Back in USA

So I am back at home in USA. I was suppose to be home on Monday, but let me tell you what happened.

I had a confirmed ticket on Air India Flight 127 that was suppose to leave Mumbai on Monday, January 17th at 8 am. So my family and all had decided that we would leave my nani’s home at 4 and reach the airport at 4.45 am. So Neeraj had come over that night, had dinner with my family, and stayed up all night with my cousins and myself playing cards until it was time to leave at 4 am. We reached the airport, by 5.15 I was inside the airport, crying (as you can imagine that I was leaving Neeraj ), and walking towards where they scan your check-in luggage. Once that was completed, I headed towards the Air India Flight 127 counter where maybe 75 people were standing in line. I got into one of the lines and stood patiently, looking back once in a while to see my parents, Lalit Mama, and Neeraj waiting outside of the airport, waving at me. 45 minutes pass to find out that still my turn has not come. The lady that was working behind the counter in my line was there no more and so the line was not moving. Finally, an announcement was made of certain people who were moved into First Class. I began to wonder what was happening. Then the shocker came: the flight was full and only three seats were available. What????? How can that be? I have a confirmed ticket for this flight. So then I got worried, tried to tell Neeraj to come inside (entry into the airport was Rs. 50), then I went to tell them that only 3 seats are available.

Back at the check-in counter, people are yelling at the Maharastrian manager who gave the alternative solution to everyone: fly on Tuesday. What?!? That’s when the sob stories began with a mother sharing that her children has school, a guy saying that he has a business meeting, students saying that they have class, and the list goes on. I, on the other hand, thought, one more day in Mumbai with Neeraj, why not? I proclaimed to the manager that I wanted a boarding pass for Tuesday’s flight to Chicago and was willing to give up my seat (or I guess I had already given up my seat) to a fellow Indian who had an urgency to go.

Almost two hours later, I had a boarding pass in hand for Tuesday’s flight. They were also giving compensation letters. The letter said that due to circumstances I was unable to fly on this flight, and that I needed to be compensated for it. I will then need to take this letter to the Air India office in Chicago, and they will compensate $400 to me. Let’s see if it happens.

We left the airport with my luggage at 8.30 am. Neeraj went to his office (he ended up coming home early as he was so sleepy), and my parents, myself, and Lalit Mama went home. I went straight to sleep. I think Kunal even called me in the middle but I guess he was so shocked to hear my voice that he didn’t even talk to me.

The rest of the day went on as usual as little by little my family found out that I was still here. Neeraj came back to my home at around 7.30 pm that night as he was again, going to go to the airport with me. This time we were leaving at 2 am, as the flight was at 6.15 am.

We reached the airport, and I told my parents that I wanted them all to come inside of the airport while I checked-in my bags. Neeraj went to buy the entry tickets as I headed inside to get my luggage scanned. After scanning, I ran into the Maharastrian manager who told me to go straight to the First Class check-in booth and give them my luggage. There was, of course, no line, and five minutes later I was standing with my family (with a bar between us like we are in jail ).

So the flight was suppose to leave at 6.15 am, but an announcement was made that it was delayed till 7.30 am. It actually didn’t leave until 9 am! Can you believe it?? Finally once the gate number was posted, I told my parents, Neeraj, and my cousin Heena to go home as I headed into the direction of Immigration/Customs. Everything was cleared in five minutes as there was no queue.

Neeraj had given me his Samsung phone which had my Orange SIM in it so he called me later on as I was waiting for my flight. We talked and I cried. I am really upset with being in this situation again. Being with Neeraj for soo many days, seeing him just about every day, and now not being able to see him at all is just a horrible feeling. Well now I am working on his visa processing, so hopefully he will be by my side in the USA very very very soon.

That’s all for now.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.