The Big Journey

So the day finally comes. I am so excited to begin the next chapter of my life. The thing I wanted for so long, is actually happening. I am pretty thankful to the Almighty for the blessings till now. I remember the time when I actually felt upset and almost gave up on things. I never lost hope actually. We only live once. Maybe reincarnation occurs. But we are never sure of that. So let's just use the life we are living now and make the most out of it.

When I received the scholarship to study in the UK, I was almost dancing. I was so nervous though during the interview, I can still remember. My voice was literally shaking. I did have some other amazing opportunities. I hope I have chosen the correct one and this is the beginning of an amazing journey.

So finally the day has arrived when I need to start my journey towards the United Kingdom. I have to take almost three flights and now I am at the Delhi international airport, waiting for the third one.

It was an emotional moment for me when I broke down at the Dibrugarh airport yesterday. My mom was crying holding me. Sometimes she just seems like a 7 year old and excited about everything in life. She inspires me. And so does my dad. I don't know whether he was trying to hide his emotions so that I don't fall weak or if he is literally immensely strong. I should learn more from him. His mental strength did bring my mom back to life many years back. Maybe we are all like a small family of survivors trying to live our lives to the most we can.

The guy at the Dibrugarh airport asked me whether I am fine carrying so many luggage. I did carry heavy ones, two though and a light traveler trolley, as per the directions given to us by the University team to bring us safe and light to our respective halls of residence. I showed my international ticket printout as well as the domestic airline printout and my ID. There it was. The ticket towards the International Airport. I crossed security check and waited for my flight to board. There was still plenty of time left, roughly around 2 hours. When I called Daddy he was still waiting at the airport, waiting for my call to know that I was fine and whether I crossed all the strenuous things inside the airport alone. Don't you feel sometimes to be like a millionaire and buy everything and do everything for your parents so that they don't have to spend anything for us anymore, even their valuable time? I am sure you do. I do too. I just wish I were a millionaire you know.

I boarded the Indigo flight from Dibrugarh to Delhi at 2:40 PM on 18th September 2018 and reached Kolkata at around 4:20 PM. I had to change my flight in Kolkata to go to the Delhi domestic airport.

Finally I reached Delhi domestic airport at 9.40 PM on 18th. I was having all mixed emotions as I was walking towards the baggage counter. I am still a little amazed and a little sad and happy at the same time.

As I am sitting in this airport and looking around, I can see all sorts of people. Happy ones, sad ones, the ones waiting eagerly to meet the loved ones coming from another part of the world or the ones talking over the phones with their loved ones. People of different ages, different shapes and with different purposes. I needed to wait for the night at the airport and board the flight for the Heathrow International Airport from the Delhi International Airport on 19th. I have to board the flight at around 1 pm and reach Heathrow at 6:20 pm UK time.

I reached Delhi around 10 pm. I had awesome food that my mom cooked for me and packed with love and affection. I am missing them. Family is everything.

So the clock is ticking and I am listening to music, reading a novel or watching people. I have called everyone in my family. When I look around, the faces speak more than people actually speak. It's so intriguing to see so many emotions at one platform. I remember rainbows suddenly, I can't exactly figure out why.

It was midnight yesterday when I was relaxing with all the other people that were still waiting to commute. Maybe for the next flight or for the next day. "It's a big day tomorrow," I told myself.

I felt sleepy at 2 AM. I also wanted to change into something appropriate for "The UK Flight." The toilet seemed vacant and there wasn't much crowd at that time. Only few people were waiting like me. I watched as people came, went and started coming again.

I freshened up at around 3:30 AM and needed a coffee so badly. The shops inside the airport were still open, I thanked the Almighty. There wasn't quite a lot of shops actually which were open. At least people could have some coffee and midnight meal. I felt terribly sleepy and rushed to the coffee shop.

Around 5 AM everyone in the family started calling me and inquired and advised me for the big day. It was still kind of dark to look for a bus outside.

It was 6:30 AM-ish when I took the airport shuttle and reached the other terminal at the Delhi International Airport. I videotaped a bit of the surroundings. The international ticket counter opens almost 4 hours before the flight time. So till then, I am just chilling inside the airport.

The queue has already started for the international departure even before 8 o'clock for the UK-bound flight which is at around 1 PM.

I have checked in with my luggage, crossed the immigration procedures and now am waiting for the flight. And I am nervous, Gosh!

Yeay, the time has come. I have boarded the Jet Airways flight for the United Kingdom. I feel so excited. The call sessions with family start again.

Time is going fast. I have watched two movies, listened to some songs and played some games in the small screen TV attached to the back of the front seat. Then there is food every time and whatever drink one likes. So apparently everyone has been really busy doing one thing or the other or chatting perhaps. I interacted with the people in my row. They all seem to be having amazing time there. The food was good. I preferred the non-veg meals out of habit. It's almost a 9 hours flight. Finally as we are about to reach, we are getting some ice creams. Yeay....

Oh the plane has been landing. Finallyyyyyyy I have reached. It's around 5:30 PM in Heathrow and we are early. Wowww.......here I come to the land of strangers with hopes, memories and dreams in my heart as well as love and blessings of my loved ones...it's a new day for me to a new life. I can see the airport building now from inside the flight amidst the queue of people who are eagerly waiting to step out and venture into their own endeavors. And I am no different!!!

Let's begin.