52
KENNEDY
My pulse raced as my Gmail popped on my phone. I had a new email from Mom.
I opened it to read the message. I hadn’t contacted my parents other than an email, telling them that I needed some space.
My heart sank.
I drew a deep breath, let out, and dialed Mom’s number. She picked right away as if she was expecting my call.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Honey. Oh, thank God. Where are you? You made us worry.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Tell Dad not to worry. I’m having fun, actually.”
“Having fun? What kind of fun, honey?” It was Dad. Maybe she put the speaker on.
“If I tell you both, could you not tell anyone where I am? I need some time for myself before I come back. But don’t worry, I am doing great.
“Can you tell us now?”
“I’m in Dubai.”
“Dubai? In the Middle East? What the hell are you doing there?” Now I regretted letting them know. Of course, I couldn’t tell them to stop worrying about me, but I made my decisions.
“We have clients before. She told me if I have plans to visit UAE, I should call her. So that’s why I am here.”
“How are you holding up? When are you gonna come back?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m planning to travel to another country.”
“I’m glad to hear your voice, honey. Since you are doing okay, we’re good here,” Dad said.
“Have you transferred yet?”
“That’s what we wanna talk about you.”
“Wait. Did someone visit you?”
“No. Nothing like that. Alessia called here yesterday, asking about you. I can’t tell her anything because you just left without telling us about your plans or wherever you were planning to go. And you wanted us to mail this—you know.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, Mom. Or you can just give it to Alessia. She will give it to him.”
“Honey, you can mention his name if you’re really doing fine.”
“I’m going there, Mom.”
“Good. Anyway, have you watched the news?”
I shook my head. From the glass window, I watched the fastest growing and well-developed city as far as my sight would go. “I don’t wanna hear or know about it.”
“Well, just saw you know. They made a statement this morning.”
“Mom, please?” I bit back my tears.
“Honey, listen to me, Kennedy.” It was Dad. “You need to know that they’ve already found that woman in those pictures. Someone knew about your booking. They made a huge mistake because you can’t be in two different places at the same time.”
“Unless I have a double.”
“Exactly. The Royals have a copy of the flight manifest. And that your flight to LA was canceled before you and your friends flew to Vegas. So, your name has been cleared, and those trolls finally apologized and believed that it wasn’t you.”
“So, who’s the perpetrator that made that woman looked like me?”
“It doesn’t matter now, Kennedy. Have you talked to Prince Thayer?” There you go again, the constriction in my chest.
“I haven’t checked my number. I just purchased a visitor’s sim card. I hope you two can still keep a secret. I’m not ready to come back. It means I’m not ready to talk to anyone.”
“We completely understand, Kennedy. Just don’t do something stupid, okay?”
“Dad, I’m only here to enjoy, unwind, and skydive.” I rolled my eyes. They were overprotective, and they exactly reminded me of someone.
“You what?” I could feel the panic in my mom’s voice.
Oh, God! Kill me now. “That’s why I didn’t wanna tell you about it because I can literally see your reaction right now.”
“Is it safe?” Dad asked.
“Well, I just want to conquer my fear. And I’m not gonna jump alone. I have an instructor, and he’s patient and kind.”
“He?”
“Yes.” I let out a laugh. “Mom, he, and don’t go there yet. I know what you both are thinking. He’s kind, but that’s all.”
“Fine. Just take care and don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you both. Got to go. And please, start packing. Bye.”
***
“Good to see you, Kenny. Glad that you have finally made your decision.”
“I wanna earn a certificate,” I said proudly. I met Talal in the Base after I called him that I was ready to do it on my own, but still, with a professional. I did my first jump course. Now I was ready for my four-day training course for AFF—it was called Accelerated Freefall.
“That’s what I’d been telling you. You’re a fast learner.”
“And let’s not forget that I don’t chicken out anymore.”
“Exactly! Because you have one of the best instructors.” He raised his hand for a high five.”
“And who might that be because I have two instructors with me,” I smirked.
“You have to admit, Kenny. I’m the best. When you get back to America, you can recommend and tag me on your social media.”
I laughed out loud. It felt good to laugh—like really really good. I couldn’t believe that it had been days since I heard myself laugh. It was during that night in Vegas.
“Fine. You’re the best.” I rolled my eyes.
“Let me familiarize you with the course manual. We start as early as eight in the morning. Classes take seven to eight hours a day. It starts with motivation, risk management, gear inspections, etc. You will join the other students. Don’t worry. I’m one of your instructors.”
“Good.”
“But today, I’ll give you a free tandem. Just for today.”
“Really?” My eyes widened.
“Yes. Now, let’s go gear up. The weather is great today. I want you to be fully confident before you start your AFF Camp tomorrow.”
“Yay! Can’t wait.”
We entered the building. There were wind tunnels indoors for athletes or who wanted to find out what it felt like to be in the sky during freefall.
“See you when you are ready. Meet me at the waiting area.”
I went to the hallway, passed by rooms toward the women’s locker to put my suit on.
A woman carrying a bottle that looked like flavored yogurt asked, “You’re Kenny?”
“Yup?"
“Talal said you may need this before your flight.”
“Thanks.” I took it from her.
After she left, I sat down, shook the strawberry-flavored yogurt, and downed it. It was fresh and delicious.
***
Hum. Noise. A lot of noises. Shake. Pressures.
I felt like I was in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place, probably in an aircraft seat.
The noise and the humming continued. It got louder this time.
I was in the middle between reality and a dream.
Wait.
What happened?
I was supposed to have a tandem with Talal. I was in the locker, drinking flavored yogurt. The flavored yogurt. Did I fall asleep? Then how did I get in this horrible place?
Oh, my God.
My heart pounded so hard—it was uncomfortable.
I jolted to sit. My eyes were bugging out from each socket.
Indeed, I was on the plane. How did I get in here? I didn’t know, but I was in my gear—complete gear. In fact, I was securely connected to my tandem in four points—two from my shoulders and two near my hips—just like how Talal attached me to him during our jump.
“Talal, what happened? Did I fall asleep? Where are we?”
“Sorry, darling.” Darling? My heart pounded double. That voice sounded familiar, like my own. “Talal is preoccupied at this moment.” Am I dreaming again? I lightly hit my face with my glove-covered hand.
God, it’s him.
How I missed him? How I missed the sexiness in his voice when he called me darling? I wanted to tell him how I felt, but it was not the right time.
He let out a chuckle. “Ready to jump?”
I turned my head to face him and reached out his face. I wished I wasn’t wearing gloves. He leaned over against my touch. “God, I miss you.”
“Asshole!” God. “Not again!”
