The genesis of this story starts from our short Dallas trip last week when we met up with my best friend from school days – Avijit Bose – who was visiting his brother in law. At that time, I had enquired after his return itinerary and realized that he would be leaving for Australia from JFK the same evening as Sharmila and Natasha were to leave from India (also from JFK).
I was in New York for work this week anyways. I extended my stay to get a chance to see Sharmila and Natasha off to India. Their flight and my flight was scheduled to start at exactly the same time. However, Avijit’s flight was to start long after mine – so, I did not harbor any thoughts of being able to see him at the airport.
Besides, JFK is a huge airport with 8 terminals and you cannot go from one terminal to another without getting out of secured zone and taking a train.
An idea started taking shape when I found out this morning from Avijit that he was coming from Dallas to JFK by Delta. Dallas being the hub of American Airlines, I had assumed he would be traveling by American.
Quickly checked his flight and realized something. He is coming into the same terminal (4) as my departing flight. In fact, his international flight is also from the same terminal.
And that is when the plan was laid.
After seeing Sharmila and Natasha off at the security queue in Terminal 8, I took the train to Terminal 4, finished off all formalities and waited outside Gate A14. Finally, their flight pulled in and they were one of the first ones to get off. You can see them walking out of the plane as I took a few snaps from the other side.
Then I put the phone in my pocket, hauled the backpack and briskly walked up to them. And like I have done before to surprise others, brushed past Avijit purposely with an audible “Excuse me!”. Avijit instinctively pulled a bit aside as he kept walking. And I kept walking next to him. Staring squarely at him as he looked back at me.
One mississippi… two mississippi… and then it struck him!!
“Arrey, tui? “ (meaning – “Huh? You??”)
We grabbed together a coffee and had some laughs before they had to claim their baggage and do the international check in and I had to run to my plane!!
Another surprise pulled off!!
