Highly penitent, I continued to fill in the disembarkation form duly thrust into my hands by a well-intentioned co passenger.
8H 00 mins earlier:
Had just landed in Singapore, a gruelling don't-mention-it flight of 19 hours taking the much intended toll on my system. Checking in at the transit hotel, I tried to revive my already half-dead self by indulging in a hot bath, and laid out my clothes for the evening lest I overslept (now, that's NOT bordering on OCD!?). I quickly switched the halogens off, shut my eyes tightly as if that tightness would usher in the angel of sleep. Alas! 2 hours passed, and I still remained wide awake to the sounds of cricket in the room. Bolted up akin to a jack in the box peering at my watch, and wondered what Manu would be doing. It was 3am in the morning his time (wierdly, mine too!). Strongly resisting the growing urge to call him, I returned back to sleeping position- rather reluctantly. "I shall call him before I board my flight" I soothed myself.
2H 40 mins earlier:
Had just finished wolping down a plate of Idli and Vadai with much agony, owing to its wonderful taste! Electronics, chocolates, perfumes, clothes, cigerrettes, you name it, the duty free shops had it. Now, this is tempting, ain't it? Just shop around with no one to control your going in and out of shops?? Some more time wiled away and I did a quick time check. It was time for the much promised call.
2H 00 mins earlier:
Passing security check, I proceeded to the boarding area. A zombie like walk and the half open eyes rapidly took cover when I came down crashing to the floor-THUD!! The thud was the end result of yours truly tripping over a chair, almost breaking a jaw bone. Peeling myself away from the floor, I plopped into a nearby chair!
Checking if I had the right forms needed for the disembarkation, I waited... Just 4 more hours to reach home.
1H 00 mins ealier:
The boarding announcement for the last few rows seemed to take forever. T-i-c-k, t-o-c-k...I almost sprinted ahead when they finally did. I managed to reach my seat unscathed (good, ehn?) and sat down sighing heavily, to the utter displeasure of most passengers. First things first, Tomato rice, fried pappads, vegetable kurma and curd- the dinner menu proudly announced. My lips smacked involuntarily, and I sure was looking forward to the uneventful pleasant flight!
The Flight home:
I suddenly woke up to someone tapping my shoulder. I was greeted to undiluted animated chatter, enthusiastic children returning home for a visit, and small time businessmen stagerring along the aisle with duty free items, truckloads of them. As my pupils adjusted to the light, a vague presence near me made me turn to my right, and I was greeted by a man grinning broadly at me.
Ennamaa? Nalla thoongineengala? he asked full of vigor
Ahn, not bad... I mumbled.
Enna ma Englisss-la pesireenga? Tamilll dhaane neenga?
I chuckled inwardly while I answered: Ammaam, tamizhdhaan. Wierdly, it felt more like a reassurance of sorts to the self, and not to him.
Engerundhu varaappola? he broke my thoughts
I tried to evade the question, but soon realised the good natured inquisitive friend's relentless pursuation. I was treated to the same query yet again and I thought no better way out.
US... came out the answer, a bit hesitantly though
Ohhh!!! pinna englisss nallllaaa therinjirukkum? illae? he bored, his inquisitive self showing through
I glanced at him, giving him the leaverage to assume what he wanted.
A ruffle here, a shuffle there, and out came the disembarkation card, customs clearance form, and his passport. He said "Ecscuuch me", and I figured he was reaching for my tray table. So I moved, giving him the much needed space while he brought the table down. He proudly placed all the 3 recovered items on my tray table and asked me "penaaa irukkkudhaa"??
Ahn, irukke.. venumaa ungalukku? I offered, rather magnanimously.
Ada! enakku edhukku maa? Ungalukkuthaan thevai, edunga penaa-va... he said.
As much as I hated this, I tried to be a little more accomodating and rummaged through my bag to find one. My fingers groped one, but I hoped to god it didn't write!! I brought out the pen and set it gently on the table, and waited.
Enakku engliss nalla ezhudha varaadhu, neenga indha faarumma (read as form-a) fill panni thaareengala? he asked, modesty personified.
Was it an order, a question? I decided to read less in between lines and be more helpful. Shortly, I heard the air hostess making her usual rounds, asking people to stow their tray tables and foot rests blah blah...
So, I made a quick move to shove this papers into the seat pocket in front of me. In a swift sudden motion, I saw his hands come down. I waited although trifle startled, and caught a puzzled look on his face.
Ennamma seyyareenga? his voice rose
Flight-a edukkaporaanga, I reinforced
Pat came the reply: Ada... adhukuthaane flight-u irukku???
My eyes narrowed.
Yet another smartie tartie thinking he was all logic laden eh??? My resolve strengthened... Me? being taken for granted?? NOOOO... My inner resolve took up the fighting (for a cause?) now.
Ippo tray table keezha irukka koodaadhu, so apparama ezhudhi tharattumaa?
Edhukku ma adhellaam? ippo saapaadu konduvaruvaanga, apparam neenga thiruppi thoongiduveenga, apparam naan thoongiduvaen! Indhaanga, ippove fill pannidunga ma, pleegggeee... his face pleaded.
Now, had I been unduly unjust in having classified him as a 'pain in the neck' ? He was stuck, wanted help, and I was his knight(ie) in shining armor! Well, all said and done, I couldn't take it anymore, and a desperate need to make him stop plagued my senses.
Conscientiousness at its pinnacle, I did a quick check on law abiders nearby, the closest being an airhostess checking rows 2 and beyond. I was in row 61. 59 moorre to go, now that shouldn't pose a problem, I thought! Head subdued, my hands scribbled furiosuly, copying word to word. It should have been less than 4 minutes, for I saw the man next to me shift uncomfortably, and I realised a faint shadow settle on the disembarkation card. I intentionally paused and looked up, a sheepish grin embellishing my whole face. Was I detecting hostility, or was it just a simple firm look as if to say: 'I need you to listen to instructions'
My eyes scanned back to the end of disembarkation card, filled in the date, and the final straw had been stacked to perfection! I was done. I scooped up the man's paraphernalia, and handed it back to him with a smile- sweet, honest, and sans guilt.
I heard him mutter some nandri's while I searched the air hostess's face for signs of reprimand. None. Was I dreaming when I thought I detected all that expressivity?? All I saw then was a smooth, firm skin lined with no lines whatsoever. Her pleasant demeanor had resurfaced, and I didn't feel subdued any more.
Did people really mean it when they said "have a pleasant flight"? I wasn't so sure anymore...
Well, so much for want of an uneventful trip!?
8H 00 mins earlier:
Had just landed in Singapore, a gruelling don't-mention-it flight of 19 hours taking the much intended toll on my system. Checking in at the transit hotel, I tried to revive my already half-dead self by indulging in a hot bath, and laid out my clothes for the evening lest I overslept (now, that's NOT bordering on OCD!?). I quickly switched the halogens off, shut my eyes tightly as if that tightness would usher in the angel of sleep. Alas! 2 hours passed, and I still remained wide awake to the sounds of cricket in the room. Bolted up akin to a jack in the box peering at my watch, and wondered what Manu would be doing. It was 3am in the morning his time (wierdly, mine too!). Strongly resisting the growing urge to call him, I returned back to sleeping position- rather reluctantly. "I shall call him before I board my flight" I soothed myself.
2H 40 mins earlier:
Had just finished wolping down a plate of Idli and Vadai with much agony, owing to its wonderful taste! Electronics, chocolates, perfumes, clothes, cigerrettes, you name it, the duty free shops had it. Now, this is tempting, ain't it? Just shop around with no one to control your going in and out of shops?? Some more time wiled away and I did a quick time check. It was time for the much promised call.
2H 00 mins earlier:
Passing security check, I proceeded to the boarding area. A zombie like walk and the half open eyes rapidly took cover when I came down crashing to the floor-THUD!! The thud was the end result of yours truly tripping over a chair, almost breaking a jaw bone. Peeling myself away from the floor, I plopped into a nearby chair!
Checking if I had the right forms needed for the disembarkation, I waited... Just 4 more hours to reach home.
1H 00 mins ealier:
The boarding announcement for the last few rows seemed to take forever. T-i-c-k, t-o-c-k...I almost sprinted ahead when they finally did. I managed to reach my seat unscathed (good, ehn?) and sat down sighing heavily, to the utter displeasure of most passengers. First things first, Tomato rice, fried pappads, vegetable kurma and curd- the dinner menu proudly announced. My lips smacked involuntarily, and I sure was looking forward to the uneventful pleasant flight!
The Flight home:
I suddenly woke up to someone tapping my shoulder. I was greeted to undiluted animated chatter, enthusiastic children returning home for a visit, and small time businessmen stagerring along the aisle with duty free items, truckloads of them. As my pupils adjusted to the light, a vague presence near me made me turn to my right, and I was greeted by a man grinning broadly at me.
Ennamaa? Nalla thoongineengala? he asked full of vigor
Ahn, not bad... I mumbled.
Enna ma Englisss-la pesireenga? Tamilll dhaane neenga?
I chuckled inwardly while I answered: Ammaam, tamizhdhaan. Wierdly, it felt more like a reassurance of sorts to the self, and not to him.
Engerundhu varaappola? he broke my thoughts
I tried to evade the question, but soon realised the good natured inquisitive friend's relentless pursuation. I was treated to the same query yet again and I thought no better way out.
US... came out the answer, a bit hesitantly though
Ohhh!!! pinna englisss nallllaaa therinjirukkum? illae? he bored, his inquisitive self showing through
I glanced at him, giving him the leaverage to assume what he wanted.
A ruffle here, a shuffle there, and out came the disembarkation card, customs clearance form, and his passport. He said "Ecscuuch me", and I figured he was reaching for my tray table. So I moved, giving him the much needed space while he brought the table down. He proudly placed all the 3 recovered items on my tray table and asked me "penaaa irukkkudhaa"??
Ahn, irukke.. venumaa ungalukku? I offered, rather magnanimously.
Ada! enakku edhukku maa? Ungalukkuthaan thevai, edunga penaa-va... he said.
As much as I hated this, I tried to be a little more accomodating and rummaged through my bag to find one. My fingers groped one, but I hoped to god it didn't write!! I brought out the pen and set it gently on the table, and waited.
Enakku engliss nalla ezhudha varaadhu, neenga indha faarumma (read as form-a) fill panni thaareengala? he asked, modesty personified.
Was it an order, a question? I decided to read less in between lines and be more helpful. Shortly, I heard the air hostess making her usual rounds, asking people to stow their tray tables and foot rests blah blah...
So, I made a quick move to shove this papers into the seat pocket in front of me. In a swift sudden motion, I saw his hands come down. I waited although trifle startled, and caught a puzzled look on his face.
Ennamma seyyareenga? his voice rose
Flight-a edukkaporaanga, I reinforced
Pat came the reply: Ada... adhukuthaane flight-u irukku???
My eyes narrowed.
Yet another smartie tartie thinking he was all logic laden eh??? My resolve strengthened... Me? being taken for granted?? NOOOO... My inner resolve took up the fighting (for a cause?) now.
Ippo tray table keezha irukka koodaadhu, so apparama ezhudhi tharattumaa?
Edhukku ma adhellaam? ippo saapaadu konduvaruvaanga, apparam neenga thiruppi thoongiduveenga, apparam naan thoongiduvaen! Indhaanga, ippove fill pannidunga ma, pleegggeee... his face pleaded.
Now, had I been unduly unjust in having classified him as a 'pain in the neck' ? He was stuck, wanted help, and I was his knight(ie) in shining armor! Well, all said and done, I couldn't take it anymore, and a desperate need to make him stop plagued my senses.
Conscientiousness at its pinnacle, I did a quick check on law abiders nearby, the closest being an airhostess checking rows 2 and beyond. I was in row 61. 59 moorre to go, now that shouldn't pose a problem, I thought! Head subdued, my hands scribbled furiosuly, copying word to word. It should have been less than 4 minutes, for I saw the man next to me shift uncomfortably, and I realised a faint shadow settle on the disembarkation card. I intentionally paused and looked up, a sheepish grin embellishing my whole face. Was I detecting hostility, or was it just a simple firm look as if to say: 'I need you to listen to instructions'
My eyes scanned back to the end of disembarkation card, filled in the date, and the final straw had been stacked to perfection! I was done. I scooped up the man's paraphernalia, and handed it back to him with a smile- sweet, honest, and sans guilt.
I heard him mutter some nandri's while I searched the air hostess's face for signs of reprimand. None. Was I dreaming when I thought I detected all that expressivity?? All I saw then was a smooth, firm skin lined with no lines whatsoever. Her pleasant demeanor had resurfaced, and I didn't feel subdued any more.
Did people really mean it when they said "have a pleasant flight"? I wasn't so sure anymore...
Well, so much for want of an uneventful trip!?