Chapter 37: If We Meet Again

Chapter 37: If We Meet Again As the flight attendant came to take away the dishes, Abigail glanced at Jamal curiously as she signed. [You must be rich if you are flying first class and have an assistant, right?] Jamal smiled. "I suppose so. Why?" Abigail hesitated, debating whether she should tell him the truth about herself. But then, she decided against it. She didn’t want to drag him into the mess with Ryan when she didn’t yet know exactly what the deal was. And she also remembered that he had said as long as her baby’s father wasn’t in the picture everything was alright. Josh was known as Ryan’s son and Ryan was pretty rich and powerful. The last thing she wanted was for Ryan to harm Jamal. Before she could say anything else, Jamal suddenly reached for her phone. She looked at him in surprise but before she could snatch it back, he was already typing something on it. [What did you do?] She signed as he handed the phone back to her. Jamal grinned and gestured to her to check it. When she took it back, her heart skipped a beat when she saw his number saved under the name "Handsome Jamal." Abigail looked up and signed, [Why did you give me your number?] she asked even though she was glad that she had his number now and didn’t need to look for him. "I’m not sure why you wanted my number before, but I want you to have it. If you ever need to talk... or need anything you can call me. Can I have yours?" Abigail studied him carefully before signing, [Are you always this nice?] Jamal laughed. "I guess I am. I’ve been called Mr Nice Guy." Abigail thought about it for a moment and then asked, [Are you on Instagram or any social media platform?] Jamal paused for a moment, wondering why she was asking and then he nodded, "Yes. But it’s more like an anonymous account." [Can I have the handles or links?] she asked, and he tilted his head to the side as he observed her for a moment before nodding. "If you will give me your number and social media handles too," he said, and Abigail agreed. After they had both exchanged their social media handles, he pulled a laptop from his backpack. "Now, let’s see a movie together so I’m not tempted to ask you any more personal details." Abigail leaned back, watching him with a small smile. [Is this like a plane date?] Jamal smiled, "I wouldn’t exactly call it that. Let’s just while away the time together." Abigail nodded eagerly. She didn’t know when or if she would ever see him again after this or be with him this way again, so for now she wanted to enjoy this moment. Abigail and Jamal enjoyed each other’s company watching a romcom series that made them both laugh and argue and Abigail even shed tears at intervals. They didn’t realize much time they had spent there watching the series until the flight began its descent. The announcement came over the speakers, informing them to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for landing. Abigail sat up straighter, glancing out the window as the city below came into view. A strange feeling settled in her chest— part excitement, part sadness, and part dread. Excitement to reunite with Josh. Sadness at leaving Jamal again, and dread at the discoveries and battle she knew lay ahead of her. She was scared of what she might find when she began to dig deeper now into her true identity with the help of the anonymous texter. The texter had requested they meet at the ladies restroom in the airport. That relieved her to an extent and told her the person was a lady. And to a large extent it made her even more curious to find out who it was. Jamal stretched his arms and shut his laptop, slipping it back into his bag. "Well, that was a fun way to pass time," he said with a grin. Abigail nodded, though her expression was more subdued now. She kept her hands folded in her lap, her fingers fidgeting slightly. The plane touched down smoothly, rolling down the runway before slowing to a stop. As the seatbelt sign turned off, passengers began gathering their belongings. Jamal stood and grabbed his backpack from the overhead compartment. "Need help with yours?" he asked. Abigail shook her head and signed, [I can manage.] He smiled and waited for her as she stood up. They shuffled forward with the rest of the passengers, stepping off the plane and into the jet bridge. Stefan, who had observed the interaction between the two all through the flight, decided not to interrupt their final moments together, and he followed from a reasonable distance. The cool air-conditioned breeze hit them as they entered the airport. As they walked, Abigail suddenly stopped and turned to Jamal when something occurred to her. Ryan might have people around here. She wouldn’t put it past him to want to keep an eye on her. For all she knew he might have sent a bodyguard to pick her from the airport. Her expression was serious as she signed. [Don’t talk to me once we get inside.] Jamal blinked. "What?" He asked, taken aback by her sudden demand. [Act like you don’t know me,] she signed, her movements firm. He frowned, searching her face for an explanation. "Why?" Abigail looked around as if making sure no one was watching. Then, she signed, [Someone might be watching. I can’t explain that to you now. But if we ever meet again by chance, I’ll tell you.] "How about you send me a text later to explain?" He asked, and saw the flicker of something in her eyes. Abigail hesitate for a moment before shaking her head. [I can only tell you if we meet again by chance. If that happens I’ll take it that the universe is saying something to me.] Jamal studied her, his jaw tightening slightly. He didn’t like this. It felt too strange. It was almost like she was slipping away from him just like Dawn and Abigail, but the only difference was that he had her contact number and social media details. "Will you at least tell me your name?" He asked, and she smiled. [If we meet again, I’ll tell you that too.] she promised. Jamal frowned as he watched her. But something in her eyes told him she wasn’t saying this lightly. After a long pause, he sighed. "Alright. I hope we do meet again. I’ll text you. Make sure you respond when I do." She gave him a small, fleeting smile before turning and walking away in the direction of the restroom she had agreed to meet with the lady.