It happened on a Wednesday!!
With a flight scheduled at 7:30am to reach New Delhi at 10am, the day started off with a surprise. A shock rather! Not only did I wake up at a staggeringly unusual 4:30am without an alarm, I also managed to get the rest of my family off their sleep. The cuckoo struck 5 as I climbed the stairs to the terrace. A few shouts of protest were yelled out at me by my cousins for disturbing their precious sleep.
A cool breeze welcomed me as I entered the terrace. The floor was a little wet due to the late night showers. I could hear the birds sing at a distance. The flowers in the pots had just blossomed and it was another reason for me to wonder at the beauty of mother nature. It had been a long time since I had seen the sunrise. It was a sheer joy to view the rays of the sun chasing away the darkness. I swear, I almost turned a poet then. It was a very important day for me. A day that would decide my destiny. I just looked at infinity and prayed. Cursing myself for waking up late all these days, I climbed down the stairs.
The previous night was quite busy for all of us. There was a party to attend, shopping to be done and of course the packing for the four day trip. So it was quite obvious to see almost everyone being in a not so active mood. But something was wrong with me that day. Since I'm referred to as the personification of laziness by everyone at home, they were shocked to see me getting ready on time. Finally, we managed to leave at around 6am to the airport. 'We' here includes my parents, grandparents, uncle-aunt and two of my cousins. Yah, and me as well!
The drive to the airport was rather a quick one due to negligible traffic. It was quite startling to imagine that these very streets of 'Namma Bengaluru', now quiet and serene, would soon turn into a pandemonium once the city wakes up.
But there was a considerable amount of restlessness within me throughout. However, all I could do was hope for the best.
With the 'Suprabhatam' playing in the background due to the insistence of my grandparents, we reached the airport. The TV outside the airport read '6-E 414: Now Boarding'. I just remember that we picked our luggage and rushed to the counter and finished the procedures.
The smiling air-hostess with a badge reading 'Ms. Priscilla Simmons’ pinned on her uniform welcomed us. It was quite funny to see my fellow travelers on this early morning flight . Few fat ones with round faces, few businessmen with well-fed faces, few old ones with wrinkled faces and few pretty faces that make you say 'Wow!'. But all of them had sleepy eyes. Give them a pillow and it seemed they wouldn't wake up anytime soon.
Somehow, I managed to take the window seat after a fight with my cousin brother who happens to be 7 years younger to me! As the flight took off, I could see my city through bird's eye. It was beautiful! Something within me asked "Will you return back to your city with your dreams alive?" The prayers continued.
All of my family members went for a nap. But I could not sleep. I soon got nostalgic. Looking at the blue skies and the clouds through the window, I wished I could fly. I wished I could be special. I thought of the last 8 months of my life and my eyes soon responded. I had lots at stake. It was my final lifeline. I wished I could prove everyone wrong!
It was 9:47am by my watch when the pilot announced the landing. Something within me said that Delhi would make my day special. As I took my handbag from the closet above, I switched on my cellphone. We soon took the stairs and got down the flight after another pleasant smile from Ms. Priscilla. I barely managed a smile though. Everyone except me and my cousin took the first bus to the airport from the place of landing. I was praying. My cellphone started to ring. I took a deep breath and answered the call.
It was my sister over the phone. Her tone revealed it all as she said 'Hello'. I almost jumped! But I had to confirm it. With some effort I asked "Akka, what happened?" Surprisingly she did not create much suspense and said "IIT Bombay- Chemical Engineering Dual Degree." I could hardly speak! I told her to repeat. I had never felt so heavy in life.
Everything seemed to burst from within. I managed to say "Luckily I made it. I'm too happy. Thank God." "You deserve it. I'm proud of you. I'll speak to you later. It's only 5am for us now. I'm too sleepy. You are right, I'm lazier than you. Bye" and my sister hung up. My cousin brother was standing next to me. He had always thought of IIT to be an Indian branch of the MIT, since he is from the US. He was too excited and promised to inform all his friends that his cousin is getting admitted to an MIT!
It took me a minute to calm down. We took the second bus and I soon broke the news to my family at the luggage collection counter. My parents were visibly proud. After exchanging hugs, I soon found that a few fellow travellers wanting to speak to me. A middle-aged man dressed in casuals congratulated me saying "I have a relative who studied there. Your parents must be lucky to have a boy like you." A young couple too came forward and wished me. I felt like a star. I realized that one can fly without wings. I felt special.
I don't think I have ever made 23 calls within an hour! I called up my mentor, teachers, friends, cousins. I was too excited. This made my day even special.
Few had inspired me. Few had guided me. Few had pushed me ahead. I felt lucky. I went to the rest room. I looked at myself in the mirror. I felt that I looked different. I felt I was more than happy. I splashed water on my face and moved towards the exit. The entire world looked beautiful. I was constantly smiling.
The day had more to offer. We soon left for Agra at around 11am. The journey through the humble villages was quite an experience. The Taj Mahal looks great on paper. But in reality it's nothing short of divine. I was spell-bound when I stood in front of it. It's beauty is beyond words. It was a spellbinding feeling that you get to experience once a life-time. We started our journey back to Delhi. We were at the capital by 8:30pm. We stayed at The Lalit. Never before had I stayed at a five-star overnight. The buffet for dinner was nothing short of an extravaganza. Given that I'm a foodie, I simply enjoyed the wide-ranges of fruits, bread, starters, meat, rice, desserts, chocolates that were offered. It was some meal!
Our room was on the 12th floor. Through the huge window, the Connaught place looked spectacular. The view was heavenly. My watch struck 11. I reflected back upon the day that never seemed to get over. It was easily the best day of my life. The dawn with nature, morning by the window seat, travelling at noon, symbol of love during the evening, maha meal for dinner and now, the capital before me. And of course the news that would take me to where I had always dreamt to be.
It was the 24th of June, 2009. The day that the allocation of seats to the IIT'S were announced. With a good number doctors in my family already, it was hard to pave my own way. I had crossed the hurdles. I had been lucky in many ways. But fortune favors the brave. I thanked the almighty again. Nothing can better determination backed by hard work. Someone has rightly said that 'It's not about why the chicken crossed the road, but how?!'.
As I went to my bed, I set an alarm for 6am! The wall clock said 11.55pm. I finished my daily routine of prayers and switched off the bed lamp. The day ended for all but to me it was eternal! I felt blessed. Oh yah, all of this happened on a single Wednesday!
