The Nanny

Chapter Thirty One

"Layla if you get scared, you can hold my hand. Just like I did when I traveled with Uncle Ahmed," Imad said.

"Thank you Imad. I would love that," I replied, and ruffled his hair and kissed him on his forehead. "Don't forget to read your dua."

"Okay," He said, and switched on his iPad and opened an app. I installed it for him, it's an app for kids, that contain most of the duas. It's really nice.
I looked out the oval airplane window, we were still on the ground. The flight hadn't taken off, though the air hostesses made an announcement a while ago, that the airplane will take off in five minutes. Thoughts of flying on an airplane for the first time disclosed contradictory feelings, fear and excitement.

I sunk into my seat, that was sizable. We are sitting in first class, it's very spacious and comfortable. I have never traveled before, so this one way to do it. Lavishly. Alhamdulliah. Though I can't compare nor complain because I have never been in the other travel classes. I was nervous, that's for sure. My hands already clammy. The tiny air conditioners on the ceiling, blasted cold air. I hugged myself for warmth and tried my best to not let fear overcome me. Ahmed's seat was in the third row — in the middle — each row having two seats. Closer to Imad.

The plane took off, I read the same dua countless of times. Until my heart was at peace with the fact, that the plane isn't going to fall from the sky. I ended up holding Imad's hand when the plane took off. When I looked outside the oval window, we were in the air. Flying through the clouds. Subhanallah, the view was breathtaking. It's a sixteen hour flight. Imad already started watching cartoons on the seat-back tv. I too began to watch a movie, it's been long since I have watched one. There was so many options, I began by watching Me Before You, it's a romance movie. It looked interesting.

While watching the movie, I quickly glanced at Ahmed who was reading a book. He looked so indulged in it. I continued to watch the movie. Later on they served dinner. They gave out small menus, having three options of the main course. I choose Chicken fillet, that came with rice and for dessert they served chocolate pudding, with whip cream on the top. It was delicious, Imad barely touched his food. He ate snacks — that he carried, before the food came.

After a while, my ears started to pain and got blocked. I got an awful migraine. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. I couldn't even finish the movie, even though it was really nice. I tried to get some sleep and I did.

When I woke up, after three hours, most of the people in the airplane were sleeping. Including Imad. Ahmed was not asleep, he was watching something on the seat-back tv. My ears were still blocked, but it hurt a little less. I unbuckled my seat-belt and got up. I went to the washroom, that is small. I washed my face, and got out. Ahmed was standing outside, his hands in his pockets. "Hi," he said in a low voice. I smile, I don't even know why I am smiling but I just did.

"Uh hey," I replied. We were standing close to each other, breaths almost mingling.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes I am fine," I replied and tried to get pass him. Being so close to him felt like breathing is complicated as trying solve a jigsaw puzzle that has a thousand pieces. My hand brushed along his, as I walked away. I could feel my heartbeat escalate ten times faster. I don't know why this is happening... I returned to my seat and continued watching the movie. When Ahmed later on walked back to his seat, we shared a brief moment where we locked gazes. I looked away, and gulped.

When I finished the movie, I went back to sleep. Imad woke me up, and told me to look outside my window, there was a sun rise and it was beautiful and breathtaking. I put my arm on Imad's shoulder and held him close, he told me he wanted to hear a story and so I did tell him one. The same stories my mother used to tell me, whenever I couldn't sleep at night. About prophets or about a brave girl or in this case a brave boy who saved the world. I used to love her fictional stories. When I was done with my story, Imad was on the verge of falling asleep. He was so tired, he could barely keep his eyes open.