“On account of bad weather, the seat belt sign has been switched on. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts.”
Sia looked up from her Ipad as the air hostess aboard the Mumbai-Delhi flight made the announcement.
Deeply entrenched in the twists and turns of Chake De! India, she hadn’t quite noticed the turbulence.
Sia’s co-passenger on the window seat shifted uncomfortably “Just look at that!”
Accepting the invitation, Sia leaned forward.
She gasped – a thick swirl of grey-brown lay directly below them and seemed to be growing bigger.
“There is a dust storm over Delhi and we are diverting to Jaipur. Sit back and relax.” The Captain’s reassuring boom echoed from the cockpit.
Oh good! She would be able to finish her movie. Sia smiled to herself as she turned her attention back to her downloaded movie.
“How can you watch a movie at this time?” The guy next to Sia glared accusingly at her. “We are all going to die and you are sitting here watching a movie?”
Sia sighed and took off her earphones. “We aren’t going to die. We are…”
“Yes we are! Can’t you see the thick billowing clouds? Can you not smell the dust?”
“Relax! Didn’t you hear the Captain? We are diverting to Jaipur. It’s all clear there.”
“But what if we die en route? What if…?”
“Yikes!” Sia jerked up straight in her seat. “I never thought of that! I better get back to my movie, it has been on my bucket list for ages…”
“It’s not funny!”
“No it isn’t.” Sia straightened her expression as it slipped. Her eyes strayed to her Ipad.
She sighed and held out her hand. “Hello I am Sia.”
“Whatever.”
“What’s your problem?” Sia asked.
“My problem is that you don’t have any problem!” His voice rose in affronted indignation. “We are going to die and all you are concerned about is your stupid movie.”
“So what would you have me do? Die before it is time to die?”
Frustrated, he glared at her. “At least…”
“I could panic a bit?” Sia twinkled at him. “Have a fit or two?” She twitched and rolled about her seat.
He rolled his eyes.
The aircraft dived and steadied. His knuckles turned white.
“Is this your first trip to India?”
“Last trip.” He mumbled, his eyes determined closed.
Sia laughed.
He opened his eyes. “How can you laugh?”
“How can you begrudge me my last laugh before I die?” Sia shot back.
He rolled his head as they hit another bad patch.
“At least tell me your name.” Sia coaxed.
“What good would that do? We are all going to die…”
“Talk about yourself.” Sia settled herself comfortably. “I am not going to die.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know.”
“Yeah right! So Ms Know-it-all, do tell me, am I going to die?”
Sia looked at him over.
She pursed her lips and tapped her head with a contemplative finger.
He rolled his eyes. “Hey come on! Cut the dramatics would ya?”
Smothering a laugh, Sia finally shook her head. “Nope.”
His lips twitched.
“So when am I going to die Ms Sia?” He folded his hands and bowed.
Sia raised her hand in blessing. “I say never.”
She was rewarded with a laugh.
“The dust storm has passed and we are heading back to Delhi. The seat belt sign has been switched off but for…”
As the announcement droned on, Sia pinned him down with a smug expression.
He returned her look expressionlessly but gave up. He threw up his hands in defeat. “Sia maiyya ki jai!”
Sia clapped her hands. “Very good! I am impressed.”
“I thought you would be depressed.” He looked out of the window trying to hide his embarrassment.
“Never mind,” Sia consoled, “it happens to the best of us.”
“But I am better than the best!” He turned to her. “Tell me weren’t you scared? Not even a bit?”
“Of course I was.”Sia confirmed. “But not of dying. Of crashing down, breaking bones, hospitalization…”
“Oh those! That’s all reversible. I am talking about dying.”
“I knew I wasn’t going to die.” Sia said.
“But how?” He was all at sea.
“It’s all thanks to you.”
“Excuse me?”
Sia burst out laughing at his confused expression. I knew I wasn’t going to die because you didn’t let me watch the movie. And I wasn’t going to die without seeing the whole movie.”
“Whaaa!” He stared at her open- mouthed. “Crazy.”
“Yep! We Indians are like that. Crazy.”
He shook his head. “How do you do it?”
“Complete and unquestioning faith in destiny. “ Sia was serious. “If it is meant to be, it will be, if it is not,” Sia shrugged.
“Well your way of thinking beats me.” He scratched his head. “But thank you for not letting me make a fool of myself.”
“My pleasure, and more than happy make the Lufthansa TVC a reality.” Sia grinned mischievously at him.
He frowned.
“When you have time, check out the advertisement, but for now, after that near-death experience,” she twinkled, “do you think you could tell me your name?”
He held out his hand.
“Bond, my name is James Bond.”
***
A/N This is my first time participating in an indiblogger contest. I found the details in the mailbox this morning and voila! this happened. 😀 😀
Thank you for reading and do let me a note. Have a super day.
#MoreIndianThanYouThink
A warship – isn’t she impressive?
From the ferry taking us to Sweden from Denmark
This one is honking and snorting steam, ready to take us to Havelock Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Cutting across the ocean, striding ahead without a care in the world
Couldn’t resist a final photo – Autumn or is it spring?
They carried their footwear in their hands while they cut across from one gate to another. Notice anything out of the ordinary? Burqa clad women, in deference to Hindu sentiment, also walk across the temple complex, barefoot.
“I don’t see myself as extremely handsome. I just figure I can charm you into liking me.” Wesley Snipes
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ― 
“How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”–Trina Paulus
“All through my life, I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested.”
Stories and more 