The
Air India flight from Mumbai landed at last in Dubai after an eternity. I
could see the illuminated road from the side window of the flight. It was
one November night many years back. I alighted from the flight. WOW… so cold
and yet I felt wonderful, and the memories still flashing in high volt
inside my little brain. My dream came true! I am in Dubai, and even I could
not come to terms with that fact!
As I entered the terminal building for finally embarking on
my dream city, while in the long queue, I took all my documents in hand. I
was looking everywhere in a state of confusion bordering fear, the people in
long dress and head band, the airport staff in their uniform, the policemen
etc. The person in front of me said the people in long dress are Arabs and
also commented that “they are very rough and tough”. My heart pounding!
As soon as I reached the counter my brain seemed paralysed!!
The handsome beard man, guess he is in his 30’s, smiled at me… my heart
regained the rhythm, and my brain started functioning, I smiled back. He
looked at me through the glass in front of him, stamped in my passport and
VISA, collected docs and moved as if I knew what he said in arabic. Again
stopped by one policeman to verify the passport, I had collected my luggage;
in fact I have quite forgotten my luggage until I saw people with their
trolleys and luggage.
I
collected a trolley right there; my heart was running faster than the
conveyor belt which carried the baggage’s. Yes it was my baggage, collected,
put in the trolley and moved ahead. The officer said put your baggage on
top. He screened and nodded. I just peeped through the glass, and I could
see my friends patiently waiting for me since my flight was delayed by 4
hours, and I was very happy that they were there to receive me. By then I
was smiling again.
To be continued…
By V. K. Baburaj,
ET & T Computer
Centre, Vatakara, Calicut.
