Fall (v.)

-   Sooner or later, we all fall. The real question is, how do we stand up again?

It was a sunny summer day, a week after our graduation.  Weather reports were positive – a little chance of any atmospheric disturbance. All our bags were thoroughly packed and most were jittery. Except me.

The human dream of flying was realized when the four aerodynamic forces of flight and their relationships to each other were discovered. Weight, lift, drag, and are those four forces that make it possible for aircrafts to fly.

Flying is such a precarious ambition, not only that it requires the aircraft a perfect mathematical equilibrium, it also demands the pilot to have a steady and reliable knowledge on the four forces aforementioned. I cannot begin to explain the anxiety I get when I’m flying. You are literally trapped inside a metal cage sustained only by sheer mathematical calibrations – one wrong factor can cause your death. Flight defies gravity, arguably the most apparent and strongest physical force in the universe. Although the appeal of defying it is certainly exhilarating and existence-affirming, there is also a foreboding sense of falling attached to it.

Hence, it is paramount that necessary preparations (and anxiety medication) must be done before flight. Lucky for me, Minho was there to soothe my nerves.

When we arrived at the airport, my uncle was already there waiting for us. He hugged Kai and I dearly before jovially leading us to the plane.

“Here, hold my hand,” Minho told me as we were seated in the plane my uncle had loaned us. It has always been the plane I had used whenever I visited my uncle in Japan. It was ivory-coloured and smaller than your usual Boeing plane. It has only 10 seats inside, with a huge lavatory and bath and a wonderful kitchen. The staff that came with it were also the people I knew since I was younger. (I insisted on having them always whenever I ride that plane, after all familiarity breeds safety.)

I sat by the aisle and Minho was seated by the window, behind us were Jinki and Luna. On the other side were Kai and Kibum, and behind them were my uncle and one of my uncle’s assistant whose name I don’t recall.

I took Minho’s hands and squeezed them tighter as I feel the plane being lifted from the ground. It was a shaky take-off, but somehow I found myself feeling safe only because I knew Minho was there to comfort me. As soon as the plane has steadied, the stewardess came in and offered us some refreshments and snacks.

***

There was relative quiet during the trip. The medication has started to kick in and I was feeling sleepy so I rested my head on Minho’s shoulders. He leaned in and kissed my forehead before playing with my hair, soothing me in the process. It didn’t take long for me to doze off.

When I woke up, I checked my watch. I have slept for 45 minutes. I looked at Minho who was dozing off beside me, head back and mouth slightly hanging. I took out my phone and mischievously smiled as I took a photo of him. I snickered at my immaturity before looking around to check on the rest. Jinki and Luna were cuddled behind me. I smiled at their quiet comfort; those two seem made for each other. Jinki was this sensitive guy, caring and adoring, and u