And out of nowhere came this madness to wreck mayhem in my already topsy turvy world!
Tickets back to Singapore were initially booked on the Chennai transit (why of all the cities?) Because of the shortest layover I could muster, given my still delicate health conditions and which was never even an intentional choice in all my 23 years of travel to and from Singapore. This had to be it even though I was on unfamiliar grounds.
But Luck seemed to have a mind of it's own and turned its back on me when Fenjal decided to crash bang in the middle of orderly events, a day before my intended day of travel.
When destiny's favorite child was shielded by Baba and his blessings, even Luck had to bow down and retreat in haste.
****
Roused from my siesta with a sense of a peculiar dimness and chill , a far cry from the usually sunny and blinding brightness of humid Mangalore, I couldn't help but have that niggling feeling at the back of my mind.
Checking on the flight updates for IXE-MAA for the following day on the domestic sector braked my racing thoughts to an instant standstill !
CANCELLED screamed the status in the gaudiest of reds!
Jinxed was the appellation I desperately wanted to award the year 2024!
With my last drop of tolerance and patience running out, I composed myself off all the histrionics of tearing out my hair in bunches or balling my fists against my fated forehead. Desperation never knew a better word, yet, I had to stabilize my mind and activate Plan B, pronto.
Taking a few deep breaths and splashing my face with the dipping temperatures of water, I took a few moments to steady my voice and gain some clarity to work my way around another unprepared script which was smacked on my face.
Minutes passed with my heart pounding a mile a minute while on phone conversations with a staff at their blessed call center. Baba must have been proud of me to surrender everything to him and then he worked his magic. I was rerouted through Bengaluru with only a 6 hour layover!
The international sector too was available, miraculously for all the last minute change of plans. Phew!
The take off at 2.30 pm from Mangalore was on time and uneventful. The landing at Bengaluru too was as smooth as butter. Fenjal was conveniently erased from memory as Chennai was now a closed chapter never to be revisited even in my thoughts.
Bengaluru is home as well, being in the same comfort zone of the state to which my hometown belongs too.
Lounging at the fully vacated seating area of Starbucks around 4 pm, Chilli Paneer Sandwiches were devoured ravenously in addition to a homely filter coffee which they offered to brew for me. Quite a welcome respite, that.
Taking my time to vacate my seat, I rested my sleepy head on the table before the customers started pouring in. And they didn't seem to mind. My genuine exhaustion must have been a stark giveaway.
Boarding at 8.15 pm for a 9.15 pm takeoff was a breeze. With a final goodbye to my motherland I leaned my face towards the window as the aircraft rose and rose high above the clouds, the city lights now mere scattered sprinkles of glitter.
They too faded out of my sight, but I took it all in even amidst the rain pouring against the window, with only the dark night sky outside moments later.
8 months and more!
The only difference this damning year? My arrival in April and my departure in December both were on high strung emotions and under bleak situations.
In the end I took that flight back home despite all odds and rushed to reunite with my Babylou without whose cooperation and confidence none of this would have even been remotely possible.
The plane rocked and rocked heavily with turbulence warning given thrice during the 4 hour journey. Under other circumstances I would be on the edge fearing the worst case scenarios but yesterday, I couldn't care less. Baba had rerouted me. He was in charge. He was my pilot and captain navigating his best to divert Fenjal’s path and see me back home safe and sound.
Sleeping it off restfully like an infant would in a rocking cradle, I only woke up to the announcement of the aircraft’s descent at Changi international. What a perfect touchdown! I was home!
Surrendering to the Almighty is THE key to manifestation.
With a major surgery as an open heart ASD Closure, I braved it all with my mother as my supreme caregiver for the last 3 months, with her prayers, her relentless sacrifices, sleepless nights, her meditation and her affirmations. I could never repay her in this lifetime including the next few.
Behind the dismal, cold, stormy clouds of Fenjal, the sun was still dazzling warmly celebrating our reunion.
Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear lived happily ever after while Mama Bear now takes a much needed hibernation from all social media until she decides when the season of winter ends for her.
There is a spring after every frost but I could very well take a detour and explore more valuable pursuits in life.
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