Day 1 - A Flight to Remember
Hi everyone, I’m Anika Sen, from the charming streets of Gunnai, Mumbai. My world revolves around my small yet loving family—my mother, Shila Sen, my father, Kapil Sen, and my twin younger brothers, Reyan and Kabir. That’s a brief introduction to me, but let’s not dwell on it for too long because the real adventure begins with my journey to London!
It was the 20th of August, a day that I will never forget. The occasion? A very special one—my childhood best friend, Sofia, was getting married! And for this, I was about to embark on my first-ever international trip. Excitement surged through me as I boarded my flight, my heart racing with both nervousness and joy. To add to my luck, I had managed to get a window seat—a dream come true for a first-time traveller!
As the plane took off at exactly 12 PM, I felt a mix of emotions—thrill, nervousness, and an overwhelming sense of adventure. The moment the aircraft reached cruising altitude, the flight attendant announced that we could remove our seat belts and use our electronic devices. I immediately turned to the window, mesmerized by the breathtaking view of the sky and the cotton-like clouds floating beneath us. Unable to resist, I clicked picture after picture, capturing every bit of this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Just as I was lost in my little world of photography, my stomach let out a loud growl. That’s when I realized—I was starving! I put my phone down, debating whether to call the flight attendant for some food. But there was one problem—my shy nature. I remembered the strict instructions my friends had given me on how to behave on a flight, and somehow, asking for food didn’t seem to fit into their so-called “proper etiquette.”
As I sat there contemplating my next move, the person sitting beside me, whom I had already nicknamed Mr. Extrovert, noticed my struggle. He had been annoying me since the moment he took his seat, constantly asking me random and utterly useless questions. And now, he turned to me again with a teasing grin.
“Hello, Mrs. Introvert! Do you need something?” he asked, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
Annoyed, I gave him a sharp look and replied with as much attitude as I could muster, “No, I don’t want anything. If I need something, I’ll ask for it myself.”
He smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Alright then, do whatever you want. I was just trying to help!”
The minutes passed, and my hunger only grew worse. I checked my watch—it had only been two hours since takeoff, and I knew that meals were typically served after six hours. There was no way I could wait that long. Yet, my introverted self still hesitated to ask for food.
Sensing my struggle once again, Mr. Extrovert leaned toward me. “Okay, this is the last time I’m asking—do you need something?”
This time, my hunger won the battle over my pride. I blurted out almost immediately, “Yes! I am very hungry and need something to eat right now!”
He stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Are you serious? You took this long to ask for something so simple?”
Embarrassed, I looked down, my cheeks burning with shyness. I didn’t say a word.
Realizing he had made me uncomfortable, he quickly stopped laughing and apologized. Then, without hesitation, he called the flight attendant and requested the snack menu for me. Grateful yet still flustered, I ordered a small snack—just enough to keep me going until dinner.
When my cup of noodles arrived, I wasted no time. I devoured it in minutes, savouring every bite as if I hadn’t eaten in days.
Watching me, Mr. Extrovert chuckled again. “You know, you can eat slowly. No one is going to snatch your food away!”
I rolled my eyes, choosing to ignore him. Instead, I focused on finishing my meal. Once my hunger was satisfied, exhaustion took over. I adjusted my seat, closed my eyes, and let sleep take me away.
Little did I know, this flight was just the beginning of an unforgettable journey ahead...
