Is it just me????

The security personnel, a gun that looks more like a relay baton in hand, scrutinizes my ticket… He looks at me and then back at my ticket..

It was the 20th of August. I was supposed to be in Pune on the 21st..a two month deputation to one of the better places to be in India. You bet I was looking forward to it..the flight (flights actually, there was no connecting flight), the airhostesses…the food, and most of all, the pretty sights in Pune..I had put in my travel request weeks before and the travel dept had given me my tickets..and all I had to do was sit and wait for the day of my journey..

When the 20th finally came, I was still not done packing. All I had to do was just throw in all the stuff into the bag..but it was very hard to decide whether I needed 5 shirts or 6..6 would have meant less washing..or wait..would that have meant more? And such other philosophical questions..my friend came over..he wanted to see me off, and then go off and catch a movie..I was to hand my keys over to him.. The flight was at 1.30 pm..i needed to be there atleast an hour earlier..so that meant, 12.30..and so I needed to get out atleast 11.30 to be on the safe side..but then, my friend had to catch his movie at 11.30..so I had to get out by 11..and that’s what I did.. we got into an auto (first we hauled all my luggage for abt 10minutes till we got to the auto)..i gave him my keys and dropped him en route..

I reached the airport by about 11.30 . I take my bags out of the auto and I pay that very convincing auto driver the whole of 120 bucks to drive me to the airport. He succeeded in convincing me why exactly I had to pay the double charge (or the return fare). He had kept saying , “educated people like you will understand”..i didn’t want to disagree. Anyway, I put all the bags onto a trolley and walk up to the security check.. and I give that slightly stocky security guy my ticket..he takes a look at it, then looks back at me, then looks back down on the ticket..

I wonder what’s wrong..

“Any problem?”
“Your ticket is for the 21st”
“Yes, so..?”

Have you ever made a painful moment of epiphany? This was mine..

He doesn’t reply immediately..he doesn’t have to..Realization suddenly dawns upon me..the ticket is for the 21st..today is the 20th..i was to travel tomorrow..I cant believe it..I knew that I was reckless, but this careless??!!!! I hadn’t even checked the ticket before coming all that way!!! Normally people check tickets the moment they get them..but oh no, not me! I kept it safe within the leaves of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, left it there for 2-3 weeks, and then open that book at the airport and give the ticket for examination!

People have queued up behind me, and I move aside and roll myself and my trolley over to the Jet airways counter..I wish the earth would swallow me..and my bags..The pretty lady at the counter smiles at me..I feel better already..

“You can travel today, but you will have to pay the difference.”
“that’s great..how much more should I pay?”
“Just a moment……………………………………………………..6000 Rupees”

A cup of coffee outside the airport costs 8 rupees..I sit there..sipping my cup..and pretending to read the Hunchback of Notre Dame..There is a dusky (and very pretty) young lady sitting a few rows ahead of me.I am sure she was charming too...every now and then she turns back to talk to her family..She’s got nice eyes too..I think she saw me stealing a glance at her..I bury myself in my book..

So there I was at the airport. About 24 hours early for my flight..I could nt go home coz my buddy was at the cinema and would be out only by 2..I read for a little while more..then the dark lady leaves with her family..her gait resembles a catwalk..5 minutes later, I cant stand it anymore..I hail the next auto..I decide to go and leave my luggage with my house owner downstairs..

The return trip cost me 80 bucks..and the auto trip the next morning cost me 100..this time though, the guard let me in..

In Pune now..more coming..and much sooner…

Shain