My 'Sarawakian' Tennis Star Friend

I love airports. Especially KLIA. I guess it transcends from my love with commercial aircrafts. I’ve been fascinated by them ever since I was a child when I first lay my eyes on them. Even though you could only catch glimpses of the Boeings and the Airbuses at KLIA, every trip there is always an event for me. So when Jes asked me to send her to the airport earlier today, that little boy inside of me once again sprang to life.

Jes had been on a sports tournament trip, bearing under the name of Petronas to an Asean Oil and Gas Tournament. She plays tennis, of course, and guess where she went. Jakarta, Indonesia. Quite a fancy trip for a tennis tournament, don’t you think? Kudos to her but God, I am so awfully jealous. An all expense trip to Jakarta. Would you pass it? I think not.

Anyway, she got third. Commendable for her efforts despite being beaten by an elderly Indonesian which may well be over twice her age. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and ask Jes about it. She wouldn’t give a pleasant answer, I’ll give you that. She’s totally pissed about it.

Anyhow, she just got back to Malaysia yesterday and staying at her sister’s at Kota Damansara. Since every one else is busy managing their professional lives, I was the only viable option for company. So I was to pick her up form her sister’s at 10, have a supposedly glorious breakfast, drive her to the airport and sing to her Kumbaya while waving a white handkerchief with dreary eyes as she departs through the boarding gate. But things don’t always turn out as you hoped it would.

I have never been to Kota Damansara (why would I? I don’t know anyone there) but based on Jes’ sister’s considerably easy guide, I thought, this shouldn’t be a hassle. I could make it in no time. Well, I didn’t. As a matter of fact I got lost in Kota Damansara – for one and a half hours. How I managed to do that still baffles me. It drove Jes absolutely bonkers. I finally met her 10 minutes before 12. The fact that her phone is barred didn’t help either. We weren’t actually late but the glorious breakfast had to be skipped. So off we went and along the way I asked Jes all about her trip to Jakarta. And she told how Jakarta women are absolutely gorgeous and the motorists there are literally out of their mind it made Chow Kit Road laughable. And she also told me how she fell ill the night the rest of the squad went out partying at HardRock. Poor girl. But apart from that, I think she enjoyed herself.

After checking-in, it was time for our “glorious breakfast” which has now turned into grabbing a nibble at Café Marche. And for the first time I realized what awfully large croissant sandwiches they serve there. There were so massive I bet you can have a whole chicken as a filling. It frightened me as far as not to order them.

After having a few sips of orange juice and guava and enjoying our sweetened pastries all the while talking about life, it was time for Jes to leave for her 2 o’clock flight to Bintulu. I didn’t sing Kumbaya nor did I have a white handkerchief with me but I do have love and gave her a hug. It is always sad every time to see Jes leave. My meetings with her have always been brief lately. As I watched her descended down the escalator, I wondered when will be the next time I’ll see her. She said she’ll come to KL come Raya. I just hope I’m in KL too at that time.

As I walked away and mentally listing the pros of having a stewardess as a wife, I came across a sign that read ‘Viewing Area’. Every time before this, the people that I came with, be it family or friends, they are always in a rush. Coming and leaving. Which left me no opportune moment to visit the Viewing Area. Now, with me alone, what better chance I have? So in I went and it was a sight to behold. The tarmac of the local flight gates were presented in front of me and farther out is the satellite building for international flights. To the sides are the 4 giant runaways, 2 on each side. It was a momentously majestic view. Strangely though, only a few people were around. Almost deserted. There are even airport staff catching a few winks between shifts on the row of chairs. But who cares? Let them be. What intrigued me was, if I could see the gates for the local flights then I can surely see Jes’ airplane. Sure enough, a walk across the hall brought me into view the 737 parked at gate B2. I decided to grab a seat and stay with her. In the meantime I watched the airport people refuel the jets, load them with food, luggage and even pets. And how I love seeing the buggies pushed the aircrafts out of the parking area as it has been prepped for take-off.

Jes’ plane moved out onto the tarmac a little bit past 2. Even then, a whole lot of other planes were waiting in line for take-off. So her plane only came onto the runaway around 2.15 pm. Only when the plane hits full throttle and lifts its nose into the clouds above did I wave Jes a final goodbye. The airport suddenly felt a little emptier.

As I made my way back, a thought occurred to me. I’m becoming quite the escort man. Think about it. Minus the sex, of course. Every time a friend of mine needs company in the middle of the week, chances are my name would probably pop up. Because they know I’m practically free all the time. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing. Anyway, it enlightens me every time it does happen. This Jes favour is one of many. Sometimes when Sasa takes a Wednesday, it is usually me who accompanies her to the movies. Although, it has to be her choice of the movie. When Tomok was admitted to the hospital, I was one of the first to visit him. And it became my duty to ensure everyone that despite everything, Tomok still hasn’t lost his sense of humour.

Saint? Rescuer? Nah, I just happen to be available.