Searching for my keys to room 411, I was feeling tired. Had a long day and was thinking of taking a nap for a while. Still searching for my keys and my cell phone beeped. A reminder or a message? So much tired that I did not even bother to look at it and just wanted that noise to stop and so I hit it in my pocket and it stopped. Unlocked the door and threw my laptop bag and hit on the bed.
I was having a long tiring days in Doha Qatar where I was on for a meeting and finalization of an order with our client. An evening of 29th April 2008, when I was pleased to find out that I managed to do the job better than was expecting and could bag the long awaited order and had a good client meet. Siemens Mumbai, where I worked, had sent me to Doha Qatar for negotiation of a big order and for addressing some issues with the previous order. The meeting was a success and I was feeling proud carrying back home the contract copy with me. I looked at the watch and then remembered that I had to go to dinner to celebrate the success of the order. Suddenly at 9:30 pm, the phone rang, and what do I see its my best friend calling and then I suddenly remembered that it was 30th April already in India, my 25th birthday had begun. The next day morning I had to go to the client’s office for an hour and when I reached there was a big cake for me with a card. This was perhaps a very rare and unique occasion wherein the client has given a treat to me.
With the entire luggage then I headed off to the Doha International Airport. My flight was at 10 with a halt of about 2 hours at Dubai airport. Searching for the counter of the Emirates, the lady sitting there asked for my tickets and passport to issue the boarding pass. The morning cake and the previous night calls helped me in reviving from the long days I had but at the back of my mind I was thinking that I will be reaching Mumbai not before 9 in the night. So no party and no time to hang out as I was living alone. Moreover most of the times I will have to keep my cell phone switched off as I would be in the flight. So no enjoyment this year on my silver jubilee. With such a lousy feeling I handed over my e-ticket and was searching for my passport. “Where the hell it is!” I cried in my mind. In the mid of all these thoughts, suddenly in a shrill voice the lady spoke “Happy Birthday, Mr. Jambekar. Emirates is privileged to provide you best service on your birthday. Let me see what I can do for you.” I started searching for television in the airport whether they had broadcasted me that it was my birthday then suddenly a frightening feeling run down my spine – did I do something wrong that has made be popular suddenly? What stupid thoughts! She was having my passport which I had kept on the table. Phew! It’s scary to lose your passport in another country. Have heard a lot of such scary stories. I started thinking again as to what she can do, give me a window seat, free Emirates pen, what? “We have upgraded your seat to the Business Class. Hope you have a wonderful flight. Here is your boarding pass upto Dubai and your onward boarding pass which you will have to show at the Dubai airport.” Suddenly her shrill voice sounded sweet.
Thrilled, happy and elated were the exact feelings that anyone at the airport could see on my face. In the flight I was given the best treatment with all sorts of facilities and the best attention. The sight outside the window was looking more beautiful from the business class seat than normal economy class seat. Unfortunately, the flight was only for one hour before I landed in Dubai airport where there was a halt of 2 hours and change of flight. Was hoping to get similar gesture for the on-going flight but the flight from Dubai to Mumbai was full already. Busy shopping at the Dubai airport and answering birthday calls, it was a nice and different kind of birthday that I could have imagined though I was alone celebrating it.
Business Class ... Cake by client ..sahi hain
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