into a connecting flight to States. One thing that Bhupinder hated for sure was to go to California. But it seems there was no choice something he told himself every time.
When he walked to the center of the transit section he saw the big time table displaying various flight departures times with the gate at which the passenger is suppose to board.
Bhupinder read it carefully and soon found he had to walk to gate 23. He dragged his wheel equipped bag, having another bag on his back carrying a lap top. He was amazed to see the swine flue effect still seen on the airport with people wearing masks. When he was moving to the gate he saw a Starbucks opening and decided to divert there.
There were a few chairs lying there and most of them seemed empty. He watched a woman who was busy, playing a popular car racing game on her lap top. He placed his bag besides her chair and then collapsed on to the chair. The sudden movement towards her right distracted Rajinder who was very focussed on the game by that time. She frowned at the man besides her, who returned a wide smile. She looked back on her lap top and restarted the game.
Bhupinder observed her play the game. He opened his mouth twice and then again shut it up without saying anything. Then he looked at her ticket which was poking out of the carry bag, he read the flight number CX685 and destination BOM which meant Mumbai India.
Rajinder, paused the game and gave a very cold look to the man besides her. It seemed she was not much happy with the neighbor. Bhupinder finally said "Wondering if you would like to have a cup of coffee...........I was going to the counter...may be a caffè latte.....hello......I thought......on me................................"
Rajinder was not happy with the offer, she wanted to say something in anger, but she quietly said "No, I don't want it......and it would be good if you don't disturb me......"
Bhupinder adjusted his bag and as if he did not hear the earlier comment asked the same question again, this time Rajiner only nodded and agreed perhaps she thought
it was the only way to stop her troublesome neighbor.
When Bhupinder walked towards the counter, Rajinder quickly turned around to see him, she had a cunning smile. On his return with the two cups, she sipped one and frowned, "Thats bad very bad........." Bhupinder gave a worried look, He kept his cup down near his bag, "Really, wait I will go again and get a new one......." Bhupinder took more time than before however the end result was the same, Rajinder rejecting it. His own cup was now cold, and so he got an ice coffee for himself again. After an exercise of 20 mins, and shelling 30 dollars an exhausted Bhupinder sat down on the ground, almost about to cry and then he said
"Rajinder I am sorry, but it was not planned, an emergency, I know its bad that you are going to Mumbai and same time I am going back to States, but its just part of our job and I know I did promise to be with you when you return............" Rajinder had tears in her eyes, she touched his cheeks as Bhupinder got into his chair. Rajinder moved towards him, rested her head on his shoulder.Bhupinder pulled the passport that was in her sweater. He read it, just out of habit, he looked at the passport photo he had accompanied his wife when she had gone to take that photo....................
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