Meant To Be

Chapter Two | Sophia

I look at myself in the huge mirror of the restroom. My hair is in the worst condition possible. I change it from a bun to a ponytail, which looks better. But still not good enough.

We get back to our seats on which we had kept our handbags to mark that they were occupied. I take my seat, and my eyes instantly begin a search for him. I don't know why I get so worried when I can't find him. But then, to my relief he emerges from the crowd and I see him walking back and forth near the counter again. His hands are in his pockets.

Boys aren't supposed to be beautiful. Why is he an exception created by the God? Oh God. I want to talk to him. Just a word with him. Just his name. Please God, I wish we are in the same flight. God please. Please please please pleeeeeaaase...

Argh, I am going crazy!

Why?!

"Sophia, let's go to the counter to ask what time will we board the plane," Mother says to me.

He has been visiting the counter again and again to ask the same. The typical impatient boy.

And this is a chance!

"Yeah okay!" I say and we both walk toward the counter.

I am going to walk by him.

I can't help but hold my breath as I cross him. Just cross him. I wish I bumped into him. I'm really not experienced in bumping into people knowingly. Oh, he was so near.

I roll my eyes at myself. Even if I couldn't bump into him, I could at least try to brush by him. Okay, I've got one more chance. I wait impatiently till Mom asks the receptionist about the boarding. And then we return.

My breath is paused again and just when I'm about to cross him, I close my eyes. What the hell? I didn't want to do that!

And he's left behind. Not even acknowledging my presence. Well, I don't even want him to. I look so bad.

But even if I can't talk to him, or bump into him just to say, "sorry" and hear him say, "it's okay", I have the complete right to watch him. Watch him do whatever he does. Forever. Bleah, why am I being so weird?

I am sitting again, listening the song One Thing (I certainly like it more now). I am expressionlessly staring at him when his eyes accidentally fall at me.

I am hit by a lightening. His eyes have met mine. It lasts for not even a fraction of second as I immediately look down at the ground, wishing that he didn't notice me staring at him.

No no no no no. Don't look at me. Don't look at me!

When I'm sure that he didn't notice me, I resume staring him.

"Passengers can board the plane. Please form a queue at gate number two. Please form a queue, passengers," the receptionist announces, and the whole swarm of people rushes to the gate. A whole lot of chaos takes its place and all I see are human figures all around me.

Me and my family are among the last ones to get in the line.

I'm never seeing him again. Ever. He disappeared in the crowd. Oh I still wish we were in the same plane. But I know that's not happening.

Damn, it has been one and half hour in this waiting area! It's freaking 7:10 am!

We take our seats in the plane. This airplane doesn't even have an executive class. And no television. What a shame.

I'm so sleepy, I haven't slept for days. The lights of the aircraft are already dim and we are provided with blankets. So I fall asleep as soon as it takes off.

I am awakened by the realization that my mouth is open, my jaw is hanging. It is so embarrassing! But my mouth always drops open when I sleep in this sitting position. That's why I hate such planes. Which are uncomfortable, comparatively so small and so crowded.

My mouth drops open whenever I try to sleep, waking me up after every five minutes. This is the Worst. Sleep. Ever.

I glance at the other passengers. Some are awake, creating noises, and some are asleep with hanging jaws. Great, I'm not alone. My sister is one of them too, but as usual, she looks cute. I don't know what my parents are doing, they're seated somewhere else.

I see the symbol above me that shows that we can open our seatbelts. I get up to go to the washroom and when I am halfway there, the plane suddenly tilts and I fall down. Ughhh.

"Sorry," I say as some people look at me.

There is a 'fasten seatbelts' symbol now. Great.

But I just walk to the washroom and get my work done because I waited too long and couldn't have it anymore. As soon as I step out, an air-hostess starts scolding me.

I nod to her as if I was listening and get back to my seat, trying to balance when I almost trip over again.

The rest of the flight is the same. Uncomfortable. And I have been super dumb. I would have cared if he was in this plane. But who cares now?

To my delight, the horrible aeroplane lands and we climb into an airport bus. We are in Chennai now!

But I'm feeling something strange. I glance around but everything is normal. This is weird.

We are standing in front of the conveyor belt, collecting baggage. That strange feeling is getting the best of me now. I try real hard to ignore it.

I pull out a trolley and place my bags and Zoya's on it. When we are ready to go, I listen to the feeling one last time and turn to look around.

And there... There he is.

The airport boy. He is standing by a conveyor belt with his trolley, talking to a guy older than him. They both laugh and do a high five.

A smile invades my face. So God certainly answered my wish. He was in the same plane as mine. I got the chance to see him again. This is wonderful.

I am not sad that I'm seeing him for the last time. I am very happy and satisfied that my wish was answered and I saw him again. I take a last look of his beautiful face and turn to reach my parents who are already ahead.

I won't forget this day ever. Mumbai to Chennai.