Chapter 6
It has been a week since I met Gin Montero, the man who looked exactly like Dion. It has been a week too since I came home and now I am up for another voyage, and the flight schedule that was given to me will be later evening today, and it will be in Asia again.
My skills to speak different languages is an advantage in this field for they can assign me to international flights and I can converse with other nationalities. This also means higher pay and more chances of being promoted to a higher position, especially if my performance will remain good and remarkable enough.
I climb down on the mini-van, careful not to trip because of the heels of the shoes I am wearing. Zhairo helped me with my luggage and locked the van before walking me to the area for flight attendants.
Because my parents were busy with their business that is still booming, they couldn't come to the airport with us like they used to do whenever I am about to set on another flight.
As always, my co-flight attendants greeted us especially when they saw Zhairo. Although some of them were old enough, they couldn't stop their flirty side to kick in whenever my brother is around. The latter doesn't give a damn at them though for he was really into Heartly.
When we reached the area for our clearing, he smiled and gave me my luggage. As always, he reminded me to take care and wished me a safe flight and told me to message or call them once we reached our destination.
Laughing, I reached for his hair and playfully ruffled it as I always do when I was still taller than him. He smiled at my gesture and ushered me to go. I nodded and told him to take care as well.
During the process of our usual protocol whenever we were about to go on a flight, I think of the whole week vacation that I took and realized it was different from the vacations I had since Dion left.
Last week, I met Gin Montero, the man who looked exactly like Dion. I thought he was the same man who left me eight years ago and promised to come back but he didn't, and Gin wasn't him as well. We tried to research and find things that will connect them but nothing, except that they looked the same and they were both from America.
When our senior gave us the 'Go' signal, I took a deep breath and stood up, and with my fellows, we walked to the door that will lead us to the grey runway. From here, I could see the plane that will bring us to Beijing.
And once we're in Beijing, we will stay there for two days before our next flight, from Beijing to Hongkong. Then the rest will follow till we come back home to Switzerland.
Once we're inside the plane, we all went on our positions since any moment, passengers will come and our work will start as well. I got my compact mirror from my luggage and looked at myself through it, making sure I am presentable enough when I conversed with the passengers.
Some of us did the same, and although they still looked fresh, they applied more make-up in their faces, which in my perspective, is not good for it made them looked like a clown. I just sighed and shake my head and get ready for work.
Because it wasn't me who's in charge at this time of flight, I just stayed in my place and wait for the take-off before I did my job. Serving and conversing with people to keep them entertained and comfortable during the flight.
For a few years of doing this, this wasn't new for me anymore. After all, I became a tour guide first before I became a flight attendant, so, I am very used to this.
"How may I help you, sir?" I asked the tanned man who called me on my way back to our quarters.
The tanned man put his hand on his head, "Please, I am having a headache. Can I have an Advil and a cup of tea?"
Based on his accent, I know that he is African. I smiled and nodded, but I need to ask something first.
"Sir, don't you have an illness that may cause your headache? Maybe you should drink a different medicine other than Advil if that is the case."
He shook his head. "No, no, no, dear. This is just the usual headache, so, please."
"Okay, sir. But one more question, what kind of tea do you like? Camomile or the regular one?"
"Just the regular one."
With that, I nodded and told him to wait, and proceeded in our pantry where I got what he was asking. I put them on a tray and carefully carried them back to his seat.
"Here you go, sir," I told him and he offered me a genuine smile in return.
"You are such a sweet girl, dear. I can see that you love what you are doing. Godbless."
I smiled. "Likewise, sir."
And I moved to serve and assist the other passengers. Sure, this work is tiring and sometimes gave me headaches, but this also makes me happy so everything is worth it.
The flight took eleven hours. Before landing, there were the usual protocols of the pilot and flight attendants and the inflight passenger announcement which I was assigned to do.
Once everyone heard my voice, they all went silent and listened as I told them what to do as we prepare for landing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or the overhead bins. Thank you."
And after that, I, together with my co-flight attendants did our final check if everyone was secured and we won't have any problem with the landing as our pilot announced that we have just been cleared for landing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at Beijing Capital International Airport. Please make sure one last time your seatbelt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."
When we were sure enough that everything is set, we also settled down and fastened our seatbelts as the pilots did the final preparation for our landing. And minutes after, we heard one of our pilots announcing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Beijing Capital International Aiport. Local time is 3:14 am and the temperature is 33°C. For your safety and comfort, please, remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seatbelt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about. "
"Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight."
"If you require deplaning assistance, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of our crew members will then be pleased to assist you."
"On behalf of Swiss International Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again in the near future. Have a nice stay in Beijing!"
And because it was another successful flight we had, our team decided to have some drinks at the bar at the hotel where we were staying, Asia Hotel in Beijing.
It was a 5-star hotel, and twenty minute drive from BCIA. This is where we stay whenever we were in Beijing and of course, to save money, we go two to three-person in each room.
The bar in the hotel didn't change, it still looked the way it was the last time I was here. My colleagues already booked a table on one corner, and my name boomed in their table the moment I stood at the entrance of the bar.
Party music blasts through the stereos, lights of neon green, striking blue, scarlet, and hot pink flashed as I walk to the table where my colleagues are. Sitting on one of the steel chairs, one of them handed me a shot glass filled with liquor. I took it and stared at the drink nervously as I know that if I go for this, there's a possibility that I might get wasted.
"Come on, Zhanaia! This is one of those moments where we should enjoy as if we're rich and enjoying abroad."
I chuckled and shook my head as they all cheered for me to drink. And after a while, I took a deep breath before drinking the what's in the shot glass straight. Our table made more noise as I drink, and I didn't know that I'll get wasted that night to the point that I thought Dion came to fetch me because I was too drunk to get back in my room.