Yesterday (13th July 2020), I had a trip to Cochin Airport. Being out of business for the last 4-5 months due to Covid-19 Pandemic has started taking its toll on my attitude. Like everyone, despite being hopeful to have this pandemic contained, I was also starting to get worried about my future. In such a situation, I couldn't resist saying YES to the Customer when he requested for a COCHIN Airport Drop.
Varkala to Cochin International Airport is approximately 5 hours far and is quite a good journey. However, considering the Covid situation, I knew that there will be a lot of Police Checking and also a lot of Containment Zones enroute to Airport.
Let me brief you about the Customers. A Gentleman and his Lady. They are from Ukraine and have been staying in Varkala for more than 6 months now i.e. even before Corona had hit the Frontpage of our Dailies! They have a Repatriation flight that is supposed to leave today at 9 AM or so from New Delhi. Their itinerary was to Fly to New Delhi from Kochi at 4.15 PM and from New Delhi to Ukraine next day i.e. 14th July 2020 in AIR INDIA and they were in a hurry because that is the last Flight to Ukraine.
Journey to Kochi:
Generally, during Mondays, there would be heavy traffic in Alappuzha and Ernakulam and so I was anticipating a huge traffic.As there would also be several Police checking at Multiple Containment zones on the way, I suggested to leave Varkala by 7 AM so that we could reach the airport by at least 1 PM. But, due to some unforeseen circumstances, the journey got delayed by 50 minutes. As he had already send me a copy of his Flight ticket details from Kochi to Delhi, I knew that I had a valid proof to get permission from Police for travelling.
Masks - Checked
Sanitizers - Checked
Hot Water - Checked
Dettol - Checked
Soap - Checked
Vehicle Documents - Checked
Clean Towels - Checked
Water for Washing hands - Checked.
The journey route was Varkala - Edava - Paravur - Kollam - Alappuzha - Vytilla- Ernakulam Edappally - Kalamassery - Aluva - Cochin Airport which is around 210 Km.
We left Varkala at 7.50 AM. To my surprise, it was a pleasant journey. There were a few Police Checking and everyone was so kind. Road wasn't as crowded as expected. Apart from a small traffic congestion at Alappuzha and Ernakulam, the journey was really good and we reached the airport at around 12.40 PM. I don't drive fast when I have Customers, but even I was taken aback when I realized that I reached the destination in less than 5 hours. However, on the way, I realized something that my customer was yet to get his ticket for his journey from New Delhi to Ukraine. He tried booking the Tickets multiple times, but went in vain due to some Technical difficulties of his Credit Card. So he decided to buy the ticket personally by going to the Air India office in the airport.
After dropping them, I left the airport. This time I was pretty fast as I was travelling alone and by 1.05 PM, I had already passed Companypady which is around 15 kms from the airport, I got a call from him saying that he was not able to buy tickets for his repatriation flight. He spoke with the officers there, and he went to Terminal 3 office to buy tickets, but they said they don't book it and gave him the booking office address. I was under the impression that he would take care of everything as he was already in the airport and had more than 2 hours to buy tickets and sort out things. When he called me, he was quite worried. I told him that I already left. He said he doesn't know anyone else there and was wondering if I could help him. I had been in that situation before. Having lost and seeking for help. I thought of my father's advice to help someone who is in need because may be we would be the only one who could do it.
I said Yes and drove back to the airport. By 1.30 PM or so, I reached the airport again. He was standing there. He immediately got into the car and asked me to take him to the Air India Reservation Office which was located in Ernakulam South. I told him that It's almost 30kms from the airport and will be a 45 mins journey if there is no traffic and then another 45 mins back . It will take at least 15 mins to book the tickets if there is no crowd. In that case, we will reach the airport only by 3.15 PM and if there is any traffic, then there is no way that we will be able to get back to the airport on time and that could jeopardize the whole journey. But I was ready to take the risk. I suggested him that we can go to the office. If it takes time, then we will leave the trip to the Reservation office and will go back to the airport to reach before 3 PM so that they could go to New Delhi and buy tickets from there. The Customer said he doesn't want to go the reservation office as he didn't want to affect the journey to New Delhi and he asked me if I could wait for him in the car. During the whole time, the lady was waiting for him outside the Departure area. They both had a chat and went to the Air India counter. In the meantime, I kept on calling all the mentioned numbers on the Air India website, but couldnt get through to anyone.
By 2.45 PM, he came back to my car with his luggage and said that he has cancelled his flight to Delhi and would want to return to Varkala. He was really gloomy and I couldn't help but notice that he was all alone. I asked him about where the lady was and he told me that she already had ticket from New Delhi to Ukraine and so she will be boarding the plane but not him as he didnt have a ticket.
I felt bad for him and we started our journey back. It was an awfully painful silence that prevailed inside the car as I wasn't sure of what to tell him. Even he was silent for almost 30 mins.
He then suddenly woke up and said, "Jithin, I think it's a sign that Universe doesn't want me to travel. I had never experienced so much difficulties in my life while travelling. But today, whatever I do, everything failed. May be the Upper One doesn't want me to travel today. He might have kept some other plans for me. Shiva Shiva!"
I replied, "I can understand your anger."
He said, "No. I am not angry. I was sad, but now it's okay. I just expressed my anger through silence and now I am good. Let her enjoy her flight. Let me enjoy what's kept for me"
I replied, "This turned out to be a Send off journey" to which he nodded yes.
He then started cracking jokes and all of a sudden the car was full of joy.
He said, "Jithin, It's easy to be emotional, but difficult to be calm. Don't worry about me, my friend. I didn't lose my flight, I am given an opportunity to enjoy a few more days in Varkala now."
I couldn't help but laugh.
He had the whole right to be angry and sad, but he chose to be happy. He chose to be positive and he decided to spread happiness. He decided to spread happiness and he made the whole journey positive. It's thoughts like these that makes our Life happy. Once we are happy then automatically, we will be able to keep others Positive and Happy.. Aren't these the needs of this hour?
Stay Home. Stay Safe. Stay Positive. Stay Happy.
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