So I am actually leaving Germany without making a single friend, I am so pathetic. Regretful thoughts got the good of me as I wait to board my flight to South Africa at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. It was time to go home. All business deals had been successfully accomplished whilst my social life had died a silent death. Lord I hope I seat next to the window or to a non-chatty person. I don’t want to be bothered, I say a little prayer.
One of the lovely Lufthansa on-board cabin crew greets me and directs me to the economy class seats. The moment I make sense of the seating sequence my hopes are shattered completely, I am in the middle section. Gosh, could this day get any worse. Very much annoyed I absentmindedly pass my seat. Sulking, I turn to go back and suddenly lock eyes with a good looking white man who so happened to be staring at me. Holy crap! I literally freeze cause that’s me every-time I see a cute guy. “excuse me, what`s your seat number” a female Spanish voice beckoned, bringing me back to reality. “Sorry, my seat number is 26F” I said. With a huge smile on her face she replied “Oh cool, mine is 26E, do you want me to put your bag in the overhead compartment?” “Sure thing, thanks’’ I give her my bag. Moving past her to my seat I realize cute guy is in seat 26G. He smiles at me; I smile back awkwardly, whilst taking my seat and fastening my safety belt. Act cool Nicola, I turn to see what the Spanish girl is doing and girl has already popped in her air-pods, a clear sign that she was not up for small talks with anyone. She is definitely a typical me. I am doing the same.
So I begin the search for my earphones, which I can`t seem to find because stupid me left them in the bag that is now in the overhead compartment. Before I can stand to get them, the pilot announces that it is take off time everyone should be in their seats. TOO LATE! I slouch back in my seat. Holding out airline headsets, the good-looking young man reaches for a button on my seat, pulls out the TV screen and with a heavy German-accent says “maybe you can watch a movie instead of listening to same music on your phone.“ Startled by this polite sarcasm, I ignore him. “Wait a minute, I am just joking, I didn’t mean to be sarcastic I just wanted to get your attention. I saw you in the boarding lounge and hoped to seat next to you. And this is my best pick-up line, did it work?” German guy retorts back. Should I entertain him or just flush him out once and for all. “I am Tom by the way,” he disrupts my thoughts before I could fight back. Defeated by his charm and whole demeanour I decide to play it nice with this stranger, whom I was stuck with for the next 18 hours. “I am Nicola.” I reply back. “Nice to meet you Nicola, I am sorry if I came of as annoying that is me every time I see a beautiful lady.” “Stop already! your pick-up lines are definitely not working on me,” I respond trying to put on a serious face but my smile is saying otherwise. “Nope, they have worked perfectly well. I am a really cool guy; just give me 18 hours” Tom chuckles “haha, very funny. No-more pick up lines.” I shot back “Whoa chill, Ms Independent…”
“Excuse me sir? Saidone of the hostesses who had magically appeared before us holding a platter full of yummy food.“Here is your food,” continued the hostess. Perplexed me fails to make sense of this, why this man was the only one being served in the economy class, food that you only see in the business class.“Let`s eat Nicola,” Tom beckoned. The food was irresistible, who was I to deny my tummy of such delicacies. “Thank you,” I say picking up the crisp golden roasted chicken-wing “Who are you?” I ask. As if he knew that it was a trap question. He brushed it off with his charm, “I noticed you have not picked a movie to watch, guess I have won the lady`s heart.” Without giving me a chance to stand my ground, I found myself drowned in an interesting conversation I have ever had in my life with a stranger, we talked about anything and everything.
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to South Africa, I hope you enjoyed your flight. On behalf of Lufthansa team thank you for flying with us, good day!” The pilot announces over the radio. “Omg, Tom what time did we even land?” I had lost track of time because prince-charming had got me hooked. “Touchdown was 10 minutes ago,” He replied. Anyways thanks for making my journey very short and fun. But I feel like I know little about you and you know so much about me which worries me. With a gorgeous smile on his face Tom says, “I know and that is why I am giving you something that will answer all your questions. I don`t normally do this but you were a good sport and I do not know when I lastly had fun on a flight. He pulls out a gold plaited box from his bag and he hands it to me, “Thank you Miss Nicola, and please open it when you get home.” I pinch myself just to make sure I am not dreaming. It`s real girl, a voice in my head screams. “I gotta rush Nicola, hope we will meet again.” Tom says making his way to the exit door of the plane. “BYE!” I reply.
“Here is your bag, hope you enjoyed your flight, it was too long.” Spanish girl whom I had forgotten about, hands me my bag.