Sparks #Wattys2016

The Bump-in.

The terminal was packed with passengers waiting in lines to get checked in. It was summertime, and the airport was like a fish market. Only with more people and less stink.

Mira was sitting on a cold metal chair with her luggage in front of her. The whole airport scene had become so familiar, it felt like home. To most people, her life was exceedingly exciting. Being an international student studying in the U.S. she would travel home once a year or once in four months. Going away to a different country for the summer, or for Christmas was a dream for most people. But for her, it was reality. 

Checking her watch for the hundredth time, she sighed deeply realizing there was still five hours to go until her next flight. The book she had bought earlier that day was a bad choice. It did not draw her in, didn't pique her interest in any manner. Disappointed, she placed it back in her bag. 

Her phone vibrated and a warm smile formed on her face when she saw a text from her mom.

Mom: What are you doing now? Are you bored?

Mira: Yeah... I'm just sitting. Five more hours to go... :( 

Mom: Go get something to eat. You will feel better. And maybe read a book.

Mira: Okay mom, you go to bed. It's super late there. I'll message you again after I check in. 

She couldn't wait to reach home. Being so far away from her parents had taken quite a toll on her. There was a void in her heart that had taken place as soon as she said goodbye to them, on the first day of college. 

Taking her mothers' advice, she made her way towards the only cafe in the terminal. It was crowded as usual and she took a seat at the very corner of the small room after placing her order. Taking out the book again from her backpack, she made another attempt at reading it. 

The story gradually got better and Mira couldn't help getting sucked in by the protagonist's adventures. So immersed into the story was she, that when a hand tapped on her shoulder she let out a yelp and dropped the book she was reading. 

Placing a hand on her heart, like the dramatic she was, she turned around to see who the intruder was, fully intending on making some smart comment on how he had the very worst timing. 

But her words drowned in her throat as she gazed upon the new comer who was now smiling down at her, blue eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Hey Mira, how's it going?" He asked with what seemed like genuine interest.  

Mira stared at him, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Her brain seemed to have gone into overdrive, unable to form coherent sentences. His smirk widened and she could tell that he knew the effect he had on her. Blood rushed to her face at this thought and she forced herself to act normal. 

"Heeeeeeyyyy Kaleb! I'm good, how are you? What are you doing here? Where are you headed to?" The questions came out of her mouth rapidly, and she bit her lip to keep from rambling on. Something had taken over the steering wheel of her brain the minute she saw him. 

Kaleb chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly as he looked at Mira with amusement.  "I am travelling to India for the summer. I got an internship there for some international experience."

Mira's heart thumped furiously against her rib cage. But thankfully, her curiosity allowed her to ask a relevant question. 

 "Really? Where in India?"  

"Bangalore. Where are you headed to?" He asked, sitting down on the seat in front of her. 

Mira's lashes swept up, and she blinked. She could see his biceps flex as he placed his elbows on the table. He had involuntarily leaned forward in the process, and was now close enough that she could count the different shades of blue in his eyes.