There were days when I was despondent. Bored. Afraid. Angry. Depressed. I loved my child, but I also saw her as a chain. I was tied to this life now. And there was no turning back...

The flight from Hanoi had been delayed. Omar, making himself comfortable in the lounge with a coffee and a croissant, had started working on his computer when he heard a voice behind him.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Omar…”

Nim was standing across from him in a grey suit, perfectly made up and coiffed. He stood up and extended a hand.

“Nim, what a surprise.” He gestured for her to join him. “What are you doing in Hanoi?”

“The usual, brokering a deal with the government,” she replied and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.

“Would you like some coffee?”

Nim shook her head, tilted it to one side and asked, “How’s your gorgeous daughter?”

Omar smiled. “It’s her birthday today, and my flight is late, so Del is not going to be too happy…”

“So it was a year ago in Penang? Goodness, how time flies…” Nim smiled and stared fixedly at Omar.

Omar took a sip of his coffee and debated against biting into the croissant, not wanting to have crumbs all over his tie and shirt, and asked, “How’s Imran? You still together?”

“Oh, goodness no. Imran is just Imran, you know. He’s into the news, and into himself, that’s it. No time for anything serious.”

“Right, a shame…”

“Not really. He was a great shag and that was that,” Nim replied, matter-of-fact.

There was a loud clatter and Omar jumped. Someone had dropped a cup and the broken ceramic scattered itself around the room. He wondered if anyone else had heard what Nim said. He felt slightly embarrassed and shocked at her candour.

And at that very moment the lounge manager came towards him and said, “Mr Omar, your flight is boarding soon.”

“Thank you.” He stood up and extended a hand again to Nim, who took his hand and held it for longer than she should have. “Time to go. Well, take care and…all the best.”

“You too, and give your beautiful daughter a kiss from me.” Nim smiled and for a moment Omar saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.

As he walked away from the lounge, he thought of what her lithe body would feel like under his, he thought of how she would kiss him, and how she would moan when he was deep inside her. His handphone beeped and he saw the boxy black words flash on the screen.

Alba sick. Am worried. When are you back?

His fingers worked quickly.

Will land in three hours. Don’t worry. She will be fine. xoxox