#imaginarycity

I flew my own plane and started to travel the world in eighteen days. I am William Love, age four.

“The truth of the matter is, William, there never was a plane in the universe. It has to be crafted by a master craftsman for you.”

“Can’t wait for that day to come, Dad!”

* * *

“I am making this plane piece by piece, from the engine, to the shape of the wings. I am going to rescue you someday with it. The very purpose of this plane is to rescue you, William, so that in the future, you too, won’t perish.”

Dad woke me up for breakfast. We had some coffee, tea, bread, and jam. Quite a rustic breakfast with milk.

“Can you pass the bread to me, William?”

“Sure, Dad.”

“The plane is done. I want you to fly the plane and see the world in eighteen days.”

“How?”

* * *

As soon as the plane was ready, I packed my bag and traveled the world. I had my map ready, my aviation goggle, my scarf, and some food.

As the engine started, I marked my first destination, Barcelona, the city of Spain.

As soon as I arrived in Barcelona in her ethereal beauty, I looked around the city, and started to wonder around to enjoy the view of her touches. I traced around my map and went to Sagradia Familia Church. There was a little girl praying, her hair was long with bang, wearing a skirt that looked a little bit too loose on her. Some tourists were in sight, not praying, only taking pictures.

I tried to enjoy the ambiance of the church, but I got distracted by the girl who prayed.

I tried to walk around a little bit but she was still there praying. I started to take pictures of the city and when I got back, the praying girl was no longer there.

As I was seeking the girl, I got lost in my own thoughts. I always thought prayer was supposed to be done by older people, who are seeking God’s help.

She was nowhere to be found, and I was close to giving up. There was a route to go out from the church through the back entry and I thought of going there.

There were several doors, hanging in the sky, red, green, white, and yellow. There never was any other doors other than these. I got to think for a few minutes and then I chose the red door.

Which then didn’t lead me back to the praying girl, but my dad was there in his wisdom.

“Hi Son, how’s your trip so far?”

“I was….. seeking…..,”

My dad chuckled, knowing everything I had done, and I let myself be embraced.

“I know that you want to make me happy. I know you know that I know that I was looking for the girl who was praying. Where could she had gone? I need help!”

“She couldn’t have gone very far, continue seeking her.”

* * *

The day was long and tiring and I finally had my dinner in my plane, thinking that I am to go on on my trip, recalling what my Dad told me to do.

I went to look again around the church, and went out through the back door, and there I found the little praying girl, sitting down, under the moonlight. Her black hair swaying, blown by the cold wind and next to her was her little dog, Oddie.

Spring never felt so warm, that’s how the sight of the little praying girl made me feel.

Her little dog, alert with his wagging tail up, turned around and started to talk.

“Hi there William, we’ve been waiting for you.”

I, who believe in miracles, answer the dog back, “Hi there, I’m William, what is your name?”

“I am Oddie, I do magic tricks, and this is Milla, my best friend.”

She finally turned around and when she saw me the first time face to face that small round face of hers beamed in delight.

“Hi Milla, I am William.”

“I know, Oddie said so.”

William chuckled and continued, “I flew in here and I saw you praying at the church earlier this morning.” I didn’t know what else to say and then she replied, “I was, wasn’t I, Oddie?”

“Of course we were.”

“I am Milla, I am from Jerez, where have you come from, William?”

“I came from New York, staying here for a day or two.”

“And how is this that you came here, William?”

“I flew my own plane.” I thought of pouring my heart out to her but I didn’t want her to think that I am weird to have a dad who built an aeroplane for me to fly the world in eighteen days.

“How’s your trip so far?”

“My trip has been …um, pleasurable, thanks to you and Oddie.”

“Hmm…. You can go to Greece next, if you want.”

“Greece?”

“Yes, Santorini Island. Do you have a map?”

“Yes, here it is.”

“What a nice drawing. Who drew it?”

“My dad.”

“Anyway, Santorini Island should be just about here, isn’t it Oddie?”

“Yes, precisely,” answered Oddie.

“Thanks!”

“Um, actually, Milla and Oddie, why do you pray?”

“We pray, because we…how do we say…. We want to get to know people around us just as who they are.”

“I see.”

“I see that your prayer is working. You knew me before we even met.”

Oddie and Milla looked at each other and giggled some more.

“Thank you, William…”

“Love.”

“William Love, I am Milla Adonia.”

Oddie started to fall asleep and William took that as a cue to go on on his trip.

 * * *

I started my engine, put my map on the left handside and started to navigate my plane to Santorini Island, Greece. My thoughts went back to Milla Adonia and her dog Oddie, feeling grateful for their kindness.

I marked my destination and took off.

Landed in Oia, one of the villages in Santorini, I got up and looked around, not forgetting my lunch in my backpack.

I wish I knew what I was supposed to do here. The ocean and the sunset might be the most beautiful in the world just as she is, but my thought went to my dad and my friends, Milla Adonia and Oddie.

No one was here, I got chill in my body, and I feel so cold inside, and I could only hope and pray that this was a lie.