The plane bumped, sending everything I had eaten up my throat. It's not like I hated planes, it's just that I didn't like heights; the plane was fine when it was flying smoothly so I had nothing to worry about. The plane we took was small, but the building I could see through the small window was hardly any taller than the plane itself. It was small, white painted and square, with a sign that said welcome to Zanzibar. I took my baggage from the overhead compartment, my whole body grateful to finally be rid of the plane. Anyone would be, after they spent two days just to get to this seemeingly unpopulated place. I sighed and walked toward the entrance, where a small staircase awaited us. Up close, the building seemed even more plain, with old fashioned airconditions sticking out of the small structure. Two coconut trees stood swaying on each side, tall silent sentinels that were somewhat welcoming.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the plane was the hot air and the burning sun. It was so bright that I had to shade my eyes before my eyes adjusted to the light. The air smelled of engine and a hot road, and the wind that blew was surprisingly cool, making the heat bearable. The sky was a surprising shade of blue, with fluffy white clouds, and the landing was sorrounded by distant tree forest that was a deep, deep green.
I walked to the interior, which was cool; looking for the person I was supposed to meet. I was careful to put my luggage close to me, incase anyone tried to rob me. As I walked towards the entrance, a woman in a long skirt, and a flowery blouse held a sign that had my name scrawled on it in gigantic letters. It kind of embarassed me a little, but I was grateful that I didn't have to walk around the terminal looking for someone I've never met. The woman waved at me excitedly when she saw me, and my impression of her landed for a cheerful and breezy type; very different from my warm mother and my awkward step-father. Her face was extremely tanned, her dark eyes full of mirth. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, a mass of dark waves against her sea-green scarf wound around her neck. Sarafina,it read, and again I cursed the fact I had a weird name.
I walked towards her, not sure how to greet her, so I just went with the old fashioned way.
"Hi." Lame, I know, but what the heck.
"You must Serafina. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl!" She gushed
"Oh, my name is Malaika. Yes, I know. A completely strange name, but there it is," she said ruefully. "Anyways, lets get you home as fast as we can, you must be tired." my stomach chose that moment to complain. loudly.
"And hungry," she laughed. In a whirlwind of soft fabric and Jasmine scent, she already had two of my bags, pulling them as if they weighted nothing. I was ready to follow her, until I saw her looking around.
"Are you looking for someone?" I said hesitantly
"Yes, I came here with my son. He's about your age, and clearly wandering. Again"
A few minutes later, I saw a tall boy who looked shockingly like Aunt Malaika, with the same dark eyes and mass of dark hair. He was tall, really tall. And it didn't hurt that he was good looking