I rushed out of the Bathroom with a ring on my Mobile phone.
Hello, I answered.
Hello ji, Its driver MohanRam sent by Ashok Shukla ji
Its the voice of the driver, Whom my client has sent to drop me at the IGI Airport, Delhi.
I m waiting in an Indica Car at the corner of the street. Can You come out So that I can spot your Home.
OK I m coming out, I replied and went out.
A white Indica car was waiting at the corner of my street. I waved my Hand.
The driver got my signal and approached my spot.
I signalled Him to wait in-front of my Home and went inside to get ready.I took out a light grey shirt, which I always use to wear in any official travels. I checked both of my packed bags if have forgotten any thing important, which I never used to do. Everything happened that day is a bit queer to me.
I got stunned by the Drivers sudden horn. I still dont understand Why these drivers try to act as if they are getting late.
I checked my Watch It showed 12.47. My flight departs at 2.05 from IGI domestic Terminal.
I am on a trip to Kozhikode (Calicut) for a project. After repeated agitations I got finished with my Shoe Laces and picked my bags to move out of my room. My roommate helped me out with my bags to put them in the Car.
I got into the Car, the driver saluted me with a typical Indian style.
How long will it take to reach the Airport, I asked.
Domestic or International ji.
Domestic Terminal A, I said
Ji It takes about 30 Minutes without traffic, He said
The traffic is the major problem in the Highway between Gurgaon and New Delhi. But 1'O clock is not the high time for traffic. I prayed to the almighty for the same, As if God stands near the signal and clears the Traffic.
The Car stopped at the IGI domestic Terminal at 1.28. I took out all my luggages out of my Car. I signed the register and the Car cleared the Airport premises in no time.
I got a trolley and loaded it with my luggages and headed towards the Air-India counter. I showed my PNR to the person at the counter without asking anything as If to show I am a
matured person. The person without even looking at my mobile Phone and said me to go to Terminal A. Terminal is meant for domestic Air-India and Indian Airline Planes.
I came out and enquired about Terminal A to the security waiting at the gate of that Terminal.
I rushed towards the direction Which the Guard showed me. I pushed my trolley towards Terminal A which is almost half a Kilometre from Terminal B. I checked the time I am 30
minutes away from the Departure of the Flight.
May I know When ll the flight to Aurangabad departs, a person who is before me in the Queue asked to person at the counter.
Within 20 Minutes, He replied.
Thats the same flight Which I have to board on too. The flight goes to Aurangabad via Mumbai, Where I have to get down to catch another flight.
How can I help You , the person at the counter asked me.
I rushed with my mobile inorder to show Him the PNR. He got it and tapped His Keyboard. God How long will it take for him to give my ticket. That day the Air-India website was
very slow to prove that it is maintained by the Government. Taking the ticket I rushed towards Counter inside the Airport building to get my boarding pass after clearing my Luggage security check-up.
Welcome Sir, The Air Hostess welcomed me at the flight with a "motherly Warmth"
I got my seat bit relaxed that I have made it.
Its now 04.55 PM When I got my luggage in the Mumbai Airport. I rushed to the Departure from the Arrival inorder to catch Air-India to Kozhikode which departs at 05.30 PM. I finally got into the Queue of Air-India Counter to collect my Boarding Pass. A girl, with eyes almost like a blue moon in the White sky,and free flowing black hair that revealed Her face which added glamor to Her thin coat of lipstick on Her lips. She is in her Early twenties dressed up in Air-India uniform (quiet unexpectable) was answering to a passenger in the adjacent queue. Couldn't take eyes off Her. After answering Him She turned to my queue and started walking towards me. I could feel Her nearing me. God, take my eyes off Her and close my Mouth, I said to myself.
Hello, I felt that someone has called me. I turned to see that beauty standing near me and talkin to me. I couldn't believe myself.
Hello, now with a raised voice.
Yeah, I said and finally closed my Mouth.
Are You waiting for any flight?
Yes, I am waiting to get boarding pass for IC597 and showed Her my ticket.
This flight is going to take off within 20 minutes, And Sure You are going to miss it.
No, I will make it. I ll get my boarding pass within 5 minutes and board the plane, I replied with a smile.
Oh! Is it? This flight departs from the International Terminal, Which will take more than 30 Minutes to reach from Here which is a Domestic Terminal.
Alas! My travel admin had pulled me down without giving these informations.
Why don't make it in time to catch an international Flight? She said.
Sorry, My flight from Delhi was delayed by 50 minutes. What Should I do? , I was blabbering at Her Helplessly.
Ok, There is customer service Centre out there, Go to Them and say that your previous flight was delayed. They could help You, but You may surely miss the flight.
I rushed towards the Customer service counter and said them the details. The person then got my ticket and contacted the Air-India in International Terminal.I turned around to see that the Angel(Really She is) has already moved out of that place.
Sir, I have asked the concerns to make Your Boarding pass ready. If You could make it in 15 minutes You can board the Plane. Go out this way, There You can get a taxi to go to the
Terminal.
How long will it take to reach there? I asked Him.
Probably 30 minutes, free from traffic.
I rushed out of the Domestic terminal and got an Auto-Rickshaw, Which just dropped someone in the Terminal. I asked Him to reach the International terminal in 15 minutes for I have to catch my flight in time. He demanded 50 Rs for He has to take some shortcuts. I pleaded Him to cut the conversation and move. The Auto-Rickshaw flew out of the Domestic Terminal and sailed towards the International Terminal. He realy took a shortcut That the vehicle got into a slum area of the Mumbai. The Driver Horned loud in-order to clear the boys playing cricket in that small street.
The auto-rickshaw entered the International Terminal at 05-28 PM.
Where Should I stop?
There at that Last Entrance, I said without even knowing Where to get down.
I rushed inside the Departure and ran Here and There in search of the Luggage security clearance and I finally got It. After the clearance the guard out there pointed to a direction Which led to the Counter for Boarding tickets. I ran towards that direction. Godammn, why all these counters are very far from each other. I got the counter and took a queue of some Foreigners. They were argueing with the officials for some ticket issues.
Oh My Goodness Should I waste some more time Here, I said to myself holding my breath.
Seeing me, a person came towards me from the counter asking for my ticket. After verifying my ticket He handed me my Boarding pass Which was made ready already.
Don't You know that You should make atleast 2 Hrs before You get on to the international flight.
Sorry, I have no idea, I replied.
Ok, Wait Here You can move along with these foreigners and one of our officials will take You near the Boarding Area.
Thank You, I said with a feel that I have made it.
I found my seat and put on the Headphones and Heard a local FM played in one Channel.
IC597 from Mumbai to Sharjah via Goa and Kozhikode is delayed by 30 Min due to Traffic, The captain announced.
