38. Anticipation
Standing around in the airport terminal, Rin paces back and forth impatiently, nervousness and anxiety mixing into a thick knot in her stomach.
Two years. Two years apart. Two years since they'd laid eyes on one another. Two years since they'd said their tearful goodbyes, and her boyfriend Len had headed across the world in pursuit of his dreams. They had made a promise that they'd wait for each other, but during the long wait Rin's fears had grown. What if he's so happy there that he wants to permanently leave the country? What if he comes back and tells me it's over, so he can be with some foreign woman he met?
No, I can't think that way. Len would never do that to me. She smiles to herself, humming a tune under her breath. Besides, today's a happy day! I get to see Len again after all this time! I wonder what he'll do when he sees me?
She giggles as she imagines their meeting. Maybe he'd run up to her and twirl her around like a princess; maybe they'll just coolly exchange greetings. Maybe-
"Rin?"
Her entire body freezes, and then slowly Rin turns around.
Standing a few feet away from her, the boy of her dreams is smiling. His ponytail has grown out a bit, and he looks more mature than when he left. However, his cerulean eyes still reflect the same boyish charm that hooked her years ago.
"Rin." He breathes once more, dropping his bags to the ground and opening his arms to her welcomingly. "I missed you."
Unwittingly, tears flow freely down her face. "L-Len-" She sobs with happiness.
Not able to hold on any longer, Rin runs into his arms, finally able to embrace the boy she had lovingly been waiting for.