TaengSic (COMPILATION)

Terminal Time (OS)

"What? The flight's delayed? Delayed for six hours??"

I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the announcement over the public address system at the airport.

Grabbing my backpack, I went to the nearest TV screen to check if I misheard the annoucement. I blinked twice when I saw the new flight time. It was indeed six hours later, at 4.18am. That meant a total of eight hours roaming around the airport because I had to arrive two hours than the earlier flight time to complete my check-in procedures.

I was looking forward to a good sleep on the plane after a long tiring day of endless meetings with my client. The business class bed was calling out to me, the warm blanket was waiting to wrap me in its warmth and the fluffy pillow was ready to cushion my head. Plus, my phone was low on battery. I meant to charge it on board during my long flight. I sent a quick text to my family and boss, informing them of my flight delay. In the nick of time, the angry red battery indicator blinked and the phone shut down. Now, I could only count down to the moment I get on the plane.

I headed for the boarding gate, just to convince myself that the flight was truly delayed. Maybe my ears and eyes were playing tricks on me after a long day of meetings. The scene at the boarding gate confirmed my fear. There were numerous disgruntled people. Some of them were pacing back and forth, some were making calls to see if they could change their flights while a few of them found suitable spots at the rows of chairs and prepared to sleep until it was time to fly.

Resigned to my fate, I decided there was no point hanging around the boarding gate, hence I went to the shops. Fortunately some of them were still open. I read somewhere that retail therapy had a lasting positive impact on a person's mood and I needed that right now.

After half an hour, I got myself a magazine and a book. It had been ages since I last touched a book and I thought tonight was the perfect opportunity to pick up the reading habit again. I found a cosy row of chairs at the viewing gallery, plugged in my earphones and began leafing through the book.

Some time later, I felt someone tapping my arm.

"Excuse me."

It was then I realised I had dozed off while reading. So much for trying to pick up the reading habit again. The stranger, a young woman with blonde hair, had folded my scarf neatly and placed it on my backpack which was on the chair next to me. I remembered seeing her at the boarding gate earlier on. Her sharp Asian features and blonde hair stood out among the crowd. She had a look of arrogance and appeared rather unfriendly when talking to the staff at the counter. Despite that, she was definitely good looking in a plain short sleeve top and skinny jeans.

I pulled out my earphones and stood up, meeting her eye to eye.

"Your scarf and backpack fell onto the floor." Her voice was gentle and it contrasted with her arrogant look.

"Thank you. I must have dozed off while reading," I replied appreciatively.

She peered at my hand, attempting to see the title of the book I was reading. I held it up for her.

Freakonomics – A Rouge Economist Explores The Hidden Side of Everything

"Bought it from the bookstore because it was one of the best sellers. Instant remedy for insomnia," I said, trying to crack a joke.

The corner of one side of her lips lifted up, resulting in a half smile. "Thanks for the recommendation. I'll be going. See you later."

"See you later." I waved and smiled. She was definitely a Korean though she spoke in American English earlier on. The security tag on her cabin bag stated that she was flying to Seoul, on the same flight as me. I wonder if she was heading home for going to Seoul for a visit.