Airport Amour


The day was Friday, October 27th, 2023, and I was at DFW airport with about an hour till my scheduled flight. I'm not exactly a people-watcher, but put me in an airport, and suddenly I become the Sherlock Holmes. Especially in a gigantic airport like DFW, where one encounters people from all walks of life and from almost every corner of the world.

As I sat there, sipping my coffee, I couldn't help but observe the individuals around me. To avoid any potential awkwardness, I wore my earbuds without playing anything. A man dressed in a sharp suit sat right in front of me. He frequently checked his watch. He had this carry-on that he meticulously set on the seat next to him. It was so conspicuously well crafted that I could tell it was a luxury brand. I took out my Pixel phone to scan it through the Google Lens. It was Valextra, and I nearly had to call 911 to get my jaw off the floor when I realized the price: $7,950. In contrast to this man, the people on each side of him wore sweatshirts and sweatpants, reminding me of a gym. Next to me, a young couple was talking. Their baby was resting quietly, and they reassured each other that he would not cause any wailing havoc on the impending flight.

As I admired the cute baby and the parents, the selfish part of me was secretly hoping to be far away from their seats on the flight. Meanwhile, behind me, either an Indian or Pakistani uncle spoke animatedly on his phone. He spoke in Hindi, but thanks to my exposure to Bollywood and my time spent in Rajbiraj and Biratnagar, I comprehended everything he said. He was probably talking to his wife, complaining about how he had to discard the homemade chips and some other pickles as the luggage was overweight. That's all I was able to eavesdrop on when suddenly, I noticed a group of young people dash through the terminal. Their hurried footsteps echoing the palpable fear of missing their flight. Amidst this flurry, some weary folks were sleeping on the carpeted floor with their backpacks serving as makeshift pillows. A couple of passengers buried their noses in some books. And finally, whether scrolling through social media, catching up on emails, or simply seeking distraction, most travelers had their heads bowed down on their smartphones.


Somewhere above Austria during my last summer flight to Nepal

The unanticipated announcement of a two-hour flight delay startled me, and I empathized with the collective groans and frustrations of those around me. With that delay notice, the joy of people watching faded away. I then messaged my friend that my arrival was way past midnight. Our plan was to go for dinner straight from the airport, but we had to cancel it. I started scanning for restaurants at the terminal, and my gaze landed on the board of Plaza Premium Lounge. With a glimmer of hope, I hastily opened my travel card app that I had gotten a few months ago. And guess what! I had possessed complimentary access to this lounge with my credit card. This reignited my dopamine circuit, and I made my way to the lounge.

Upon entering, I found the lounge was smaller than I had expected. Despite the size, the ceramic tiles with the teal and grey-colored furnishing with a tinge of beige color under the warm light made the place very cozy and inviting. I chose to sit nearby the charge station, facing the wall. I pulled out my laptop, connected it to my earbuds, and then switched to YouTube to kill some time. It was there that I stumbled upon the latest release from music artist Lauv, a song titled "Love U Like That." Pressing play, I found myself tapping my toes to the infectious beat, momentarily lost in the melody. Once done listening to the song, I was about to go and grab some food at the lounge when I heard a voice from behind.

"Hey, I saw you're listening to Lauv's latest song. What do you think of it?"

As I turned behind, I noticed a girl at a nearby table, one AirPod dangling as she leaned in with curiosity.

"It's really nice," I replied, mentally kicking myself for such a lackluster response. Her sudden appearance had caught me off guard.

With a smile on my face this time, I quickly added, "Actually, it's a refreshing change from his usual vibe. I can already tell it's going on repeat during my flight."

"I know, right! I have already listened to this like multiple times," she responded enthusiastically.

"Not many people know Lauv or listen to his songs. I am happy to meet another fan," I continued the conversation.

"Tell me about it. That's why I had to come say hi when I saw you jamming out," she explained.

I smiled back. I have a thing for the way ladies speak; it's the first thing I notice about them. It's difficult to describe in words, but her voice and the way she spoke were magnetizing. I mean, do not get me wrong, she was beautiful. Strands of braided hair lovingly tucked behind her ears; beneath the perfectly arched eyebrows, her eyes were big and expressive. But it was when she spoke, through her full and soft lips, leaving her truly mesmerizing.

"I think you were about to do something," she said, sounding almost apologetic.

I paused for a moment before replying, "Well, my flight's delayed until 9. I was just going to grab a bite. If you haven't eaten yet, do you wanna join me?"

She hesitated, then said, "I don't usually do dinner on the first meet, but why not?"

"Haha, making exceptions already? I'm flattered," I teased, a glint in my eyes.

She smiled in return.

"After you," I gestured, allowing her to lead the way as we headed for the lounge's food spread.

While we ordered food, we finally exchanged names. Paige! What a beautiful name. When we returned back to her table, I noticed the print of UTD on her sweatshirt.

"So, University of Texas Dallas, huh?" I remarked, signaling at her sweatshirt.

"Yeah, heading home for fall break," she confirmed. 

"And where is home for you?" I asked.

"Up north, Chicago. What about you? Where are you off to?" she inquired.

"Raleigh, visiting a family friend. I actually live here. What made you come all the way south for college?" I continued. 

She responded, "My dad and grandad, you know, they both attended UTD. After my brother, it was my turn."

"Wow, UTD runs in your bloodline! That's awesome," I remarked.

Our conversation flowed effortlessly as we ate. But then, a notification chimed on her phone.

"They're boarding my flight. I've got to go," she said regretfully, gathering her things.

"It was really nice talking with you. Time flew by," she remarked, packing up.

"Likewise," I agreed. She looked at me multiple times as she put her things in the bag.

 I checked my watch; I still had an hour left. She was now walking away.

My throat tightened with the urge to say something witty or charming. Lost in the captivating conversation, I had momentarily forgotten the fleeting nature of our encounter. But as she began to walk away, a sudden impulse surged within me.

"Paige!" I said out loud.

She turned back.

"Would you like to continue this conversation when we both get back to Dallas?" I stood up and asked her.

With a smile spread across her lips, she answered, "I would love that."

"Can I have your number then?" I asked, passing her my phone.

"Sure thing!" She replied, typing her number and saved it with a smile emoji next to her name.

"I will text you tomorrow," I said triumphantly.

With a nod and a smile, Paige bid me farewell. I watched her walk out of the lounge and into the terminal until she took a turn and was out of my sight.                                                                          

                                                                         ******

When he entered the lounge, I couldn't help but notice his sense of elegance. I was accustomed to the lackluster college style of fraternity shirts, shorts, oversized cargo pants, and streetwear adorned with prominent brand names; however, his minimal yet timeless outfit stood out. He wore navy cotton pants, neither too tight nor too loose, paired with a beige linen shirt, tucked-out for a causal feel and had its sleeves neatly rolled up to his elbows.

With his back turned, he remained unaware of my presence. I seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation when I noticed him playing Lauv's latest song. Though our interaction was brief, sparked by our mutual musical preference, I sensed his reluctance for prolonged conversation and gracefully allowed him to return to his laptop.

I was pleasantly surprised when he invited me to join him for dinner. Despite having had a sandwich only an hour ago, I accepted his invitation to spend time with him. Our conversation flowed smoothly, with him asking more questions than I did, I believe. When the airline app signaled boarding, I found myself reluctant to part ways. As I gathered my belongings, I hoped he would ask for my contact information, but he remained silent, briefly disappointing me.

As I walked away disheartened, he called out my name. My joy knew no bounds when he requested my phone number, leaving me blushing as I exited the lounge, grinning ear to ear. I was lost in thoughts of him as I was walking to my gate that I collided with a lady, causing both of our belongings to fall to the floor. While hurriedly grabbing our things, we exchanged apologies. Reminiscing about our encounter, even the monotonous flight announcement didn't disturb me. The flight attendant's reminder to switch our phones to airplane mode abruptly snapped me back to reality.

Panic set in as I realized my phone was missing. Despite frantically checking all my pockets and searching my backpack, it was nowhere to be found. Before I knew it, the plane was airborne, leaving  DFW Airport behind.

That Sunday Morning


Like most Sundays, the ring of the alarm got me off my sleep at 6:30. I stretched my left arm to fumble for my phone on the nightstand, desperate to silence it before it disturbed her. With the alarm now turned off, I shifted my attention to her, turning my glance to the right side of the bed to find her in the calm embrace of slumber. She was sleeping as peacefully as a newborn, her head off the pillow and curled on my right arm. In the tender moment as I gently pulled my arm away, she stirred her eyes flickering open briefly to meet mine, murmuring sweet nothings before settling into the comfort of my embrace, her head finding refuge against my heart. 

Through the cracks in the blinds, a lovely, golden light from the early morning sun stroked her face. Her face was as serene as a lake waving a heartfelt farewell to the setting sun, radiating with a delicate, ethereal beauty. At times like these, I couldn't help but marvel at my tremendous good fortune and be grateful for waking up beside her morning after morning.

I turned to face the ottoman across the room. On top of it were folded-up pairs of socks, my shorts, and a football jersey. After a while, I got up from the bed and gently went to the bathroom to avoid waking her. I was once again quite cautious about opening the door into the living room after I had finished freshening up and changed into my football gear. I noticed that the sunshine had made its way to her closed eyes, and she grudgingly turned toward the wall, not wanting to greet it anytime soon. The comforter accentuated her amazing curves; she resembled a lily, gently bent by a mild evening breeze. 

Mochi came running towards me as soon as I entered the living room. She is a sweet little Shih Tzu who we got from an animal shelter around six months ago. The spark and enthusiasm that Mochi has added to our lives is abundant. I smile every time I recall how we decided to have a dog.

It was just another mundane evening, and we were watching Ted Lasso for the second time. 

I went, "I really think we're ready for a new member of our family."

My partner furrowed her brow, and she said, "I'm in the mood for Jason Sudeikis' humor, not yours.

I went on, determined to present my point, "Don't you think it would help us grow and become more responsible?"

She responded, "I may be a modern girl, but I can't even think about having a baby before we tie the knot."

Her remark made me laugh hysterically. I explained, "I meant getting a dog," and we both started laughing, collapsing onto the couch till our stomachs ached.

I made sure not to overlook Mochi's treat while I made a steaming cup of black coffee. My coffee was perfectly brewed, so I carefully poured it into my go-to tumbler and walked over to the car. The charming September morning spread out before me. It had been a hot summer, but it had given way to a cool morning breeze that made the day feel perfect. With my car's window rolled down and both the music and the AC switched off, I set off toward the field.

The trees, now ornamented with hues of brown and orange, announcing the arrival of fall, caught my attention as I was driving. All ages of people were already out and about, enjoying this magical Sunday morning. While the younger ones ran along the sidewalk quickly, those who had lived through more seasons were leisurely jogging and strolling. Some people were watering their plants and caring for their lawns, and others could be seen on their balconies enjoying their morning beverages. I continued to drive through these lovely neighborhoods in my area while sipping my coffee as the soft wind caressed my hair and the tranquil sound of birds chirping whispered past my ears. At that moment, I couldn't have asked for anything more. These were seemingly ordinary, everyday occurrences, yet in their simplicity, they held a profound beauty and contentment that warmed my heart.

Green Valley Park Soccer Field, NRH, Texas


It was 10 to 7:30 when I arrived at the field. Some of my buddies had already arrived. More people started joining us as we stretched and laced on our cleats, and the game started. We had a diverse group of players: there was the new guy in running shoes who frequently slid across the moist morning grass; the regulars who sprinted past most players; a few showboats who frequently frustrated their teammates; the reluctant savior who played goalkeeper for the sake of the game; some bulked-up players who dominated physically; and some who would quit halfway, blaming their lack of sleep or the number of beers they had the previous day. Sunday morning football was a haven for all of us from the stresses of daily life, whether it was for fitness, socialization, or leisure. The two hours would quickly pass each week. 

We said goodbye to one another when the scrimmage was over. I made the decision on the way back to stop by a wonderful cafe we had only recently discovered. We were drawn in not just by the coffee but also by the welcoming atmosphere, which we both enjoyed with its warm, earthy wood decor and low, gentle lighting. I bought her favorite pumpkin spice latte and two almond croissants as a lovely morning surprise. I also had them add an extra drizzle of cinnamon syrup, just the way she likes her latte. 

I wasn't expecting to see her in the kitchen when I walked into the flat.

I said, smiling, "I thought you would still be sleeping."

"I thought I'd make you your favorite smoothie and omelette for breakfast," she replied while adding some berries and bananas into the blender.

"And I have your favorite latte and some almond croissants," I added, exchanging a warm smile.

She was still wearing her comfy pajamas for bed, with her hair tousled and loosely pulled back in a bun. She may not have yet washed her face, but she still appeared flawless.

As I leaned closer to embrace her, she pushed me away, taunting, "Not when you're this sweaty and stinky. Go take a shower, please."

I made another playful reach for her, but to my astonishment, I slammed against the wall next to my bed. My phone was ringing, and as soon as I picked it up, my friend yelled, "Yo! Where the hell are you? We need you to bring the cones ASAP so we can start playing. Everyone is waiting for you, bro!"

Suddenly awoke and alone in my bed, I realized I had overslept and was dreaming.

Backstory of First Video Project


My first film project, Memories, was conceived on a cold November 2021 evening. I was in my room after a routine workday when I learned that my regular indoor soccer game had been canceled because of the inclement weather. It was then that I decided to put my skill as a writer into a screenplay, the knowledge I had acquired through a few online screenwriting courses and reading screenplays of numerous famous films.  

Memories was published in April 2022 after months of work and the assistance of many people, for whom I will always be grateful.

Walk Down Memory Lane


We were sitting on the lush green grass, facing the setting sun. Behind us, a river meandered its way through some trees and rocks. I could hear several birds chirping delightfully amongst some of the burbling sounds of the river. The fragrance of gardenia filled the evening breeze. Everything was serene and perfect. She sat with her knees up, crossed her arms, and placed them on top of her knees. I pushed both my hands slightly back and rested my palms on the ground, leaning back a little so that I could steal a glimpse of her face now and again. As the dusk radiated its color, I was in a dilemma if it was her beaming face or the horizon that shone brighter.

Location: Kiroli Park, West Monroe, Louisiana.

Exchanging no words, we just stayed there for a while. We were cocooned by the silence, and I was pondering hard to break the awkwardness when she said, "It took us forever to meet, right?"

"Almost three months of talking over the text and phone," I replied.

"Have you been counting days?" she smiled.

It was just another mundane day in the first month of grade 11 when I was struck by cupid's arrow when she, carrying some notebooks in her arms, walked past me in the corridors of our high school. Her face was as though the rays of sunlight were shimmering through summer raindrops.  To say she was beautiful will be an understatement; she was gorgeous beyond my comprehension. Innately attractive, everything about her engrossed me.

I never grabbed the courage to ask her out in high school. A few months ago, I texted something on her Instagram story, to which she replied. We chatted for hours that night and exchanged numbers in the end.

I turned to face her, and there she was, with the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen, twinkling at me. We exchanged a few words; however, the words were followed by silence. Usually, quietness is awkward. However, the stillness felt different on that day. Both of us seemed to be delighted about the fact we were meeting for the first time, though our paths had crossed and some awkward glances were exchanged in the past. The tranquility came with fulfillment. 

We were lost in the la-la land when a phone call brought us back to the real world. It was my mamu. She was making sure I would get home on time for a little family get-together. 

Upon hearing my words with my mother, she said, "I think we should start walking back now."

"I think you are right," to which I replied and regretted instantly, for I wanted to be anywhere but there with her.

I stood up and extended my hands before she did. She slid her delicate hands into mine as we locked eyes, and I drew her up. I let them go because I was too nervous.

When I realized the evening breeze swept the strands of her long black hair towards her face and caressed it like a painter's stroke, I slowed down and tucked her long black hair behind her ears. My action was followed by a shy smile from her. 

We started walking at a matched pace, but we were taking tiny steps. Meanwhile, the children playing outdoors rushed towards their home as it was getting dark. I even noticed a flock of birds flying over us towards their domicile. Contrary to all of those kids and birds, we seemed to have all the time in this world. It grew darker by the minute, and the full moon played hide and seek among the sparse and feathery clouds, gleaming occasionally to my liking. I did not want to get back any sooner, and perhaps neither did she. The darkness did not seem to bother either of us. With every step we took, we were walking closer to each other. Our elbows brushed; so did our shoulders. 

She gently pulled my arm and encircled it with hers. Soon my fingers filled the gap between hers. The world felt so different. As her pulse synced with my heartbeat, I felt a lot about the things I knew very little about. My happiness knew no bounds. I was hoping that my face would not betray me and turn red. With every passing moment with her, I felt more captivated. I was astounded at what the slightest of her touches did to me.  It made me happy and made me feel vulnerable all at the same time.

                                                          .................

I did not tell her then, nor in the days that followed, about how I felt. I was certain she was the one, and all I wanted to do was spend the rest of my life with her. Do you know what they say about uncharted roads? You never know where it might have led. And now...all I can do is dwell on what we could have become...if we had stayed together.

 

Skydive: Flight or Fright

14,000 ft from the earth's surface, one of the instructors pushed the plane door wide open. As he did so the ear-splitting wind echoed inside the plane. It was then the relaxed-I gulped of fear and had goosebumps all over my arms.

Flying down the ground as I pulled the parachute. 

Backtrack to a few hours on that day (March 9, 2019), Ashim, one of my closest friends and I were in a car, on our way to Skydive Spaceland, Whitewright, Texas. This place happens to be one and a half hours drive away from the apartment of my other two friends, Bijay and Roshan, in Dallas. The initial plan was all four of us would skydive on that day. Group plans are never meant to be successful, and our plan was no exception. Roshan and Bijay were occupied at their work. Nevertheless, Ashim flew from Kirksville, Missouri, but he could not muster the courage to book for a skydive. So, there were him and I on our way to Whitewright, but only I intending for the dive.

A quick picture with Ashim before I boarded the plane.

Let me confess something; I have not ridden Ferris Wheel so far in my life. It is not the height, but the circular motion that scares the crap out of me. When I checked in at 11:30, I was given a waiver form to sign in. I made a mistake and started reading clauses on the form. All those clauses boil down to one conclusion: The company is not responsible if you are injured or dead. To brush off the feeling of death and fear, I signed everywhere I was supposed to without reading them.

Once I submitted the form, I, along with some other people, was taken to a room. An instructor provided us with many details and the Dos and Don'ts related to skydiving. To pump us up, he cracked a few jokes. At the end of the session, we were shown a video clip of someone else diving. He, however, then brought us a piece of bad news: The wind velocity was extreme, and the first dive of the day would be no sooner than 4 PM. 

I was slightly nervous until then, but the news changed my mood completely. Despite the obvious fear, I really wanted to skydive. The thought of going back to Dallas and coming back some other day was too hard for me to digest.

The wait was not as boring as I thought it would be though. Ashim and I were meeting after three years. So, we had a lot to talk about: life, family, school days, friends back in Nepal, American life, college, and the obvious: girls. We were so engaged in our conversation that the fours hours passed in a flash.

Freefall 

Upon the announcement of the first dive of the day and my name on the screen, I breathed a sigh of relief and was hyped. Within a couple of minutes, I met my instructor, Alex, with who I was diving, and Taylor, my videographer. Alex kitted me up and made sure the harness and other necessary equipment were tied up properly. He told me that he has done skydiving over 400 times, and he no longer does the counting. Hearing that, I was more relaxed. Until that moment, the nervousness had not kicked in yet (Perhaps, it had because it is evident on the video LOL!). 

Taylor took my quick interview. Then, we were loaded into the plane, and it took off. The instructors were shouting to boost us up. Initially, the flight felt like any other flight. However, everything changed when the door was swung wide open.

As the person before me disappeared down the sky, all the thoughts vanished from my mind, and I went blank. That brief moment when Alex walked me to the edge, and I leaned forward, putting my toes on the edge, was terrorizing. This has to be the scariest moment of the skydive. I can recall the loud rush of wind blowing past my face and brushing my hair fiercely as I prepared for the imminent descent. The view of the earth is something that you can barely pay heed to at that moment. What I know for sure is that if I was made to stand at the edge for more than three seconds, I would have backed off. 

A few seconds after the jump.

Within a matter of seconds, Alex pushed us down and all I could do was scream at the top of my voice. The freefall is said to be a minute long. However, falling at the speed of 120 miles per hour i.e. 193 kilometers per hour, I could not notice anything moving past myself. All I could feel was the intense rush of wind pushing me. I remember Taylor holding my hand and giving us a spin (3:02 on the video). I was filled with an adrenaline rush like never before that I forgot to check the altimeter.  Honestly, that minute of freefall felt somewhere around five seconds. Alex signaled me to pull down the parachute at 6,000 ft, and I was able to compose myself to do it (3:08 on the video). 

The peace you feel after pulling the parachute is like the calmness after the storm. That tranquility and stillness were incredibly soothing. It is my favorite part of the skydive. I could behold and notice things I had never witnessed earlier; I could smell the clean and fresh air that I never inhaled before. When the cool breeze caressed my face I felt as though I was under a canopy of a tree on a scorching day. I am happy about the fact that I savored every moment of the descent as I did not close my eyes even for a second.

Alex and I pose for a picture after landing


I was jolted from the solitude when Alex asked me to pull down my glass. He then instructed me to make turns with the parachute. After a while, we landed on the ground. I felt surreal, shocked, and euphoric, all at the same time. Hey! do not be surprised if something gets into your eyes and they get moist ;). I was not able to process my thoughts when Taylor asked me questions after landing. 

After collecting a flash drive of my pictures & video and thanking Alex, I got into the backseat of Bijay's car. As he started driving towards Dallas, Ashim and he were talking. Oblivious to what they were communicating about, I laid on the backseat with my eyes closed, still spellbound of the dive. I thought of a quote from Will Smith that brought a smile to my face, "The best things in life are placed on the other side of fear."

                                              




                      
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