STORYMIRROR

Shubhangi Kotwal

Others

4.4  

Shubhangi Kotwal

Others

One Day At Airport

One Day At Airport

5 mins
1.7K


Sometimes in life, it happens that we behave in a foolish or stupid way especially at a very young age. And that teaches us a lot so that we never ever behave that way again in the future in our life . because that mistake is enough to learn a lesson for a lifetime.

 

One such thing happened to me when I was 22 yrs. I had just joined a reputed courier company having HQ in Mumbai. That job also I got luckily , as I was in the final year of post-graduation and we came to know through my cousin (who was working in Mumbai office in a senior position ), that a new branch is opened in our city and they wanted to recruit fresher so I got that job.

 

I had not even completed two months in that office and I had to go for training to Mumbai Office for a week. The company was going to provide Air tickets for both ways and stay at a hotel that too in Grand Hotel, Ballard Estate. Everything was Unexpected and Grand !! . We were all very happy and at the same time nervous. Nobody from our family had traveled by Air till then, I was the first person to travel by Air. As our family belonged to Railways so we always had traveled by Railway.

 

I was still learning about the office and its norms and everything was just new for me, people, atmosphere, work ……. and I was very thin, good looking but not very confident, introvert kind of a person. I wanted to do that job, so had to go for that training which was compulsory for all new recruits. While going to Mumbai I had the company of two of our seniors from Ahmedabad but while coming back I had to travel alone.

 

So I went to Mumbai, learned many new things, met new people , my cousin ,  also one of our directors, all very supportive and nice people . also my roommate at the hotel was very good, she was from Pune. At training Sometimes I was shy, I was nervous, I was good, all mixed feelings and a new experience. finally, a week got over and we had to leave from there.

 

It was Sunday I believe and my roommate had a train in the morning so she left the hotel in the early morning. Then I saw my ticket and time given on it, it must be written as some time at 20:00 and maybe some mints. Now I got confused I calculated it as 12:00 in night and 20:00 hrs means 08:00 in the morning . because till that age the time we referred was 12:00 in the morning and 12:00 in the night not very familiar with 24:00 hrs system . all these things we get more familiar after studies when in the practical and corporate world. now whom to ask …. The office was closed that day. so I decided to check out from the hotel and go to the Airport directly and clear my confusion. if it is in the morning then ????

 

We used to go to Mumbai many times because our relatives are there so I had an idea about Airport which is at Vile Parle. Now at the gate, there was one tall, handsome young man who asked me to show my ticket. Then he made me wait there. As soon as h

is reliever came and his duty got over he told me your flight is in the evening and I think he could make out that I am from which courier co. As they were their regular customers/passengers.

 

Then he took me to their IA's staff canteen, we had breakfast there. Then he asked me what you will do here ???? you can go to your relative's place and come back in the evening but I didn't want to do that because I didn't want that I have to tell them about my stupidity. He said i could have taken you to my home but my mother or sister is not here, I am alone so I can't . he was feeling concerned and at the same time because he had a good impression about our organization and employees, all very smart people and so how can you make such a silly mistake ???? that is what his expression was …… so at least more than half an hour Passed at the canteen talking to that young man. He went home and I decided to pass my time at the airport lounge.

 

One Army man was sitting in my next chair , who also had to travel by same flight as mine . and also one uncle was there . We had some conversation. Uncle felt that I am a brave girl so he was talking to me on various topics on what is going on in our country, some wrong things like religious processions which create disturbances and traffic also get disrupted. he suggested that you should write a letter to the government and ask to put control on this and so on…….. Also, Army man used to offer me dry fruits like Pistachu, almond, cashew . some other passengers used to come and sit, some used to leave as soon their flight is announced and I had to just keep waiting till evening……..believe me it was not easy to pass time , it was boring alone there.....there was only one stall where you could get tea, coffee, soft drink and chips etc. ...no fresh hot snacks .

 

Then finally my flight and check-in were announced and in a queue I met one more uncle from my city. He could make out that I am traveling alone for the first time. He said don't be afraid , be confident you are lucky that you are traveling alone at this young age. Then he said you can walk inside the flight and see economy and business class, and from where air hostess serves the food, and washroom also, he made me feel special and confident.

 

Finally, I reached the airport in my city. My family members were there to receive me as I had informed them about my arrival time, from a public phone at the Airport . Everybody was happy and proud of me. But I knew how stupid I was!!!! but this incidence taught me a lot …..and gave me a lesson for the lifetime that after that whenever I had to travel or even now when I have to travel I make it a point that I have checked all details properly on the ticket and get confident before travel.

 

I wish the young man who helped me at Airport on that day and others also who helped me some or the other way, read this story and I can thank them…


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