The date 14th Nov '09 kept ringing constantly at the back of my mind since Mifu's departure to Manila for his MDM program in Sep'09.On 14th Nov,I and Raheel were to fly to the Philippines tp join Mifu.
There was just 2 months left and loads of work to complete!To make things systematic, I prepared a things-to-do list and put it up near my study table. Thankfully our visa formalities got over together with Mifu in September. I had to slog hard to complete my tutorial classes.My students looked worried fearing that I may not finish the syllabus in time.On top was my writing assignments with Bookland Publishers.Phew! I was tired. Every evening when I drove back home after a tiring day, I could see the worry in Ma's eyes. Time was flying by and still there was a lot to do! Mifu mailed me another long list of important tasks to be completed before I came. I followed everything accurately lest something is missed out.
Raheel was both excited&sad.Excited because he would meet Mifu after a long break,sad as he would leave behind his Aita&lil'brother Tirus. Rayan, Raheel's best friend, was quite upset to hear about Raheel's long absence.Things were getting pretty emotional on the home front.Ma would shed tears every time the topic of Philippines came up.I knew she would miss Raheel terribly.I was nervous too as it would be my first trip abroad with Raheel alone.However I tried to keep cool&concentrate on the more important tasks.I was sorry to leave behind Ma as I knew she was already missing Mifu and we were to leave soon. And of course, I felt really bad to be away from Baity & Saru for so long.I was given a few goodbye lunch&dinners from the dear mahis & pehi as I geared up for d-day!
The flight from Kolkata to Singapore was scheduled as 11.45pm on 14th Nov.Having checked in early, Raheel & I tried to catch some sleep in the waiting lounge.The departure was announced on time & we boarded a Singapore Airlines aircraft at midnight. I made Raheel comfortable in his seat with the pillows & blanket. He dozed off within minutes of our take off. I tried the late dinner served in the flight but couldn't enjoy it. I was too exhausted!
Around 6am Singapore time(3.30am in India) we landed at Changi Int'nl Airport. I had a difficult time to wake Raheel up. After much struggle he woke up with a grumpy face.But once we were inside the arrival terminal, he cheered up.The interior was really amazing. We freshened up in the clean rest rooms and then walked about in the spacious transit area. It was more like taking a walk in a mall with branded labels alluring the tired travellers!! Raheel was excited to find a shop displaying a model F1 race car and even posed for a photo with it. I sent a quick mail to Mifu from the free internet facility in the airport about our arrival at S'pore.
Around 8am, we moved towards the departure gate for the next flight to Manila. When security & customs clearances were over, we finally boarded Flt. SQ 910 to the Phils! Raheel was glad to know that we need not change more planes & will land directly at Manila. The flight took nearly 3 hours. I hungrily devoured breakfast, having eaten nothing much since the previous night. While Raheel dozed off again, I tried to take a bird's eye view from the window.The captain announced that we were flying over the Manila Bay. Indeed it was a beautiful sight from above! Once we touched down at the Ninoy Aquino Int'nl Airport, the customs clearance went by smoothly,although I was worried about it.After retrieving our baggage we walked excitedly towards the exit. Soon we saw Mifu standing outside with a big grin on his face!! Destination Manila accomplished.
There was just 2 months left and loads of work to complete!To make things systematic, I prepared a things-to-do list and put it up near my study table. Thankfully our visa formalities got over together with Mifu in September. I had to slog hard to complete my tutorial classes.My students looked worried fearing that I may not finish the syllabus in time.On top was my writing assignments with Bookland Publishers.Phew! I was tired. Every evening when I drove back home after a tiring day, I could see the worry in Ma's eyes. Time was flying by and still there was a lot to do! Mifu mailed me another long list of important tasks to be completed before I came. I followed everything accurately lest something is missed out.
Raheel was both excited&sad.Excited because he would meet Mifu after a long break,sad as he would leave behind his Aita&lil'brother Tirus. Rayan, Raheel's best friend, was quite upset to hear about Raheel's long absence.Things were getting pretty emotional on the home front.Ma would shed tears every time the topic of Philippines came up.I knew she would miss Raheel terribly.I was nervous too as it would be my first trip abroad with Raheel alone.However I tried to keep cool&concentrate on the more important tasks.I was sorry to leave behind Ma as I knew she was already missing Mifu and we were to leave soon. And of course, I felt really bad to be away from Baity & Saru for so long.I was given a few goodbye lunch&dinners from the dear mahis & pehi as I geared up for d-day!
The flight from Kolkata to Singapore was scheduled as 11.45pm on 14th Nov.Having checked in early, Raheel & I tried to catch some sleep in the waiting lounge.The departure was announced on time & we boarded a Singapore Airlines aircraft at midnight. I made Raheel comfortable in his seat with the pillows & blanket. He dozed off within minutes of our take off. I tried the late dinner served in the flight but couldn't enjoy it. I was too exhausted!
Around 6am Singapore time(3.30am in India) we landed at Changi Int'nl Airport. I had a difficult time to wake Raheel up. After much struggle he woke up with a grumpy face.But once we were inside the arrival terminal, he cheered up.The interior was really amazing. We freshened up in the clean rest rooms and then walked about in the spacious transit area. It was more like taking a walk in a mall with branded labels alluring the tired travellers!! Raheel was excited to find a shop displaying a model F1 race car and even posed for a photo with it. I sent a quick mail to Mifu from the free internet facility in the airport about our arrival at S'pore.
Around 8am, we moved towards the departure gate for the next flight to Manila. When security & customs clearances were over, we finally boarded Flt. SQ 910 to the Phils! Raheel was glad to know that we need not change more planes & will land directly at Manila. The flight took nearly 3 hours. I hungrily devoured breakfast, having eaten nothing much since the previous night. While Raheel dozed off again, I tried to take a bird's eye view from the window.The captain announced that we were flying over the Manila Bay. Indeed it was a beautiful sight from above! Once we touched down at the Ninoy Aquino Int'nl Airport, the customs clearance went by smoothly,although I was worried about it.After retrieving our baggage we walked excitedly towards the exit. Soon we saw Mifu standing outside with a big grin on his face!! Destination Manila accomplished.
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