What Man Proposes God Disposes

 Nikita was in a dreadful hurry. She had read the Newspaper. All the countries were closing their borders and cancelling international travel. She had to get away. The gentleman, who was staying next door, had become a casualty to Corona Virus. An Ambulance had arrived, with six uniformed men wearing white masks, and had promptly taken the patient away for hospitalization. Moreover Mr.Fernandez, who had his flat just a floor below, had died two days back in his flat, with acute respiratory discomfort. The attack had been so virulent and fast, that before he could realize, he was in the clutches of Corona Virus.

The condition in Iran was really frightening. She had seen the workmen dig trenches for mass graves, where the dead were thrown in without any burial ritual, as there were too many dead bodies to deal with. The Dead were unceremoniously just wrapped in plastic and then covered with lime dust so that there would not be any stench. She could imagine what her ultimate, sorry end would be, in Iran, being a foreigner. The number of those who had tested positive was 16,000 whereas the death toll had exceeded 1000. There was a scarcity of protective masks and medical equipment. If she also had to test positive for Corona Virus, it would literally mean death for her. On the other hand, there were hardly any incidents in India. Nikita had tried all the Airlines for a ticket back to India, but her efforts drew a blank. She was mortally scared, and every time she got a negative reply, her spirit sank. She was at great risk staying in an apartment, where she had to use the enclosed cavity of the lift, with so many other inmates of the mansion.

She was determined to escape the pandemic in Iran. She panicked badly, when she started sneezing, not once, or twice, but a dozen times, which came in quick succession. She groaned when the News Announcer rattled off, that perhaps there would be no more flights from Iran to India. She heaved a sigh of dismay as she sneezed again, and felt that there was something stuck in her throat. Had God ordained that she should die in a foreign land! Anyway, her mind had been made up. She would leave the soil of Iran at the earliest, and try her luck at the Airport, in case there was a cancellation. She hoped that flights were still on between the two countries.

               When she reached, she found high- speed activity at the Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. Passengers were being screened. Nikita became hopeful when two passengers were refused flight, and their tickets were canceled. Nikita had been in the queue for the last one hour, standing behind forty-seven waiting- list passengers. She became faint with suspense! But looking at the line, she felt that she did not stand a chance. Her legs nearly gave way and her back was paining. She debated with herself whether she should give up. But luck favored her. The would-be passengers in the queue, who needed more seats than one, refused the two tickets which the Airlines were offering. She  almost jumped with relief when she was offered a ticket for the last international flight from Iran to India

                 No one could gauge her happiness as she boarded the plane. Most of her co-passengers were Indians who had been working in Tehran. As she sat at the window seat, she thanked God for this heaven-sent opportunity, to escape from the pernicious disease, which invariably led to death, once in its terrible grasp. She dreaded the onslaught of the Virus as it was very contagious, and spread like wildfire. Indeed she was the luckiest person to be going home to India!

             

 Her fiancé had promised to meet her at the Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport. He had bought a new Wagon-R, and he was looking forward to driving her home. She just could not wait to meet him after the lapse of a year. She was all excited and checked her watch every two minutes, but the hands seemed not to be moving at all.

               As she approached the Exit Gate, she saw him standing straight and tall, waiting for her. She waved out to him, and so did he, and then he gave a broad smile. After that, as they came closer, he grabbed her with both hands, and showered her with kisses, very tenderly on her lips. But it was an irony of fate, that after that, with great affection, he said, “See Nikita, I love you so much that despite my fever, cold, and problems in breathing, I have come to pick you up”. Nikita could only look at him dazed. She did not know whether to laugh or to cry!