Chapter 1
SARAH'S POV
I sat in the bustling Nigerian airport, surrounded by the hum of anxious chatter and the occasional announcement over the loudspeaker. My baggy jeans and oversized t-shirt made me look effortlessly cool, or so I thought, as I lounged in my seat, my long braids cascading down my back like a waterfall of darkness. My headset was firmly planted on my head, the music pulsating through my ears as I nodded along to the beat.
My mother sat beside me, her eyes fixed on her phone as she scrolled through her emails or messages, I wasn't sure which. She seemed oblivious to the chaos around us, her expression serene and calm. I, on the other hand, was growing increasingly restless. We were supposed to board our flight to South Korea hours ago, well nigeria airports had a way of testing patience that seem to strech forever.
I let out a frustrated sigh, glancing at my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Two hours. We'd been stuck in this airport for two hours, waiting for our flight to be announced. I knew it was pointless to get worked up, but I couldn't help it.
As I sat there, my mind began to wander back to the argument I'd had with my parents about this trip. They were wealthy, and they'd always known what was best for me. But I'd never felt more suffocated. Why Korea? Why not the UK or America? Places I'd always dreamed of visiting.
But my parents had been resolute. "It's a great opportunity, Sarah," they'd said. "You'll learn the language, immerse yourself in the culture, and broaden your horizons."
I wasn't so sure. The last time I'd traveled outside Nigeria was eight years ago, when I was ten. My parents and I had gone on vacation to berlin, the capital of germany,and the memories still lingered vividly in my mind. Korea was different, though. I'd only watched K-dramas and listened to K-pop. What would it be like to live there? To navigate the streets, to make friends, to learn the language?
My dad had traveled to Japan a few days ago for business, and now my mom and I were on our way to Korea. Though,he had told us that he would be joining us soon.
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The announcement crackled over the loudspeaker, echoing through the bustling airport. "Attention passengers, flight KE456 to Seoul is now boarding. Please proceed to Gate C27 for departure."
I let out a sigh of relief, grabbing my luggage and standing up. Mum smiled, tucking her phone into her bag. "Finally," she said, "we can get this journey started."
As we made our way to the gate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. The security checks, the baggage screening, the endless queues – it was all so tedious.
When we reached the security checkpoint, Mum handed over her boarding pass and passport, exchanging a pleasant smile with the officer. I followed suit, rolling my eyes as I placed my luggage on the conveyor belt.
"As if I carried drugs or something," I muttered under my breath, watching as the officer scrutinized my belongings.
Mum shot me a warning glance. "Sarah, behave," she whispered.
The officer smiled, waving me through. "Enjoy your flight, miss."
As we cleared security, we joined the queue of passengers waiting to board the plane. The line snaked forward, and I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, eager to get settled.
When it was finally our turn to board, Mum smiled at the flight attendant. "Hello, thank you," she said, handing over our boarding passes.
I followed closely behind, my eyes scanning the cabin for our seats. We found our spots near the window, and I stowed my luggage in the overhead compartment.
As the plane began to fill with passengers, I felt nervousness. This was it – we were really leaving. The anticipation was almost palpable.
The flight attendants welcomed us aboard, demonstrating the safety features and preparing for takeoff. I buckled my seatbelt, feeling the plane's engines roar to life.
Mum smiled at me, her eyes shining with excitement. "Here we go, Sarah," she said. "A new adventure awaits."
I gave a small smile, what would this journey bring? Only time would tell.
As the plane taxied down the runway, the flight attendants' voices came over the intercom, their Korean accents melodic. "Please turn off all electronic devices and fasten your seatbelts, we're preparing for takeoff."
I reluctantly switched off my phone and buckled up, feeling the engines roar to life. The plane began to accelerate, and before I knew it, we were airborne, soaring into the sky.
Once we reached cruising altitude, the flight attendants announced that it was safe to move about and use electronic devices. They started serving snacks and drinks, their smiles warm as they navigated the aisles.
A friendly flight attendant, her black hair neatly tied back, offered some snacks and juice. "Annyeonghaseyo?" she said with a bow, "Would you like some refreshments?"
Mom smiled and took a bottle of orange juice and cake,while I opted for peanuts and water..well I was cutting down on sugar.
When the attendants came by the second time with food, I hesitated. The Korean dishes looked unfamiliar, and I wasn't sure if I'd like them. "I'm good with the refreshments, thank you," I told the attendant, trying to decline the food.
But Mom intervened, nudging me gently. "Come on, Sarah, try some. It's good for you to experience new foods."
I shook my head, feeling a bit stubborn. "Mom, I don't want it,can I just stick with the snacks?"
The attendant, a kind-looking Korean woman with a warm smile, stood patiently, holding the tray of food. Mom took both our portions, and the attendant smiled,before moving on.
As soon as the attendant left, I turned to Mom. "You don't expect me to eat this, do you? It looks...yuk!."
Mom's expression was amused but firm. "Sarah, we are going to korea, you would be eating korean meals regularly, You might as well start getting used to it now."
I made a face, feeling a bit put out. But Mom's words made sense, so I reluctantly picked up my spoon and took a small bite. The flavors were unexpected – a bit spicy, a bit savory – but not entirely unpleasant. I managed to finish the meal, though it wasn't exactly to my taste.