The Unforgettable Journey...!

On 4^th October, I entered the Dubai airport around 00.30 hrs looking forward for a long night travelling to Hyderabad. The night flight journeys usually leave a person totally drained on the next day, as one cannot sleep comfortably on a seat.

However, I got a rude surprise at the check-in counter when I was advised to proceed to specific counter. There, I found few some more people standing and the mood prevailing there was certainly not optimistic. I was told that the flight was overbooked and now the airline was hoping for some no-shows to accommodate the ones present there. That was a tall order. The other people with me comprised of an old couple, a family with a small kid, two labors and a person who kept behaving as though he was mini-Rajnikant.

For next two hours, there were lots of tense moments of hectic parleys between the airline staff and the passengers. The staff was individually requesting passengers to postpone their journey. They were tutored properly to explain to all the customers that it was airline’s mistake, and as a compensation for the inconvenience, they were offering hotel accommodation till next flight plus an additional ticket for those who accepted the offer.  I was emphasizing them right from beginning that my travelling in the same flight was necessary and I would not prefer to postpone my journey, unless it becomes impossible. However, I had almost resigned in my mind and was actually planning to implement plan B of accepting their offer.

Finally, just 40 minutes before the flight departure, they started announcing the names of passengers who had been ‘cleared’ randomly by them for undertaking the journey. And…my name was also there! Many times in life, we get the things we desire, when we are on the verge of giving up hopes. So, I need not stay in a hotel for few hours or return home at around 3 am to disturb my family. I was very much excited that my name was cleared. I had a strong urge to open my eyes wide open, cover lower part of my face with my palms and bring the expressions extreme happiness like that of miss universe on announcement of the winner. I immediately proceeded to the plane as I also noticed that my seat was upgraded to the business class.

As I entered the plane and reached my seat 10J, I noticed a tall man adjusting his cabin baggage. He was dressed in a suit and I assumed him to be a crew member and gave him a ‘returning smile’ with hi and a good evening. I somehow felt that he was expecting more expressions from me.  

I sat observing the environment in business class when suddenly I saw a group of European people coming, all dressed in suits like uniform. They were all young, in high spirits and good physique. They were around 15 – 20 in number. I tried to identify the logo on their suits, but could not. I assumed that they were some high fliers of a corporate going for an official seminar.

Suddenly, I observed that one of them looked familiar to me. I looked carefully and yes… the slight squint in the eye was unmistakable… he was Ravi Bopara.  And then, Oh my God..! It dawned upon me that I was sitting amidst the England Cricket team. I was overjoyed, thrilled and what not. To see the players of any cricket team from close quarters is definitely a very rare occasion.

As the exquisite feeling was sinking in my mind, I cursed myself for not keeping and updated knowledge of England cricket team. Here I was sitting with them, but hardly could recognize any of them.

And I realized that one of them was also sitting beside me in the window seat. And he had wished me very decently, “Hello sir, good evening, how are you?” when he had occupied his seat a few moments before. I wondered, such politeness from a player of a team, who had comprehensively thrashed India in just concluded series in England..?

After some hesitation, I started the conversation with the player seating beside me.

I said,” Sir, I guess you are all part of the England cricket team, is that right?”

He seemed pleased that I showed some signs of recognizing them. He said smiling,” Yes.”

 Then I asked him,” Sir, I know it is embarrassing for me that I do not know you. My son, and some of my friends are going to kill me for asking you this question, but sir, may I know your name please?”

He said,” Graeme something…”

I said,” Sir, Graeme what?”

He said like telling a child,” Graeme Swann.”

And I said,” Oh yes. I have seen that name in the scoreboards when England plays matches.”   

After a pause, I asked him who the tall man was sitting beside me next to the aisle.

He said, “He is Kevin Pietersen.”

By now, apparently he realized that my knowledge of England cricket team was pretty bad. And I had mistaken him to be a crew member some time back.

During the next half an hour, we discussed on various subjects. Some of the highlights of our conversation are given below:

Me: You defeated India comprehensively. Where India lacked?”

GS: (Smiling) “No, We played well.”

Me: “Should Sachin retire?”

GS: “Well, yes. After his much awaited 100^th 100.”

Me: “Does T20 affect a player’s performance?”

GS: “Not quite. Both are different games. But a real caliber of a person is known in Test matches.”

GS: “How is Hyderabad city?”

Me: “It is a beautiful city. However some disturbances could be faced due to demand for separate statehood by a section of people. Nothing to panic, though...”

He mentioned that there was a direct flight from London to Hyderabad by British Airways, yet they had to travel in Emirates airlines via Dubai, as the team was sponsored by Emirates Airlines. He also mentioned that the team was looking forward to spending the Christmas in their homes with their families this year. Apparently, during last two years they were on different tours and away from families. So, they were excited. It brought out a relatively unknown and less-discussed side of the cricketers – that about their personal lives. I took his autograph before we slept off.   

Early morning when the lights were on and the flight announcement began about nearing the destination, all the players started rising from their seats, yawning, stretching and getting ready. It was a sight…! I am sure; a die-hard fan of cricket would have cherished the scene to be remembered for a long time to come.

The air hostess distributed the immigration forms to be filled up. Kevin turned to me and said,” May I please borrow your pen, sir?” I was surprised. He was so humble and polite. I did not expect a star performer to be so courteous in his conversation to a stranger like me. I gladly handed over the pen to him. Incidentally, both Graeme and Kevin asked me what the flight number was, while filling up the form. After he filled up the form, I quickly forwarded my pocket scribbling pad for his autograph.

Kevin asked me,” Sir, how far is the ITC Hotel from the airport?”

I said, “It is around 30 km from the airport… will take at least one hour. It is a good hotel”

Throughout the conversation with Kevin and Graeme, one thing which stood out prominently was that they were very dignified and respectful. The recent success had obviously not got into their heads. The success had actually made the players more responsible and dignified rather than sprouting the feelings of pride and arrogance from them. So, it was the British media, which was solely responsible for making disparaging remarks and comments about the Indian team’s dismal performance while the Indian team suffered under the agony of string of defeats.

I took a photo of Kevin from my mobile. I also took a photo of Graeme and me from my mobile, by stretching my arm and facing the camera towards us.

When the flight was grounded and we were leaving, I said Graeme,” Sir We wish you all the best for this series. Hope you continue your winning streak”. Somehow, the patriot within me was temporarily subdued by their humility and partly charisma.

Finally, it did not matter what we discussed. What mattered was that I had an opportunity to be with the star cricket team for few hours and got a chance to speak to couple of them. The feeling is definitely going to last for few months at least.

In life, we undertake many journeys. Most of the journeys are forgotten soon. Some are remembered for long…this one was my unforgettable journey.