First Flight

 

A breezy early morning ,misty roads, piercing rays of sodium lamps adorns a mesmerising beauty to Bengaluru during a February in 2007. Isha, her parents, her in laws and her siblings are at the Kempegowda International Airport to see off her. She was married just few months back now going to join her husband Rajeev who is working at London. It was time to board. After warm hugs and kisses, with teary eyes she entered the boarding lounge. Announcements came, the boarding gate opened and passengers started to move through the Aerobridge. She took her baggages while entering the tunnel she was so excited as that the mere thought of entering the plane for the first time gave her Goosebumps. Hers was a window seat. The plane started to take off, her heart beated faster ,once reached high above the clouds she relaxed and was astonished to see the clouds below her. She felt like floating in a heaven. She settled up and quietly surfed through the seatback screen and selected “Chak de India” to watch. In between she was served with a set of yummy dishes. She relished it along with the movie. Time flew, after about 9 hours journey the flight landed in noon at Heathrow Airport. She took her baggages from the upper compartment, left the cabin and moved to the exit. Passed through the aerobridge to reach the terminal. She was astonished to see the huge Airport , carefully watching the sign boards for immigration she moved forward with her shoulder bag and a trolley bag.  She entered a hall and near a wicket door it was directing immigration. It was an automated opaque wicket door. She was pulling over her trolley in her right hand. As she pushed through the wicket door her hand got stuck so she couldn’t pull her trolley. Slowly she withdrew her hand leaving the trolley the other side. She stood helpless when she realised it is a one – way door and it was not possible to go back through. That wicket door led to a long passage, it was so empty none could be reached for a help. Some cash and gold jewelleries were in that. She was worried about where to inform? Fortunately this was noticed by a security guard and he entered the wicket door holding her trolley bag. She was so much relieved at the sight of this. She thanked him whole heartedly. He smiled and left. She started again to move towards immigration counter. After verification she was in for a shock. She was asked to undergo some medical test, advised for an X-ray and happened to enter the huge lab, so silent and looks haunted. Paced through the corridor reached the room leading to X-ray. A lady with a blonde , a rounded spectacles was sitting in a corner raised her head hearing footsteps. She came near Isha and asked her to stand in front of the X-ray machine baring her upper body. Isha was startled as she hesitates to be bare somewhere in an unknown place. Somehow she made up her mind and removed her shirt and stood in front of the X-ray machine. After the procedure she hurried wearing her shirt and felt relieved to leave that room at once. After the formalities in the immigration counter, she reached the conveyer belt to collect her luggage. One by one she lifted and placed in a trolley and with a hope of seeing Rajeev at the exit. She pushed her trolley and moved forward. As she reached the arrival lobby Rajeev excitedly ran towards, received her with tight hugs. She took a deep breath. He took over the trolley from her and showed the way to the tube train. After an hours journey they reached Barking in Zone 4.