After Linda packed her stuff and bid her family a tearful goodbye, she set off for the airport, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. As she arrived at the airport, she went through the necessary procedures, starting with checking in for her flight. She presented her boarding pass and identification to the airline staff, who efficiently processed her and handed her a printed boarding pass.
Next, Linda proceeded to the security checkpoint, where she removed her shoes, belt, and electronic devices from her carry-on luggage and placed them in a bin for scanning. As she passed through the metal detector, the head security officer, a middle-aged man with a kind face, couldn't help but notice her. He smiled warmly as she approached him after collecting her belongings.
"Hi there, miss," he said, his voice friendly. "You're traveling alone today?"
Linda smiled back, feeling a bit surprised by the personal question. "Yes, I am," she replied.
The officer nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you're certainly brave to be traveling alone. Where are you headed today?"
"Seoul," Linda replied, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
The officer nodded. "Ah, Seoul! Beautiful city. You'll love it there." As he handed her back her boarding pass, he glanced at her with admiration. "You know, you're a very pretty young lady. Have a safe flight, okay?"
Linda blushed slightly, feeling a mix of surprise and appreciation for the kind words. "Thank you, sir," she said with a smile. "I will."
With her security formalities out of the way, Linda made her way to the gate indicated on her boarding pass. After boarding the plane, she found her seat and settled in, fastening her seatbelt and waiting for the plane to depart.
As she sat down, she noticed a woman sitting next to her, cradling a baby in her arms. The baby cooed and giggled, capturing Linda's attention. The woman smiled at Linda and introduced herself.
"Hi, I'm Sarah, and this is little Jack," she said, gently rocking the baby.
Linda's eyes lit up as she gazed at the baby. "He's adorable! My brother's name is Jack too," she exclaimed. Sarah smiled, and Linda couldn't resist reaching out to hold the baby's hand. Jack giggled and reached out to her, and before long, Sarah handed him over to Linda, who cradled him in her arms.
As Linda held Jack, Sarah asked, "So, where are you from?"
Linda smiled, "I'm from Nigeria." Sarah's eyes widened in surprise, but she smiled warmly.
"Wow, Nigeria! I've always been fascinated by African culture. What brings you to Seoul?" Linda replied, "I'm came here to study."
Sarah's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, that's great! What are you planning to study?" Linda's face brightened as she replied, "I'm planning to study international business."
Sarah nodded thoughtfully. "That's a great field. Seoul's a fantastic place to learn about business and culture." As they chatted, Linda continued to cradle baby Jack, who was now sleeping peacefully in her arms.
Sarah smiled, "You seem like a natural with babies. Do you have any kids of your own?" Linda laughed, "No, I'm not married yet, but I love kids. I have a little brother who's always full of energy."
As the flight attendants came by to offer snacks and drinks, Sarah asked Linda if she'd like some water or tea. Linda accepted a bottle of water, and they continued chatting about everything from culture to food to travel.
After a while of chat and laughter, Sarah said warmly to Linda, "You know, you're the most beautiful African woman I've ever met." Linda blushed slightly, feeling a sense of gratitude for the kind words. "Thank you, Sarah. That's very sweet of you to say," she replied with a smile, honoring the compliment.
As the conversation continued, Linda started to feel a bit drowsy. The comfortable seat, the gentle hum of the plane, and the warmth of the cabin seemed to lull her into a relaxed state. Before she knew it, her eyelids grew heavy, and she couldn't fight the sleepiness anymore.
As she drifted off to sleep, baby Jack was still snuggled in her arms. Sarah gently adjusted Linda's position to make sure she was comfortable and didn't drop the baby. She smiled tenderly at the sight of Linda sleeping with Jack in her arms, looking like a natural mother.
Sarah carefully covered Linda with a blanket and ensured that both Linda and Jack were secure. She then settled back into her seat, watching over them both as they slept peacefully.
The hours passed, and the plane continued on its journey to Seoul. When Linda woke up, she felt refreshed and a bit disoriented. She looked down at Jack, who was still sleeping in her arms, and smiled. Sarah was watching her with a warm smile.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Sarah said softly. "Welcome back."
Linda smiled back, feeling a bit embarrassed but grateful for the pleasant company. "Thanks, Sarah. I think I needed that nap."
Few minutes later,as the flight attendants began their preparations for landing, Linda felt a flutter in her stomach. She was almost in Seoul! She glanced over at Sarah, who was busy packing up her belongings.
"Thanks again for the chat, Sarah," Linda said, smiling. "It's been lovely meeting you and baby Jack."
Sarah smiled back, "Likewise, Linda. Safe travels, and good luck with your studies." Baby Jack, sensing the movement, stirred in Linda's arms and began to whimper. Sarah quickly took him from Linda and comforted him.
As the plane descended, Linda felt her ears pop slightly. She yawned, feeling a bit more alert now that she was almost at her destination. She looked out the window, watching as the landscape below grew closer.
The seatbelt sign flickered on, and the flight attendants' voices came over the intercom, instructing passengers to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for landing. Linda complied, feeling a sense of excitement building up inside her.
The plane leveled out briefly before beginning its final descent. Linda took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions: excitement for her new adventure, nervousness about the unknown, and gratitude for the unexpected friendship she had formed with Sarah.
Before the plane landed, Linda and Sarah exchanged numbers. "Let's keep in touch," Sarah said, smiling. "I'd love to hear about your adventures in Seoul."
Linda nodded enthusiastically, typing Sarah's number into her phone. "Definitely! I'll send you updates, and maybe we can even plan a meetup sometime."
Sarah grinned. "That would be great. Safe travels, Linda. I'm sure we'll talk soon."
With their numbers exchanged, Linda felt a sense of connection and friendship that would transcend borders. She smiled at Sarah, feeling grateful for the chance encounter.
After a few minutes, Linda started searching for a taxi to take her from the airport to the address her dad had given her. As she stood out, she noticed people pointing and whispering at her, and she knew it was because she looked different. After a long while of searching for a taxi with no success, the sky darkened and a heavy downpour began. She rushed to the main road to quickly get a taxi, seeking shelter under a nearby awning to protect herself and her luggage from getting wet.
As the rain finally stopped, Linda continued her search for a taxi. As she stood on the sidewalk, two luxurious cars - a sleek Genesis G90 and a shiny Genesis G80 - passed her sharply, speeding down the road and splashing water all over her. The frustration of not getting a taxi, combined with exhaustion, hunger, and being drenched, boiled over into rage.
In a swift motion, Linda delivered a flying kick, hitting the side mirror of one of the cars and breaking it. The Genesis G90 screeched to a halt, and a handsome young guy, dressed in a stylish outfit consisting of a fitted white shirt, designer jeans, and sleek sunglasses, emerged from the car. Two men in black suits stepped out of the Genesis G80, their faces stern and imposing, and approached Linda.
The young guy's expression was one of outrage, and Linda stood her ground, still fuming from the incident. "What the...?" the young guy exclaimed, his voice rising in anger.