29
Luna
Iwake the next morningin Cooper’s bed, arms and legs tangled, and my head on his chest.Last night we drove back to Cooper’s house in separate cars, longing to finally be with each other.We spent the night catching up on each other’s lives over the years we missed and when the tension got strong, learning each other's bodies – Cooper tracing every scar and stretch mark on my body (from all the years of training) as if they were brush strokes on a painting, and me analysing Cooper’s muscles, his body a brand-new planet for me to explore.
He told me all about his art course in Chennai, which he chose not only because my Dad recommended it, but also to learn more about half of my heritage of being a Tamilian.Hearing about that made the love I had for him grow tenfold, and I conveyed the feeling through the most passionate kiss I had in my arsenal.He also told me about his mentor, Shiva, and how he feels like he has a father figure now, and I was so happy for him.He deserves it.
I told him about my crew (Reece, Clara and Amelie) and my friends – Darshan and Zara.He said he’d like to meet Darshan and have a proper meeting with Zara, but this time around, not cause her best friend to faint.We laughed about it, and I sent a text to my group chat with Darshan and Zara, telling them about Cooper and me getting back together.Zara sent a thumbs up, but she was most probably jumping with joy in her apartment, and Darshan sent a series of messages asking for the full play-by-play.I promised him that I would catch him up on everything once I am back from my expedition, and that until then, he can find solace by looking at the picture I sent of Cooper and me.
We touched upon the lengthy training I did, and he told me about when he finally initiated hanging out with Leo and how he has now found a best friend for life.As the sky got darker, we got tired of talking and fell asleep.I missed how safe it feels going to sleep and waking up in Cooper’s arms.I wake before him and take my time staring at how peaceful he looks, and my heart tightens thinking about how much I am going to miss him every single day of the six months.He stirs awake and catches me staring at him.‘Hi, beautiful,’ he murmurs with his morning voice and plants a kiss on my forehead.My cheeks immediately flush, and I bury my face in my hands to hide it.He grabs my hands and brings them down to reveal my face.‘Please don’t hide your face, I like looking at it.’
‘Is that so?’I ask him, a sly smile growing on my lips.
‘It is so.’He grabs onto my waist and pulls me in and tickles me until I start cackling.
We drive to my house together, and as soon as we enter the house, Appa’s smile grows wide, and he pulls Cooper into a hug.‘It’s good to have you back, son.’Cooper doesn’t show how much it means to him, but his eyes tear up.Appa insists on making his famous crispy masala dosa with coconut chutney as my last meal before I travel to space.He makes hot and fresh dosas for everyone at the table, and Cooper falls in love with them.He goes on about how much he appreciates Tamil food and how my Dad’s version was even better than what he had in Chennai.I watch as he interacts with my family, and my heart swells seeing how well he gets along with my parents – he earned another set of parents, and my parents earned a son after losing Apollo.
Everyone helps me pack up, and Appa reads through his usual checklist of things not to miss, and we all drive to the airport.The whole way there fills me with anxiety and nervous energy, but Cooper holds my hand the entire way and rubs his thumb rhythmically, which calms me down.When we reach there, Cooper gets on the phone and asks someone to meet with us at the check-in gate, and I am surprised to find his Mum, Ms Amy.It is so good to see her again.We hug each other, and she wishes me safe travels.
I turn back right at the end of the security check-in to wave everyone goodbye, and my heart glows at the sight of everyone important to me standing together, smiles across all of their faces.I spend the entire flight replaying how Cooper grabbed my face in his hands and planted a firm kiss on my lips when I said bye to him at the airport.It was a silent promise that no matter how far I travel, the string attaching us will be strong.Once I land in French Guiana, I meet with my team, and we get taken to our pre-flight quarantine once our final medical checks are done.And the two weeks go by in a blur of anticipation and preparation.
As we are all seated in the spacecraft, our seatbelts fastened, the countdown begins.3 2 1 and lift off.‘I love you, Cooper,’ I whisper as a single tear falls onto my cheeks, my heart beaming with joy.Only a quick wave of sadness passes me that I wouldn’t be able to tell Cooper until six months later that I conjured his face during lift off to not be afraid.
30
Luna
