Chapter 9

The flight's price seemed to be higher in the month of April. Almost twice than any other month. Gripping Jaime's hand, we ambled through the narrow passer way after checking out of the tickets. The moment the plane docked, a wave of nostalgia hit me hard. I was back in New York. After six years, everything seemed to have changed. Since Amelia's wedding was going to take place at New York, she told me to directly come to the hotel where they were staying at the moment.

The announcement in the background came again. We passed through a group of people, and out of the terminal. Amelia insisted she should come and pick us up, but I refused. She was the bride, how was I letting her do the hard work?

“Mommy” Jaime tugged my sleeves. My eyes were glued in my phone as I booked a cab for us. The traffic here was hectic and even getting a cab was difficult.

“Yes, son?”

“I want to use the washroom” he said, his pouty lips pressed in a thin line.

“Oh, sure. There should be a restroom around here. Come, I'll lead you there” I asserted and after asking a staff who worked at the airport, I showed Jaime the way.

“I can go from here, Mommy” he verbalized but I wasn't sure. There were thousands of people and if for one second my mind diverted from him, it would be hard to find him.

“You sure? I can come with you, no problem” I smiled but he assured me he could manage. I sighed and watched as he entered the men's washroom.

I whirled around, holding the handle of my suitcase with one hand while booked a cab with the other.

At that moment, an old lady came up to me and asked, “Dear, may I ask where is the restroom?” she seemed to be blind as she wore black shades and was holding a stick in her hand.

“Ah, yes, sure.” I didn't even know myself where the restroom was but I was glad I saw it right around the corner, opposite to the men's washroom. “Here. Do you want me to keep an eye on your luggage?” I took her hand and pushing the door inside, I led her in.

“That will be of much help” she thanked with a smile.

Shit. For a minute, Jaime slipped off my mind. He would be out by now and if he doesn't see me at the place where I told him I would be, he would start to panic. I decided to text him, letting him know to wait outside the washroom until I see him. A minute later, he responded with a yes. Now, I could take care of the luggage while the lady was in.

Ten minutes have ratified but the blind lady was still inside. What was taking her so long? I have already booked the cab and it must be waiting outside. I groaned but when I reached for my suitcase, the side was deserted. I peered to my left side, finding my suitcase gone. Fuck no. On the other side, the lady's bag was on its place the way I have placed.

I started to panic. Where was my suitcase? Who could— No. “It can't be” I sucked in air, while I realised that the blind lady wasn't actually blind. Shit, she fooled me. I went inside the washroom, finding a woman in floral maxi dress washing her hands. “Hi, have you seen a lady with black shades and a stick coming out of from here?” I implored.

“No. Didn't see anyone.”

I hurried to complain about the incident to the two guards who were present there. I told them what happened and they went in search of her. I skimmed my fingers through my hair, panic making the food I ate churn in my stomach. An announcement was made about the woman and I was hoping she would be caught. I waited where the guard had told me to until they come to notify me.

“Here!” a yell came from a distance and I snapped my head at its direction. There I saw, a man running after someone. On taking a few steps forward, I noticed it was the blind lady. Good lord, she had fine eyes and also great stamina. The platform was turned into a hustle, the murmurs of people growing.

Somehow, the blind lady was caught by the guards. She didn't just steal mine, but a few others. Upon asking her why she did, she refused to say anything. What was she supposed to say anyway? She stole because he had to.

The guards safely returned my black suitcase and relief flooded over me. Thank goodness. Just at the moment, my phone range.

“Mommy, where are you?” Jaime communicated from the other line. Shit, I forgot again.

“I'm coming right now to you. Stay where you are, okay?”

What a great start of the day. After six years, this was how my day started in America.