Short Story: Untitled
By: Kazia Aurelien

His name is Ari and we met at work. We were both airline attendants and what we had was just right. We were always on the go so this relationship was okay with us. We both understood the demands of the travel industry. There were no complaints about spending quality time with each other or any qualms about cheating because we really did love each other. The times that we spend together is always short; but we make each other feel that without them love in life would be meaningless.
We had been together for just over three years. This was not pretend – it was true. It had to be! I had been in search for something like this a long time and wouldn’t give up on it unless I had the feeling or seen something that had made me uneasy. Of course, it’s no walk in the park but things were great! We both signed five-year contracts with the airline and with about a year left we were making plans to settle down and find jobs that were less demanding. The months came fast and with about 3 weeks left I got an amazing offer for the job of my dreams. I accepted. My new job was to be the host of a new holiday guide on the Visitor channel based in California, U.S.A. I always enjoyed writing stories; especially during long flights. I would email them to my sister who would bring them to a local newspaper back home to be featured in the weekend issue in an article called ‘Love – Fear of Flying’. I always wanted to be a journalist and because of my writing skills and the fact that I had visited so many countries it was an asset. I told Ari of it. He was happy for me yet disappointed because we had made so many plans to be together. Yet again flying would keep us apart. I would be making for times my former salary, with benefits and travel allowances so I assured him we could still work at it. He agreed and we spent as much time together in the ensuing weeks. The day came when I had to leave. It was then I really knew what was meant by bitter-sweet. I was sad to leave Ari yet another time and even further the distance but happy for this new job. It’s a four hour flight to New York. There I would meet with a few work colleagues and fly over with them two days later.

Then, a five-hour flight from there to California. I called Ari as soon as I landed, over the two days and just before catching my other flight. I was told that I would have a co-host, a male. They decided to make it a sort of romantic holiday guide program for couples. So a male and female host were appropriate. I slept through out the whole flight. Now that I was a passenger and no more a stewardess I realised how boring it could be. We arrived in California where I’d meet my co-host at the airport and we’d head to the hotel for lunch with the crew from the show.
After clearing through customs I switched on my phone to give Ari a call. I dialled his number only to realise that I could hear the personalised ringtone he had for me was playing in the noisy air of the terminal. “The Very Thought Of You” by Natalie Cole. How eerie that feeling was. I looked around confused but amazed; hoping to detect its origin ... And there it was - there he was! A smiling Ari as if he were the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. I ran to him all mad but happy and laughing as tears roll down my cheeks. We kissed then I stopped abruptly. “What are you doing here”? I yelled. Then suddenly, the show’s producer, Ben, walked up to us, “Well, I knew you had the similar work backgrounds but I didn’t know you two knew each other?” I laughed! “He’s my boyfriend!” I exclaimed, as I squeezed his fingers tightly in the palm of my sweaty hands. “Wow!” Ben exclaimed. “This is perfect! A real life couple hosting a holiday guide show for couples? Fantastic! The big boss is going to love this and so will the press. By the way, does that mean you just need one apartment?” We smiled and nodded in agreement as we walked toward our already waiting taxi.

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