Maharani of the Skies Chapter 3 (Help Needed)

HAYA RECOGNISES THE FLYER

After a while, her attention was drawn to something unusual above her. When she had first spotted it, it had seemed to be fairly small at first. Then it had become progressively larger until it was eventually larger than an eagle. As she stared at it, she could see that, whatever it was, it could fly as well as any bird. It turned, dived and then rose on upward thermal currents as if it was the master of these forces of nature.

As the flying object came closer and closer, she began to make out what it was. "Oh, that's incredible. It's a hang glider. How beautiful!"
It was one that was obviously being controlled by an expert and soon it had drawn near. Near enough for her to realise that the pilot was about to make a landing.
Suddenly she realised that it was quite possible that the pilot had already seen her and had even deliberately performed his sky dance for her benefit. As this possibility flashed through her mind, she was strangely pleased by the thought and even allowed herself a smile.

Then she pulled herself together and murmured softly: "Don't be so damn romantic, Haya. That's not what was been happening up there."
Fortunately, she had been standing between some large boulders and for no good reason, she began to hope that he had not seen her. Somehow, she did not want him to have seen the joy that she had impulsively shown. Confused for a moment and quite aware that she was being silly, she decided to hide.

As she hid herself behind two large boulders, she began to feel a strange but supreme joy at having been a witness to his impeccable flying skills. What she had just seen was in fact a glorious demonstration of her own flying ideals.
When the flyer commenced to swoop towards the plateau, she withdrew deeper into her hiding place. She could just him hovering for a moment and then gently making a perfect landing on the small plateau.

She saw a young man unstrap his flying gear. She noticed his athletic build and his classically handsome yet strong good looks. There was no doubt about it. It was him.
"Oh, my goodness. That can't be. I don't believe it. It's Jason."
She saw him look around quite casually and then find a suitable rock to sit on. He remained there for a moment and then began to whistle a lilting melody.
Haya held her two hands to her mouth. The moment was truly beautiful and her instinct was to run out and greet him. However, some emotion, some kind of reticence or just a desire to play a game, made her choose to stay hidden.
When he stood up and began to do some stretching exercises, she could hardly control her curiosity. She peered between two boulders and watched his every move.

Her heart began to pound as he began to slowly dance, in time to an imagined melody. He stepped, stepped and kicked in one direction and then in the other. He used short steps to make a few turns and then pushed his arms to one side or to the other. He placed on hand on a hip and did a few leg movements.
After a few minutes of these exercises, he walked fairly close to where Haya was hiding and sat down there on another boulder. He took then began to sing softly. She could hear every word.
.
"Hey eagles. Let me fly with you.
You swoop and swerve then go back home.
Where did you find your feathered brides?
I too fly yet I'm still alone.

You met your soul mates above the clouds
You dived and soared and caught their eye.
Well, I share your lofty pursuit.
So tell me is my loved one nigh."

Haya, almost overwhelmed by an overpowering emotion, drew in her breath impulsively but had just as quickly covered her mouth. Had he heard her sudden intake of breath? She could not help but take another peek at him.
He had walked over to the edge of the plateau and was looking down. She did not know that he was, in fact, checking the presence and strengths of any upward drafts that were present.

He then zipped up his hang glider harness again and quite suddenly launched himself off the edge of the plateau. She saw him drop away from sight.
Jumping up in alarm she ran over to the ridge where she had last seen him. To her surprise, lifted by a particularly strong updraft, he rose past her to a level high above her. She now stood exposed, easily visible to him and unable to make any attempt to conceal herself. He made three circles above her, wiggled his wings and then flew off rapidly into the distance.

She looked at the departing winged figure for some time. Had that hand motion been a wave? Had he known all the time that she was there? Had he been playing a game? Had it been a courtship or was any significance in the whole event only in her mind?

Deep in thought but feeling an undercurrent of great joy, she turned around and began walking thoughtfully back down the footpath. At the chalet, she found her father waiting for her. He was smiling.
"Hello, my angel. My! Look how happy you are. Did you meet someone special up there?"
She looked at him suspiciously at first.
"So, Papa, what do you know about all this?" she thought.

Then however, she decided to play along with his game. "OK OK Papa. Yes yes I met my dream man. He dropped down from the sky... but never mind that. Tell me about your secret proposal."
"I will do so now, my angel. Let's go inside."
Over breakfast, that morning, father and daughter discussed his grand idea. It was one that she immediately accepted because it fitted so well into her own plans. It also fitted in so well with what she had just witnessed.

As a result of that discussion and many others, Haya enlisted in the military air force on a part-time after-hour basis. It meant that she would be able to complete her studies during normal hours but still gain flying hours on trainer aircraft during late afternoons and weekends.