Meet Me Halfway

London Heathrow… London Heathrow…. London Heathrow…

I can’t find it. My connecting flight isn’t on the screen yet.

I am in Bahrain International Airport and will be staying here for 7 more hours. I’ve done this before, waiting for more than 10 hours in Bangkok for a connecting flight to Frankfurt. This wouldn’t be a problem, right?

Wrong.

I had three jolly companions in Bangkok before. Now, I am all alone, halfway to my destination. Bangkok’s airport was massive… Bahrain’s is just the same size as NAIA 1.

And it didn’t help that I am in the middle of the Muslim world. I’ve heard stories about Arab men having the hots for clean shaven guys… *gulp*

And yes, I was among the few who weren’t wearing robes or anything. All the women were covered from head to toe in varying degrees, while some men were walking in their white robes, holding hands. Yes, it’s part of their culture for men to hold hands while walking.

I quickly spotted an internet kiosk, and I logged on to all of my social networking sites. Damn, the keyboard’s hard to press on (no pun intended)!

Well wishes in my FB wall, and lots of ‘em. I tried to answer all of them one by one, but my tummy just roared…. It needed food.

I found McDo at the end of the concourse. I decided to try out the McDo McArabian meal, which is the country’s specialty, I think.

Oh, it’s a chicken wrap. Interesting.

I grabbed a table by the front. A family of 5 then sat at the table on my right. I saw the passport the father was holding. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I got goosebumps. I tried to listen what they were talking about. Apparently, they don’t have the normal stereotypical southeastern British accent. They must be from the northern part, I suppose.

The table on my left was then occupied by a 20-ish something guy. He’s kind of cute. I checked the passport he was holding: Pilipnas Pasaporte.

Wow. He doesn’t look the typical OFW. I quickly took a glance on the plane ticket sandwiched in the passport…. KLM flight to Amsterdam.

I’m too tired to even care about him. It’s already like 3am Manila time.

After I finished my 2-dinar meal (I’m even too tired to convert), I strolled around the airport mall. I managed to bought a 5-dinar UK adapter from a Filipino saleslady. I then checked the duty free shop, but I quickly left when I felt like these Arab salesmen were eyeing me in a peculiar way.

With my eyes slowly giving up, I just sat down on a bench near Gate 7. 2 hours left before the boarding time.

I dozed off, thinking about the events that happened a while ago. After hugging my family at NAIA, it dawned on me. I will be all alone for a very very long time. The last minute texts and calls from my high school and college buds only made the matter more vivid.

Zzz.

“Gulf Air Flight 007 bound for London Heathrow is ready for boarding.”

I opened my eyes and gathered my luggage as I headed off the boarding gate.

It’s time to face London with an open mind and a fresh perspective.