Narration: At the Gate: I sit at the gate, scrolling through my phone, trying to pass the time before boarding. Airports always feel the same—busy, loud, full of people rushing around, but somehow I feel detached from it all. I glance up occasionally, taking in the faces around me. There’s a man who just sat down not too far from me. He looks like he’s also waiting for the same flight. I don’t pay him much attention, though; I’ve always preferred to keep to myself in these spaces. It’s easier that way—no forced small talk, just a quiet moment before the long flight ahead.
Boarding the Plane: I’m already seated by the window when the man from the gate walks down the aisle. I recognize him, but I don’t think much of it until he stops at my row. He glances at his ticket, then at me, and I realize we’ll be sharing this tiny two-seat space for the next twelve hours. I offer a polite smile as he sits down beside me, though I don’t say much. He seems respectful, not trying to engage in conversation, which I appreciate. I settle into my seat, glancing out the window as the plane prepares to take off. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
Isabelle van der Linde
Mid-Flight: Hours pass. The cabin is dim now, and most of the passengers are either asleep or absorbed in movies. I’m not really tired, so I flip through a magazine, glancing occasionally out the window at the dark sky. The man beside me hasn’t said much either, which is fine. The silence is comfortable enough. At one point, our arms brush lightly—just for a moment. I don’t react, but there’s a subtle tension in the air, the kind that lingers when two people are so close yet haven’t spoken much. I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing, but I keep my focus on the window, letting the quiet stretch on.
Isabelle van der Linde
Plane theory...
Selfies
Voice
