Does the name sound weird? It certainly did to me. But it was the name of my first ever flight and like every other first things this was highly awaited.[;)] Just before I go on to subject one question to you all. Who will be passengers traveling by flight IT420? (I think all hackers will be given free boarding passes for that flight)
But fun apart I really wonder how do pilots remember which flight they are supposed to go in. In short can’t they make flight names more user-friendly. Coming back to subject of first ever things, I was really tense while going into flight. My flight was Ahmedabad to Pune Kingfisher IT414. (I think expect the last thing everything else should be sufficient enough to make a unique flight name.)
The preparation for this journey began with flurry of instructions from my uncle and dad. Thanks to them at the end of that session I felt confident enough to go through the complicated procedures of flight and I left for Ahmedabad airport. But when I said bye to my mom and others at the outside gate, I was left all alone on that big airport trying to figure out where to go.
Suddenly I remembered that I had to go to Kingfisher counter to collect my boarding pass. I went to the counter and waited in a queue. This queue was taking more time than one I had been in SBI branch.(yes despite of the whole new look of SBI it still is a government bank and that day it lived up to its old reputation ) I started wondering if this was also run by government authority. But before I could confirm that I heard announcement of Security check for IT414. I got scared. I thought I was late and they wont give me ticket anymore. I was ready to give explanations like traffic and too much time taken at ticket counter but before that I was asked to join other queue which was moving relatively faster (absolutely faster as well ;) ). And before I realized I was at the counter. One lady (beauty I must say) smiled and said your ticket sir. I certainly got lost somewhere and when I came back from my state of being nowhere I had my boarding pass. Now I made my first mistake here. I was repeatedly asked to ask for window seat. But because of pure shame (and beauty) I didn’t ask for one. I thought the lady at the counter will surely know that it’s my first flight (I was at a complete loss on the airport). But unfortunately she didn’t and I got non window seat (I didn’t mind it as it will come in further discussion)
Next I went for a security check and again inexperience made me look a fool. I gave my hand bag for security check and stood at security counter. Now the guard started checking and he stopped pointing at my pocket where I had kept wallet. I said “do I have to show my wallet as well” and in return he gave me a look that made me feel like a complete idiot. How would I know that it meant that take your wallet out I need to do checking without it. But he least cared what I thought and started checking me more carefully. Did I look like a terrorist to him? (Sure I had not shaved for a few days but I think I look good in beard as well).
Then it was the long wait for flight. Unfortunately flight was ½ hour late and we had to wait there. In one of the instructions it was told to me to switch off my mobile so I had switched it off even before I left for airport (typically middle class isn’t it?). But I found people using mobile. But still I didn’t have guts to switch it on. Also there were around 6 TV’s all showing different channels. But only one showed the New Zealand Vs Australia match which was live on air. So everybody was sitting in front of that TV only. To make matters worse some people had kept their handbags on the chair next to them, so all the seats facing TV were full. Normally on railway station or bus stand I would easily go, keep that bag on the ground and use that chair but on airport I couldn’t (again typically middle class).
Finally the plain came and announcement to go was made. As I was entering the plane one airhostess greeted me with a smile. As always I looked back to see to whom she was actually referring to and this time to my surprise I realized that she was actually referring to me. This is the trouble of not being used to be with beautiful girls, all your life you wish if they could give a smile to you and when they actually do that you don’t know how to react. I forced myself towards my seat though I actually wanted to request that air-hostess to smile again.
My seat was next to the passage through which these air-hostesses serve people. Frankly speaking I liked that seat more than window seat, and I surely had a reason for that as well. There were not one, not two but four airhostesses, and boy o boy weren’t they marvelous beauties. I could go on and on writing about their beauties but that is a subject of separate article.
It was then time for flight to take off and I must admit I was mightily scared. I started thinking what if I die and about all the insurance policies that I have. In the end I realize that I have no policies and no dependents. But that didn’t reduce the fear. But to my help came that beautiful airhostess again with some snacks. While I was watching her serve it to all of my co-passengers and exchanging smiles with them, the plane had already taken off. And when I saw out through the window all I could see was clouds. And for next ten minutes I got lost in another of nature’s beauty. Clouds so beautiful and isolated, sky so dry and so huge and yet they still looked so together, making this beautiful environment around us. I wished if we human beings learn independence and still co-existence from clouds and sky then their will be no dearth of humanity on this earth. There will be no wars and no troubles.
Gods knows how much time I would have spent in these thoughts but thanks to beauties again I came back to real world. This time airhostess (till this point she had also became my crush) had meal dishes in her hand. She gave a dish to my neighbor, that fellow said “Thanks” and in return she gave a million dollar smile. But I thought my neighbor was quite used to it, coz I saw no expressions on his face. At that very instance even I decided to do the same and did it successfully as well, and got that smile from her. For a second I wondered if she also had started falling for me. I thought why not? Am I not worth it? I strongly believed that the smile that she gave to me was different from the rest. And I started expecting something to happen within next few min. Then she came back to take off the dish but at that time I was busy having desert so couldn’t catch her actions.
Till this time it was almost 1 hour in flight and I heard landing announcement. I was like no; I want to fly for one more hour, what the hell? I have paid 3000 Rs for it and its just one hour? But before I could pick up somebody to whom I can complain, we were already on the airport.
I said ok. Now I decided to go by DDLJ way and see if my crush turns back and looks at me when I am leaving. I was quiet sure that it would happen but just wanted a proof. And as usual I had heartbreak. I was turning back again and again to see if I can catch her looking at me. But she was still busy saying bye to everybody getting down. And hence one small love story ended then and there.
So the journey which started with questions ended with heartbreak. It was more like journey of life. You start with questions and till you get all the answers you realize that the answers are no more useful to you.
Next day I was back again to office and except for few moments of heartbreak, I had only good memories which I would cherish for rest of my life.
