Only to step out to a louder bustling of noises around him. Unbelievably, his aunt was looking for a parking space in the middle of a busy airport. There was no way she or anyone would find one, not at this time of day.

"Tía, go to the back and I'll meet you there, there's no point in a parking space, it’s a waste of time." Isaias argued, the sun hitting his eyes, squinting as he shielded his eyes with his palm.

Sun weighing him down, he quickly pushed through the packs of travellers around him, careful not to trip over his long legs as he went further away. Brown curls swept up in the light breeze as the sun glinted through his fingers to his dark hazel eyes. Searching for any sign of a rusty rogue red car, one his aunt refuses to part from after years of owning. All around the people unloading their bags, cars practically smushed together and people shouting, dear lord, was his aunt really trying to find a parking space within all this chaos? 

Loud laughter shook his phone, "You sound just like Jon, he always goes crazy when we’re in the airport. The man can never keep his calm in the waiting lines either, especially to board a last minute flight." 

That brought a smile to his face, "Tía,” Isaias looked around, walking further away from the wilds of the airport, right to the sparse edges, “I'm right out at the back now—" The sound of hooking blared, a familiar glint of red making a slow turn at the end of a long cue of waiting parking vehicles. "Oh wait I see you, you're right at the end." Isaias waves, and the old rogue car gives a loud broken beep-beep of greeting.

Isaias squints and sees a deep-tanned hand wave out from the driver's seat, and he tries a smile.

"Ah! Ahí estás! Precioso! I can see you now!" She thrilled brightly, “Hold on let me turn, right here,” Cutting the call.

Blinking, Isaias quickly strides to the vehicle that has driven closer to the curb. Getting out as she waves at him, Isaias squeezed through lingering groups of people and made his way, rolling his suitcase behind him.

His aunt becomes clearer, his long stride picking up as she makes her way to him. A jump to her step, a touch of humid frizz curving her chestnut wavy hair, flushed against her jewelled ears. Adorned with a colourful beaded necklace that sits on her chest, earrings long, blue beads dangling at the ends. Olive skin glowing, cream-white dress fluttering at each step, down to her knees. Bright embroidered reds, blues and yellows, danced along the hem. A brilliant smile overtakes her sharp features as he stands at arms reach, she practically jumps to the tip of her heeled sandals, giving him an engulfing hug, he sputters at the impact. 

A comical sight, to say the least, Isaias is heads taller than her, and here is his aunt trying to squeeze his overly large frame into her arms. Brightly rocking him side to side with a strength that had Isaias gulping for air and bubbling laughter out of his chest. Giving a squeeze with his numb arms, it was all he could muster. His throat is too dry, forcing his eyes to squeeze shut, letting himself bask in her warmth.

Just being in her arms brings him back to easier times. Back when an ice cream tumbled out of his hold one summer evening, tears brimming in his eyes as he glared down at the rocky ground willing himself not to cry. Because ‘It wasn’t right to cry at such a grown age’. Yet a tear slipped out anyway. Filled with frustration within a boy who finally got his treat, one sniff had her up and to his side with an assuring grin and a bitten off ice cream to composite for his loss.

Maywa released him, eyes wide, beaming with joy, gently holding him into place, "Isaias, precioso, look how tall you’ve grown!" Maywa marvaled, eyebrows furrowing momentarily, taking him all in, "A little too tall, actually.'' 

Grinning, "Tall enough to drive your car, maybe?" Isaias asks, his aunt bursts out a laugh and levels him an assessing look.

"My car? Absolutely not."

"Worth a try." 

Maywa gently took both of his checks and kissed at each side, ending with a peck on his nose. Just as she's always done. Before stepping back with her palms still on his cheeks.

"Mirate," Maywa murmured softly, a slight dip in her voice, eyes taking a glossy coat to them. Yes it’s been far too long, somewhere within Isaias agreed. Fingers sweetly caressed his left cheek tenderly. It brought him back, and all of sudden he found it hard to smile.

Shoulders slipped down into a slump, eyes dropped to the ground. Isaias wondered what incident brought her to tears first when looking at him.

"Okay,” Maywa breathed out, “Let's go home, yeah?" She gave him a soft smile, one firm and assuring that he simply found himself nodding.

With a nudge of her finger, she tipped his head up, turned to her car and opened the passenger side. Fingers curling around the handle of his suitcase, Isaias glances back at the airport. "Okay." Isaias whispered to himself, and turned to his suitcase, picking it at the back of his aunt's car.

Squeezing in the passenger seat he’s immediately greeted by a wave of hot air, legs cramped at the tight fit, practically digging under the glove department. Isaias tries not to hiss, sliding his duffle bag down on his lap as he shut the car door. With a growl, the car starts, Maywa turns the wheel to the exit lane.

"Que calor,” Maywa groans, fiddling with the AC with no avail, “It's too hot out here, today has to be one of the hottest days yet." She rolled down the windows, passing the many cars as noise blasts through.

"Twenty-eight degrees." Isaias comments, sweat sticky down his sore back.

"Twenty-eight!” Maywa sputters, “Unbelievable.” She shook her head as they finally took another turn to an exit and a faster speed.

Glancing at Isaias' thick clothes, “Aren't you hot in that, Isaias?" Pointedly glancing at his grey hoodie.

Isaias regrets not checking today’s temperature where Maywa’s family lived. Beads of sweat had already collected on his forehead, he couldn’t deny the scorching heat behind his back. God, was he uncomfortable. Thankfully he was wearing something underneath. Cool air hit him, his loose curls falling down on his eyes. Tossing his hoodie to his side. Isaias was left with a long white sleeve t-shirt, the wind rustling his coils as he drew them back. He felt his aunt's less than subtle glances.

"So," Maywa began, hesitating, "Did you say goodbye to everyone?" 

Stomach dropped, Isaias shrugged, "Yeah, you know, dad was there and, um, Andres and Ian too. We ate breakfast before my train, that’s about it.” Rolling his earphones between his fingers.

Maywa smiled, but it wasn't the smile that she usually had. This one was dim, and her eyes took a sadder tint to them. He hated it. Swiftly changing her expression to an expectant one, she sat up straight with a sharp grin, mischief dancing in her eyes.

"Your dad still hates Ian or has that changed?" Maywa mused.

A startled laugh involuntarily left him. Ian was his older sister's husband, Juliana. And Isaias’ dad respectfully did not like him to put it mildly, but since Ian was the father of his future grandchild, the man had little option. Watching Isaias’ father tolerating the guy was a thrilling thing to watch.

"Nope, not even one bit." 

Resting his elbow against the window, cars flew by, and he could see tall sleek buildings in the distance. The nervous tick at the pit of his stomach worsened with each second closer.

"Ese hombre," Maywa tutted, a teasing smile on her face, rounding her cheeks, "Such a stubborn man, he’ll come around, I’m sure." The breeze swept inside the car, she turned into the highway.

Isaias hummed. The wind hit his face, everything around him being drowned out but the drone of the engine. Looked up into the sky as the cars drove past and tree's blurred. The air smelled earthy and fresh, tickling his nose. Leaning back his head simply gazing out the window, his fingers twitching around the strap of his bag. Heavy eyelids falling, pulling him down, he let the hum of the wind, and the careful touches of the wisps of his curls flicker on his forehead lull him. But he didn't dare sleep.

‘I doubt it.’