The Journey

"For the hundredth time, leave me alone."

All eyes snapped at Ryan, who was yelling at a small child. Damn, even Alex was not able to irritate Ryan like that. I couldn't suppress my laugh and used both hands to cover my uncontrollable mouth. Still, it came out like a hiccup. We were just an hour into the journey, and it was definitely entertaining for all of us. The kids kept pestering the vampire prince, and he tried almost every method to avoid them. He even pretended to sleep, but the little monsters were adamant. Ryan unbuckled his seat belt and stood up, his eyes covered with sunglasses so that no one would see the blazing red orbs. From nowhere, an air hostess came rushing to the front row.

"Sir, may I help you?"

The uniformed girl asked, smiling, trying to grasp the situation.

"Yes. Can you please call these demons' mother?"

Shouted the real demon, pointing at two vulnerable human children. Ah, the irony. Helena also got the humor, as she snickered at me.

"Sorry Sir. But I can't."

The air hostess held both her hands politely and squeezed them alternately, looking perplexed.

"And why is that? Don't they have a mother?"

Ryan asked, getting agitated. And I am enjoying his discomfort way too much. Poor kids, though; they looked smug.

"I fear they don't."

The woman replied in a hushed voice and looked at the children sympathetically.

"What do you mean?"

I interfered in their conversation and got up from my seat.

"Their parents died in an accident yesterday, and these children are taking their bodies back to their homeland."

Her eyes became glassy as she said those words. I didn't move from my place, nor did Ryan. But the two kids still chattered like nothing happened. I bit my lips, afraid that a sob would escape my lips.

"You may leave. I will take care of them from now on."

I assured her, and she nodded at me gratefully before going back to their cabin. I asked Sid to adjust his seat with Helena, which both of them reluctantly approved, because of the situation.

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

"What is your name?"

After ten minutes of arrangement, Ryan and I ended up on either side of the four-seater, with both kids in the middle. Although he didn't apologize for being rude to the kids, he compensated by buying extra juice and snacks for them. What a softie! I wasn't speaking to Ryan properly as the words 'I love you' kept resonating in my ears, but I couldn't behave like this always, especially when we had to spend a lot of time together during this trip.

"I am Kyle, and he is Nyle."

The older looking one said it with a grin.

"Hmm, matching names."

I smiled at them genuinely. Poor kids. I know what it means to lose both parents together, and that, too, at a very young age.

"My mother always wanted matching names. That's why he is named Nyle. See Kyle, Nyle, only a letter difference."

He explained like a grownup, but his head jerked back as his brother hit him on the back.

"Hey, our mother. You are not her only son."

Nyle complained, moaning, and he somehow looked like a lost puppy to me. What a pity that, because of the carelessness of someone, they are now named parentless. I know how that is. Being left alone in the world with no one to call parents is... I don't know how to describe it; I just know that the feeling sucks.

"Australia is your native place, huh? Do you have anyone there, like Uncle, Aunt, and all?"

It was actually after the announcement from Pilot that I learned that we were headed to Australia.

"No, my grandparents are there..."

He did not complete, as Nyle slapped him on the shoulder.

"Our... Kyle.... Our."

"Whatever, dude."

Kyle exclaimed, raising his hands in midair. I am certain their parents had a wonderful time with these jewels, only that it didn't last long.

"So 'OUR' grandparents were in London. We have only seen them occasionally. Mom had told me that they were working somewhere else, but now they live in Australia with my uncle and aunt."

"That's good."

I responded, nodding my head. At least they have other family members to look after them.

"What about you guys? Why are you going to Australia?"

"Well... we are...

What should I say? If I told them I was going to meet my friend, wouldn't he ask who that friend was? But Ignacia is not my friend. She's just my... wait, who is she to me?

"We are going on a vacation."

Ryan completed my unfinished sentence. For the first time, he saved me verbally, though he is the one who's always saved me. And why didn't I think of that response? It's not like I couldn't lie.

"I love vacations."

Nyle screeched, earning a glare from Kyle, but it didn't stop the four-year-old.

"We once went to Hawaii with mom and dad, and it was so fun. Dad threw me into the water, and Mom scolded him, telling him that I was a small child. Dad and I made sand castles, which Kyle destroyed. We spent the whole vacation there. I want to go back to those times. But I can't. Can I?"

I was now staring at the same eyes that had haunted me for the past eighteen years whenever I looked in the mirror. We were different people rowing towards the same side. I put my left hand over his shoulder affectionately, a gesture to console him, and it actually worked.

At some point, we slept like that. I woke up hearing Adrian's voice. Nyle was still in my hands, and he looked so peaceful while sleeping. Adrian shook me a bit while crouching next to me and pointed to Ryan's seat. The scene ahead was so cute. Kyle laid his head on Ryan's shoulder while Ryan covered Kyle with his entire hand. They looked like real father and sons.

Father... if Ryan becomes a father, then I will be the mother, right? Is that possible? I mean, I am not a human, so how can I be pregnant? But then, how was Ryan born? And why the heck am I blushing?

"The view isn't over yet, Atty."

Adrian nudged me, bringing me back from the heated thoughts. I peered at my previous seat and couldn't control the smile that formed. Sid and Helena were sleeping on each other's shoulder and head comfortably. They looked as if they were made for each other. However, their beautiful sleep was destroyed by the Captain's voice.

"Passengers, this is the Captain speaking. Please put on your seat belts, as our destination has arrived and we are about to make a landing."

Ryan immediately regained his posture and woke Kyle up. He was a bit embarrassed knowing I saw his soft self, but he went back to his normal nature quickly enough. The epic reaction was Sid and Helena's. She jolted up her head, realizing she was on Sid's shoulder, but their heads banged, and both of them cursed out in pain. The rest of us burst out laughing when we saw this. When I said the rest of us, I meant Adrian and I were actually laughing while Ryan smiled. But that can be considered a pleasant laugh for anyone who knows him. The announcement came once again, and we were all set to land.

Australia, here we come.

We checked out of the Australian Airport along with Nyle, Kyle, and the air hostess, waiting for their grandparents to arrive. They have to sign certain documents to release the bodies. Each time I think about it, there is a slight pain in my heart. We decided to remain with the kids as well, since Nyle insisted, and, honestly, I would not have peace of mind if I didn't see them getting back safely to their family.

"How would you recognize their grandparents?"

That was a sensible question from Ryan.

"Oh, they have a person assisting from the agency. I am just asked to verify their papers."

She said, shrugging. After 15 minutes, Nyle was so tired and sleepy, so we both retired to the waiting room. He was almost asleep in my hands when someone tapped on my shoulder. I carefully turned, so that I wouldn't wake him up, to face an old lady. My eyes widened in shock, and my heart started to beat frantically.

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