Favourite Attendant

"Finally,"

The trio exclaimed in unison.

Relief was etched across their exhausted faces. None of them could have predicted the string of events that they had experienced. But surprisingly enough, the previous mood, once filled with frowns and frustration, had shifted into laughter and smiling faces.

Why?

One might ask. Who knows?

Perhaps it was the rush of adrenaline, or the absurdity of their own fast and furious mini episode.

Whatever it was, it didn't matter now. They had arrived at the terminal on time, and despite receiving odd glances from the public due to their sweat-drenched clothes. Nairobi, practically glowing with excitement, rummaged through her handbag while barking playful orders.

"You two, come closer."

"We need to take a snap."

Henry and Jacob stared at the little devil with wide eyes, not daring to believe what they had just heard. Jacob, who felt more wronged and was usually conservative in public spaces, was the first to protest.

"Seriously? In front of everyone? Looking like this?"

But before he could finish his sentence...

Click.

Nairobi held up her iPhone and captured the moment. 

 "Ahh, Wait!"

Too late.

***

Henry was currently at the airport showers. After he arrived with an hour to spare, he completed all his check-in procedures within three minutes, thanks to his business class priority.

In the showers, he began to contemplate the series of decisions his parents had made.

"From the trio motorcycle ride, without regard for the high fare they had paid. To convince the other two bikers who were reluctant to fold. To upgrade his flight ticket to business class while they were en route."

He realised that if he had missed any step of their arrangement, then probably, all could have been for naught.

"Is this the difference experience makes?"

He mused quietly.

With a sigh, he returned his focus to the task at hand.

Becoming business-class ready.

For this was his first time to have such an honor, and in a way, it felt like a blessing in disguise. On what other occasion could he board business class, he thought, for although their family wasn't poor, they weren't wealthy either. They just had enough to support an average family's life.

This is evident in some of the scholarships he won, which covered his economy ticket and overseas fellowship stay. Therefore, the upgrade had to come from his parents' pockets, and in a way, he felt the pinch. Coming from such a background, he was motivated to work hard in his studies and vowed to one day become the pillar they could lean on. 

However, despite his efforts, he carried a million-dollar mountain of student debt.

"Medical School"

He muttered,

Followed by a long, soul-weary sigh!

***

Taking off his clothes

One at a time

He finally realized that if he had boarded the plane in his current state, he could have been considered a biohazard due to his odor. With a wry smile and a shake of his head, he turned on his music, set the water temperature to warm, set his stopwatch for 12 minutes, then stepped in for what would be his most expensive shower yet. A happy hum could be heard from his tube, with a repeating phrase.

"This is the life of a businessman."

***

Boarding time arrived quickly.

First- and business-class passengers were given a private escort with a VIP chauffeur and personnel, respectively, in recognition of their high status. Henry's excitement at the moment was at an all-time high. The services offered made him question, for a split second, his role in the world.

"Was I truly living?"

"People like us… we survive. They live."

But today, he decided, he would live.

He reminded himself with a depreciating smile. 

"Today, I, Henry, will be alive."

"The next 18 hrs are mine."

However, this illusory perception of a short-lived high life did not cause him to forget his origins or filial piety. He retrieved his phone, video called his family, offered his gratitude for their assistance, and informed them that he had already boarded the plane.

Typically, within their family, they have this tradition of setting off from the airport only when the traveler takes off. They believed it brought good luck to the traveler's journey, and while they were waiting for Henry's flight to take off in the next ten minutes.

Nairobi got a devastating phone call.

Her face turned pale. Her hands trembled. Her eyes welled with tears.

She ran to her mother's side and whispered one sentence:

"Big sister has passed away."

***

Henry, now mid-flight, held a glass of champagne in his hand, his seat reclined to bed mode, just enough not to ruin his fabulous business drink experience, frustrated. Never in his life had he imagined that a day would come when he would be in a dilemma over his food choice.

Just a few minutes ago, the flight attendant had approached him with the menu list. Informing him that his upgrade had been done last minute, therefore, his food preference had not been added to their database.

So now Henry stared at the menu, as if it were written in ancient runes.

"Is this Italian? French? What even is this?"

"How am I supposed to choose, when most of the shit I don't understand"

He groaned internally, defeated.

Why?

Because his current predicament was his fault.

He finally understood why the flight attendant had been waiting patiently by his side. Previously, he had thought that she was waiting for his orders only, but now it seems that she was also there to assist in navigating the choices offered.

He had dismissed her...

Hoping to go through the whole list at his own pace, without having extra eyes next to him. He had hoped not to create the perception that he was a clueless country boy, but now it seems he needs to call her back.

He sighed.

Just as he reached for the call button...

BOOM.