#draws ford lifting his shirt twice. whatever

[daekiyu]

grunkle attack

[miscolliding-planets]

Chapter 3: Deviating Far Out

I watch Caiden lift the last of my luggage up into the bed of his truck with Apollo sitting right by my feet. He closed the truck bed shut and turned to face me and Apollo as he pats off dust from his hands. "Are you sure you did not forget anything?" he asked, raising a brow at me. "Passport? Charger? Your ticket, perhaps?" he continued.

"Yeah, I have everything here with me. I checked. Twice," I answered, annoyed.

"I was just making sure that we would not have to go back again just because you forgot to get whatever it is you forgot," he chuckled.

I just rolled my eyes and started walking to the front of the car. He followed me and opened the door to the backseat of his brand spanking new Ford Raptor Ranger, that he got from his dad, to let Apollo in. I opened the passenger seat and stepped up into the tall vehicle. It's a struggle for me since I have short legs and only stand at a whopping 5'0" ft tall. I heard Caiden laugh at me as he closes the door to the back seat. I flipped him off and shut the door with more force than necessary which earned me a large 'HEY!'. Yes, I did that because I know it would annoy him. But, it was not as forceful and as heavily as I would have done if it were my grandpa's old pick-up truck. That needed a lot more extra force. He was shaking his head when he got into his seat which earned him a shake of my head and a scoff.

The drive to the airport was silent. There was music playing on the speakers softly, but none of us talked throughout the drive. It took us about 45 minutes to reach the airport and there was some traffic on the ramp at the entrance. Caiden stopped by one of the empty slots where cars can let off passengers and their luggage. I immediately grabbed a trolley as Caiden unloaded my luggage and Apollo's crate from the truck bed. Caiden first placed Apollo's cage onto the trolley. I let Apollo out of the truck and opened the crate for him to enter.  He immediately stepped inside his crate and settled himself. Caiden finished loading all my luggage onto the trolley and helped me pushed the trolley to the entrance.

"Get inside and wait for me. I'll just park the truck," he told me as he successfully pushed the cart near the doors.

I nodded and took over the handle bars. It took me some great effort to push the trolley since Apollo's added weight makes it a little heavier. I got through entrance security and decided to head to Starbucks where there are chairs outside. I checked my watch and saw that I still have about a couple hours before the check-in counter closes. I sat by the outside seating and checked on Apollo who is happily laying inside his crate. It took Caiden about 20 minutes to finish parking the car and get inside the terminal. I told him that I'll just buy a drink and some snack inside and he should guard my cart. I finished my transaction within 10 minutes and we proceeded to the check-in counters.

I also went to the check Apollo in as cargo since he's too big to fit inside the cabin. Luckily, the airline I chose have a specialized hold where pets can be placed. The cargo hold is also in the same pressurized hold as the checked baggage, but the temperature is in the same control as the cabin. I still included a water bottle, which is attached to Apollo's crate, where he can take sips of water whenever he wants to. Luckily, I took a direct flight, though it still means that he stays in the hold for more than 12 hours—since it takes a little more than 16 hours on average.   

I gave the pet travel assistants some specific instructions about checking on Apollo as he waits to get loaded onto the plane. After checking on Apollo a final time before he gets placed inside the holding area for transport, I said goodbye to Caiden and proceeded to the gate where my flight will be called. I searched for my gate and proceeded to secure a seat by the windows so I can clearly see Apollo as he gets loaded into the plane. I checked my watch and I still have a little over 3 hours. I took out my iPad and continued the painting that I have been working on.

An hour before my flight, I noticed my plane taxi into the gate. I watched as little trucks begin appearing, towing around trolleys full of different luggage and cargo. I saw one tiny truck pull three trolleys filled with pet crates of various sizes and other packages that need to be kept on the special hold. I can easily tell which crate was Apollo's since it's the largest of the bunch. I watch as he was placed on a conveyor belt like contraption and is whirred inside before I joined the slew of passengers that lined up to get inside the plane.

The process took a little bit of patience but I eventually got inside the plane and into my seat. Fortunately, I got my hands on a Business class window seat. That means I would not have any annoying seat mates and I can watch the clouds pass by along with the sky changing as we pass each country on our route. I situated myself comfortably, putting my phone on airplane mode and taking out my iPad again to continue painting and drawing. It took about 10 minutes from taxi to take-off just because there are a million other flights that went before us, but that was faster than I expected. I immediately took off my seatbelt and ran to the lavatory since I need to take off my make up and wash up. When I got back, I immediately reclined my seat to prepare myself for a movie marathon.

I was halfway through my third movie when my the flight attendants began handing out menus where we can choose our desired food. They offer three meals whereas the second one is relatively light and only good as a snack. The first meal offered was somewhat of a breakfast since it's about 4 in the morning back home. I took one of their selections of meat-filled sandwich and a glass of orange juice. The second meal arrived about halfway through the flight. I was offered a selection between a salad bowl, noodles or a plate of pie—I selected the noodle dish and lemonade.

After the second dish came, I figured I can get some shut eye to gain some energy when I land in Bangkok. The last meal is normally offered about an hour or two before the end of the flight, so that gives me plenty of time to sleep. I would need the energy to handle customs, baggage claims, security and getting Apollo from cargo. I reclined the seat further and got to sleep. I set my alarm for 3 hours before the flight lands so that I can prepare myself for the last meal and the deplaning (Yes, that is a word. Airline people say that getting off a plane is "to de-plane").  I only had about 6 hours worth of sleep, but I found it enough that my energy was immediately replenished. 

I dashed for the lavatory again to begin preparing myself for deplaning. I washed my face, applied a minimal amount of make-up and changed into Bangkok-weather friendly clothes before going back to my seat. The attendants going around again presenting the menus and offering drinks by the time I got out of the lavatory. I took a seat and tidied my things, putting my clothes neatly back in my bag. I was just about done when an attendant came to where I sat. I took their antipasti, beef tenderloin and a bowl seasonal fruits as my selection for my last meal on the flight.

I put on another movie on my iPad and started on my meal. It was as exquisite as eating in a 5-star restaurant disregarding the fact that my ears feel like exploding every few hours or so. The meal was cleared away a few moments after I finished all of it. I thanked the flight attendant that took my dishes away and went back to my movie. Fortunately, the movie ended just in time for landing preparations so I immediately put away my iPad and everything else that need to be put back in place.

The plane smoothly landed and people started standing up, getting ready to crowd at the door and deplane. I waited until there are only a few passengers left before I told up from my seat and left the plane. I hurriedly walked to make it to the customs counter at the shortest possible time. The lines were moderately long, but it moved a lot faster than I anticipated. Soon enough, I was out where I can claim my baggage—that took a while since everyone's baggage came all together. I hurriedly took all my luggage and proceeded to where I can claim Apollo. I was tapping my fingers and my feet, not being able to stand still as I wait for Apollo to come out. I immediately let him out of his crate as soon as the staff placed him in front of me.

He happily hopped out of his crate and circled around me in protest. I hugged him, laughing as he whined about being cramped and bored. I patted his head one last time before I started walking as I look for the exit. It took me a few minutes before I found the doors. Warm summer breeze instantly greeted me as I took my first steps out the exit doors. I walked a little further to the edge of the sidewalk before stopping on my tracks and started breathing in deeply and taking in my new surroundings. A smile came on my face as new scents and new, but slightly familiar, sounds registered through my senses. I looked down at Apollo who is also taking in our new surroundings as he calmly sits by my feet. I was about to push the cart full of luggage again when I heard my name being called.

"Ms. Marquez?" called man standing beside a van. I don't know about you, but that kind of screamed 'SHADY' to me. He looks to be a few years older than me and a native. The man is also dressed pretty decently in a collared shirt and khaki trousers. He's also sporting presentable shoes though a little worn.

I reluctantly approached him, a hundred million possibilities running through my head. I know that no decent human being will commit a kidnapping in broad daylight, outside a busy airport where hundreds of passengers come in and out every minute. "Hi. Umm...." I greeted him as I got closer.

He smiled wider and gave a little laugh. "You don't have to worry, Ms. Marquez. I'm not a bad person. Khun Palm from Peraya Studios sent me to pick you up. You can call me Man," he politely introduced himself.

That gave me some sense of relief and also made me give off a hysterical chuckle, a proof of my being crazy paranoid and overthinking. I rounded the cart and walked closer to him. "Hello, Man. It's nice to meet you. But, you can call me Andie," I greeted him and offered my hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you, too, Ms. Andie," he took my hand and gave it a few firm shakes before releasing it. "I see your dog is big. Is he male or female?" he commented as he walked to the cart and started pushing it towards the rear of the van. Followed him so I can observe and continue the conversation.

I watched him as he walked to the back of the van and pulled the door to the trunk open. He walked back to where he left the cart and pulled the suitcase that is at the top of the pile. "I guess you expected my dog to be of a smaller breed," I retorted with a small snicker as I pat Apollo's head. "He's male, by the way," I added.

Man nodded as he walks back to the cart."The females I know prefer the kinds of dogs that are ugly-cute, noisy and/or aggressive," he replied with a dry laugh as he hauled a suitcase up the back of the van. That made me burst out in a loud, ugly cackle. He pulled another suitcase off the pile and put it with the earlier suitcase. "I normally see girls holding small dogs with pointy ears and very angry; one has short hair and the other is fluffy so they take them to salons for pets," he continued. This made me cackle a little louder, making me sound like a wicked witch.

I felt Apollo sit beside me, propping his body on my leg a little. "I got you. I think I know what breeds you are talking about. But, I've always preferred larger breeds. They're more reliable and sturdy though I also owned breeds like Shih Tzus and Bichon Frises before I had Apollo," I explained as he continues to load my luggage.

"I don't know what they are," he bashfully admitted as he closed the door to the back of the van. "If you don't mind, what breed is Apollo? I have never seen his kind," he continued as he guided me to where I can sit.

He opened the sliding door, stepping aside to let me through. I smiled a thanks and started unhooking Apollo's leash from his collar. "He's a Great Pyrenees," I answered as I signaled Apollo to get inside the van. I took a look at Man's face as I followed after my dog. I giggled at the confused look Man wore that did not change as he closed the door to where I sat. He got in behind the steering wheel still looking confused. "I'm guessing you have not heard that breed before," I opened the topic again.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Andie—" he started, but I interrupted. Man pulled off from the curb and merged onto the oncoming traffic smoothly.

"Please drop the "Miss", Man. Just Andie," I corrected him. The "Miss" before my name makes me feel like a some princess who's also snobbish and rude. I really don't like that feeling.

He scratched his head as he nodded. I smiled at him as a sign that it's okay. "I'm sorry, again. But I have not heard of that breed before," he admitted as he maneuvered the wheel, weaving through the cars that are also traversing the roads off the airport.

I watched as the scenery through the windows gradually change the further we are from the airport. "That's okay. It's normal. Their breed is not common in this parts of the world," I replied as Apollo positioned himself by the windows. "The breed was mainly used to watch over and herd cows, goats and other livestock in France many years ago. They're mostly seen in places where the weather can be a little colder," I explained.

"I see," he unconsciously replied as he got deep into his contemplation. We were a few minutes into what looks like a freeway when he spoke again. "You can take a nap, Ms. Andie. We're still a little far from the apartment where you will stay," he commented.

I gave him a reprimanding look jokingly. "I heard a 'Miss' again," I waved a finger at his direction in jest. He laughed as he scratched the top of his head again. I giggled and nestled myself deeper into the seat. "I hope you don't mind if I do. I'm a little beat," I added as I settled into a more comfortable position.

"I don't mind, at all. Please relax. I will wake you up when we get to the place," he promised.

I remembered mumbling a tired 'thank you' as I felt my eyes close in exhaustion. Plus, car rides also make me so drowsy that I instantly fall asleep; except when I'm driving, that is. I don't know, but there's something about sitting at the back with ease can easily lull me to sleep. I felt Apollo lay down by my foot. I guess he also felt tired because of the flight or because of the stress of it. However, I'm still not sure if I did thank Man for the offer. I better say thank you when we get to my apartment.