Expect the unexpected

Expect the unexpected!

When the lockdown happened world wide,many people outside India had various issues like Visa not extended, some parents stranded unable to return, pregnant women who wanted to be back home and many more such. This is the story of a couple who came back due to Visa issues. The characters are imaginary!

When his Visa wasn't extended, Sai was disappointed. Anu sat with him and said, that's okay, let us now focus on what lies ahead. Lets take it this way, we are going back home, looking at their 4 year old daughter Ria.

So, they charted out a detailed plan with timeline. First they had to sell whatever was at their apartment as they can't be carried back home. The car, the furniture, the toys, the kitchen stuff etc.. Quickly, they posted their ads in various whatsapp groups, facebook marketplace and informed friends.

So, one by one, things moved out. Sai applied for return tickets via Vande Bharat mission but didn't get a reply soon. With basic stuff left, they started packing. Check in bags, cabin baggage, separate bag for kid's things, etc.. Their plan was to dump the remaining at a friend's place or finally leave it in the dumpster.

Uncertainty was the other side of the coin in the American dream life! That was the price people knew they would pay, yet were willing to relocate! Once Visa rejected, they had to close down everything in very little time! So many challenges but with the huge help of friends, many have experienced that.

After all the priorities, Sai finally got a call from the embassy. Their flight was scheduled after 2 days and were asked to be in the NY airport 6 hrs before because of huge formalities!

One side, they were relieved to go back home and on the other, the sad part of American dream coming to a halt! So, the packing and planning for the journey started. The foods to be taken for flight, how to engage their kid, water, snacks, because the flight will be around 20hrs to Delhi and then to Chennai after a 3hr wait!

Friends helped in disposing things, prepared their food, took the remaining stuff into their garage and handed over the apartment to the leasing office.

The D-day arrived. A friend came in to drop them at the airport. With all the 6 check in baggage, 3 cabin bags and a small bag for the kid, they reached the airport in no time! The empty roads made it all seem like they were in a different world!

The airport was totally empty! All airlines closed and nobody to,help around, they pushed their luggage and walked to the counter. There were around 6 people ahead of them all wearing masks, gloves and some had sanitizer. Soon, the counter opened, they checked their temperature, handed over forms to fill and now moved to baggage drop.

That took less time and the ticketing personnel didn't mind if it was over weight, extra baggage, nothing mattered! They were sent to security check and again temperatures checked. They had 3 long hours to board the flight!

As they say down near the gate, Anu took Ria for a walk in the stroller. Sai sat in a chair and went back in memory. This airport meant so much to him! He was so excited to have gotten the Visa when he announced to his parents, 6 years back!

He loved this city so much, his job and the life. Even when Anu had to stay home because of Visa issues, he didn't mind. Soon, Ria came and life was busy. He never thought that Visa won't be extended and so acceptance was harder! Now Anu was back and sat next to him. She assured him not to worry and to focus on positive. He still had his job, back home! And how his parents will be happy to be together now at these hard times.

Soon, they boarded the flight and were given a mask. They were supposed to wear that all through the flight and even Ria was given a mask to cover her face. Their seat tables had a fruit, a couple of packets of snacks all in a cover. The flight attendants didn't go near any of the passengers.

After a long 20 hours, the flight landed in Delhi. They all got down and went to join the queue. Again, temperature checks, they were told to wait. With all the baggage,this was a challenge. After 3 hours, finally to Chennai flight!

Again check in, boarding, finally landed! It took 1.5 hrs to come out of the airport after instructions to be in quarantine for 2 weeks. They found a cab and reached Mambalam within a short time.

Parents were waiting eagerly but this time, with a mask and at a distance. They were handed a key to a separate room where they will stay for the next 14 days. Food will be kept outside the room. This was new experience!

They all slept like a log of wood due to all the stress and jet lag. Slowly they felt normal and was overwhelmed with gratitude for this Vande Bharat mission!

So many people were waiting to come back home! It was a savior and lockdown taught so many lessons to everyone, the top most being empathy!

Rest of the challenges can be met, if we all are safe and sound and with the people to whom we are important and who we love!

There still is good in the world, in its pure form and may we all realise this when we wake up from this lock down sleep!

--Vishnupriya