6 "The absurd day"

- This story is just fiction, if there are similarities in the name of a character, place or event, it is just a coincidence. -

✈✈✈"

Your attention please, passengers of Air Nippon Airways on flight number NH872 to Tokyo please boarding from door D5, Thank you."

"Finally ..." Said Helen, after tired of waiting for 30 minutes in the waiting room of Soekarno Hatta airport.

('Today is February 11, 2016, I finally went to otaku paradise Yeeessss! Japan, I'm coming!) Cheer Helen inside.

(Actually I'm still very sleepy, ehhh ...? No, not because of that dream, you know …)

(Well, that dream is just one of the cause... the main problem is… Yeah! That's because I can not wait to go to Japan! Hahaha …) Her inner monologue, while putting on a silly face with a giggling smile that looks weird in the eyes of the officer that was checking the ticket.

Helen then realized that she became a spectacle of people and trying to stay cool, though it's already late.

"Ehem, ahem ..." Helen tried to act like 'nothing has happened' to melt the awkward atmosphere.

('That was just a joke, the real cause was my flight hours! My plane was the very first flight, at 4 o'clock in the morning! So I had to leave at 2 am to the airport.) She said once again in her inner monologue.

Flights from Jakarta to Tokyo on average would take about 7 hours 10 minutes. And during that time, Helen tried to control herself as to not behave absurdly on the flight.

The flight attendants do not stop walking around and always check their passengers. They always pay attention, even if we are in economy class. Not once did Helen see the flight attendant not smiling when facing the passengers. Maybe they are trained like that, but we can feel the warmth of Japan from this famous 5-star airline.

The interior is modern, and all the fixtures like pillows, blankets are equipped with ANA logo. The aircraft is also equipped with entertainment system with touchscreen display, as well as remote control and headphones with a 3.5mm jack, so you can use your favorite headphones. Although the choice is not too much, but the entertainment on the plane is equipped with ANA original program that the content is interesting and make us feel cared for with their special choice.

Overall, the experience of ANA airplane is an unforgettable experience as it is different from other airlines, all flight attendants at All Nippon Airways and their pilot crews are all from Japan, so their English is limited, and always kinda unique when they try to communicate in English with Japanese accent.

This had caused a misunderstanding, between Helen and one of the flight attendants. Perhaps because the stewardess thought Helen also came from Japan, she also opened the conversation with the language of the sun country

"Nani ka onomimono wa ikaga desu ka?" [Do you want to drink?] Ask the flight attendant kindly.

"Eh? Nani ga arimasu ka?" [Eh? Which do u have?] Helen answered spontaneously in Japanese.

"Ko-hi-, koucha, ko-ra, bi-ru, orenji ju-su ga gozaimasu ga." [There is coffee, tea, cola, beer, and orange juice.]

"Jaa, ko-hi-o onegai shimasu." [Then coffee please.]

"Satou to miruku wa otsukai ni narimasu ka?" [Do you want to use sugar and milk / cream?]

"Hai." [Yes.]

If you heard their brief conversation, Helen made an impression as fluent and understand Japanese. In fact, she's been cold sweating!

Helen did not expect the stewardess would actually greet her first. Don't even imagine about being the one that would greet first, she would never think of being asked in Japanese, ever!

(Huhuhu ... It was a relief to know that it wasn't in vain that I learned a little daily conversation in Japanese, although it's kinda self-taught and unorganized, or a mess. I learned a bit through anime, drama, movies and so on. The one who once interacted with me in Japanese is Naoko-san! It's a bit of a mess and I'm so glad that Naoko-san is willing to teach and voluntarily fix some of my mistakes. If it was not for that, maybe now I ... Ughh... ) Helen murmured to herself, unable to imagine beyond her absurd imagination.

But Helen was still nervous. Given that earlier she only answered spontaneously, limited to her understanding. She could not imagine what would happen next if the stewardess came back to question her in Japanese! Please give some mercy!

Not being narcissistic or something, but Helen is often mistaken for Japanese. This kind of event is not the first time. Previously, Helen had been walking in the square of Kota Tua* at Jakarta and met with some people who thought she was a tourist from Japan. They even want to take pictures together. Even worse, some of them end up chasing and stalking her!

Remembering that only made Helen's hair stand up.

Not long after, Helen's coffee was served Exactly as Helen thought, this cute stewardess begins to question her again in Japanese.

(Forgive me... Onee-san, I do not understand ...) Helen's inner shriek.

Helen had heard rumors that many Japanese people are inadequatein foreign language, such as English. Although they work in an environment where at any time requires them to communicate in English!

For example… this Onee-chan*. Even though she's a flight attendant at an international airline, she can barely speak english!

When this tall, cute woman asked Helen about what menu Helen wanted to have, Helen could only surrender. She actually knows what this onee-chan is asking, but the problem is that Helen can not answer in Japanese!

"Ee ... to ... Ano ... ne ... Sorry ..., but I'm not from Japan and I just understand a bit of Japanese, sorry." Helen replied slightly guilty.

This stewardess was shocked and panicked, she immediately tried to apologize repeatedly while she looking like want to crying and embarrassed.

"Oyurushi kudasai ... Hontōni ... Shitsureishimashita." Helen kinda recognized the words of the flight attendant said. The whole point is, 'I apologize, I'm sorry for my impudence or something.' 😑

The other passengers were immediately looking at them. For some reason, everyone stared intently at Helen as if to say "you are bullying her (flight attendant)!"

(Hey, this is not my fault!) Helen replied in her heart. (Clearly this onee-chan misunderstands, why is it my fault, I'm the victim here! Ugh…)It's like she want to dug a hole and hide in it.

In fact, the stewardess seemed a bit cute when she realized she was apologizing in Japanese and immediately tried to offer food to Helen with broken English. "Wes-tan or Ja-panis". She keep trying hard to provide best service to the passengers, despite their limited ability. This makes Helen salute them.

🛄🛄🛄

Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), Tokyo, Japan.

International Aviation Terminal

- Place of arrival-

Tok ... Tok ... Tek ....

The footsteps of the passengers and people passing by in the arrival terminal.

Outside, there were throngs of people waiting for the arrival of passengers. Whether it's family, friends, tourists or business associates.

Of the many people who were jostling, there was a tall japanese young man, who looked cute. He seemed to struggle to hold the cardboard paper saying "Helen Marvelyn, Welcome to Japan!"

Helen felt it's a bit funny and pity him. He looks so cute as he tries to defend his "position" and a little tragic because of his big body continues to be squeezed and pushed by the crowd of people around him

Helen then approached him and asked, "Kon'nichiwa, anata wa Sakamoto Haru desu ka?" [Good afternoon, are you Sakamoto Haru?]

"Hai!" [Yes] Answer the young man with enthusiasm when he looking at Helen.

"Welcome to Japan, Helen." He greeted her with a smile.

Helen smiled back and said, "Thank u ..."

"I can speak bahasa a little bit." Reveal the young man named Haru.

"Oh."

Helen was not too surprised to hear about it, considering that she is still not proficient in communicating or interacting with Japanese language, either writing or speaking. The company must have found a guide who can communicate using "bahasa" for Helen, so she does not need to always speak English.

"Ah, let's get acquainted once more, my name is Haru Sakamoto, you can call me Haru." He smiled and held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Helen Marvelyn Anwar. You can call me Helen." Helen's reply while shook hands with Haru.

They both kept chatting and exchanging information about each other, while walking to the shuttle stop. There's already a red car and a middle-aged man, with a sturdy and elegant body posture awaiting them.

(Wow ... That car looks cool!) Comment Helen in her mind.

Haru introduced the man's identity, as they approached him.

"Helen, let me introduce you, this is Tanaka, he is my personal butler." He stated to Helen.

"..." Helen was really speechless hearing the word "butler".

(Actually, where did you came from the rich young master?!) Helen screamed in her heart.

('Butler? Also personal butler he said? Hahaha ... Really ???) Helen really wanted to cry because of what she heard, but no tears came out.

Helen is really confused how can she get a guide like Haru? Who is a young master of a wealthy family, that even has his own personal butler! And why is this young master even become her guide? Someone please tell me! Please tell me this is just a joke!

Helen continued to wail in disbelief in her mind. If only she could, Helen would have done it while rolling on the streets. Unfortunately, it only happens in her own imagination.

"Hmm, Helen? What's up?" Haru asked innocently.

(Ugh ... Please do not look at me with that cute eyes.) Helen's protest once again in her heart.

"Helen?" Call Haru once more when he finds she silent and just stares at him.

Helen feels that today is truly one of the most absurd day she has ever experienced! From the start of events on the plane, to his personal guide and butler.

(What did I dream last night ?!) Asked Helen, before she got speechless for a few moments and replied, (Oh ... Of course I dream that I am a dying girl in the arms of her lover!)

(It's sad, it's really tragic and awful! Now it's absurd, Ah ... Alright, forget about it, let's think about it next time. Right now I'm really tired and need a break!) Complained her heart.

"Hmmm ... Haru ..."

"Hm? Yeah?" answered Haru.

"I'm really feeling tired right now, can we go straight to where I would live?"

"Oh, of course, you must be very tired after that flight, I'll get you there soon."

Haru and Helen got into the car, while Tanaka stuffed Helen's bags and things into the trunk of the car.

They went to Helen's new residence where she would live in during her stay in Japan.

(Huh! What an absurd day, Helen, why are u so silly ...?) Asked her mind.

Note : 📝

*Kota Tua = Kota Tua Jakarta, officially known as Kota Tua, is a neighborhood comprising the original downtown area of Jakarta, Indonesia. It is also known as Oud Batavia, Benedenstad, or Kota Lama.

*Onee-chan = old sister or use to call women that old than u

Thanks to someone who has told me about my mistakes. When I checked it I found something odd. The finished part of the edit is gone! That's why I'm confused! I already has fixed some mistakes, but they all disappeared and returned as before! shit! And I'm in the process of checking and fixing the errors that exist on every chapters. So please be patient with me. I will do ASAP!