Chapter 2

“Window seat please,” Andy said at the counter. The woman in her 50’s stared at him while fixing her eyeglasses. “Let me check it for you, young man,” she said. “Please do, thank you,” Andy answered. “You know what, when I was your age, I always wanted to sit by the window as well. It’s mesmerizing when you see the sunset; you better check it out,” she said.

“What about the sunrise? Does it look the same as the sunset?” Andy answered, curious. The old woman gasped and looked at Andy in astonishment. “Ehhh? Sunrise? Everybody loves sunsets oh! And you’ll be too tired to even see the sunrise; you’d probably fall asleep and snore even before the sun comes out. Ha! Bad timing, I’m gonna apologize to you young man, tssskk, no more window seats. Look!” The old woman showed the monitor to Andy, she felt a bit sad when Andy let out a heavy sigh.

“Expecting a window seat huh? Okay, come here. I’ll tell you a secret,” she said. Andy came closer to the counter and he was surprised to hear what she whispered in his ear. “What? Is that even allowed?” he asked. “Tricky and risky but worth it if you get a window set, aye?” she answered while tapping the computer keyboard. “Hmmm, yeah, you got a point. But…” Andy answered with hesitation. The old woman raised her eyebrow to Andy and looked at him sternly. “Okay, I’ll try it then,” he said. “You got nothing to lose, young man. Just don’t tell anyone,” she said while winking at him. “Thank you,” Andy said. “No problem and enjoy your trip oh!” she responded. “Next please!”

Andy boarded his flight with cold sweats and numb hands as he saw the people inside the plane, they were busy putting their luggage inside the overhead bin. He stared at his plane ticket and walked closely to his seat. “I hate the aisle seat,” he muttered. Andy has no choice so he sat on his designated seat. He closed his eyes for a bit then decided to check his phone. He received loads of messages from his mother who misses him so much. He sent a message to her to calm his mum’s anxiety of being far away from him. Andy was sorting out his backpack when an old man came to sit on the window seat. “Hi!” the old man greeted him with a smile. “Hi!” Andy answered. He felt a little awkward, he never liked conversations from strangers and he hated socializing with people whom he barely knew. “Umm, excuse me. If you don’t mind, can we switch seats?” Andy asked, a bit nervous.

“Sorry kid, as much as I want to, I can’t,” the man said. “But why?” Andy asked. “Why? You tell me kid. Why do you want to switch seats with me? I paid for this seat,” he answered, annoyed. “I’m sorry Sir, well, you know… Ugh, this is really embarrassing,” Andy said while shaking his head. “What’s embarrassing, huh?” the man replied. “So this is where you are. I have been looking for you! Excuse me, Sir. Would you like to switch seats with me instead?” the woman sitting in front of them said. Andy spaced out when he realized that it was the woman he met inside the airport. The woman without a name for Andy and he didn’t even show a little bit of interest to know her name. “Hey! Fancy seeing you here,” Andy said, playing along with her idea. “Oh, you must be on your honeymoon!” the man said. “Sorry, it’s just a misunderstanding,” Andy responded. “It’s alright kid; I apologize if I’m a bit harsh a while ago,” he said then he looked at the woman, “Come here dear.”

“Oh, thank you so much. We really appreciate it, Sir,” she said. “Well, it’s not a good idea to separate a couple during their honeymoon. Please sit with your husband! I still remember when my daughter got married. Ahh, good old days,” he said, then he smiled at them. He sat on the window seat where the woman used to sit.

“Go, move there now,” she whispered to Andy. “Are you sure about this? Maybe you want to sit here too?” he asked out of curiosity. “It’s okay. All my life I had been sitting near the window. It won’t hurt to let you try it.”

“Thank you. It means a lot to me, thanks again.”

“No problem. I hope you don’t mind me sitting here next to you,”

“Of course not, after what happened, I doubt it. I’ll treat you to a meal because you saved me a lot of times.”

“You don’t have to do that but I also appreciate it. It’s going to be fun, I guess,”

“Fun? What do you mean fun?”

“Umm, nothing,”

She smiled at him. Andy smiled back then he felt a sudden tinge of pain inside his heart; an uneasy feeling which made his uncertainties blurry when it comes to women. “Calm down, stupid heart. Avoid eye contact.” After a failed relationship in the past, Andy built his walls higher and stronger. He locked his heart from the possibilities of falling in love again. He wanted to focus on reaching his goals this time because there was once someone in his life whom he made the center of his universe. She helped Andy build his empire of self-esteem when he was a loner who prefers to be with his books than socialize with other people. Unfortunately, she was also the reason why Andy has difficulties in trusting people again. Andy’s empire which they built together was damaged and destroyed when she chose to cheat on him; nothing was left to Andy except the ashes of hope that someday, he could still build his empire even if he has to build it all by himself.

“Please let me go! I want to go home,” Andy cried. “You can go home if you can find the exit door, loser! If you can‘t find it, then you‘ll be stuck in this room. Let‘s go boys, before anyone sees us!”

“Nooo, please! Let me come with you. I‘m scared, it‘s so dark in here!” Andy cried, begging.

“See you in the morning, loser!” Andy cried so much saying, “Noooo! Please! Don‘t close the door!”

But it‘s too late for Andy, the bullies closed the door and he was left alone and panting. Catching his breathing, struggling for his life. The dark room has no windows; it used to be a recording room and could only be opened from the outside. Andy fell on the ground, groaning in pain as he hit his arm on a pile of palettes.

“Ouuuccchhh, help! Please help me! I can‘t breathe! Ugghhh!” Andy screamed while crying. He reached out for an object and used his remaining energy to throw it so he could find his way out. He heard a sound not far from him and he tried to walk towards its direction. As he was walking, he heard a voice from the outside. “Andy! Where are you?”  Though struggling, Andy was able to fasten up his pace towards the door. “I‘m here! Please open the door! Please! I can‘t breathe and my arm,” he sobbed. Suddenly, Andy saw a glimpse of light a few meters away from where he was standing.

Andy was awakened from his worst nightmare, panting and sweating; his sweat was cold. “Hey! Are you alright?” he heard a woman‘s voice. Slowly, he opened his eyes and answered, “Yeah, I‘m alright,” he lied, then he wiped his sweats with his hand and took his bag under the seat. “It must be a bad dream? Here, I have water and I also have tissue. It will help you,” she said while handing Andy a bottle of water and a pack of tissue. “A bad dream indeed, thank you for waking me up and for these too.” She smiled and said, “Sure, I’m happy to help.”

Andy was able to quench his thirst and he tried to calm himself. A bit confused, he kept on wondering why he has been having nightmares from his past. “I didn‘t mean to be nosy but I got nervous when you were saying something in your sleep. I was a bit hesitant to wake you up but . . .” she said. Andy gazed at her, feeling anxious about what she was saying. “No, it‘s fine. You just did what you needed to do. I‘d probably do the same thing if you‘re in my place,” he said.

“Well, yeah, okay,” she responded shyly.

“If you don‘t mind me asking, what was I saying while I was asleep?” Andy asked.

“Umm, it wasn‘t clear but you were asking for help,” she answered.

“Well, it‘s quite embarrassing. I‘m so ashamed of myself right now,” Andy said while turning his gaze to the window on his left.

“No worries, I woke you up before you started screaming. It‘s more embarrassing if everyone in this flight witnessed it,” she chuckled. Andy laughed. It was the first time that he laughed with a complete stranger. “You got me on that. Thanks again.”

“My pleasure,” she replied. “Wow! It’s amazing. I wonder if the sunset looks the same in all places,” she added. “I’m wondering that too,” Andy answered while studying the colors outside the window. “Does it look the same? Sunset and sunrise?” Andy continued while looking at her. Their eyes met for a while then Andy suddenly turned his head. He kept on looking outside then she answered, “They actually look almost the same but the feeling could be different. They used to say that sunset is like a beautiful goodbye while sunrise is a hopeful tomorrow. Either way, it’s still sad and painful when you’re watching it all by yourself.”

“I think you’re right. It’s the way you feel while you’re watching it. What color is that anyway?” Andy asked while pointing at the window. She looked at him, a bit surprised by his question but she didn’t mind it at all. “That’s orange and I think that’s a mixture of red, orange and yellow. It’s mostly orange and dark orange,” she said then smiled at him.

“That’s so cool. I’ll try to draw it before it’s gone.” Andy took out his sketchbook and oil pastel set then he started to draw. His strokes were neat and quick, the sunset drawing came out handy like he was a professional painter.

“That was fast. I’m impressed, it’s really great!” she declared.

“It’s just a hobby I used to be so passionate about when I was still in middle school,” he said.

“Why? What happened?” she asked. Her eyes glimmered in excitement but Andy refused to answer her question.

“It’s a long story and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, what can I say; you don’t even want to know my name to start with.”

“I’m sorry; I just think it’s for the best. Nothing personal, it’s just me. I have nothing against you either. You seemed like a nice girl and different from the girls I’ve met before but we’re still both strangers to each other. Don’t trust people so easily.”

The smile on her face disappeared and they never spoke to each other again. After some time, the people inside the plane started to sort out their things when they heard an announcement, “Please fasten your seatbelt and prepare for landing,” one of the crew said. Andy started to prepare his belongings as well when he noticed something odd; the smile on the woman’s face faded away and her eyes showed a torment of sadness. Andy felt like he was responsible for it so he tried to talk to her casually. “Looks like you’ll see your mum soon,” he said but she didn’t answer. “So, what’s your plan after seeing your mum?” he added. She looked at him, straight in his eyes and said, “It’s none of your business.” She put on her headphones and started listening to music. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I offended you with what I said. I still appreciate your help,” Andy said.

“I can’t hear you!” she yelled. “Never mind!” she added. Andy’s chest felt heavy. He doesn’t like making other people sad, may it be intentionally or unintentionally. He knows exactly how difficult it is to handle someone you just hurt.

The people started to get up one by one, lining up on the aisle then she suddenly stood up to line up on the aisle as well. Andy looked at her from a distance, his guilty feeling weighing in his chest. “Hey, I’m sorry!” he called out for her. She stared at Andy then feigned a smile and gestured a thumbs up. “Wait, is she really listening to music?” Unsure about it, Andy came closer to her and checked her headphones. “Cool, so is this how you escape a conversation?” Andy asked, sarcastic. “Hey, give me that!” she said. “You know what; if you feel uneasy about me, just let me get off this plane with peace of mind. I’m not trying to be nice to you or whatsoever, I’m just doing what I think is right and that’s helping and being kind to others.”

“I’m sorry, okay? If I need to apologize over and over again, I’ll do it. I’d rather see you smiling while getting off this plane than see you like this. If you want your peace of mind, then forgive me first.”

“Ugghhh, you’re irritating me!” she answered. “You’ll forgive me or I’ll leave with this?” Andy said while holding the headphones tightly.

“Fine, I’ll forgive you. Now, give me that back.”

“Good then. Here you go!”

She was about to get off the plane when she heard a man’s voice behind her. “Andy! Man, how long has it been?” She looked back and saw Andy shaking hands with the pilot. “Carlos, I didn’t know you’re the pilot,” Andy answered. Her eyes widened when she heard his name; she suddenly turned away and left when she saw Andy looking at her. “She’s acting weird.” Andy turned his gaze to Carlos, “Well, this is where you’ll see me if the Douglas family doesn’t have any overseas trip,” Carlos said. “Why are you alone anyway? I’m not used to seeing you alone; it’s very unlikely since you’re always with Sebastian wherever you go.”

“I’m just getting out of my comfort zone, that’s all,” Andy answered.

“Well, that’s something new. Be safe then and stay out of trouble, man. Sebastian isn’t here with you, if you know what you mean.”

“Thanks for that, man. Yeah, I’ll try not to. See you around, Carlos!”

“Enjoy your trip!”

Carlos leaves and Andy gets off of the plane. He searched the place but he couldn’t find her anymore. “Maybe she’s with her mother now.” So Andy kept on walking until he reached the arrival area. From a distance, he saw his sister and brother in law while they were holding a big placard, “Willkommen Andy!” they both shouted as soon as they saw Andy coming towards their direction.

“You always like to embarrass me!” Andy said while hugging her sister. “I thought you got used to it now, silly. Again, welcome to Switzerland little brother!” Amanda said. “Hey, stop teasing your brother, surely he’s tired. Let’s go home first,” Carter said while getting Andy’s luggage.

Andy left out a sigh and started to think about her whereabouts. “I hope she’s somewhere safe.”

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