Maybe Somewhere North

Tullamarine airport, Melbourne.

“Why aren’t you heading to your gate yet?” another Indonesian guy in his 20s with his laptop in hand asked.

I paused, thinking of an excuse. Couldn't think of any. “I just had a crappy morning and I need my latte.” I handed a $5 bill to the cashier.

You see, I have had an issue. Somehow, back in the check-in desk, my boarding pass was deemed as 'unprintable'. Don't ask me why.

Double checking with the service center, done. Calling someone of higher rank, done. The person who was called coming over, did something fancy, went back to his desk, punched something on the keyboard, and left, done.

When I finally got my boarding pass, it was already five minutes past the boarding time.

I rushed to the gate. Cabin luggage, weighed. Queuing and trying to fill out the departure form, done. A call from a friend, ignored. Sorry, I had no time. Chat notification from a friend, typed two-word reply: security check.

A Chinese lady in her forties began to cut the queue, muttered something in Chinese that I didn’t catch. Now, she cut my line twice. Still muttering some Chinese words. I shrugged.

Getting out my laptop. Passport, where the hell did I put my passport? Oh, it was in my hand.

Got through the security screening. Fell into the lion’s den, a.k.a. immigration.

Run through the Duty Free counters. Tempted to snatch a shot of the alcohol samples. Walked straight instead. Saw Cafe Vue express.

Which brought us back up to date.

The guy who chatted to me while I was ordering coffee? Sprinting for dear life to his gate. Me? Still waiting for my latte, gee, thanks.

Final call.

If the plane decided to fly without me now, it would make such an interesting post.

Powerwalking to the gate. Coffee was too hot. Maybe the barista was having a crappy morning as well.

Arriving at my gate. Coffee’s spilled a bit. Officer told me to finish my coffee first. My pleasure.

More last-minute people show up. Coffee was still too hot. Gulping a third of it. My tongue? Okay. My throat? Burning. My chest? Volcano-like.

Taking a deep breath and three big gulps. Giving the empty cup to the officer. Powerwalking to the plane.

Miss Purnama. The seventh from last to board the plane. That’s a record.

Texted, “Plane. Flying soon.” Hit ‘send’. Turning off my phone. Forgot to wish two good friends the best for their exams. Planning my apologies.

Looked at the blue sky. Closed my eyes. Muttering, silently, "Holiday, I’m on my way."