MAYA

™

I had left the island of Malta.

Many things had gone awry, fate had frowned on me, life had happened.

My flight would leave in 30 minutes.

As I walked into the plane and checked for my seat. I found it, it was next to the window.

I sighed!

I loved sitting next to the window.

I love the scenery as we get suspended in mid air, love seeing the magical view of a country turn smaller and smaller until the sea wraps it arms around it. I love watching the clouds speed past as I release my thoughts into its wisps.

I had sat on my seat, staring absentmindedly through the window, waiting for the other passengers to check into theirs so we'd prepare for take-off.

Then it came back to me.

Everything I had gone through in past years, the trials, the struggles, the pain.

The reminisce of how I had gotten so close to victory until the devil walked in.

I was still lost in a plethora of thoughts when I felt some weight crash into the seat next to mine.

I didn't budge, I didn't turn.

It didn't concern me, it was none of my business, I just needed sometime to brood.

When I eventually turned I was met with the face of a white girl, a blonde with the most amazing eyes I had ever seen - deep blue with a shade of hazel.

I didn't know when I spurted a "Hi"

She replied with a "Hi" too.

And I gently turned back to my thoughts.

****

It was the voice from the speakers that tapped me back into consciousness, as it asked that we fasten our belts and prepare to fly.

I was making to strap mine, when my headphone fell. And before I could reach for it, she had picked it and gently offered it to me.

I took it from her and said ' Thank you '.

Thereafter we didn't say much to each other as I was engrossed watching a movie - The Jungle Book, from a screen right in front of me.

In a matter of minutes, we would arrive Istanbul, Turkey. Where I would be having a 16hr 25mins transit, before connecting with a flight to Lagos.

But 20 minutes before our plane touched down on our destination, somehow we got talking and I asked her why she came to Malta.

I had watched her face turn pale, her smile disappear. And what was left in its wake was sadness.

She didn't want to discuss it, so I didn't prod further.

The speaker came alive again, asking that we straighten our seats and brace ourselves for landing.

*****

As we walked out into the arrival lounge I had asked that she stayed around, that we sit together since she also would be on transit for 2 hours before departing for Lithuania whence she came.

She agreed.

And together we went looking for a comfortable space to share.

Then for a first time I noticed she was really beautiful. Asides the crippling magic in her eyes, the endearing cascade of her flowing hair, she was indeed beautiful!

Not the sexy kind of beautiful, not that kind that comes with huge curves and graceful edges.

I mean a beautiful kind of beautiful.

A look that makes you think of wild mountains, extinct flowers and lush gardens.

I was a little hungry and suggested we go get a meal ticket from the airline office since I personally was having a long transit.

She wasn't hungry she told me, and asked that I go get mine, while she watches over my hand luggage.

I left.

And after some minutes came back with a tray of grilled chicken, chips and a can of Pepsi.

I offered her some and she with a soft laugh brushed my hands off.

" I am really not hungry truly, else I'd have eaten some " she said.

" I am also not so hungry myself, but I wanted this moment with you, to watch how beautifully you eat "

I said as I offered her the tray.

She laughed.

The most beautiful sound I had heard in recent times and took some chips.

And when she made to eat, I stopped and watched.

I had never before seen an angel, but at that moment, I thought she was Uriel.

After we had eaten, we talked some more. And it was while we talked that she opened up about her visit to Malta.

She had gone to see her Father. He was down with cancer.

Separated from her mother.

She had stayed in the hospital with him until he lost the fight and breathed his last.

Waited until he was buried, and now she was going back home.

I felt sorry for her.

I understood the feeling of having lost a parent.

I did.

Without thinking I took her hands in mine and whispered her my condolence.

She felt better.

She probably did cuz she smiled and told me it was okay.

****

It was time for her to leave.

Her connecting flight would start check-in in exactly 30 minutes.

She thanked me for staying by her, for listening to her story, for sharing mine.

As she made to leave, I asked if I could hug her, and my question was replied with her throwing her arms around me as a thousand eyes stared at us wondering if we were love birds.

I know many would ask if I collected her contacts .

No I didn't.

Cuz I have come to realize that some things aren't meant for one to have, no matter how beautiful.

I remember waving at her, as she hurried through the crowd into oblivion.

And myself turning back to my thoughts, praying and hoping that the future has promises for me.

Her name was Maya!

#Maya

© Noel Ijezie