Touchdown
30
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Days later, I’m standing in front of my open suitcase, carefully arranging the items I’ll need for my trip. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions lately, and I’ve decided to take some time off from work to visit Special. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other, and I hope this visit will help us reconnect and make concrete future plans.
With my suitcase packed, I zip it shut and glance around my apartment. I’m going to miss this space but not as much as I’ve missed Special’s. I glance at the clock—I have to hurry if I want to catch my flight.
Soon, I’m at the airport, clutching my passport and boarding pass. I navigate my way through check-in and security, my heart pounding erratically as I realize I didn’t think this decision through. As usual, I keep forgetting I’m one way or the other scared of flights only realizing this when I’m in the airport or like the last time, when the plane is ready for take off. To get my mind off the moment, I plug in my earbuds, close my eyes and daydream about the moments I’ll be sharing with Special in a few hours.
The flight feels like b oth an eternity and a fleeting moment, and before I know it, we’re touching down.
I collect my luggage and make my way through the airport, following the signs to the taxi stand. There’s a chill in the evening air that’s both invigorating and familiar. My mind drifts to my first international arrival at Dublin airport and I chuckle—that lady no longer exists. She’s decked in a fashionable light jacket and sunshades.
I go to the taxi rank, there is one waiting. I give the driver Special’s address and settle into the backseat. The drive feels surreal. Each passing landmark looks familiar yet foreign. As we pull up to Special’s apartment building, I take a deep breath and pay the fare with a thankful smile.
It’s like the first time I came here—my heart is racing wildly as I stand in front of his door. With trembling fingers, I knock and wait.
Seconds later, the door swings open, revealing a surprised but delighted Special. His eyes widen as he takes in my presence, his lips forming a grin that mirrors my own, and all my worries seem to melt away.
“Fifi? What... how did you...”
I cut him off with a hug, my heart soaring as I feel his arms wrap around me, holding me close as if he never wants to let go. “Surprise…” I say, still grinning. “I couldn’t stay away any longer.”
He chuckles, pulling back slightly to look into my eyes. His warm brown eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, the world around us fades into the background. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
His smile, though still tinged with surprise, radiates the same comfort and affection that has drawn me to him from the very beginning.
I shrug playfully, massaging him exposed forearms. “I’ve been told a time or two.” In the last few days, during our dull and boring chats, I’ve been teasing him about finalizing his plans of visiting me.
He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Come in, come in.”
Hand in hand, we step into his apartment, and a sense of déjà vu washes over me, causing a fuzzy feeling of familiarity to wash over me. The coziness of his living space, the scent of his cologne, and the comfort of being near him again—it’s as if I never left.
I’ve missed this place… his presence, being near him… everything! The ache of missing him, of being separated by miles, misunderstandings, work, and responsibilities, everything fades away. There’s just something about Special. About bei ng with him. Only someone that has experienced this feeling will understand.
Why aren’t we together? Something must be wrong with me. I should have been planning my move to the UK, but no, I want to summit mount Everest before settling down.
This couch… I inhale deeply, smiling. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I remember the last time I was here… the way his fingers found places in my body I didn’t think were important for pleasure… Hmm, I swallow, tightening the muscles of my butt. Well, good thing I am here. Maybe we can do the real stuff now.
“Late night August visitor,” he teases squeezing my hand, “how long will you be staying?”
“Till Sunday,” I say, smiling in anticipation of the next four days we’ll spend together, exploring and, ahem, learning more about each other.