SHE

I was 11 (A) and he was 11 (C). I was earnestly hoping for someone to be there in between us, a lady preferably.

I don’t like to talk much to anyone, I get pretty nervous to personally talk to anyone. Yet the weird behavior is I’m not scared to talk in front of a huge audience, public speaking in other words. Therefore talking to my counter gender is basically out of question. I can’t seem to approach anyone or make the first move when it comes to talking; it’s always them who have to approach. This in turn makes a very bad first impression of me; I turn to be the uptight, rude, proud, egoistic and sad Inez. Although to my defense I’ve made some pretty great friends in college, so it wouldn’t matter what others think.

Anyways…

The guy looked good, like good good, not that I observe each and every person that I meet on the plane, yet unthinkingly I did. He had well trained hair and a perfectly clean shaven face (yeah, I notice the weird stuffs). He was dressed up formally, a simple white shirt and coal black pants with well-polished black shoes.

But that’s it, no further enquiries or questions. I was least interested in knowing anyone, let alone that man. The plane was about to take off, maybe a minute or so till it takes off. Still no one appeared in 11 (B). I hoped that he wasn’t in the same destination as I did. After all it was a connection flight. No way, we were going like this for 15 hours.

I had two bags with me, a huge travel bag and a laptop bag, both so very heavy. I knew I would’ve faced problem whilst placing the bags in the luggage carrier. I knew I would probably ask for help. I headed towards my seat, to see there was already a person sitting on the other end. Our eyes met, the both of us exchanged smiles, and I was just being courteous. I started unloading, when suddenly this guy asked, “Do want any help?”

“No, thank you.” I told.

“Are you sure?” he asked again. That snapped me. I felt like he was challenging my strength.

“Yes, I can manage things myself, thank you.” I told a bit firmly.

“Alright then.” He backed off then and there, instead watched at the very miserable show on how I was placing my luggage……great. Finally I somehow managed. The next task was I had to get to my seat which was the window seat. I had to speak with this human being again. But I didn’t need to, he naturally got up from his seat and then I just had to get in.

“Thank you”, I told. Then he told something unusual which would’ve made me weirded out but it somehow felt nice. “Always.” he told. Just like how another person in my life always used to say.

I sat inside at the window seat looking outside; it was pitch black left with the unnatural man-made lights everywhere, on the ground for the planes, on the airport, making it pretty to look at. I just parted with my family, although with the countless years of conflicts, the uncountable fights, I still sort of missed them. But the thought of meeting my friends and the college made me excited all over again.

Not knowing how many minutes passed, but within a short while, right after I got comfortable in my own thoughts I was dragged back to reality with this man.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I genuinely wanted to give you a han-”

But I didn’t let him finish, I cut “Stop it.” “I know you were offering to help, I’m sorry”.

That’s it, the conversation was over. For now.

I was 11 (A) and he was 11 (C). I was earnestly hoping for someone to be there in between us, a lady preferably.