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The once familiar sun rays bursting through the airport’s windows had started to dim. Noelle, who had been sitting, waiting, pulled back her sleeve, checking the watch that was tightly wrapped around her wrist.
12:47 PM blinked back at her. Noelle frowned and yanked her sleeve forward, covering the watch. Akarsha was supposed to arrive 17 minutes ago. Noelle turned her attention towards the food court that was stationed in front of her. Just a couple hours ago, it was like a concert, crowded with people lining up and buying things. Now, it just seemed like a ghost town, with some occasional customers arriving and taking a look.
Noelle slumped against the uncomfortable seat, ignoring the stares from behind her head. A speaker blared out, playing the same annoying tune that Noelle’s heard for the 10th time. Still, it nearly made her jump. Noelle reached in her pocket and took out her phone, glancing at her lockscreen, which was full of notifications from the group chat.
“Frenchman!”
Noelle immediately turned her head towards the voice and stood up, her eyes lightening up. In the distance, she could see someone running towards her at a moderate pace.
Her girlfriend, Akarsha.
By the time Akarsha was at a close range, she dropped her stuff and picked up her speed, slamming into Noelle with a hug. Noelle gasped slightly as she nearly stumbled backwards, barely catching herself. She hugged back and leaned her head on Akarsha’s shoulder.
After a couple minutes, Akarsha pulled away, still holding on Noelle by the shoulders. She inspected the taller woman up and down before breaking out into a grin. “You have more gray hair than the last time I saw you.” Akarsha pointed out. Noelle frowned as she placed a hand over it, covering the gray hairs.
“No, no - not a bad thing,” Akarsha stammered as she released her hand and reached up, gently pulling Noelle’s hand away from her hair. “I like your gray hairs.”
Noelle’s face flushed, her eyes momentarily widening in surprise. Then, she huffed and playfully smacked Akarsha by the shoulder with the back of her other hand. “Quit it.”
Akarsha smiled as she leaned forward, attempting to kiss Noelle. Noelle’s head immediately whirred back, pulling away from the attempt. “Not here,” she whispered. Her eyes darted towards the shop, where a couple of people were already looking at them.
“Fine, fine,” Akarsha retreated as she released her grip, heading back to where she had last thrown her luggage on the ground. “Anyways, how long have you been waiting for me?”
Noelle crossed her arms and looked off to the side, “...not long,” She lied.
Turning her head back towards Akarsha, she pointed out the delay. “You were supposed to arrive at 12:30.”
“Well, planes aren’t really the best in being precise with their arrival time,” Akarsha teased as she heaved her bag over her left shoulder, turning around to face Noelle. She walked over, dragging the rest of her luggage behind. Noelle took a final glance at Akarsha’s outfit before turning around. She smiled softly and reached her hand out, gently intertwining her hand with Akarsha's.