Landing With A Thud
“Excuse me, ma’am. Excuse me. I think you dropped something…”, the voice broke into her consciousness. She turned around, eyes narrowed, irritated, on the defensive and ready to drop him with a withering glare. He had the greyest eyes she’d ever seen. In that split second where her mind tried to reconcile those mesmerising eyes with his complexion which was of obvious Afro Ethnic persuasion, her lips replied & her hand reached out to accept what he was offering her. Words were coming out of her mouth but she wasn’t sure what she was saying. She HAD dropped something, it barely registered. She looked down, it was her notebook. She had all sorts of random notes & designs in there. Anything that popped into her ever-whirling brain in the course of her day went in there. She’d have been inconsolable if she’d lost it.
“Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?”, she thought he might consider it a bit odd that she was so effusive but she didn’t take the time to process that, she couldn’t believe she’d almost lost another notebook! “I guess you could always buy me coffee”, he replied with a smile… So she bought coffee and they talked. For hours. The time flew by but she barely noticed. They talked about all the places he’d been and all the places she wanted to go.
“May I have your attention please? This is the last call for Eagle Air flight 1405 to Lagos.” Somehow they’d missed the initial boarding call, as they walked through the departure lounge to the boarding gates she took a brief moment to register to herself her pleasure that they seemed to be on the same flight. They boarded the plane & talked some more. He flashed a smile at ‘Stacey’, the pretty stewardess & she wrangled him a seat next to her… The baby in 6H cried all through but she only saw his lips move as they swapped stories, anecdotes & dreams. It was the best flight ever. They made plans, next time he came to London they’d see ‘Swan Lake’. She’d heard it was haunting & sad, he promised to introduce her to all his favourite paintings at the Tate Modern.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have commenced our descent into the city of Lagos. Please fasten your seatbelts…” They continued talking. All through baggage claim and customs, the chatter flowed. Perhaps even more, because it seemed the journey was drawing to a close. Luggage claimed they swapped numbers & made more plans, dinner & then dancing at his favourite club. As they walked out of the arrival hall, her heavy luggage ensuring she was just a few steps behind his tall and bulky frame, she heard a squeal and out of left-field the cutest little girl launched herself into his broad arms! “Daddy!!! You’re home!!!” He swept her up…she had his eyes. She lingered behind as he strode purposefully over towards the waiting crowd. And then she saw the end of his trajectory. She was petite & extremely stunning, clearly ecstatic to see him. She was also pregnant. Somehow he’d forgotten to mention he was married…
- Annie
***************
Hey people, Toolsman here. So while we are putting final touches to the all new Wet Friday’s section, we’ll still run some of the short stories we had sent in. Once again, I’ve decided not to edit this because the writer wants your honest feedback. Use the comment box below to speak your mind. Cheers.
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I see you're enjoying the new mobile site. Look how fast you got here.
It IS proper nifty 2bh! Really loving it now! ;) (y)
Thanks :)
today is faffing day @ work :)
Nice.
I missed the part where she asked him if he was married…..
Bet the stoopid guy slipped his ring on by the carousel!
@shaolin: Why blame the girl for being optimistic about an 'unringed' male?
I don't blame the girl. Hey, I would be optimistic if were her. I think she just got too into the guy that she didn't bother to look. I don't think the guy's done anything bad….
He could have just been acting nice…he didn't preposition her did he?
On d other hand, they spoke 4 hours…and he didn't mention his wife and kids…hmmm….sly!
correct title, very on point. bloody flirt of a man.
as for shaolin; in d gist cdnt he have said, my wife n i …. or my daughter loves…. that wd hv bn smoother, he was flirting jo n hoping to score. making plans my foot.
He shd hv said he was married n seen whether he wd hv still got her digits.
Guys, the article here didn't mention anything about the guy deliberately doing anything vaguely sexual…..You don't think it's okay to be able to make conversations with strangers? If there was a part 2 to the article, I'd expect that the guy doesn't see any big deal in introducing the chick to his family….Fcuk, I'd write it myself if I had the time.
Abegi, why wud ladies just assume a goodlooking successful man UNMARRIED! some are afraid to ask, just wishing in their hearts he isn't, and then justifyn themselves later by saying he did not tell me, even wen d signs were there.
wat signs, do tell
Super sly fellow yo….but then I'm wondering how they spoke for hours and she missed the ring on his finger abi he wasn't wearing it.
Don't expect a guy to randomly tell you his relationship status and don't assume either…just ask!
Iyami, thanks. finally someone's objective.
:(
Ouch!!!!!!
This really funny! It happens with age to most ladies the closer they get to the ripe old age.
I met a lady some weeks back! We enjoyed each other's company. We talked at length about various things including hobbies, likes and dont likes. We clicked and connected on a friendship level.
I invited her over for Karaoke at Murphy's plaza(Shaunz Bar) about a week later, theatre at terrakulture, art exhibition at terrakulture, dinner at Pearl Garden, time-out at the cinemas and an evening at Cafe Royal.
I was just having fun, I never asked her out and She has been assuming!
I did not demand for her digits. Its on offer!
What can a guy do?
Ladies can so Assume?
Especially, when you are an eligible BACHELOR!
I am falling in LOVE now sha …
Who are u falling in love wiv? Pls make my day & say 'the writer'! Lol. :)
Well written.
I enjoyed this.
By the way, omission isn't denial.
I've finally come out of hiding 2 say a massive THANK U 2 everyone who commented. U have no idea what this has done for my ego! As no one said anything about the writing/writer, I can only assume I am not as rubbish at this as I actually thought. Who knows, based on this, I might actually write that elusive novel…naaaa, I think I'll try & knock out a few more short stories 1st. So thanx everyone. I'm SO glad no one actually hated it. :D
Thanx, Tools, for letting me use u like this. :D
& thanx, Mr Mantis, for tweaking this so brilliantly….:*
& finally, thanx The Jibster. Inspiration & mentor. Eternos besos.
You did great.
Don't stop.
Thanks. I couldn't have done it without u! :)
…And the good ones are all taken. :(
I am a writer and I dare say that this is very engaging. Short, sharp and clear. love it. For a moment there, I almost felt like the lady must have been feeling. I like the end too. So twisted. hehe.
Thanks so much for this comment. You’ve done wonders for my “author’s cred”. I especially needed this today. :)
Hmmmmmm. Lady was too quiet. I remember a girl who asked me out of the blues… "Are you married?' I think she was very smart… (Now you know why you're still single)