It was half past seven and dad confirmed for the umpteenth time that the flight was on time. After a lot of thought, and weighing pros and cons, I decided to keep my white lacy top and tossed the peach tank top back in my closet. I packed my bags and weighed them one last time. Twenty three kilos. Perfect.
Just then my phone rang. I’d decided to wind up all my 'hi-just-dropped-in-to-say-bye,’ ‘oh-I’m-so-gonna-miss-you-too’ and ‘do-you-really-have-to-go’ phone calls the previous night. I’d have loved to take that one more call but damn my neighbor who hurried me up coz she was worried I might miss my flight. I bid my goodbyes to these neighbors. Each one had a hundred things to say and a million phone numbers to exchange. Relatives’, cousins’, friends’, family friends'. Pretended to save a few, saved few.
Grandma’s blessings time. I knew this was going to be an emotional moment. She has been my most favorite human being on earth. I grew up listening to her stories, some made up, some her own. I’ve loved them all. The way she thought of her brother’s family every time she wore her lifetime-warranty eye glasses that he’d gifted her. Old people have a photographic memory. They keep track of who gifted who, what and when. Little things mean so much to them.
I knew she may not be the same by the time I will have returned. One tooth less is also some change.
Miss mushy did not have the nerves to look her grandma in the eye. She decided to hug her so tight, she couldn’t say any more of "Be a good girl there. Mommy and Daddy won’t be there doesn’t mean...Come back soon. Your granny’s growing old."
I thumped down the stairs and sat in the car. My folks squeezed in from either sides. It’s funny how we make it evident that we’ve stuck together through thick and thin. We did, and we may not intend to show it but I guess it shows. They cross-talked about various topics on a priority basis. Staying safe, not wandering around late evenings, breakfast on time, picking up phone calls, calling back, blah blah.
My evil twin did some talking too. No more taking permissions, late night movies, sleepovers, sneaking out, rave parties, etc. Don’t listen to them, think, have fun!
"Y-Y-Yes papa. I’m not going to wander around at mid-nights. No parties what-so-ever. I will not skip breakfast, ma. And I’ll take your calls, sissy!" C’mon now. We’re family and they love me unconditionally! I’d stayed out of home earlier too but it was different then. There were people, guardians, to take care of me. This time I was traveling alone. And on business. I most definitely liked the sound of it but you know it does take a lot to live up to it.
I tried to explain all this but my grumpy evil twin turned her back on me and disappeared. I’ll call her when I need her, I thought.
My school friends surprised me by showing up at the airport. And they gave me the exact things I hoped they wouldn’t, chocolates and movies. With school friends, I've always been a kid. "I’m going to the US this month to do my masters. I won’t be here by the time you come back," one said, punching me in the stomach. "Me too, next month," said another. "Aren’t you ever gonna come back?," I asked hopelessly. "Not till you’re in your mid thirties."
I couldn’t help but think of the last time I got too busy for their phone calls, msgs, scraps to tell me they were meeting up. I mumbled how I was stuck making this presentation for a project I was working on and suddenly, we hugged. I felt better. "Good luck. We’ll keep in touch."
Boarding pass, cabin luggage, security checks, one last waving goodbye to people I loved the most, all behind the glass door, and I boarded the flight.
I thought of all the things I’d be leaving behind, of all the people I’m going to miss and of all the people I’ve taken for granted over the years. It’s a matter of a couple of months, but things change. Beyond doubt, they do. I know it, I’ve seen it. If only they’d remain exactly where I’ve left them...
It was an almost smooth take off, a lot of turbulence, messed up orders at breakfast, and one level below crash land. ‘Thank you for flying Jet Airways. We hope you enjoy your stay in Delhi.’ After a lot of wrestling with my seat belt and co-passengers, I managed to free my luggage and myself. I gave the nearest air hostess a disgusted look, and she gave me back one. Save yourself! The journey had just begun.
