Davis was on his way to Europe, his first time ever, pursuing his higher studies. A daring attempt it had been. it all started a year back when he had just completed his engineering.” what next?” was the question he was asked many a time. Even though he had no clue what was next he used to tell them he wanted to go for an MBA and specialise in marketing. People always looked at a person who knew what he wanted as the responsible one. Davis never understood it though. One should consider a person more responsible if he says something like I have not figured it out yet. I want to do some research and find out what I like and then decide. Now there was someone who was thorough, he always used to argue. But then people used to retort saying "oh after engineering MBA is the best" well why? He wanted to ask but he put a lid on it. For one, who cares what they thought. They would probably say something like mmm...because some relative of his did engineering and then an MBA and landed this fabulous job in some part of the U.S where I imagine was in the middle of nowhere. This is how a lot of the things happened where he came from. People just followed what they were told or what was popular not thinking for a minute if it would do them good or if there were other "not so popular" options that were better. There is a joke that goes: a Nair (a very common family name in India) landed in Dubai one day ...he tried and tried and finally on the third day landed a job. He spoke of riches and the good life and promised visas to many members of his family. Couple of months later there were 10 more Nairs in Dubai and more and more. It all started with one person’s exaggeration and now the Dubai govt is thinking of naming a city "Nairdubai".
Davis opened the fridge and grabbed a can of coke. The question had still remained "what do I do next?” He knew for one he wanted to get out, see the world and be free, independent, fly where his eye could see no one to ask him why? How? When? Who with? But how would he go about it? Where would he start? He ran his fingers through his hair and pulled at his hair. He remembered those days when he was a kid and all he had to choose between was if he wanted the blue ball or the red one, a snickers or a mars. Life was better then. That’s why they called it the good old days he thought. That made him smile a little. I should relax and see what happens he thought. It’s not the end of the world. There’s tones of time and I’m in no hurry...
"Ding!.... good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry to inform you that we have encountered some turbulence. I would like everyone to fasten their seatbelts and we should be back to smooth sailing soon...thank you”. Click click click, Davis heard seatbelts being clicked everywhere. He thought it funny how people reacted and his mind went wild thinking he could actually, possibly co-ordinate all the clicking to make some good music.
Sure he was excited. His thoughts shifted towards his new life in Europe, Barcelona to be precise. New place, new friends a new adventure on its own. He always had dreamed of going to Europe, he was fascinated by the people the way they were free and the way they lived life like they chose to, doing what they felt like. He had hated how back home society had dictated what could be done and what could not, without any rationale, just because that was how it was done for generations. Yes for sure he was excited .it was going to be one hell of an adventure! He felt at peace now. Davis closed his eyes and pushed his chair back. It’s all going to be great.
He was awakened by the announcement on the speaker above. He was going to land in Paris soon. He pulled his seat back upright and looked out of the window. The evening sun had mad the clouds glow with an orangish tinge. It looked picturesque. Paris, one of the most romantic cities on the planet. He pondered on what it will be like even though he was just transiting.
People were now opening the overhead lockers as the plane came to a halt. They all seemed weary and eager to leave the craft and go back to their busy lives. Davis seemed to be the only one on the entire aircraft with his face all lit up. It was all new to him. He knew though he had to rush .his next flight to Barcelona was only one hour away. He remembered how he had argued with his dad to book another flight so he could spend more time in Paris. “Why? It is more than enough time "his dad had said. And once his dad had spoken that was it. There was no discussion. That was how things were. But he had thought the world of his father. He had been the one person in the whole world Davis always wanted to be like, responsible, all organised, and never late always prompt and never forgot anything. People back home had come to respect him. He was an honorable man that they all loved. He had his differences with his dad especially in the way he thought and the way he saw life, in a more open free minded spirit. He was often called 'daring' by his other cousins, who envied the freedom he enjoyed, because he always fought with everyone and as far as possible did things the way he believed in. his aunts and uncles used to tell their children “Davis is spoilt, his parents give him too much freedom. See how he goes out with his friends and comes back late.” some used to say he had been spotted in the city with one too many girls. But he was least bothered. For him as long his mom and dad were ok with things there were no problems. Little did he realise then that he was an odd apple. He would soon prove himself to be different from them all so much that his mom and dad would begin thinking and worrying about the way he was going. Nothing wrong of course just that the underlying concept of the generation gap couldn’t have been more pronounced.
The first step out of the plane and a whish of cool air hit his face. People pulled their coats closer. All Davis wanted to do was stretch his arms out and feel the air gently caressing his whole body. He had always had an inclination towards the cold. It was much better than the humidity back home that made him sweat. I’m going to love Europe he thought.
He walked through the glass channels at the Charles-de Gaulle airport. Gate 1-4 that way, 5-8 that way it was a maze. Mmm which one should I take? he pulled out his ticket and glanced at the red print that read gate no 6.ok that way. He walked briskly keeping a closed tab on the time. It looked nearby. His dad was right as usual there would be enough time. He had hated when that happened. 'His dad being right as usual' it had always made him feel like a fool. Ever so occasionally his dad had been wrong, but in matters of something related to technology or something that his dad didn’t understand much. Then he used to feel bad and wished he was 'right as usual’. He wanted him to be the greatest perfect person no matter what. The gate was further though. There was quite a queue in front too. Oh not a queue he thought. He hated waiting in a line, his resentment surpassed only by his hatred for stairs.
"Next" the man shouted. His turn had come. “Passport and ticket please”. He handed his documents. The officer looked at his passport then back at him and then back at the passport and then back at him again. Davis though "oh shit the same problem everywhere" he had cut his hair short and lost weight since that passport photograph and it always created a problem. Please wait here sir, “next" he continued. After the line cleared the officer turned to Davis and said, “Please follow me sir.” Davis reluctantly followed. He thought of the damn French and how it was only common sense that people change. The officer took him to his office and said “sir why are you traveling to Barcelona?"
"I am going to study there"
"Where?"
"In 'The Academy', it is a business school"
"Do you have any documents to prove that?"
mmm...to prove that? He thought. Why should i prove it? You can take my word for it if you want to he thought. He had all the documents with him but he wasn’t about to just pull them out and show them.
"No sir, I was granted admission and i have come on a student visa”, he said.
"Ok, please wait"
This cannot be happening he thought. the damn French now became the bloody French! After a while Davis realised that his characteristic cancerian stubbornness would only make him miss his flight and mess up things further. So he pulled out his fees payment receipt which had the ESADE logo on it and approached the office.
"Excuse me? Will this help?"
The officer glanced at it and Davis could make out that he had no idea what was written, all the script being in Spanish. After a moment's silence he said “yes sir, you may proceed".
Davis turned took his bag on his shoulders and hadn't taken his first step when the officer said "excuse me. T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U?"
Thank you for what he thought, his veins popping out his head. But he put on a brilliant smile and said "thank you" and moved on.
From there on till the security check it was all French this and French that. Finally 15 minutes before boarding time Davis made it to the boarding gate. "Oh I need some nicotine and a dose of caffeine" he thought aloud and marched on with his bag. The bag had begun to resemble an elephant on his back. he though of those days back home where he had somebody for everything - to wash his clothes, carry his bag, drive him around. He was king back home. He never though he would so soon, but "I do miss home" he thought!
continue to Chapter II
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