A Girl with Three Grey Hair

Prologue

As per dictionary meaning, “Girl” is a female entity (rather human being) who is not a woman yet.

As you might have noticed, it is very easy to define/pronounce this word but trust me it’s rather very difficult to know/understand “Girl” as an entity.  Every girl is different from another, different values, different thought process, different reactions to different situations etc. All these factors put together makes it kind of impossible to predict what a girl is thinking and what she is up to, I doubt whether even tele-paths can do it.

With all my experience till now, I could only say it is still easy to predict a client’s mindset and requirement but equally hard to guess even a single thought passing  through  the mind of the girl sitting in front of you.

So, to set the expectation right this incident was neither an attempt to know what was going in HER mind, nor an attempt to understand girl as an entity. Just an anecdote about my encounter with a girl who surly was little unpredictable and made me think that she was for real or one of my imaginations. A girl with cute face a beautiful smile and yes……..‘Three Grey Hair’

The Story:

Even before I begin, I had one more thing to add for the reader’s consumption and frankly speaking this was neither part of the story nor was fitting in the prologue somehow so….consider this as piece of advice. Appreciate girls but never start appreciating a girl with number of white hair she has…

So, let’s begin with one of my unique experience may be the only one till now.

It was like any other Sunday morning in January, typically this time of the year is winter in most places in India, but being in ‘Bangalore’ you can very well consider a normal sunny morning with no need of Blankets/Shawls/Sweaters.

Having said that, being a SUNDAY which according to me ‘Sleep Until Noon DAY’ was not going pretty well as per my definition. I woke up and checked the time with the nearest time machine available in my reach ‘My Mobile’, without any intentions of disturbing my left eye (Which was still asleep). It was 6:32 AM and after a couple of seconds turn into 6:33 AM. I was still clueless why all of a sudden on a Sunday morning I woke up without any disturbance from roomies or alarms or anything and for all standards it was pretty early to even check time at this hour. Somehow I couldn’t get out of bed and thought of giving the sleep another try, but guess I failed which was evident when I checked the time again after some time and it was still 6:47 AM. I just gave up on sleep and gathered all the courage I had in that half sleepy state and get out of my bed.

Being a usual morning I could feel the breeze which was floating, leaving a soothing slightly cold effect high in Oxygen and with a weird smell added by the smoke coming out from our neighbor’s bungalow as I stepped out in Balcony. To me it’s usual scene good oxygen mixed with this weird smell which always forces me to go to other side of balcony to avoid it. I was just thinking “Sunday Morning” and what these guys are doing at this hour to create this smoke. (It seems they boil their bathing water by a natural way by heating a water filled huge utensil in open with remains of trees instead of using modern day Electric Geysers)

Once I manage to fill my lungs with some fresh Oxygen I was back on bed try to catch up on some sleep but seem I was too late by then we (Me and Roomates) were already in the discussion of where to go for breakfast after various logical arguments about the cuisine, type of food and place etc. We boiled down to a Tamil dosa Joint in a place called Koramangala.

By the time all of us got ready to leave I somehow managed to ping HER (sent an offline) on a mail based internet communicator it showed message sent at 9:01 AM. The whole idea was to fix up a meeting may be in the evening.  Somehow a technological knowledge deficient guy like me did not considered the fact that people are not online all the time and at-least not on the mode through which I was trying to communicate.

She (HER) is the same girl I have been stalking for some time for a specific purpose and was thinking of meeting her for quite some time now.

Well the breakfast was pretty mundane with ordinary chit chat between friends, but somehow between those talks and discussion there was a thought in my mind….. she might have woken up by now, but who checks the mails and offline first thing in the morning on a Sunday.

After reaching back, I managed to check offline reply by late morning there was an offline from HER at 11:49 AM which indicate that she has checked the messageJ. Asking any girl out is anyways a tedious task and asking HER out was one thing which seemed little inappropriate over an offline message and moreover, it was more about a task which I had to do and I seek HER help. I thought of keep trying and push my luck little harder.

When I almost given up on the fact that it is possible to meet her that is when I decided to go for the second best option and take one of my friend along to get the task done. Though I was pretty sure that my friends won’t be efficient but they would be any day better than me given the task.

Anyways, we communicated with offline messages only till about early evening till 5:13 PM, when my friend was waiting for me that we would leave for the task. I noticed that she is online now, seeing her online I thought of attempting to push my idea which will solve both the issues….I getting an expert opinion in the task and Meeting HER.

It took me about an hour to talk to her and understand whether it is possible for HER to help me. To my surprise she agreedJ. To my surprise grin on the face was noticeable and to that my frustrated friend asked me “Kab chalna hai Bhai” (When we have to leave). At that time I didn’t wanted to lie so I explained that I am going with someone who is a “My Friend” and “Would Be”  with the thought that the girl I am going to meet is a friend and hence we chat and some or the other day she would become someone’s ‘Would be 😉

After a small discussion with HER over phone I decided to go with the expert advice and decided to change the pre-decided venue for the task.  Initially, I planned to pick her on the way but she decided other wise and assured me that she would manage to reach. We decided upon a common meeting spot near the decoded place and continue the task from there.

We decided to meet at a common place between 7:30 – 8:00 PM. I was pretty sure that I would manage to reach early as I had my own vehicle and she would take a public transport (Auto Rickshaw). I anyways wanted to reach early to compensate for waiting time of about 10 minutes and I was sure the more I wait, I would feel better in order to compensate and forfeit for the extra 10 minutes she waited for me for some different scenario (A different story why/when).

It was 7:43 PM, already some 12-13 minutes for me waiting at the decided place when my mobile beeped that I got a message (SMS). The message read “Reaching in two min..Whr r u..??” . I replied “I am already in front of Home Stop’ (The meeting point). After another couple of minutes of way I saw HER managing her purse after paying the Auto driver.

We spoke a little before I parked my vehicle at appropriate parking place and then WE walked. I was in little hurry to close the task so WE can spend some time together. After the task was over we head for  café which is a usual choice to sit, relax and have a comfortable conversation. In the meantime I looked at HER but manage to see HER only when we reached café. It was a CCD (Café Coffee Day) on Brigade road, pretty lightened up place at that time of the evening. It was about 8:30 when we entered the café.

After some obvious chit chat I noticed her, a slightly chubby girl with elegant long hair which was open, bright face with beautiful smile. She was wearing a spectacle with square black plastic frame. She was wearing a black silky top with white dots, black skin tight corduroy jeans and a pair of ordinary looking sandals. She somehow seemed trying to understand me the same way I was attempting to, though we were talking but someone break the Ice after about 10 minutes, the hesitant attendant finally came to handover us the Menu and asked “Would you like to Order Something”. His hesitation was justified after looking at what was happening between the girl and the guy just beside our table.

Out of socially acceptable courtesy, I turned the menu towards her and asked her what she would like to order. She started looking at the menu the same way I was gazing at her ‘Top to bottom’. She settled with a cooler and without paying much attention to the contents of the menu and I ordered the usual ‘Cold Café Latte‘, I tried to offered HER whether she would like something to bite, but she denied and we settled with only drinks.

While we were waiting for our order and talking to each other, I noticed that she was stoking her hair at some frequency and that is when I saw “Three Grey Hair”. During given scenario, the things which should have come out of my mouth should have been “You have a beautiful Smile”, or “You have beautiful face” but somehow when it came out of my mouth it was “I notice you have Three Grey hair”. Clearly it was little weird for her, instead of usual admiration/ complements she is sitting with a guy who has noticed and said “You have Three Grey Hair”.

By the time I realized about the blunder made, it was too late and I was preparing for my defense by consoling myself that usually you notice an imperfection in a thing rather than its beauty of features, but she is not a thing. Never the less whatever said was said and it had its own impact which was clearly visible on her face and awkward expression. To mitigate, I tried to appreciate about other things but it was too late the ‘Grey hair’ part was over me and all over HER as well.

Even after taken aback by my comment, she still smiled and we continued exchanging words of wisdom with each other (Nope 😉 it was a normal chit chat). All the chat rest of the date was like any ordinary chat except the mood twisting comment from my side.

I was just thinking about HER, she helped me when I was in kind of need, managed HER own transport at Late evening in Bangalore, spent time with a person like me who was looking shabby and kind of upset her with the comment, still she is sitting across the table smiling and chatting. What is she thinking?, Why is she still here?, Whether she is for real?, why she helped me? has to be someone special I guess.

After we were done, I walked up to the cash counter to pay the bill  which I guess was worth 296 INR for two drinks with taxes and service charges. Somehow now I couldn’t control myself to notice her from the cash counter, still stoking her hair this time more carefully may be trying to cover up those grey hair. Somehow I felt a pull, a difference in HER which I have not noticed in girls I come across usually.

We walked back where my bull was parked and since it was too late from the standards of Bangalore, I insisted to ride HER back home. While we were walking back I realized the girl who turn up at such a short notice for the help and rescue for a guy like me deserve something better then comment ‘Three Grey Hair” and that’s when I decided that whatever happens I will attempt to write something about this incident and share it with her where ever she is and with whomever she would be …….

Though to end the day, I gave her a ‘Dairy Milk’ when I dropped her as a token of gratitude from my side for all the help she did but still somehow I felt the Grey Hair comment was not worth.

But I guess I deserve an apology and a sincere appreciation. The idea of writing about this incident and dedicating it her, I thought would be a good way to compensate for my sarcastic comment which changed her expression for rest of the evening, which was evident in HER smile and while she was stoking HER beautiful long hair.

For a person to be beautiful, it more important to carry a positive and right attitude/ confidence and a sweet and wonderful smile which she was carrying anyways. So, if she is reading this I would say “Girl you are BEAUTIFUL” (And this should have been my first comment). But in due course, I realized HER inner beauty as well J.

Future is always unpredictable but whatever happens I would be grateful to HER for having spent that evening with ME, which made it really SPECIAL.  I wish that she always SMILE the same way when I met HER that day…. As that was HER real BEAUTY……

When You Have a Long Day – 23rd April 2009 – (Part -3/3)

Quick Recap

As part of overseas assignment, I was suppose to take a domestic flight to Mumbai and a connecting international flight. I was more than 40 minutes late when I started towards Bangalore Airport and managed to get into flight. After spending few hours with my sister in Mumbai I started towards International terminal of Mumbai to catch the international flight……

Welcome to Saudi Arabia Already……

It was already Arabia it seemed when I entered the Airport. Some males were in long White attire covering till the ankle with full sleeves and a cloth with covering over head by  a cloth and a thick ring structure to hold that in place, in local language (Arabic) the long ankle long attire is called ‘THOBE’ the cap structure is called ‘GUTHRA’ and ‘AGAL’ is the thick ring. For the females they were wearing Black attire which is also ankle long. There attire is also called ‘THOBE’ but the popular name is ‘Burkha’.

This being my first international trip..the first thing I was supposed to do was a ‘?’(Question mark) for me so I asked an airport personnel and she told me the whole procedure. After doing a quick security scan of my check-in baggage, I was supposed to go to Airline counter which I obviously did, they checked the passport details and asked me to fill two forms, one with all details for Indian immigration which I somehow managed to fill. Being a person wearing suit, few people did reached out and me to I obliged by filling their forms (I guess I filled 4-5 such forms). I guess the actual number was 5 after which I said “Sorry” and left. I dint intent to do at first but I was getting late and was not in condition or mood to miss an international flight.

After the Immigration stamping, I completed security check and reached boarding area .It was about 6:15 PM and the boarding was supposed to start in next 15 minutes. I thought since I may not be able to make international calls given my roaming was not activated and not sure when and how I will get local SIM once I land in KSA. With that in mind I made some 12-13 calls. To friends and relatives to say that I am leaving and will be touch with them by Mail, as calling will be definitely cost incurring job. After some final call I thought that I want some time alone and switched off the phone to give myself some time to think what would happen in next few hours.

As I looked at the aircraft from the glass window, it seemed jumbo, my first time in a Boeing 747 unlike the domestic carrier A320 it was huge, with three rows to sit. I was greeted and went inside the huge thing. With a help of Air personnel I found my designated seat, removed my jacket and sat just decide the small window as requested at airline counter. The plane was noticeably tall; I realized it when I peep out of window. When we started for runway through taxiway, it was about 8 PM IST.

We were already about one hour late. The feeling when you just take off or rather plane lift up it feels too good. The things which were making it more exciting were the Mumbai Airport location. Whenever a plane takes off, it does from side towards sea and when slowly plane moves up, you see and feel the nature and of course you appreciate Mankind’s invention which makes us fly. The whole things seemed like you are zooming out of ‘Google Earth/Maps’ which cannot be expressed in words.

The latter half of the journey had started and I was bit scared from inside. This time we were flying at about 36000 Ft above mean sea level. The maximum time I sat in air carrier was about two and half hour and this time it was more than four and a half hour. Adding to this fear an uncle sitting just besides me told me that the plane will fly over ‘Dariya’ (Sea) for more than two hours.

While I was hoping to fall asleep, I was disturbed by the pleasant voice offering me some snacks and juice. I decided  gather some courage and peep out of window while sipping juice-box and to my surprise looking down seemed very similar to looking at night sky with stars twinkling the only difference being the twinkling was the lights coming out of small and big boats. The sight was ultimate and incomparable.

After the meal, this was a version of Asian vegetarian meal pre booked.  I was trying hard to doze off but children’s cry, turbulence and fear of flying over ‘Dariya’ didn’t let me sleep. I started navigating through the in-flight entertainment and realized that it will be a fixed choice chosen by crew members (I guess). To my surprise they started showing a Bollywood movie named ‘KRAZZY 4’, though some of the people who have seen this movie will agree with me that it is a pathetic movie, but this time I didn’t had the option to leave hall. The icing on the cake was that it was telecasted in ‘Arabic’ which I didn’t follow at all.

Somehow every minute of that four and half hour flight with the 60 extra minutes of additional delay passed. We reached Riyadh, from plane it seems a blanket of light over the earth, it was really amazing and to my bad luck I was not carrying camera phone also, as cameras in open are not allowed in Riyadh.

As soon as the plane landed at “King Khalid Airport” everybody rushed towards door as they will be closed if they not leave in some time. I chose to stay back for some time and then when most of the people were out I came out of the door. Coming out of Aircraft was a lovely feeling, now I was breathing in a different country. The airport building from outside seemed like a nice piece of architecture.

 After getting out of the bus as we entered airport, it was literally chilling with help of Air conditioners. The kind of had a jaw drop moment when I saw a whole set of sculptures with different kind of fountains adding beauty to the whole lot of interiors which seemed architectural marvel. I started following others and while soaking in the beauty of ambience.

As soon as I reached Immigration area, I saw few huge lines leading up to few immigration counters. One Arabic police man came and asks us to make lines with the rule that the first comers should make a separate line, which was not so long. But as the first 15 minutes passed, I realized that the first comers might be scrutinized and I may get delayed. Then as the time passed the people in other lines were moving and we were not moving even at snail’s pace. The reason was the person who was looking the immigration for our queue; he was stepping out and roaming around in every 5 minutes, smoking, chatting with his other colleagues. Most of the people were pissed off and were saying that immigration at Mumbai is even better where they work in a more efficient way, much faster and IT centric.

Here the situation was totally opposite, I don’t know how I passed those four hours; just cursing those people why they are not doing their jobs and why they are not working efficiently. Passing every minute in that long queue was an ordeal. Standing and staring at other people moving which you cannot do anything not even enquire the reason for delay. It was about 3:30 AM when I looked at my watch but it was just 1 AM KSA time when I come out of the immigration, lucking my suit made me distinct out of other, which in turn helped me getting the bags a bit early within 15 minutes of coming out of immigration.

It was almost 4 AM (IST) in my watch when I enquired and got some cash exchanged to SAR (Saudi Arabian Riyal). After getting some Local currency two things came in my mind, I am awake from more than 24 hour and due to this delay in immigration I will be lucky if the company driver will is still waiting for me five hours past actual arrival time.

With a tired and hopeful face I came out of arrivals expecting somebody carrying a board with my name on it, as per my expectation no one was there, after which I decide that I will try and reach the driver from his number which was mailed to me. Now, a new expedition of searching for local/public phone started, and most of the Arabic’s were not able to even understand me even the sign language.

I again got lucky and met a local (Arabic) person and with all sorts of English words, sign languages when I failed to make him understand, he called an interpreter who told him that I want to make a local call for which I am searching for a public phone. To my surprise, he handed over his phone to me to call; you don’t generally expect this at least in a different country.  I was moved by his gesture, I gave him back his phone with the number I was supposed to dial. Somebody picked the phone from other side that guy explained something to him in Arabic which was beyond my understanding, and finally we saw a man coming towards us carrying the board with my name written on it. It was the driver; I quickly thanked the Arabic person for his gesture and continued with the driver towards the hotel.

The driver took me to parking from where we got into a Toyota SUV, the hotel was about 40-50 Km ride. After the initial introduction driver told me that the Arabic was saying “This guy is waiting from such a long time and where the hell are you”. In that frame of mind, I was in such a hurry at the airport that I was not able to thank him properly or asked his name. When I ask driver about what is the average time it takes for a person to come out of immigration, he said about 45 minutes only in case you are not the first comer. In case of first timer it may take up to 8 hours. I was lucky, I made it in half the time.

We were cruising at about 120-130 KM/Hr which I only realized when I saw the Dashboard meter of the vehicle. Thanks to that speed we covered the distance to hotel in less than half an hour. The driver helped me with the luggage till the reception after which he left.  I checked in to the room, and after some time I was in my night suit ready to sleep. As I was slipping in to the bed I saw wall clock which was just in front of my bed. It was 3:30 AM KSA time. In some time, I slept for starting a new day, at new place with new people.

Due to time-zone travel my day was about 26 hours and 30 min long and I slept for only 90 min out of that day at the end making it THE LONGEST DAY for me till now.

Don’t miss out of first two part of my ordeal – How the Longest day started and Navigating through the day

When You Have a Long Day – 23rd April 2009 – (Part -2/3)

Quick Recap

As part of overseas assignment, I was suppose to take a domestic flight to Mumbai and a connecting international flight. I was more than 40 minutes late when I started towards Bangalore Airport……

Reached Airport in Nick of Time…….

After touching the main highway taxi was cruising at about 120 Km/Hr . With that speed we were in the taxi parking of airport at 5:10 AM. I was more than happy and was delighted; I thanked him and started towards the Departure Terminal, At Bangalore you are supposed to pay a ‘User Development Fees’ for which there is a separate section made just near the gate of ‘Departures’. I paid the fees and went inside the airport. It took to around 20 minutes to get my boarding pass and clear the security check. I felt bit happy when they weighed my bags, it was 24.8 Kg as appeared in digital meter, just under the limit of 25 Kg of Domestic Flight

At the entry door of flight I took sigh of relief and decide to enjoy rest of my journey, or atleast enjoy and make it more interesting. The Domestic flight carrier was “Kingfisher”, I realized this only when I entered the aircraft. I was greeted by fine young and pretty women, trust me there is no better way to start a day (especially Bachelor’s) greeted with a broad smile and that to by beautiful women.

As I settled on my window seat, I started just evaluating which beauty of nature I should appreciate more, the one which was outside the window ‘The Dawn’ with sun just coming out of earth surface or the other ones which were inside aircraft.. ;)..With layers of makeup over faces in centimeters. While I was watching the air craft staff cracking jokes I thought, I could have become a ‘Pilot’ as per childhood dream, when I use to wave hand to every passing Aircraft assuming that people in the aircraft can see me waving. I specially admired the thought of the profession where you are supposed to drive at a very high speed and without dimensional restrictions (of only left or right). But suddenly it all came back to me that the profession I have chosen does not have the glamour factor but at least my profession made me capable enough to relish the ride for pleasure.

Moreover it is a fact that “Grass always seems greener towards the other side”.

My journey began as the aircraft moved towards the main run way and was in air within couple of minutes. As the lights for seat belt was turned off, I started looking at contents of my laptop for which might be categorized as ‘unacceptable’ and not allowed in KSA. While doing this I was taking pleasure of beauty both inside and outside the aircraft. We were cruising at about 7000 ft above mean sea level, which seems more as a sailing over pure white clouds. The flight duration was about an hour and 30 minute which came to an end in some time and I spent most of the time arranging data in my laptop and most importantly making a ‘TO-DO’ list which retrospectively I realized helped me later in the day.

“Thank you” was my last words as I exited the aircraft. It was about 7:40 AM when we landed. As I landed, I was calculating that in about 8 Hrs I have to be back at the airport (International counterpart) to catch 7 PM flight to KSA (Carrier: Saudi Arabian Airlines). With that in mind I almost jumped inside the bus and then into the airport to collect my Check in baggage. The morning incident taught me that I should not take risk come back to airport well on time and ensure spends quality time in Mumbai. After cutting through various lines and mob inside the airport and literally running, I reached auto stand and hired an auto for Borivali where my elder sister stays. After reaching her place and rest of few seconds I started intimating about my arrival, started with parents and friend back at Bangalore (My Roomy). Then I started calling others, obviously using the only local mobile phone available (mobile of my sister). In a minute or so I was instructed to plan for the day and do a final packing, in between which I was making and receiving calls.

In some time, about an hour later, I was ready and was having breakfast with my sister. After which we went outside to buy some stuff or rather a Passport carrying pouch which I may require during my stay in KSA.

The packing part was moreover complete at about 2:30 PM (Believe me; packing bag is not interesting so I am not writing about it either). We decide to have a quick supper as I may get dinner very late in the aircraft. It was about 3:45 PM when we climbed down from the apartment on the road to get a cab for Airport.

 We finally negotiated the price and boarded the cab. We reached the International airport at about 4:30 PM, by that time the immigration for my flight had already started. I just rushed inside the airport with few last minutes final instructions from my sister. With that we parted our way and entered the airport from Departure gate.

Read more to know how was my onwards journey from Mumbai to Saudi Arabia

When You Have a Long Day – Apr 2009

Prologue

“Some people live life, but very few enjoy each and every moment.”

Not sure who wrote this or, am I the first one to write it. But it seems true in every aspect. The second kind of people are more interesting and have a positive attitude towards life.

Incidentally, I fall in the first league of uninteresting people. “But who says the situation cannot change, and one cannot improve”…by just saying this I always try to hide myself from my own arguments.

Well this is a piece of work about my experience of the longest day I had in my life till now (till i remember)… Rest assured that i am not going to bore you with a narrative about ‘One day at work or office’, as i know by definition weekdays are longer and weekends are very short……infact too short.

By the end of this day, i realized that its not difficult to move to second league of people and enjoy every moment. In fact, you have to just change your perspective and genuinely enjoy as you go along. This prompted me to capture my experience and write a blog about it. (Infact my first blog).

For a Prologue this has already stretched a lot I guess, so without taking a lot of time and eating much footage, I will begin. This is anecdote not only contains details around my day, but also include thoughts  going in my head.

So this is how it starts, It was some usual day; Thursday the 23rd, in the month of April 2009

The Longest Day – 23rd April 2009 – (Part -1/3)

Bangalore to Riyadh

Background:

Before talking about the day, let me first start with the plan for the day.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to work Onsite. Which would mean exploring a totally different part of world, in my case it was KSA (Read as “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”). Most of the people have very limited knowledge about the region which prompted me to write about this journey.

It was 23rd April, the date decided for my travel to KSA. I was obviously excited. I was supposed to travel to Mumbai and then take a connecting flight from Mumbai to Riyadh (Capital of KSA). Since by Big Sis is in Mumbai so, I plan my travel in such a way that I will stay In Mumbai for few hours and then will board in the Saudi Arabian Airlines’ flight.

And The Day Started

I woke up in the morning it was about 4:19 AM in my mobile clock, for a second, I was normal but suddenly realized that I was supposed to get up and leave my place by 3:45 AM in order to catch the flight to Mumbai.

And I was thinking, “What the hell is this, my mobile alarm was also not able to wake me up or it did not ringed at all or somebody must have stopped it in-between”.

“Murphy’s law again proved true for me”, I started cursing myself. While, I was thinking about all these things, it just stuck that I was supposed to get a call from Cab Driver of “MERU” at 3:30 AM and a message prior to that about the details of the driver.

I checked my mobile there was no miss call nor message, then I checked whether I dreaming or something.  I looked at mobile it indeed was 23rd April and the morning when I was supposed to travel. I said to myself,  “Man you are gone, you will surely miss the flight”.

I knew i was already late but just to make sure i tried all the options. I thought i will give it a genuine try to catch the flight and in case miss the fligt, would update my company’s travel team.

I picked up my mobile and called the ‘MERU’ help line and shouted on the customer services person, he apologized and said the driver is on his way and will call me shortly. I was panic and woke up my roommate so he can help me locate the cab while i will get ready and do a final touch at packing.

He took my phone and again blasted the “MERU” helpline guy.

At first, I thought its not fair to do it again but how come one can be so unprofessional and not even intimate a customer, if the cab is not arranged.

To my luck the driver called, my roommate switched the call and gave him direction.  I quickly brushed my teethes, put the left over stuff in one of my bag and finally called it all packed.

My roomate( friend) decided to take out his bike and go out and look for cab as the driver was still confused and was not able to follow direction in the wee hour. By the time he located and bought the cab around our lane, I was out waiting outside the gate

I saw a bike followed by a cab entering into my lane. Both of us ensured that we tell  driver that I am late due to him and in case I miss my miss my flight, it would be his company’s responsibility. Anyways, while we were talking to driver, I got into cab.Within no time I waved my hand saying good bye to my friend and departed. I took a comfortable seat at the back. It was 4:38:18 AM IST when that cab driver started the trip, I was supposed to catch the flight at 5:55 AM, I was still unsure if I will be able to make it or not.  We were suppose to cover about 40- 45 Kms with 90 KM/Hr as top speed limit.

After about a km or so, I asked him to stop and let me sit along to the front passenger seat, with an intention to  create pressure so he drives bit faster and also chat with him to wave off some of my frustration. As I on front passenger seat, I started chatting with him.

I was just wondering that being a local person and a cab driver, how he spent about 30 min just searching the place. And why he did not bother to call me at the first place if he was not sure about the location.

In my mind, I was still trying to calculate the estimated time to reach Airport. Given it was a holiday in Bangalore office due to elections, It would be really difficult to arrange next flight to Mumbai, in case I miss this flight. Also, I could not afford to miss the international connection from Mumbai at any cost. While my driver friend was trying to navigate through the little traffic at that time, I received a SMS, when I opened the message, I realized that it is the same message which i was suppose to receive before 3:30 AM. The message had ‘driver’s details’, to my surprise, the details were not matching. While, i was just hoping that i haven’t got into a wrong cab which will add further to delay,  I asked the driver for clarification. He told me that since the driver(from the message) didn’t turned up for duty today when he was supposed to, he got assigned. At that moment, I realized we shouted at the driver unnecessarily. He was not supposed to bear what we said, specially when he volunteered to take up the duty with probably very short notice.  After this realization, I appreciated his efforts and ask him to try hurry up so that I can still catch the flight.

Read more to know if i was able to catch the flight or not. If yes, how?