After nearly three hours in the air, the plane finally began its descent toward Incheon.
Ah-rin and Maggie were walking out of the aircraft, moving slowly through the jet bridge with the other passengers, when suddenly something struck Ah-rin's mind—and she halted in her place.
Her breath hitched.
Maggie turned back, confusion flashing across her face.
"What happened now?!" Maggie said urgently. "We need to go to the hospital as soon as possible! Let's move fast."
Ah-rin's heart dropped.
"Where are my twins?" Ah-rin asked, her voice trembling, as if lightning had suddenly struck her.
Maggie froze.
She looked around instinctively—at the long arrival corridor opening into the terminal, the steady stream of passengers pulling carry-ons, the overhead direction boards pointing toward Immigration, Baggage Claim, Transit, and Restrooms.
The twins were nowhere.
Maggie gasped sharply.
She looked back at Ah-rin only to see her eyes filling with tears, fear crashing into her all at once—the fear of losing her babies, her only reason to keep breathing.
Her knees weakened.
Maggie quickly wrapped her arms around her and started to say sweet words near her ears.
"Shhh… it's okay," Maggie whispered near her ear, forcing calm she didn't feel. "They must be nearby. Airports are confusing, that's all. We will find them, okay? Don't cry."
"My… my babies… my…" Ah-rin sobbed helplessly.
"Stop crying," Maggie said gently but firmly. "We'll find them quickly, hmm? Before it gets too late. Come on. You are their strong mom. This is nothing."
Ah-rin tried to move faster—but pain shot through her injured arm, making her stumble slightly.
Maggie caught her immediately.
"Slowly," Maggie murmured. "Lean on me."
They started to look for the twins through the busy arrival terminal anxiously. Passengers flowed around them in waves, airport carts rolled past, multilingual announcements echoed overhead, and electronic boards flickered with flight numbers and directions.
Minutes passed.
Five.
Ten.
Every second felt unbearable.
Tears kept slipping down Ah-rin's cheeks as she called out their names again and again.
"Naomi! Noah!"
Even Maggie's chest felt tight now.
She knew how important the twins were to Ah-rin. They were the only reason she was still standing. Maggie knew—if something happened to them—Ah-rin would shatter beyond repair.
But Maggie buried her fear deep inside.
For her best friend's sake.
They searched frantically, moving from one section to another like maniacs—near the immigration queues, beside currency exchange counters, past information desks, and close to resting areas—fear growing heavier with every passing moment.
Meanwhile with the twins…
After getting down from the plane, the twins had been following their mommy and Aunty Maggie through the crowded terminal.
Naomi was still weighed down by guilt from the earlier incident on the plane.
Suddenly, she noticed Noah drifting away.
Her heart jumped.
She tried to call out to her mommy and aunty, but they were already too far ahead. She tried to shout again to get their attention but failed as the place was already very crowded and noisy. Rolling suitcases rattled, announcements echoed, and voices overlapped endlessly.
She tried shouting again and again.
Nothing.
She knew very well that if she waited to get their mommy and aunty's attention any longer, she might lose Noah from her sight completely—and she didn't want that.
And somewhere deep inside, she wanted to help her mommy. After the accident… after the pain.
She wanted to share her mommy's burden.
So she followed her brother.
Not knowing the consequences of their action.
Naomi followed her dear brother until she saw him stop near a decorative indoor pond, tucked away in a quieter corner of the terminal, surrounded by glass panels, soft lighting, and artificial greenery meant to calm travelers.
"You stupid oppa!" Naomi scolded her twin who was only five minutes elder than her, grabbing his sleeve. "Why did you come here without Mommy and Aunty?! What if we lost them?"
"Mimi," Noah said softly, his face gloomy, "I saw my good uncle—the one I met in Taiwan. But I don't know where he went."
Naomi frowned hearing him.
Then again his face suddenly lit up as if he found a treasure.
"But look!" he said excitedly. "So many different fish! Look how beautiful they are! Look look."
He called his sister to enjoy the beautiful view too.
Naomi was so done with her elder twin's childishness. She put both her hands on her waist, something she and her elder twin both learned from their mother whenever she inquired about something serious, and said—
"And because of your 'good uncle' and this different fish look we lost Mommy and Aunty Maggie."
Naomi huffed.
Noah's excitement vanished.
He looked around.
Only then did he realize—Mommy and Aunty weren't there.
He looked here and there but there was no sign of their mommy and aunty. He panicked but kept his composure, remembering his little sister, knowing how easily she panicked and got scared.
But when Naomi also looked around, realizing she didn't remember the way back, her lips trembled. Her eyes brimmed with tears due to fear.
"Mommy…" she sobbed. "Op… oppa… We lost Mommy and Aunty. What if they can't find us!!"
"Stay here," Noah said quickly, holding her hands, trying to reassure her with his warm tone. "Mommy and aunty will find us for sure. Don't panic, sweetie."
"aaaaaaa…"
But instead, she started to cry more loudly.
"Aish!! Stupid Naomi, stop crying." Noah said, feeling both frustrated and scared. "Mommy will find us. Just stay here. Don't cry. Mommy hates it when we cry, right?? Also who asked you to follow me! Now we both will get scolded by Mommy when they find us."
But it didn't work.
Naomi burst into tears.
He pulled her into a hug, trying to console her.
A tall man had been watching them quietly from a short distance, concern softening his expression. Their actions had caught his attention moments ago.
He approached slowly.
"Hey, cuties," he asked gently so they wouldn't get more scared than they already were. "What are you doing here alone? Where are your parents?"
Noah immediately stepped in front of Naomi, shielding her with his small body.
"Mr. Stranger, don't come near my sister! Don't think that just because our mommy is not with us you can harm my sissy." Noah warned, raising his tiny fist as if he was really going to punch the stranger if he approached them more. "I'll break your nose! I am telling you, I am very strong."
Naomi nodded like an obedient, scared bunny from behind her brother.
The man chuckled softly at Noah's attempt to protect his little sister. Even though he was only five minutes older than her, he was determined to protect her with everything he had. Seeing this, the man was reminded of someone from his own childhood—but he quickly shook his head and pushed the thought away.
He looked at the two small figures standing before him and bent down to their level.
Only then did Noah recognize him.
"Good uncle!"
"It's you again?" the man said in surprise, instantly recognizing the little boy from Taiwan.
He tried to step closer, but remembering their mommy's warning, Noah immediately spoke again, protectively, "Bu… but you are still a stranger!"
"Baby, maybe I am a stranger, but I mean no harm," the man said gently, trying to reassure them.
"But Mommy said never talk to any strangers," Noah replied, remembering his mother's words.
"But baby, didn't you just call me good uncle?" the man reasoned softly. "Then how can I be a stranger?"
He looked past Noah and noticed Naomi peeking from behind her brother's small frame. The man chuckled again, finding the scene unexpectedly adorable.
Holding up his phone toward Noah, he said kindly, "Then take this. Call your mommy. Tell her where you are."
After a moment of hesitation, Noah cautiously took the phone and dialed their mommy's number.
It rang once.
Twice.
"He… hello?" Ah-rin's trembling voice came through the phone. "He… hello, who is it??"
"Mommyyyy!"
Hearing their mom's voice, Noah's brave front finally shattered. He cried into the phone instantly.
Ah-rin couldn't hold back anymore either and broke down the moment she heard his voice. It felt like her soul had finally returned to her body.
"Noah?! Baby, where are you?! Is Naomi with you?!" Ah-rin panicked, her voice shaking.
"She's with me, Mommy. Don't worry. We are together," Noah sniffed, trying to speak clearly so they could be found quickly.
"Where are you, baby? Tell me. Mommy will come to pick you both."
"Near the pond inside the airport," Noah replied.
A sob of relief escaped Ah-rin.
"Whose phone is that, baby?"
"The good uncle from Taiwan. He helped us."
"Give him the phone."
The man swallowed nervously.
He was a well-known businessman, usually full of confidence—but now, suddenly, he felt unsteady talking to a woman he didn't even know, a mother of two children.
He cleared his throat and spoke, "Hello?"
"Thank you for helping my children," Ah-rin said.
Something stirred inside him at the sound of her feminine voice.
"Please stay with them until I come."
"Of course."
"Please… I'm coming as fast as I can."
She ended the call.
But her voice didn't leave his ears. It echoed in his mind again and again. He felt as if a current had flowed through his veins. The voice felt familiar—too familiar—as if he had known it for a long time.
Or was his mind playing tricks on him?
How could it be her after so many years?
His chain of thought came to a halt when he heard a desperate female voice calling out from a short distance.
From afar, Ah-rin finally spotted the pond.
Her breath caught.
She tried to run—but pain shot through her arm, making her cry out.
Maggie immediately supported her.
"There, look" Maggie whispered. "They're there, safe."
Tears streamed down Ah-rin's face as she rushed forward, ignoring the pain.
"My babies—"
To Be Continued…