Walking alone in Gulf - part1

It drizzled mildly that evening all the way until I reached at the superstore from the office. Mom and I had planned to meet there for some shopping related to my business trip to UAE. We both ransacked the store for it and completed our day with all the packing. Soon the day had come when I was supposed to leave for Dubai. Mom, Dad and I were at the Hyderabad International Airport. They both were propped up against the rope which was tied with the purpose of, blocking people beyond the visitor’s area. Lot many expressions were dancing on my parents face. They were very happy, they were proud parents, they were sad, and they were worried about me.

I smiled and then went to collect the boarding pass along with check in of the luggage. My luggage was exceeding the minimum limit, it weighed 50 Kgs. Emirates has limit of 30 Kgs as check in luggage and 7 Kgs as cabin luggage excluding laptop for its international flights for the passengers of economy zone. I had food items which weighed ¾ of my total luggage weight. As being veggie, I was more concerned about my food. I got worried about the luggage weight and beads of perspiration spangled on my forehead. After few minutes of hassle I somehow managed to check in my luggage through my colleagues' bags. After collecting the boarding pass, I came towards my parents to bid good bye to them, I touched their feet, and could see tears prepared to pour down from their eyes but somehow they controlled it to giving me a happy see off. I then went for the immigration check. The guy over there was in his 50’s; he must have been handsome in his early years. I gave him my passport and boarding pass, after which he asked the reason behind my trip. He looked puzzled and gave a brief glance at me when I answered that I was on a business trip. I was about to take out the client authorization letter to show him the authenticity of my answer, but before it he seemed to be least interested in verifying it and said okay in a typical male voice. I silently thanked to one of my friend, who gave me those papers in the morning, which would have landed me in trouble otherwise. I received many calls from my family and friends wishing me happy and safe journey and safe stay further.

While attending to one of the calls, I heard the announcement, "This is the last call for the passengers of flight EK527, please report at the gate no 6". I was wondering when the first announcement was made, then thought I might have lost it. I went to the gate no 6 from where I saw a tunnel which leads to the gate of the air craft. It covered the entire air craft, making it difficult for me to guess which air craft it was. Only on stepping inside I realized that it was Air Bus 320, as I had to cross 3 compartments to locate my seat which was perhaps at the end of the air craft. Inside, I saw a very beautiful air-hostess wearing formal mini skirt and coat, followed by a traditional Arab "Naqab". She looked at me and told me about the extra work, which she had to complete, as the plane was fully packed with the people. Listening to her accent, I guessed she must be British. I nodded and said few words in reply to that talk and then smiled.

The gap between the seats was very less, making it difficult for me to stretch my legs properly. I have heard about Emirates flights that they used to maintain world class standard and they perhaps have been awarded for this, 6 times in a row, but may be an award criterion doesn’t pay much attention to the comfort of passengers in the economy zone. I somehow slipped in that seat and made myself comfortable. After distribution of the complimentary items, another air-hostess came and gave me a menu card, I browsed it to order what I wanted, but to my surprise she came up with the dinner without even taking my order. Later I got to know that they gave the menu card to the customers, to make them aware of the varieties of cuisine available in the dinner to be served. After having the undoubtedly delicious dinner, I saw our current position above Arabian Sea and Muscat was the next country we would fly above. I napped till I heard the final announcement made. As far as I remember, the announcement was something like, "Welcome to the United Arab Emirates, we are now flying above Dubai, which is our final destination. It is Ramadan month and it’s a holy festival here, requesting all of you to respect it and do not eat or drink anything outside. Have a pleasant stay and thank you for flying with Emirates". I peeked from the window, and gave a mesmerizing stare to the view of the city below. It was around 1.30 AM and the first thing that I did is to sync the time of my mobile and watch as per the UAE time. My team mates were seated at some different place. I was scared for some time till I saw one of my team mates coming towards me and then we both headed towards the exit of the plane.

My eyes were wide open when I moved out from the plane towards the airport. It was magnificent and most beautiful airport I have ever seen. I could see the gleams of white light turning to color one, when struggling to come out from the glasses propped up against the stairs and the walls and roofs, making the overall look and feel of airport more amazing. For few minutes I was trying to absorb the beauty of the airport, filled with people from different countries. Among them I noticed few officers dressed in white thawb, wearing a shumagg on their head, supported with the black ogal. Arab people are extremely beautiful and fair. I wished to have a photograph with them, but couldn’t get the courage to ask this stupid thing at the airport, so I went ahead and collected my visa. I then moved towards the immigration counter with a long queue. Dubai being a hub for all the international flights, so it is supposed to be the crowded airport. Queue was equally long at all the counter, so I chose the one handled by a handsome officer among all the counters available. I again started looking towards foreign people and the airport and was changing my gaze from one thing to another frequently as I wanted to soak up everything around me.

I was not at all prepared for this trip, but somewhere I wanted to relax from the current life. I wanted to go to some place where I can live in my own world, without people around me, due to which I had agreed for this trip in a gulf country. While I was lost in reminiscence of my last few weeks in Hyderabad, the officer asked me about my passport and visa. I gained my consciousness when he again repeated it. I provided him all the stuffs, he needed for verification, he then signed my passport. We came outside using the horizontal escalator, first time ever I had seen it. We then hired a cab to Abu Dhabi. I was surprised the most when I saw that, a beautiful Lady was driving it at midnight. I must say Arab government have maintained a high level of trust in its people, that they can roam and do their work in odd hours without being worried about their safety, as safety is being taken care by the government. Hats off to them.

Journey in desert continued ….....

I want to be like you

What is all this? Why don't you keep track of all the things ? Tell me, what you do since morning ?

(He was yelling at her and she was quietly listening to it and searching for the bills he asked her to find. Kanchan was watching all this from the corner of room scared of saying anything to her dad and thinking why he was shouting at her mother, she was old enough that anyone of her age could forget things. Sudha and Dillip got married 21 years ago, for the initial few years, their relationship was full of love, but as soon as the years of togetherness wore on, they got busy in their responsibilities and love from their life started fading.)

These are the bills you had asked for. Is there anything else that you need?. (She asked slowly)

No, its okay.

He had his lunch and went to his office. She then went inside the kitchen to prepare Kanchan's lunch box. Kanchan came towards her mother, held her tightly and kissed her on cheeks and said - Mom I love you

I love you too beta (Her voice was shacking, still she tried to manage herself in front of Kanchan)

She then gave the lunch box to Kanchan, kept everything on the table that she needed. Kanchan took her bag and rushed for college.

It was daily routine for Sudha, everyday she had to hear some or the other harsh word from Dillip, which made her cry always. Dillip used to behave good for few minutes after coming to home, as he also could not live without her, but those normal moments did not lasts longer.

She came inside the room and started crying, it was not one day story, but it was a daily routine for her, and that too in front of Kanchan, as these things did not create a good impression on Kanchan, about her parents, but Sudha was not able to do anything to correct it.

Mom, I forgot my license. Where is it? (Kanchan called out while coming inside)

(She managed to wipe her tears and came outside.)

Mom, were you crying?

No dear.

Don't lie to me, I know you were crying. Mom please ignore and try to be happy, please stay happy, I can not see you like this.

Yes dear, I will, now take this and go to college, else you will miss your first lecture.

Promise me, you won't cry.

Promise love, now go

Okay Bye mom, love you loads

Bye honey, me too

Sudha was very intelligent lady, she won many prizes in school and college and participated in events organized at national level. She was very creative too, her work towards arts amazed people. She was very mature and a rational person, and always looked at things in a logical manner before taking any decisions. Her decisions were always right. She never took her daughter's side in any of her mistakes, instead she made her understand her mistakes. She in all is a perfect mother.

She did not remember the things and forgot them quickly, sometimes she asked the same thing to Kanchan 3- 4 times in a day. Kanchan was worried about her mother as she was suffering from few other diseases also which generally people of this age had. One day Sudha got fainted, she somehow managed to call Kanchan. 

Kanchan where is the medicine, do you remember, I forgot dear.

What happened mom, your voice is weak, tell me.

Nothing just some pain, you tell me where is the medicine

Mom it's there in the shelf next to the table lamp in my room.

Thanks dear, now you study and don't worry. I am ok.

Okay mom, take care, love you

Kanchan took leave from college and rushed towards her home immediately, as she knew her mom was hiding something. She came home. Sudha was lying on the ground, seemed to be very weak, her eyes were pale yellow and half closed, perspiration was streaming from her forehead. Kanchan looked at her mother with shell shocked expressions.

Mom, what happend, we will go to doctor now

No, I am ok 

I won't listen to you, come now

(She took her to the hospital, doctor asked for few tests after seeing her. She finally recovered after 2 days)

One day Kanchan told her mom, while pressing her mom's legs

Mom you know you are the world's best mom, you always took care of all small needs of dad and I. You always patiently and quietly listen to dad's anger, you are like an ocean that everything gets inside it, without spilling out. Mom I want to be like you, you are my idol, my god. I love you a lot mom. 

(This line was the reward of all her love and patience "Mom I want to be like you") Sudha was enlightened and felt extremely happy after hearing this, tears were rolling down from her eyes to cheeks. It was tear of extreme satisfaction, success, reward, happiness.

She hugged Kanchan tightly and said, I love you too honey, always be happy and keep smiling.

"You are successful only when your kid comes to you and says "Mom/Dad I want to be like you."


PS : The best gift a father can give to their children, is to love their mother.

The Wedding

Is there anything pending?

I think we have done almost with all the preparation. You just need to take care of wedding dresses.

Yea I will do it today. Have you ordered the cake?

Yea dear I have done all the arrangements starting from Wedding hall, Music, Dinner, Garlands, Priest, Cake everything.

That’s great; I am counting the days now.

Yea, me too

Ok, bye for now

Bye love

Saloni picked up her bag and went to buy the wedding dresses. Karan got busy to make the wedding perfect. They knew each other since 10 years, slowly their friendship turned into love. Karan always took care of all the small things which made her happy and he knew that she had lots of expectations with this wedding so it had to be the best. He could do anything of the world to see her smiling and happy. They were like “Made for each other” couple.

After a whole day of searching, Saloni finally purchased the wedding dresses; it was a purple and dark pink color combination sari. She called Karan after shopping -

Honey I am feeling a bit hungry. How about having pizza at our favourite place?

Anything for you love, I will meet you at MG road square

Yup (She smiled)

Karan reached there and they both started towards Pizza Hut. Their favourite seat was empty, and they almost made an attempt to run towards it, before it got occupied by someone else.

We just saved it

Yea (He took her hand in his’s and squeezed it lightly, she was smiling at this.)

Timing of waiter was perfect, she removed her hand from his’s, Karan then started giving the order, without looking at Menu

1 Garlic bread spicy supreme

1 Country special pizza

1 masala lemonade and sweet lemonade

Anything else you need sir?

No, thank you.

(Waiter went to get the order.)

So show me, what you have purchased

Here it is

You getting champ huhh, nice pick.

That is true. I have a great choice (rolling her eyes in his direction)

Ha ha ha right

After finishing their dinner, Karan dropped Saloni at her place. Saloni’s Mom enquired about, why she was late. She somehow gave few excuses of spending time with her friend Neeta and helped her in shopping.

Finally the wedding day came, she desperately waited for it. She got up early, made few phone calls to invite friends. Her mom was in the kitchen and dad was reading the newspaper in the garden. She went towards mom first, as it’s always secure to attack the soft heart people, but still she was not ready to tell her parents the truth. She had planned their presence in the wedding with a lie, which she knew that, later they would agree, as it was their daughter’s happiness that matters in the end.

Mom my friend’s wedding is there today, she wanted all of us to join. You get ready at 6 PM along with dad.

Honey you go and enjoy, we will be at home

Mom she called me many times and wanted to talk to you as well, but you were not around. She asked me to bring both of you in the wedding.

Ok, I will tell your dad also, and we all will go.

Thank you mom (She din’t need to convince dad now, as her mom would do that on her behalf)

She along with her parents went to wedding hall sharp at 7 PM, as soon as they stepped out of the car, they saw a red carpet that lead to the stage area, and flowers showered on them. Saloni’s mom and dad turned towards each other in surprise, then Karan and Saloni wished them “Happy Silver Jubilee Anniversary” Mom and Dad

They were speechless for some time, but their eyes were clearly showing the happiness they felt. They walked along the carpet towards stage area, all their family friends, relatives were standing over there. Priest chanted few holy lines, after that her parents exchanged the wedding garlands. A very big French wedding cake was there on the table next to them, they cut it and everyone was clapping and enjoying the moment. Few minutes later a soft song was played and then old couple danced on the floor and gave their Salsa performance.

Door to a new world

People start writing in two cases only, either they are really good at it or they need something to kill the time which also enhance their skill as a side product. I am surely the one in the second category of people. Trying your hands on something like this is always challenging, as you need to keep the people with you from the start till the end, also make them flow into the emotions you set. I will try my best in this. So here few lines about me before I start with my next posts --

I am Kirti, as usual in the same crowd of IT people a software professional, who end up in writing or start some of their old favorite interests after getting frustrated from their monotonous life. I do not have much work at least for some time nowadays. This is one of the main problems with the IT sector, either you have hell like a work or you are totally free, both are not really good to survive.

Few more of my life, I do not have many friends but I am happy to be blessed with few gems that always shine in my life. I enjoy my life in small moments, and these days I am constantly learning something or other from people around me, who inspire me to do things which I wanted to do since long.

It’s being my first post, as a beginner, so my fingers and mind are not helping me more here, but I will soon be back with my next post.

Keep Smiling and Have a great day ahead.