#oaboom

Chapter 1

“Can I ask you something?”

“Ahm… sure.”

“Do you have a twin sister?”

Oaboom held her breath for a second. Another person who knows her sister — even here, in her own environment, in her fucking plane — a beautiful girl comes up to ask her about her sister. As her thoughts started to wander, the voice interrupted the cascade in her mind.

“I’m sorry for asking so bluntly. I don’t even know if it’s you. I mean, when I was a kid, there was this girl in my class, and she had your name, I think. I’m sorry, I don’t remember much, but one thing I do remember is that she had a twin sister. That’s why I was wondering if you might be her. But I don’t want to bother you while you’re working… I was probably confu—”

“I do have a twin sister.” — Oaboom interrupted the passenger.

She didn’t know what to think. She didn’t remember this person. Maybe it was someone who liked Ai-oon and never talked to her. That thought made her heart sink a little. The stranger’s eyes lit up when Oaboom answered.

“Why? Do you know my sister?”

“Oh! No… I don’t know your sister. I don’t remember much about her, I’m sorry. I don’t think I remember anything except that she was your twin. That’s it.”

Oaboom stared at the stranger, trying to understand what she was saying. It didn’t make any sense. Why bring up Ai-oon if you don’t remember her?

“I’m not following. If you don’t know my sister, why would you ask about her?”

“Oom! Can you get some vodka bottles for me? My cart only has two right now.”

Another flight attendant came close, asking for help with pleading eyes. Oaboom smiled and nodded.

“Sure, Chaisee. I’ll be right back.” — She said the last part to the stranger and walked off.

So it was her. She looked so beautiful. She still had the same glow she had as a little girl. Her smile hadn’t changed. Astrid remembered that smart little girl — the science class about the solar system, how Oaboom knew everything. But mostly, she remembered Oaboom sitting next to her and smiling, saying her favorite planet was Saturn — before being interrupted by her sister making a joke about Pluto. Oaboom had corrected her sister, saying Pluto wasn’t a planet anymore.

She remembered how sad that little girl looked when everyone laughed at her sister’s joke. Astrid didn’t know what bothered her in that interaction, but she knew one thing: she preferred seeing Oaboom smile.

Oaboom came back with a small box and handed it to the other flight attendant, who was already chatting with another passenger ahead. Someone on the opposite side of the aisle called Oaboom to ask something. Astrid kept watching, and when Oaboom turned around, she called her name. Oaboom looked at Astrid and walked closer, her smile polite and professional. Astrid suddenly felt bad for bothering her again.

“I’m sorry, Oaboom. I didn’t mean to disturb you while you’re working. I only asked about your sister because we didn’t talk much back then, and I wasn’t sure it was really you. But I remembered the little Oaboom in my class had a twin, so I just wanted to make sure it was you.”

Oaboom looked confused as she heard Astrid’s words. She narrowed her eyes, analyzing this strange passenger. She was beautiful, wearing a fitted black vest like it had been made just for her. Her brown hair had highlights that shimmered in the light. She was wearing glasses — probably reading something earlier. Astrid took them off and looked Oaboom directly in the eyes.

“You went to XCL?” — Oaboom asked.

Astrid shook her head.

“No, no. I went to Brighton for high school. But I was talking about St. Andrews, for primary school. The girl I met was called Oaboom, and we had science class together. I wanted to ask about the twin sister because that little girl had one too. We didn’t talk much, so I don’t know much about her — only that her sister loved making jokes.”

Astrid shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake the memory away, and smiled politely.

“But I think I was mistaken, it’s not y—”

“Did you think Ai-oon was funny?” — Oaboom suddenly interrupted.

Astrid was surprised by the question.

So it was her!

She looked down. She didn’t remember much about Oaboom’s sister — only her constant jokes every time Oaboom answered something correctly in class. She never really found her funny.

“Actually, I didn’t. She didn’t have my kind of humor.” — Astrid replied, so honestly that it caught Oaboom off guard. Astrid raised her eyes and looked directly at Oaboom.

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember much about your sister. I only mentioned her to be sure you were really you. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I only wanted to know about you. I’m sorry if it came off rude.”

Oaboom was still processing those words.

I only wanted to know about you.

She didn’t know why, but her heart felt warm hearing that.

“I’m Oaboom Ingsamug. But you can call me Oom.” — she said with a warm smile, reaching out her hand.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name…”

“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Astrid Song.” — Astrid shook her hand, smiling.

“It’s a pleasure to be introduced to Saturn’s girl.”

“What?” — Oaboom looked confused.

Saturn was her favorite planet when she was a kid. She’d always been fascinated by it, ever since she started learning about the solar system in primary school. But there’s no way this stranger could know that, right? She never had many people to share it with. Ai-oon was the one with all the friends. But Astrid hadn’t been talking about Ai-oon. Her sister never cared about Saturn. For some reason, Astrid knew that detail — and it really was about her.

Astrid looked a little embarrassed at Oaboom’s surprise.

“Sorry. You told me that in a science class. I was sitting next to you, and you said Saturn was your favorite planet. I hope it’s not weird that I remember that.”

“It’s not weird. I just didn’t know anyone noticed that.” — Oaboom replied gently.

She was just confused. If Astrid didn’t remember much about her or her sister, why remember that? She studied Astrid’s face again, trying to recognize her — but nothing came. Astrid giggled, a little embarrassed.

“I didn’t have the chance to tell you what my favorite planet was back then. Your sister interrupted with a joke, and after that, I didn’t want to bother you. I never forgot that I didn’t answer. I don’t know why.”

Oaboom smiled at the answer, but then the seatbelt lights came on. They were about to land.

“I’m sorry, I have to go help out. We’ll be landing soon. It was nice to meet you, Astrid Song.” — She smiled again and left quickly.

Astrid felt her heart sink a little at the goodbye.

That was it — the worst re-introduction in history, she thought.

She watched until Oaboom disappeared behind the cabin curtain. Astrid put her glasses back on and tried to return to her book.

But she couldn’t.