She delved deep in her book. The anxiety on the face could tell that the exams were near. Then her phone rang-"IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY SO I KNOW..." She picked it up-" Haan! Mumma I am on my way back. Will be there in another hour and a half....No, she's not with me....I don't know.......At savita aunty's place......two dozens....hmmmm...okies..bye love ya mumma!"
She again went in her books. The announcement said "Dwarka Station"
Meanwhile he did manage to get a place for two of the bags. The third bag didn't have place to go under the seat. He looked around for space. Then looked at the girl again. He thought of it as a point to start conversation with. He overcame his inhibitions and managed to blurt out-"Exuse Me! Do you mind if I put the suitcase beneath your seat?"
No Response. He was embarrassed. He began cursing himself for being a loser in life. Adding to that this day hadn't been great either, he thought.
Six hours ago: Mumbai
"Damn it!! It's 10 am! I have to catch the flight at 11! I am screwed", he said to himself so aloud that even his neighbors could hear. Lazy as he had been all these years, he didn't care to pack his luggage a night beforehand.
Hurriedly he put all that he could see in vicinity, thinking that he would come back anyways by the end of the month. "Trousers Check...Shirts check...Toothbrush and shaving kit check... Deodorant...Vanity box (yeah guys do have one)...Files..papers check...done". "Click" that was the sound of final buckle of the bag. He rushed outside looking for taxi.
But, strangely there were none. It was a strike. Seemingly a taxi driver was beaten up by few college guys who were then beaten to blood by his friends. He didn't have time to switch on the TV. He was looking around hopelessly when a car with private number stopped in front of him. "Airpot!! 900 Rupees", the person said. He had no choice. He got in. The driver just made in time for the scheduled flight arrival time and said "Have a nice day!". He smirked, collected the change 100 rupees, and rushed towards the entrance with the luggage.
He boarded the plane. The Air India flight was as usual with overgrown air hostesses. He got the worst possible seat, the middle one in the last row, which couldn't bend backwards. The plane took off. He was damn hungry. He heard the serving trolley moving, starting from the front row. When it reached him, he unfurled his mouth, "Non Veg". The fat lady said "Sorry sir, there is no more of non-vegetarian breakfast. take this veg one instead". He said to himself-"Yeah nice day"
The flight landed on time at IndiraGandhi International Airport, New Delhi. But, luggage took some serious time. His phone rang-"Corrs-The joy of life".
"Hello....ya...yes Sameer, I just landed...what...where from..dwarka?...sameer I am already getting late...can you...okay I will do it"
He took a cab to dwarka. Carried out the "instructions" and then when he was thirsty enough, he put his hand in his pocket to take out his wallet. Gone. Another great event in the great day. Thankfully all that was lost was some cash, credit cards and few unnecessary contact cards. He had some change in his shirt pocket left after paying off the driver at mumbai airport. In 100 Rupees all he could do was to catch a metro to Noida. Thankfully the nearest metro station was "a rikshaw" away.
He rushed towards the stairs with his luggage, panting badly because of the bad chest congestion.
"Hey you can keep your bag beneath my seat if you want", the voice came from front, taking off earphones from her ears, which were hidden by beautiful long hair, that reached her abdomen. That was a timely interruption. He smiled and moved the luggage in. She helped by moving her legs to one side.
He said "Thanks". She replied "Welcome! But you don't have to wait for help from others. Feel free to ask favors"
She again plugged the earphones and turned over a new chapter in the book- '3 D Transformation'
To be continued..... Part 3
Part 1
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