Lost In Long-Distance.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I opened my eyes and felt something unusual in my stomach.

‘Ella, wake up, we’re landing.’

I looked out of the window and all I saw were white, dusty clouds. My little brother was sitting next to me, his eyes widened when we began to see landscapes. We started seeing cars, which were the same size as the top of my pink. My brother squeezed my hand and then we all felt a little shock through our bodies. We landed in the Netherlands. I’ve never been in the Netherlands. The last time we went to Turkey, we had a stop in France.

‘Ella, can I open my eyes?’ my little brother asked.

‘Of course, look.’ I said while he opened his eyes and looked out of the window. It felt different. Although we would only spend a few hours here, I would definitely buy myself a souvenir.

We walked out of the airplane and I began to feel very cold. I closed my jacked while we walked to the shops. My mother bought us all a drink and we sat down for a bit.

I took my phone out of my pocket and turned it on. I felt a little vibration: I finally received a message! I immediately opened the message and all I saw was:

C-you soon! xoxo T.

Tina didn’t even try to wish me a nice holiday. Well, whatever, I don’t need her. This year I’m going to enjoy myself and make it the best vacation ever (not knowing that it was going to be unforgettable!). I put my phone back in my pocket and looked around the airport. Tons of different people were walking with bags, suitcases and trolleys. I could hear some people talk Dutch, but I didn’t understand a word of it.

Benjamin, my youngest brother, was pinching my arm.

‘Ella, can we please go get an ice-cream?’

I looked at my mother to get an approval. She nodded, so we walked towards the shop. Troy, my other brother, followed us in the hope that he would get ice too.

‘Do you want to sit next to me, Ella?’ Troy asked.

We walked into our airplane which would bring us straight to Turkey.

‘Sure. Do you want to sit next to the window?’ I asked, already knowing that he wanted to.

He nodded and settled down. I sat down next to him and left an empty seat on my other side. The rest found themselves a seat already so I hoped the seat next to me would be left empty. I placed my jacket and bag on the seat.

When I was about to close my eyes, I heard someone clear his throat.

‘Burası boş mu?’

I looked confused. What was that guy saying? Instead of asking what he meant, I just took my jacket and bag and put it on the ground, in front of my feet.

‘Sağol’, he said, after putting on a smile.

I smiled and nodded. I had no idea what this guy was saying. It was probably Turkish, seeing that our flight was going to Turkey. He might have thought that I was Turkish as well. I have dark brown hair and dark eyes.

He settled down and I peeked to see what he was trying to get out of his bag. I saw a newspaper with the heading ‘SABAH’. I started to get more interested by the language. What does that word mean? What did the guy ask me? The last time I went to Turkey, I never really noticed the language. I just enjoyed staying at the hotel, nothing more.

I secretly tried to read along with the guy, but I didn’t understand a word. I had to know what was in there, I had to know what had just asked me.

‘Excuse me, can I ask you something?’ I said, looking at the guy.

He smiled and let down his paper.

‘Of course, what is it?’

Thank God, he understands English.

‘I don’t understand or speak Turkish. What did you just ask me? And what does ‘Sabah’ mean?’

The guy smiled again.

‘You want to learn?’ he asked.

I nodded and smiled. I couldn’t be happier right now.