Untill We Meet Again

"I am not thanking you for this surprise," Ryder teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Ryder, why are you teasing her?" his mom asked, her voice laced with a hint of scolding. "You should thank her. She and Grandma have made all this for you. You should be grateful."

Ryder nodded his head, his smile softening. "Sorry, Akai. Thank you for this amazing meal. It was delicious."

Akai smiled, her eyes shining with happiness. "You're welcome, Ryder. I'm glad you liked it."

After the meal ended, as Ryder was about to stand up, his mom called out to him. "Ryder, wait..."

He turned back to her, his eyes questioning. "Yeah?"

His mom's eyes twinkled with knowledge. "Akai personally prepared the dessert you like."

Ryder's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yeah!"

Akai's eyes widened in horror as she realized her mistake. "Oh no, I totally forgot about it!" she exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Ryder's eyes followed hers to the kitchen, where the "Love You Forever Chocolate Cake" sat on the counter, a bright pink candle burning on top. His eyes widened in surprise, and then a slow smile spread across his face.

"Akai, you sneaky thing!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with delight.

Akai's face turned bright red as she realized her secret was out. "Ryder, I can explain..." she started, but he cut her off with a laugh.

"No need to explain, Akai. I love it. Thank you for making my favorite cake," he said, his eyes shining with gratitude.

Akai's heart swelled with emotion as she saw the joy in Ryder's eyes. She knew that this moment, this surprise, was something she would always treasure.

Akai brought the cake to the dining table, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to take the knife from Ryder. "Let me do it," he intervened, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Okay, you do it then," Akai replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

As Ryder cut the cake, he gave a slice to his mom and then to Akai. Akai took a tiny slice, her eyes locked onto Ryder's as she held it out to him. Ryder's eyes crinkled at the corners as he took a bite, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Akai, it's delicious," Mrs. Thompson exclaimed, her voice filled with delight.

"Thanks, Aunty," Akai replied, her face flushing with pleasure.

After the cake, Mrs. Thompson excused herself to take a rest, leaving Akai and Ryder alone in the room. They went to his room.

Akai's eyes wandered to the luggages packed in the corner, her heart aching with sadness.

"Do you need my help?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Ryder's eyes softened as he looked at her, his hand reaching out to caress her head. "You're younger than me, why would I need your helping hand in packing?" he teased, his voice gentle.

Akai's eyes flashed with determination. "I am younger than you, that's true, but I can help you," she replied, her voice firm.

Ryder's face softened, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Yeah, Akai can help me," he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.

As they stood there, the silence between them was palpable, filled with unspoken emotions and tender moments.

"Tomorrow, I will go to the airport to see you off," Akai said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder's eyes locked onto hers, his face filled with a mix of emotions. "You don't have to do that, Akai," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.

Akai kept silent, her eyes never leaving his, her heart filled with a deep longing. She knew that this moment, this goodbye, was something she would never forget.

As she bid goodbye to Ryder and went to her house .Akai's heart felt heavy with sadness. She didn't let her emotions show, but her eyes welled up with tears as she lay in bed, thinking about his departure. The thought of him leaving for Scotland was unbearable.

The next morning, her alarm clock rang, piercing the silence of the dark room. It was 4 am, and the sky outside was a deep shade of indigo, with stars still twinkling like diamonds. The moon was full, casting a silver glow over the world.

Akai got out of bed, her heart still heavy with sadness. She got dressed in a hurry, putting on a pair of dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt, her hair still messy from sleep.

As she ran out of the house, a car was waiting for her, its engine purring softly. Mrs. Thompson had arranged for it to take her to the airport, thinking of her safety. Akai was grateful for her consideration.

The journey took only 20 minutes, the road empty and dark. As they arrived at the airport, Akai's heart raced with excitement and sadness. She saw Ryder waiting in the hall, his parents by his side. She rushed towards him, her eyes locked onto his.

"Ryder!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder's eyes lit up with a smile as he saw her. "Akai!" he replied, opening his arms to hug her.

Akai fell into his embrace, her tears finally spilling over. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered, her voice muffled by his chest.

Ryder's arms tightened around her. "I'll miss you too, Akai. But I'll be back before you know it."

As they hugged, Akai's heart felt a little lighter, knowing that their love would transcend distance and time.

She hugged him tight and cried, her tears soaking into his shirt. After crying for a bit, she let him go and wiped her tears, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm not going to cry for you anymore," she said, her voice trembling.

Ryder's eyes filled with compassion as he helped her wipe her tears. "It's okay, Akai. I'll be back soon," he said, his voice soft.

Akai handed him a packet, her hands shaking slightly. "Grandma prepared a present for you. Remember to have it and let her know how it is," she said, her voice cracking.

Ryder's eyes shone with excitement as he took the packet. "Okay, I will. Thank you, Akai," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Ryder's parents saw their interaction and smiled at each other, their eyes filled with warmth. Finally, it was time for him to board the airplane. "Take care, son," they said, both of them hugging him tightly.

"You too," Ryder replied, his voice choked with emotion.

Akai looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Ryder, I'll miss you so much," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder's face softened as he looked at her. "I'll miss you too, Akai. But I'll be back before you know it," he replied, his voice filled with promise.

Akai nodded, her lips trembling. "I know. I just...I don't want to lose you," she said, her voice cracking.

Ryder's eyes filled with compassion as he pulled her into a tight hug. "You'll never lose me, Akai. I'll always be with you, no matter where I am in the world," he whispered into her ear.

Akai's tears fell onto his shirt as she clung to him. "I love you, Ryder," she whispered back.

"I love you too, Akai," Ryder replied, his voice filled with emotion.

After a few moments, Ryder pulled back and looked at Akai. "I have to go now," he said, his voice soft.

Akai nodded, her eyes still shining with tears. "I know. Go be safe, Ryder," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryder smiled and kissed her forehead. "I will. I'll be back soon, Akai," he said, his voice filled with promise.

As Ryder turned to board the plane, Akai called out to him. "Ryder!"

He turned back to her, his eyes questioning.

"Remember, we will be waiting for you," Akai said, her eyes shining with tears.

Ryder's face lit up with a smile. "I'll remember, Akai. I'll be back before you know it," he replied, his voice filled with promise.

With one last look at Akai, Ryder turned and boarded the plane, leaving Akai and his parents behind.

Just then, a voice called out, "Ryder!" He looked back to see who was calling.