Jacqui nodded and watched out the window as the plane started moving. True to Khizar’s word, as soon as the plane leveled out, Jacqui could see the steward moving around the galley again. After a few minutes, he carried a tray into the main cabin and set it down on the table.
“Thank you, Malik.”
The young man nodded. “What can I get you to drink, Ms. Bauer?”
“Iced tea, please, if you have it.”
“Of course. For you, Sheikh?”
“Coffee, please. And no rush on lunch. We’ll nibble on our snacks here until it’s ready.” Khizar waved a hand at the tray of fruit, cheese, olives, and bread.
A few hours later, Khizar checked in with the pilot in the cockpit, and when he came back said, “You might want to look out your window. We’re about to fly over the coast.”
Jacqui leaned over to the window to look. “I’ve never seen the ocean.”
Khizar looked from another window. “And there it is.”
It looked so far away, but still so blue as the sun glinted off the water. Every once in a while, she could see what looked like large ships—cargo or cruise ships, she guessed.
“I promise, you’ll get to spend as much time by, in, or on the ocean as you like. We’ll do whatever sounds like fun.”
Jacqui grinned at him suddenly. “Thank you, Khizar. This trip is really special.”
An uncertain look crossed over his face, but Jacqui didn’t give it any thought, since she’d already turned back to look out the window.
Jacqui had thought she could spend the whole flight looking at the scenery far below the plane, but somewhere in the middle of the flight, she fell asleep. When she woke up, she realized that Khizar had picked her up and moved her to the couch. There was a soft blanket draped over her and a pillow under her head.
She stretched and slowly sat up to see Khizar stepping out of the cockpit. He smiled and came to sit down on one of the chairs, where he could face her.
“There’s a bedroom in the back, but I wasn’t sure you’d stay asleep if I moved you that far.”
“I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
“It’s night in Milwaukee now, so I’m not surprised. If you’d like to freshen up, your things are in the washroom.” Khizar pointed through the door.
Jacqui changed clothes and washed her face, and when she returned to the main cabin, Khizar beckoned her to a chair.
“We’re about twenty minutes out. I thought you might like to watch our approach.”
“Yes, thank you.” Jacqui sat down and looked out.
The blue was closer, and she could definitely see boats now. After a few minutes, green appeared on the horizon, quickly forming lush, vegetation covered mountains. The plane looped part of the island, and then descended for landing. Jacqui watched skyscrapers mix with houses, punctuated by stunning beaches.
Khizar pointed out some things as they flew into Honolulu.
“That’s Diamond Head, there’s Waikiki Beach, and downtown Honolulu.”
As the plane landed, Jacqui tried not to bounce in her seat. This trip was far and away the most interesting thing to happen in her life in a long time, and Hawaii was a place she’d always wanted to visit.
Before they got off the plane, Khizar thanked the pilot and steward and made arrangements for their flight back on Sunday night. There was a car waiting for them, and Jacqui found herself whisked off once again, though this time, the scenery was far more exotic than Milwaukee.
The car pulled up in front of the hotel and Jacqui looked out to see a lobby with walls open to the air, where guests wandered in and out freely. A uniformed valet opened her door and helped her out, greeting her with “Aloha” and a vibrantly-colored flower lei which he placed around her neck.
Instead of a front desk, they were greeted by a gentleman in a cream-colored suit.
“Sheikh Jamshidi, Ms. Bauer, we’re delighted you’re staying with us this weekend. I’m Joe Lukela, one of the managers here at The Kalakaua, and I’ll be taking care of you during your stay. You’re all checked in, and our bellhops will take your luggage to your suite. If you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you there now.”
Khizar gestured Jacqui in front of him, placing a hand on her back. Jacqui hadn’t really thought yet about the room situation, but she realized a few minutes later she needn’t have worried.
The manager opened the door into a bright, airy room. There was a small entryway with a bench and cabinet. In front of her were two walls of sliding doors, leading out to a large covered lanai. The whole wall was open, and Jacqui could see Diamond Head in the distance, and just below their room, a stretch of sand and ocean.