One such story unfolded after our wonderful trip to Kashmir. We were scheduled to take our flight back to Delhi from Jammu, the nearest airport, at 8 am on June 10th. However, the universe had a different plan for us. The night of June 9th, while staying at our cousin’s place, we decided to check our mailbox, a decision that would soon prove to be a blessing. It was then that we realized our flight had been rescheduled to 12 noon on June 10th, a change our travel agent had communicated to us three days earlier. The next morning, we were determined to reach the airport on time, yet the cosmos seemed to conspire against us. Our cousin had her own farewell traditions that added an extra 15 minutes to our departure. Every ticking second amplified our anxiety, as past airport experiences had been marred by missed flights and last-minute cancellations. Efforts to expedite our exit from our cousin’s home proved futile, and the vehicle meant to transport us to the airport had arrived. A Maruti van with a somewhat bewildered driver was our chosen mode of transportation. Despite our pleas for speed, the driver maintained his leisurely pace. Unfortunately, our attempt to check in online was met with a harsh reality, the check-in process closes two hours before the flight’s departure. When we reached out to the airline staff by phone for assistance, our efforts bore no fruit. Upon arriving at Jammu airport, we learned that we’d have to navigate additional security checks, a process that inevitably consumes precious time. The news, rather than stressing us out, made us burst into laughter, embracing the auspicious turn of events. This humor was the turning point, causing us to shift our perspective from frustration to acceptance. Our journey took an unexpected twist when, at the first security checkpoint, the police allowed us entry via the VIP road, bypassing further security checks. This unexpected blessing enabled us to make a beeline for the airport. The only hindrance was the driver’s unfamiliarity with the correct entrance gate. As we arrived at the airport, time was running out. It was 11:15 am, a mere 45 minutes before the flight’s departure. A meticulous strategy formed in our minds : I would sprint to the check-in counter with our tickets, while Vivek handled our luggage. Once inside, a fellow offered to assist with our bags and guided us to the check-in counter to secure our boarding passes. We reached the Air India counter at 11:35 am, just 20 minutes after the check-in had officially closed. We barely held our breath, well aware of the unlikely prospect of boarding the flight. Silently, the executive behind the counter accepted our tickets and issued the boarding passes. It was then that he said, “The flight has been delayed by 1.5 hours.” Grinning from ear to ear, we asked, “What if it hadn’t been delayed?” The response came with a knowing smile : “I would have directed you to the tickets and reservations counter for the next available flight.” In that moment, we grasped the divine orchestration at play. The chaotic situation, where fun and chaos were in perfect harmony, had gracefully transformed into a moment of gratitude.
~ Suvidha Malhotra
