7. [Meet and greet]
1475 Words
The two-hour flight back to Merristwood wasn't an easy one. A lot of turbulences in addition to crying children. However, she finally made it home.
As Amara was coming out of the plane, she quickly looked at her phone and there were three missed calls from her sister. Just as she scrolls through the phone, it rang.
"Plane just landed and I am coming."
"OK sis. We are waiting at baggage claim," an excited, eagerly, waiting Auroroura can be heard over the phone.
The airport was recently refurbished, quite different to what Amara knew. It was beautiful. The floor was clean and the milky white tiles were reflecting the rays of the elegant chandeliers on the high ceilings. There are plasma TVs on the wall. The floor was filled with people standing and sitting. In all the chaos a soft classical music was playing in the background.
Amara was able to locate her sister and Trent but their joy is curbed only by the row of custom officers that stand in the way of their reunion. After searching her luggage for 2-3minutes, the custom officer finally gave her passport back to her. Auroroura ran up to her as she exit the security area.
They hugged each other as they shouted and jumped up and down, happily. Trent was standing a few inches away smiling. Amara was happy to be back home but her sister was overjoyed. Their jubilation attracted a few stares from the crowloud. They finally let go of each other allowing Amara to embraced Trent.
"Welcome home Amara. We are really happy to see you again." Trent said after they let loose.
"Thank you, Trent. Sweet as always. Good to see you guys in person. Trent, you look taller now." she joked. Auroroura gave her phone to Trent who took a few pictures of the sisters. He then dragged two of the luggageluggage towards the exit. Auroroura also rolled a luggage and Amara carried the hand luggage and a handbag.
Amara breathed in the familiar air as they exited the building. The smell of the Merristwood which she has missed for so long. Merristwood is beautiful and quiet at night; at least watching from a distance.
Trent put all the luggage into the truck. The ladies jumped into the back of the car. Trent closed the boot then got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Flashes can be seen as they take selfies while doing funny faces.
"I am really glad you are here. How was your flight?"
"I think I'll drive home next time or get a first-class ticket. The children were noisy. There was this boy behind me who kept pushing on my chair. I even got into an argument with the mother before the attendant became involved. Anyways, I am happy to be here with you guys."
"How do you like the refurbished airport?" Trent asked.
"It is great. Certainly, it is better than what we had before. I like it."
"It ought to be. It took them almost 5 years," Auroroura said as she scrolls through the pictures.
Auroroura leans over the front seats to the deck of the car.
"Babe! What are you doing?!" Exclaimed Trent.
"Yes, RoArou, what are you doing? Sit back down."
"Wait for it..." Auroroura replied as she scrolls down through the files on the USB stick plugged into the car system and selected a playlist that she had made for the 30 minutes car ride home.
"...And go." The first song was quite familiar. Both girls screamed as the song started playing. Trent smiled. Auroroura sat back down in the seat, they put their hands up and sing along as the car wheeled out of the airport onto the main road.
The car signal left as they approached the house.
"Mom and dad will be so happy to see you, girl." Said Auroroura.
Amara smiled.
The music was still high. Trent turned down the volume as he pulled into the yard. The car came to a stop behind some cars already parked in the driveway, just then the security light came on and illuminated the entire place.
Their parents opened the front door and Amara ran towards them and embraced both of them. Auroroura caught up with them as they all walked into the house.
Just as they walked in through the door, someone shouted and rushed towards Amara and grabbed her. It was Esther! Amara's childhood friend, separated by distance.
Esther's parents are Africans and moved into the neighbourhood from a different state when she was only four years old and she's been friends with Amara ever since. She was supposed to go with Amara to the city but things didn't quite work out. She visited Amara twice since she left for the city.
Amara was shocked because she wasn't expecting to see her until the following morning but Esther couldn't wait.
"Girlllll!! Argggghh."
They hugged tight and wobbled for some seconds. It felt like they haven't seen each other for eternity even though they've been communicating over the phone.
Trent walked in holding two luggage and greeted the parents respectfully.
"Where do these go?" He asked as he pulled one of the bags properly on his shoulder so the other bags wouldn't slip from his grip.
"Upstairs, in Amaroura's old bedroom. Thank you, babe." Auroroura replied.
They chit-chatted in the room with the parents. After a while, Trent returned downstairs after dropping off the last luggage.
"That was the last of them. I will be on my way now. Babe, can I see you outside please?"
"Aren't you staying for dinner?" Asked their mom.
"No, mom. Thank you. I ate before we went to pick up Amara and have to get up early tomorrow... more wedding preparations. Good night everyone. Good to see you again Amara."
"Thank you, Trent. Will see you tomorrow."
Everyone said good night at once as Auroroura and Trent walked out through the door.
"I will be back. Going to take a shower before I eat. I am famished."
"Excuse me Mr and Mrs Castillo." Esther politely asked as she went upstairs with Amara.
"Wow, this room is just like you left it, isn't it?" asked Esther.
"Yes, exactly how I left it. So many good and bad memories. It's good to be home."
"You know, I have been meaning to revisit you. But things have been quite busy at the saloon and since I started dating Derrick it has been hard to make time."
Amara started undressing.
"I know, girl. Don't worry about it. I am so thrilled to see you again. When am I meeting this Derrick that you won't stop talking about?"
"Girl, he is the best. He makes me happy. Aaron made my life a living hell!"
"I am glad you finally left him. Even though you should have left him since high school."
"I loved him and thought he will eventually change his life, stop drinking and bullying."
"He was Jacked."
"Derrick isn't home this weekend but he should be back on Monday."
"Okay. Give me a minute"
Amara went across the hall to used the shower. Esther heard noise from outside, she looked through the window and saw Trent pulling out of the driveway. She sat back in bed, unlocked her phone and started browsing through her messages.
Few minutes later, Amara came back from the shower.
"Your phone whas ringing. Cole has been calling."
"Will text him later."
She got dressed and they went downstairs for dinner.
After dinner, the girls came upstairs and did girl stuffs...talk about life, relationship and more importantly, Auroroura's bachelorette party for tomorrow night. Esther even spent the night with Amara and Auroroura.
The girls returned downstairs just as Aurora was reentering the house. After being away from home for so long Amara was ecstatic to be back at home with her family and friends. Even if it was just for a short time, she was willing to spend as much time catching up for old time's sake.
Later that night after dinner, everyone dispersed to their rooms while the sisters talked non-stop about everything Amara had missed while she was away. As Amara stepped out of the bedroom and into the hall way, her phone buzzed off with a new text message from Cole. She gave one glance at the screen and shoved it in her pocket.
"C'mon sis, you're gonna have to answer him eventually. And I'm still waiting to know what happened between you two." Aurora said as she stood outside the bedroom door.
"Story for another day Ro, I'm tired, its best we head to bed now."
"Okay Mara, good night and I'll see you in the morning, can't believe your actually here." Aurora smiled at her sister and headed into her bedroom as Amara now accommodates the bathroom.
- Writer
