As soon as I heard of my father's disappearance, I almost went nuts trying to convince my aunt Jasmine to let me go to Australia, I was in a miserable state that I didn't think about what I was doing or asking. All I cared about that time was to look for my father.
I couldn't accept the fact that my father was gone. No, I wasn't in denial either. I know, at least hope that my father is alive somewhere and I am going to find him and bring him back home.
I had been begging my aunt for months now, trying to be a good boy and get on her good side in the hope that my aunt would trust me to finally let me go. But no, she was too stubborn. On my 17th birthday my aunt finally let me go.
I had mixed feelings about the news. At first, I was happy that my aunt finally let me go, excited that I can finally go and look for my father. Despite all of the excitement I was nervous for what I might find out on my trip. I know very well that my luck totally sucks. It's as if when God showed luck around the world, I was on my bed, dead asleep with drool dripping from my mouth.
After getting permission from my aunt, I immediately booked a flight to Australia, a flight that is about to leave in two hours from now!
I was currently wrestling with my suitcase, trying to zip it closed. All of the things I bought for the last week were tossed messily in the suitcase." Come on"! I grunt and sit on it, putting my weight on the damn thing.
All the things I hate about traveling, it's packing.
With one final push I was able to zip it all up. I fell on the floor and let out a breath of relief, finally done at last.
My door suddenly opened and my aunt came in. She is a slim woman with an amazing figure despite her age. Her blond hair was tied into a tie bun, which showed off her pale and smooth neck. She looked at her with her cerulean eyes, giving me a scrutinizing look. Mithun, are you ready? The flight is in a couple of hours. We should probably get going.
I beamed at her." I am ready." I said and got up. I grabbed my carry-on bag and swung it over my shoulder before grabbing my suitcase. I looked at my aunt again to show her I was ready.
About time my aunt said emotionally for me to follow before leaving I started to follow her. When I happened to pass by my mirror, I stopped to look at my reflection. I am not exactly what you would say a normal-looking boy. Sure, my light brown hair is very plain looking but add in my green eyes and it would really draw some attention, especially when you have white strands of hair framing your face like mine. My father told me that it was what made me unique and he told me that it was one of my handsome features and one that would make me easily recognizable.
Absence mindedly, I touched my hair and remember how Father used to play with it. He and I were very close since I lost my mother before I could even remember.
shaking off the memory, I grabbed my stuff and left my room.
***
We arrived early at the airport so we could take our seats as we waited for my flight, "Mithun, "I' m gonna go and grab you a bite to eat. Aunt said she got up from her seat and took her wallet with her.
"No, Aunt Jasmine, I am all right, I said, and gave her a reasoning smile. I am not hungry, really. I miss insisted. I was feeling really embarrassed and grateful for all she had done for me so far. She cared for me like a mother would. feed me and took me in after my father's disappearance. He even paid for my fare flight and the new clothes in my suitcase. What she had done for me was already enough and I don't want her to spend another penny for me and my silly expenses.
"Don't be silly," it's a long trip. I want you to eat something, "she said, stubbornly and before I could stop her. She was gone; I sighed.
Well what could you do? I thought as I slumped on my chair. I grabbed one of the books that I pulled with me and started flipping through the pages until I found my bookmark. My mind was suddenly pulled into the story as I upload all the words on the pages. Whenever I'm writing I always feel like being sucked into a different world where I can be someone else. It was the only way I could escape the cruel reality. Sometimes I even wish that I could just live in the pages and live the life that the characters are having.
A slight movement caught my eye. I looked up from my book and saw a woman in a far corner looking straight at me. I couldn't decipher the color of her eyes, but I could just see that under the hoodie. I saw a hint of white hair hovering above her eyes. When our eyes met, I saw her smirk and she pulled her hoodie lower. He broke eye contact and stuffed her hands into his gray hoodie before she left.
I swallowed suddenly, feeling a chill run down my spine. Somehow, I felt a sense of foreboding and for a slight second, the thought of cancelling my trip came to my mind.
"Hey," I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped in surprise. "Are you okay?" my aunt asked, her eyes lined with worry when she saw my terrified look.
"Yeah," I'm all right. I replied quickly, flushing all my doubts about this trip. I smiled at my aunt.
Jasmine gave me a depraved look. Are you OK? You look pale. She said, handed me a burger. I took it and greeted with thanks.
"I'm always pale "I said, still trying to lighten up the mood.
My aunt chuckled. "Yeah, I can see that". I smiled weakly at her, happy that I was able to drive the subject before she would send something and force me to cancel my trip.
My eyes darted back to where the strange man stood but he was gone.
***
My aunt took me to my flight. She was crying as she held on to me, almost begging for me to change my mind and stay but I was firm on my decision and stop to my ground. Lucky for me that my aunt is reasonable and understanding enough to let me go. She knows how important this is for me and knows how much this would help me emotionally. If ever I don't find my teeth about my father in Australia, then at least it would serve as a cushion for me to recover.
"Mithu!!," my head big up at the sound of a familiar voice I know all too well.
My eyes searched for the owner of the voice. Although it was faint, I know it was her. she was by the two doors of the building and being held by the guards. Her black hair was tousled, messily as she with the guards' The grey eyes looking scared at, they found mine. There was urgency in them that I couldn't fathom. "Mithun, don't go! please, don't go. Looking at her brought back painful memories that I have away.
She was supposed to be my friend.
"Mithun." My aunt stoked my arm struck my arm gently as if she was afraid that I would break. As of that moment, I'm ready too. won't you talk to her? After all you two have been together for so long don't you want to say goodbye?