Vidur's flight to Hyderabad

Vidur is now a big boy and all of his (almost) 2 years. He refuses to be carried when he wants to run around. He refuses to walk when he wants to be carried and most often than not, he gets his way. December end is vacation time all over the world and I am one of the few lucky people whose company shuts down for Christmas and New Years. This winter, Vidur and I planned to visit his paternal grandparents in Secunderabad.

I opted to travel by flight. I could bear to think of a night train journey alone with Vidur. I was quite sure he would drive me crazy. Rajeev left us at the airport. As soon as I scanned my luggage at the Air India counter, I saw two really huge lines. Basically, two counters were open and passengers for all flights were standing awaiting their turn. Vidur was sitting on top on my luggage on the trolley. He was enjoying the ride and therefore, hated it when I stopped to stand in the queue. The queue barely moved. Everyone was discussing with each other as to what the problem could be. Vidur in the meantime was getting restless and was miming away asking me to take him to the left or right. I tried to keep him occupied by giving him a piece of paper to tear.

My flight to Hyderabad was at 4:15. The gentleman standing in front of me asked me where I was going. He was also going to Hyderabad and was alarmed that it was 3:45. He said he would check with somebody. In the meantime, Vidur got off the trolley and started walking towards the exit. I stayed where I was, thinking he would turn back and check if he was being followed. But the brave boy just kept walking very purposefully. I had to run and carry him back to where my luggage was. Traveling light is an alien concept after you have a kid in the family. Finally, the kind gentleman told me that a separate queue had been formed for Hyderbad. Lucky for him, he was the first in that queue. I was the fourth. Another really long wait. I was seriously beginning to wonder is the Air India groundsman had fallen asleep over the passenger's tickets. Vidur was not totally bored. He ran off towards the security check. I went and got him back. He did not want to stand in the queue and therefore, saw it necessary to lie flat on the floor. The bachelors standing behind me the queue were witness to all this. They were extremely tickled. I realized how funny and cute the situation would have seemed to an outsider. But I was definetely and trule HASSLED. I cursed myself for traveling with check in baggage. Finally, I passed on a bottle of milk to Vidur. He was occupied for sometime. It was almost my turn and I was going to cry with relief. It was 4 now. A lady in brown salwar and long straight hair trotted to the begining of the queue and pushed her ticket forward. It was my turn and I was so furious. I asked her, 'Madam, do you see this long queue. We have been waiting for so long. How can you cut it?' She says "Sorry, but my flight is at 4:25." To this I replied, 'Oh really? My flight is at 4:15. I am a hassled mother do not mess with me!' By now both she and the AI staff were looking alarmed. He pushed her ticket back to her and asked for mine. I put my luggage on the weighing scale. AI uncle said 'Oh this does not seem to be working!' He then spent a good minutes trying to figure out whether my name was Archana Narayan or Nayanan A (as they write in tickets). He asked me and I gave him a look that meant that this is Airline terminology and I do not understand. After consultation with a fellow uncle, he finally gave me my boarding pass. You would think they would be efficient with small things such as check in! It was painful! I headed for the security check. An old lady was trying to adjust her baggage into the screening belt. I was waiting my turn, when the same lady in brown salwar cut the queue for the second time and tried to shove her luggage in. I yelled again 'There you go again! What is your problem?' She managed to look sorry but I wonder what gives some women the right to cut queues and demand special treatment!

Finally, I was in the plan. The plane did not take off till 5:00. The captain announced that the delay was caused by lost passengers. I was so tempted to get up and say it is because of your terribly slow grounds staff. But my hands were full. Vidur was very happy to see the small TV screen. He was bored soon thought. I had to do several things to ensure that he sat in one place for a whole hour. I wish the planes would have a kids area where they can play. Imagine they would be happy and will not bother others. Changing diapers is another challenge in the plane. Anyway, I was glad it was finally over...