Waves, Sunsets, & Coffee

Chapter 3.1

     "Take care there alright?" My cousin says and I give him a good hug before parting ways.
     "You too. But take care of my baby too." I tell him, referring to my car I left at his house.
     "Have a safe flight Al. Love you."
     "Love you too."
     "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 8A9 with service from Adelaide to Vancouver, Canada. We are expected to be in the air in approximately ten minutes time. Please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Mountain Airlines. Enjoy your flight."
     The captain says through the intercom as the passengers obliged.
     True to his word, in about ten minutes, the plane took off and we're already in the air. I placed my earphones on and listened to some music as I read my book while the flight attendants were instructing the passengers about safety things.
     "This is my daughter. She's 19." An old lady sitting beside me shows a picture of a little girl.
     "She's cute. What's her name?" I ask.
     "Alex."
     "Really?" I asked and tears started falling from her eyes. She was crying.
     I don't usually converse with people I barely know, but I feel a different aura with this lady. So with that I comforted her.
     "May I ask why you're crying?"
     "My... my daughter... I lost my daughter. She... she took her own life and I didn't even see it. I should've seen it. I'm her mother." She cried even more as my heart broke for her. I don't know how hard it is for a mother to lose their child.
     I remembered a scene from The Lord of the Rings. It was the part where a father's son died and during his funeral, he said, "No parent should have to bury his child."
     "Hey. It's not your fault alright? You shouldn't be too hard on yourself." I tell her, trying to comfort her.
     "Whatever she did, I'm sure she wants you to be happy. She wants you to live your life. Don't blame yourself for what happened." There was a moment of silence then soon, she wiped her tears away.
     "Thank you dear. What's your name?" She asks and I smile at her.
     "My name's Alex." She gasped the moment she heard that and went in to give me a hug. I was surprised by the sudden action, but I gave her a hug back. She needed it.
     The lady who introduced herself as Mari was able to calm herself as she thanks me endlessly. I let her rest as she needed it and went back to reading my book.
     "This is your captain speaking..."
     I was almost at the next chapter when I heard Mari whispering.
     "Lord. Thank you. Thank you for giving me another moment with my daughter. Thank you for sending this young lady. Thank you O Lord."
     Mari prays and I'll be honest. I'm not religious, but that touched me. I'm happy I was able to make someone happy today."
     "Ladies and gentlemen. Please fasten your seatbelt."
     Soon, the plane landed and I'm currently waiting for my other luggages as I texted Liam that I'll be out soon.
     Home sweet home. Finally.
     I walk out the airport doors and there waiting for me is the familiar face of Liam.
     After two years of not seeing him in person, he's definitely changed.
     He grew out his facial hair and now has a lean body with muscles in all the right places. He also now has a more structured face, making him look older than he really seems.
     Though he still has the same hair that I've always liked. His long, golden brown hair falls down on his face, trying to look for me in this crowd.
     I walked to him and soon we locked eyes and gave each other a smile.
     "Alex!" He shouts and welcomes me in a tight hug.
     "It's so good to see you!" He says.
     "Hey Liam."
     "God! Look how much you've grown! You lost all your baby fats damn." He says as if teasing me.
     "Hey so where are you staying?" Liam asks and at that moment I knew I fucked up. Oh shit.
     "Alex?"
     "Fuck fuck fuck. Ugh how could I forget to rent an apartment? I'm so stupid holy fuck." I exclaim, frustrated at myself for forgetting such important detail.
     While I'm suffering the consequences, Liam, in the driver's seat laughs. The audacity!
     "You're seriously laughing?"
     "Some things never change huh." He says.
     "What do you mean by that?" I ask him and yet he ignores me.
     "You can stay at my place." He says and my eyes widen.
     "Nah. I don't wanna bother you and your fam. I can find my own place."
     "Yeah no shit. You're staying with me. Plus my parents are out."
     "Fine."
     Soon, we reached his two story house and he helped me bring my luggages inside.
     "Thanks." I say as he leads me to one of their guest rooms.
     "You can stay here for now." He says and leaves me inside to settle down.
     It was a decent looking room with beige painted walls. I plump down the bed and the mattress is so soft I could fall asleep. That flight tired me gosh.
     I guess a short nap won't hurt.