Bonfire – Part l

"Mr Reighs!" Ophelia exclaimed and Gerbert's eyes widened.
"Ophelia!" He exclaimed and a smile sprouted on his lips as his eyes took in her form. "It's good to see that you started flying again!" Gerbert laughed heartily and Ophelia smiled.
"Yes, Dad wanted to see me fly again."
"How is my friend?" Gerbert asked.
"He's holding up well and thanks to you our business is standing up again."
"It was all Mason dear. He always gets back up again." Gerbert stated and a proud smile graced Ophelia’s lip.
"So where are you off to dear?" He asked.
"I just landed here so I have some paperwork to file and then I'll head to the crew lounge, I'm on call." Gerbert nodded as she informed. "What brings you here Mr Reighs?" She asked and Gerbert shrugged.
"Same old boring business meetings with a bunch of old people. Nothing as interesting as your job! Look at you flying from country to country flying those jumbo jets!" Ophelia chuckled and said, "Those meetings can be interesting too, I mean-" she paused when the memories of the day of the meeting with a potential partner flashed through her mind. And that brought back memories of him. "-I mean business is an interesting occupation too." She finished her words and Gerbert nodded. A moment of silence passed by while a question lingered on her mind. She hesitated but couldn't help but ask,
"Is-is Onyx here with you?"
Gerbert look as though he hadn't expected the question and his eyes slightly widened. Ophelia noticed how his eyes looked over her shoulders for a brief second and she turned her head back.
Warmth and a new ray of hope washed over her being with just the sight of him. There he was, finely dressed in a white double-breasted blazer with navy blue plaid trousers. His hair was effortlessly styled and his full lips were in a thin line. Ophelia smiled at the mere sight of him but she could hear her heart crack when a woman came to his side and clung to his arm. And he didn't seem to mind. Ophelia's eyes bore holes at joint her hands had touched him and Ophelia's eyes soon made their way to his eyes. Onyx's sharp browns turned to her and the moment their eyes met he pulled the woman close by her waist and pressed a kiss on her lipstick coated awaiting lips.
The pain of a million knives thrusting into her heart swept over her. She was left speechless by his actions and before the tears welled up in her eyes could fall, she hurriedly excused herself and dashed to the bathroom.
Ophelia entered the nearest available stall and closed the door shut. Standing against the cheap wood door she felt her cheeks getting wet with tears streaming down. She slowly pulled herself forward and sat down on the closed toilet seat. The image of him kissing the woman played through her mind on repeat and she felt her chest tighten and slowly her breathing got heavy. She clamped her hand over her mouth muffling the loud sobs as hot tears cascaded down her cheeks.
'Why does it hurt so much!' She wailed in pain but the hurt flashing through her didn't subside but only grew. A heartbreak is a whole-body reaction, affecting everything from the stress systems to the heart and brain function. We are born with the ability to form loving bonds and to sorrow when they fail. Nature's approach of training us to be loyal and in love is brutal by biological and evolutionary necessity. She knew that but she didn't know the extent of the pain. She knew he was a heartbreaker just by his looks but she didn't expect it to hurt this way. Her sobs turned into wails of loss and pain. And she tried to console herself saying that it was for the best. But the thought of him just abandoning her like that and moving on even without a goodbye, only fueled the pain.
-
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Days went by and she gathered herself focusing on flying. Even though it was not recommended, she took every call and opportunity to fly move. Just so her mind would not think about him and pain her already broken heart. After she maxed her highest flying time, Ophelia was sent to mandatory rest. And as much as she was upset about the resting period, she knew she should not push herself any further and risk the passengers' lives.
"Yes, Dad. I landed safely." Ophelia sighed as she replied to her father on the phone. She walked straight towards the crew lounge with her pilot bag in hand and cellphone pressed against her ear.
"I'll be here for the next two days." She replied again and rolled her eyes. "Of course, I'm taking good care of myself and it's you who is sick, not me."
The father and daughter finished their conversation and after goodbyes, Ophelia hung up the call and slipped it into her pocket. She took a right turn and collided with someone. A grunt left her mouth and she steadied herself breaking her fall. Ophelia looked up and saw a pair of cold brown eyes looking down at her. She gasped when Onyx opened his mouth and only bitter cold words came out.
"Watch where you are going, Captain. You might hurt someone."
Ophelia was left speechless as Onyx walked around her and left. For a moment she stood there trying to wrap her head around how a person can change so dramatically in a span of two months! How someone can even forget your existence and the shared moments. How a person can change from claiming to be your fiancé to being a total stranger!
-
Ophelia collected her belongings from the crew lounge and headed outside the airport after getting clearance to leave. As Ophelia was leaving the Madrid Barajas Airport her phone vibrated in her pocket. She saw Leighton's name flashing across the screen and picked up the call.
"Hey," she said and Leighton's cheerful voice came through,
"Hey, little crow! Where you at?"
"Spain. Why?"
"You are in Spain?" Leighton screamed over the phone and Ophelia cringed.
"Yes, I'm leaving the Madrid Barajas Airport right now."
"What!" He screamed again and Ophelia groaned.
"Will you stop screaming! You're bursting my f*ucking ear!" She growled.
"Wow! What's gotten your panty in a twist?"
"Cut to the chase please Leighton." Ophelia sighed.
"Ok ok. I'm coming to pick you up. Wait for me." Leighton said and Ophelia's eyes widened.
"You what? You're in Spain?"
"How else would I pick you up? See ya little crow." Leighton hung up the call and Ophelia shook her head as she walked out of the airport. And as promised Leighton was there to pick her up after ten minutes of wait. Leighton and Ophelia had restored their friendship and were as close as ever. And she couldn't be happier about that. At least something was going in a positive direction in her life. Ophelia smiled as Leighton jumped out of his car and rushed to her and pulled her in a hug which she happily returned.
"What are you doing here?" Ophelia asked and Leighton grinned.
"I was here on business but the old people were nagging me and I just escaped somehow." He said pathetically and Ophelia laughed.

He watched with clenched fists as the man wrapped his arms around her body and she hugged him back. He pulled her towards his car and said something that made her laugh throwing her head back. They soon got into his car and drove away. Another wave of raw jealousy surged through him as he got into his awaiting car and drove away.