Time to sleep

by Anis · Published January 12, 2012 · Updated January 30, 2014

It was one of those days.

I’d already seen the man in the waiting lounge, his bright red shirt impossible to miss. His eyes were staring at me, watching my every move. I checked my watch; he was looking. I yawned; he was still looking. Please don’t let him sit anywhere near me. I’m not in the mood and I don’t want anyone creepy next to me, I thought.

When I got to my seat on the plane, I saw him sitting next to mine. He in the bright crimson shirt. Waiting Lounge Guy. He flashed me a big smile as he watched me sit down, running his eyes over my body.

I was on a flight from London to Kuala Lumpur. I couldn’t figure out the man, whom I estimated to be about 10 years older. He looked Asian and had light brown skin, but then he had blue eyes.

Thirty minutes in the air, I became aware that he was staring at me. It made me very uncomfortable so I pretended to fall asleep because that was the only thing I could do.

When I ‘woke up’ half an hour later, I found him grinning at me. “You are looking very beautiful while you are sleeping,” he enunciated with care, his blue eyes looking deep into mine. WHY did I take this plane? Once again, I didn’t know what else to do so I pretended to fall asleep again.

This time I slept for real. I must have dozed off for a few hours because when I opened my eyes, stewardesses were pushing food trolleys and pouring out drinks. “Chicken or beef?” I heard one of them ask the woman behind me. I turned around. “Can I have fish?” the woman asked brightly. There’s going to be a slight problem there.

I had the beef stew. It was served with rice, some steamed carrots, potatoes and a salad. Dessert was a square of custard pudding. Nothing much, but it was all right.

I ignored Waiting Lounge Guy throughout the meal, pretending to listen to music on my earphones and be totally engrossed in my salad. I saw him looking my way from time to time, which I thought was just too weird.

“Are you marriage?” he asked suddenly.

“Sorry?”

“Marriage, you know, marriage. Are you marriage.”

I wasn’t marriage, but I wasn’t about to tell him that.

“No, but I will be soon.” You liar, Anis.

The man smiled, and this time it was a nice sincere smile, almost kind. “He is very lucky.”

I immediately felt bad and regretted that I had lied. “That’s very nice of you. Thank you.”

Then he shattered the moment and said,”But you are very beautiful while you are sleeping.” He grinned, raised his eyebrows and suddenly turned back into creepy Waiting Lounge Guy.

What else could I do but go back to sleep again.

“Good night”, I said, and closed my eyes.