Twice Two

The airport was unusually crowded today. Either previous flights had been delayed, or their number had suddenly increased, allowing tourists to finally return home, perhaps after waiting half a day, or even a full day. Nymphia aimlessly examined the children’s toys in the shop. She had collected them since childhood, and they were still in the house in Taiwan, sorted into bags and hidden in hard-to-reach places to avoid getting in the way. ‘I’m here,’ Plane appeared behind her with two cups of coffee. ‘Picking out a toy for our little Mirage?’ Nymphia snickered. ‘Her toys are in another section,’ she glanced at the shelf of drinks. ‘So, should we go? Or do you want to buy something?’ ‘No...’ Nymphia replied, taking a cup and heading towards the waiting area. ‘And why aren’t we in the VIP lounge?’ Plane asked, with a hint of petulance. ‘Have we worn ourselves out?’ ‘According to my accounting, we need to moderate our appetites a bit,’ Nymphia explained. ‘If we keep spending on new outfits without increasing the number of performances, we’ll have to switch to a strict diet.’ ‘But for the next two weeks, we won’t have to survive on fast food, right?’ Plane asked in horror. ‘Don’t worry, darling, for the near future, you can have everything,’ Nymphia said warmly, softly brushing her lips. Her hand traveled across the ear lobe, and she stared in surprise at her own earring. She hadn’t seen it in so long that she’d forgotten it even existed. It had so many memories — both sad and happy. ‘Noticed?’ Plane smiled. ‘I wanted you to see me every day and never forget our story.’ Lately, they had been traveling often. They spent days in different cities alone, only to reunite and stay together until the next departure. A break from their performances allowed them to travel as far from home as possible. ‘And since we’re hiding and I’m not getting a ring, I’ll proudly show off your earring to everyone,’ Plane added. ‘You’re not upset anymore?’ Nymphia asked softly. ‘There would be something to be upset about,’ Plane blurted out. ‘Those people aren’t worthy of being part of our great and sincere love. If it weren’t for our livelihood, I would’ve hidden you from everyone a long time ago. Let them admire me and hope that I’ll notice them one day.’ ‘And you won’t?’ ‘Never.’ And then she added, ‘Unless you want me to.’ Nymphia smiled playfully and shifted her gaze to the display board. ‘We’re boarding soon,’ she noticed. ‘Every time I’ve flown, I remember the gymnastics we did in the restroom.’ Plane lowered her gaze in embarrassment. ‘I wouldn’t repeat that,’ she murmured. ‘Better to wait until we’re at the hotel.’ ‘Undoubtedly,’ Nymphia smirked. ‘I promise, you’ll never forget this vacation — don’t even doubt it.’ ‘I never doubt you, Miss Banana. And…’ Nymphia looked at her questioningly. ‘And I love you, Leo,’ she exhaled, taking Nymphia’s hand. ‘I love you too, Andy,’ she said with a tremor in her voice. Plane gently embraced her. ‘Plane and Nymphia, Andy and Leo,’ Nymphia murmured thoughtfully, trailing her fingers along Plane’s forearm. ‘There are so many of us, but sometimes it feels like there are too few.’ ‘I promise you, no matter the difficulties, there will always be twice two.’ The plane slowly ascended, leaving the noisy metropolis behind. It rose higher toward the stars, bidding farewell to past disagreements and problems, anticipating a future in which difficulties would inevitably arise, and where life would always throw challenges their way. But in that future, they would always be together, and they would always be twice two.