Almost missed it!

Tomorrow..... oopsh Today....... I have to catch flight @ 10 AM so need to leave early from here around 5.30 as airport is very far, & due to excitment (or may be fear I don't know which one to blame) my adrenaline level is shooting up..... I am not able to sleep.... I tried sleeping twice but all in vein...

Excited!!...obviously, for going home after a long time and Fear.......of missing flight... either because of sleep or traffic or something like that.... I don't know why but this is killing me.... everytime I have to catch an early morning or late evening flights/train I find myself stuck in this fear... and an incident comes in my mind...which make this fear double.....

As I can't sleep any ways so let me put that incident out here as it happened...........

"14 August night as we all know is one of the longest one in Indian history….n it also became a longest of my life also in 2008. It was a very exciting night, one which I can never ever forget in my life……….C'oz I almost missed my flight

On 14 August 2008 entire Bangalore seems to come on roads. Not that they were celebrating Pakistan’s independence or staging a dharna against it, but they were all rushing to their nests in their hometowns. It was that long weekend, which each employee eagerly wait for…. And the preparation for the same starts months before. Same also happened with me, I planned to go home.

As on all vacations, trains seems to be running high on waiting list and the travel agents mint money with people ready to dole out huge sums for that tatkal ticket… so in order to avoid all these last minute mess and train issues….I booked my flight ticket in advance……..and….started my shopping…….packing……..as I was really very excited because was going home after 5 months this time……….AND Finally, came the D-day the 14th August. My Flight was at 9:00 pm and I heard a lot about Bangalore traffic but luckily never encountered it.... (lucky me).....so, thought of leaving early………..

I started my day early @ 9.30 am as I was left with some end moment activities…some shopping, visiting a parlor, some office work and all that. Went to office finished off my work around 1 pm. Then went for shopping and other stuff and guess what I could not get things which I needed....... so had to browse some more shops......and then when I step out of parlor after all last minute things it was already 5.15 and I was sure that I can not reach home before 6.00.

By the time I got ready and was done with the final packing the clock struck 6.15. It was at this moment that I realized I had misplaced my flight ticket. And while I was searching for this, I happened to stumble across the older ticket and pocketed it, else even that I would have left back. Then When I came out to take auto I realized that I don't have money so need to go to ATM first. And then finally I started my journey towards airport. Half an hour passed and I was still pretty close to my house. Another half and hour gone and still the airport was not to be seen. Half an hour passed and I was still pretty close to my house. Another half and hour gone and still the airport was not to be seen. The best they could help me was to refund me something in case I missed my flight!! Done with all this, my watch told me it was 9.00 and I should press the Panic button.

Finally I was off auto and running like a mad…it was raining heavily and with my best of luck my shoe cracked at that very moment I had no time to take out other one from the bag so I was just running without shoes. It was so embarrassing running without shoes on that dirty road but trust me it was real..... I haven't thought of this in my wildest dream...

And all around me I could see cars, autos everywhere but none of them could move. And when my legs gave up and I could see the turn for the airport. I just forgot everything, and gather all my energy and started running even faster. Finally reached there at 9.15, I was treated as a VIP on that day…and then at last after security check when I board the flight I was sure that Ok I am finally going after all that mess. And called everyone at home informing that I am finally coming. "

Alas! What a day…things sometimes goes out of control.... and make you believe in Him even more.

And I am still here struggling to sleep and its already 3:50 AM....so I guess I should do my packing...and get ready for my journey.

Jyoti