Almaty

We got to the airport at 2 in the afternoon, an hour before the boarding time. Zhanat was ecstatic to see Jade again. They are also getting closer nowadays.

I exchanged casual hugs with Arlan and Dilnur and Miras aga while Zhanat already preoccupied herself with Jade.

"You only brought a backpack while I had this pretty big luggage," Zhanat chuckled at her.

"Well I have nothing else but this camping backpack."

"You must like camping out. I don't go out to do things like that. I'd prefer a tea party with my friends or a bake off with my cousins."

Jade just smiled in response.

They kept talking- or rather Zhanat kept talking and asking Jade this and that, unmindful of our presence. When it was time to board, she told Dilnur that she wanted to sit with Jade. My eyes turned to Jade and she was looking at me, her eyes pleading for rescue. I chuckled.