By himself, he had everyone second guessed themselves. Could it be indeed him? His willingness for eye contact strangely created inner doubts. His fame and popularity meant he travelled escorted. Even then, he was mopped by fans. He wanted a break from his guarded life. For the first time since his debut, he booked a single economy seat, by the window. With his long legs, it was uncomfortable but perfect for his cover.

She had always preferred to seat along the aisle. Economy seats were unfriendly for people with long legs and aisles provided a break respite. She recognised the stranger beside her, right away. He had glanced up her briefly when she got to her seat before returning to his book and music. As the flight took off - it hit her. He was running too, like her. Empathy filled her heart. She fixed her gaze on her book. Weariness gradually overtook her and she drifted into a deep sleep.

An A-list actor for 15 years, he has it all. A built made for clothes,  charisma and a y baritone voice. Fresh from the success of his series of films and drama, his career hit another high. Yet, he was lonely...and worries endlessly about his next project. The entertainment industry is both competitive and ruthless. He was careful to be friendly professionally. He had learnt, friendships were plentiful when you are 'in season'.

She was on a run too from herself. No one knows why. She was predictable, passionate, a hard worker and was on the way to another promotion. Yet she hid a deep secret - she is sick. Week after week, she came home with items that she took things that she don't need. The absence of fear made her even more fearful. The shame, guilt, helplessness gripped her heart. She struggled to find the meaning of her 'wretched life' without success. Outwardly, she is well yet her inner demons kept her awake into the nights. Why? She asked herself...only to find silence. She only knew that she was in pain and her heart is sick.

She must be very tired, he thought to himself. 45 minutes into the air and, she closed her eyes. Like him, she sat an angle to make room for her legs. Her hands held onto the poetry book that she was reading. So far, no one approached him. He felt somewhat safe with the sleeping girl beside him. When he opened his eyes, the lights were up. Meals were being served. Her eyes were still closed; her breathing soft. She had asked only that they helped refilled her water earlier. It was the first time, he ate beside someone sleeping. Pleased with himself, he quietly finished up.

She is falling again, into the hole. Will she hit the ground this time? Hopelessness engulfed her. God, save me! She cried repeatedly. The fall that lasted forever in pit darkness come for her, time and time again.  Her body tightens. She held tightly onto the armrest.  Her breathing laboured, and tears flowed from the corner of her eyes.

Startled, he looked at her dilated eyelids and her hands. Even in the soft light, he saw the fear on her face and her clenched fist. What caused that fear, he thought to himself. Instinctively,  he gently cupped her small clenched fist. Her skin was dry...and her wrist was that of a child. At his touch, her breathing and body slowly relaxed. Afraid that she would wake up, he hastily retrieved his hand. When she did not, he gently took the book from her other hand. A book that he had read in his native language before.  He casually flipped the pages and were surprised to find comments at the side. On the last page, she wrote a short prose, as if to reply to the poet. It moved him and he looked at her.

The cabin was dark when she opened her eyes.  She checked her watch - she has been asleep for six hours. The in-flight video showed that they are somewhere above the Pacific Ocean. He had let the dark sky lulled into him to sleep, she thought. In the distance, she only saw the blinking red light from the aeroplane's wing. Gingerly, she unbuckled her seat belt, straighten her legs and head to the stewardess pantry.  She asked if she could have some warm honey water,  drank them on the spot and walked through the plane to stretched her legs and body. The quietness of the plane surprised her.

When she was back, he had shifted his body. He is too tall to be comfortable in the seat. He must have really wanted his freedom, she thought to herself.  In that moment, she felt closer to him.  She rolled a blanket and left it beside him. His body shifted endlessly in the darkness. Half awake, his hands found the blanket and he slide it under his neck and, rolled into rest. 

She caught herself looking at him. She switched on her player and listened to the song that he had sung years ago. With his eyes closed, he seemed at peace with himself. Dressed simply in baggy shirt and pants, he seemed older and tired. Her heart flutters. She was glad that the lights were mostly off.  How irony, she thought to herself...that their universe should converge in this tiny space in the sky.  Yet, she can't neither speak or commemorate the meeting.  They will part as strangers, and he will never remember her. She sighed and swooped out his empty water bottle with a new one.

He was aware that she had woken up, and that she had looked at his direction.He kept his eyes closed. Had she recognised him?  Then,  he sensed her getting up and walking conscientiously. It is hard to find a comfortable position to sleep.  He made a mental note to change his return ticket. When she returned, he shut his eyes again. She sat down gently. She left a tightly-rolled blanket by his side. He took it and slide it under his neck. The softness of it comforts his body. She is tender-hearted, he thought. With a smile, he drifted into rest.

He felt a soft nudging on his hand. She smiled and quietly said, "Dinner will be served in an hour's time and the stewardesses are busy. Everyone is still sleeping. It is a good time to go stretch your legs." He nodded in agreement. As he washed his face, it dawned on him that she knew. He gasped. When he returned, she was nowhere to be found. Would she be with her friends? He had assumed that she is travelling on her own. Would she have taken picture of him while he was sleeping? Worse, would she have shared on her SNS?  Will there be an avalanche of people waiting for him at the arrival hall? He felt sick in his stomach. 

She set off in the opposite direction as soon he left. Long distance travel is hard on her legs. She gets leg cramps easily. As she heads back, she was surprised to find that he was already in his seat. As she sat down, his eyes caught hers and looked right into hers. Silently searching for answers. Without a word, she unlocked her phone and passed it to him. When he hesitated, she showed him her message history, photo gallery and social media platforms. Embarrassed by his paranoia, he bowed his head. She tapped his hand with her index finger and flashed him a bright smile. Cheekily she pushed an open palm towards him and gestured for him to sign it with his finger. He grinned and tickled it instead. They looked at each other and tried to stifle their laughter. He knew he was safe.