybe I am. Or maybe I am just afraid of what I’d be saying hello to next? Or maybe I am afraid of what I will do again?” I laughed.
“Oh no, you shouldn’t be afraid of what or where life is going to take you. Just go with the flow. Every hello means goodbye and every goodbye starts another hello. It is a cycle and that cycle is called life. Just embrace it, Susan. Just try to see the sunset and just breathe in its power. You’d see life in a more joyful light y’know.” He said. Now I’m thinking this guy has substance. I am more drawn to him. I want to stop myself but I just don’t understand why I just can’t stop talking to him. I feel like I have a lot to learn from this man. Oh wait, Susan hold your horses. You are going home… back in the arms of your fiance’. He might not be so happy you’re talking to a guy this way. But, what is wrong with just talking? Just an exchange of ideas. Nothing wrong with it? Or is there? Oh, I don’t know. I guess there’s really no harm in it.
It felt like we’ve been talking and talking. As the clock is ticking I felt even more drawn to him. This man, a man named Eric, I don’t even know his last name and I don’t even want to ask, in this foreign place, is here talking to me and I feel like I’ve known him my whole life. I get to share with him my thoughts, my ideas, my passions in life. He get to share his too with no hesitations, no holding back… Is this how it’s really like to talk to strangers in a foreign airport? I laughed at the thought. Of course this is different. This is too special and I cannot stop myself. I am drawn to this man but this can’t be. Oh gosh, if only I’m single… Snap out of it, Susan. You are NOT single. You are engaged. Remember that… Remember that… But, I’ve never felt this way before…
“Susan, I hope you don’t mind. I want to ask you something.” He obviously looks a bit nervous.
“What is it, Eric?” I asked.
“Well, to be honest, I am not the very friendly type. But, I just couldn’t pass up the chance to talk to you. When I saw you I just felt immediately drawn to you. And here we are in the airport with you alone and I’m travelling alone, I thought it would be nice to know you. I didn’t think much of it but I couldn’t help but feel…”
“Feel what?” I interrupted.
“Feel something I have never felt… Well, not this way. I don’t know. I feel so alive. I become more excited about life now. It’s like I want to bring you out to watch the sunset together. I feel like I could stare at the sunset and see it more differently this time. Like it’s a lot more filling. Like it’s going to be the same sunset but it just excites me more for what will come next… Do you know what I mean?” He asked.
“Umm, no.” I answered nervously.
“Susan, can I ask for your number? Can I call you when you’re back in New York? It’s almost boarding time for you and I just couldn’t pass up the chance of asking you. Perhaps we could meet again sometime. Or perhaps we could get in touch through Facebook or something.” He asked with that nervous and hopeful look on his face.
“Oh, Eric, I couldn’t. My fiance’ wouldn’t be so happy with that idea.” I said with a smile but somehow I felt my heart is breaking. Why do I feel this way? Why do I feel like I am breaking up with someone so amazing? It is starting to hurt… Why does it hurt?
“Oh, I didn’t know… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ask that. I just wanted to get to know you, be a friend.” He stopped… paused… smiled… stared at me eye to eye and he started to giggle. “Well, I guess it is what it is then. I did enjoy our conversation, Susan. I hope you did too.”
“Yes, I did. I am glad you asked me to sit and chat. I didn’t even notice the time.” I laughed… but with a thorn on my throat it felt.