To trust or not

Chapter 2

CHAPTER-2

SIBLINGS

It was 3 p.m. when the Kapoor siblings reached Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 3. They had driven from Ghaziabad, a crazy, maddening drive through the notorious Delhi traffic. And it was not yet peak hour, when offices gave over and the whole world seemed to converge onto Delhi roads……with blaring horns, wailing ambulance sirens and autos sticking their noses into any and every nook or cranny available.

The wide road along the Mahipalpur flyover was a relief to get onto, as Shikhar expertly guided the car into the lane they needed to take for the airport.

‘Keep an eye on the sign-boards, Di, I don’t want to take any wrong turn,’ he told his elder sister, Shikha.

She was to fly to Tokyo, having secured a job in a multi-national company. She wasn’t really keen to be so far away from home but it was her family’s wish that she get some international exposure and learn to be on her own, ready for wherever destiny might take her.

They finally reached the airport premises. Thankfully they hadn’t faced any traffic snarls or jams along the way. They had left home early so as to keep a comfortable margin for any such eventuality. After parking the car, they made their way into the terminal building.

‘Have you noted the stall number the car is parked in, Shikhar?’ she asked.

‘Yes, Di. I clicked a picture,’ he replied, steering her luggage cart carefully into the lift.

They reached the exit and a gust of hot air burst into their nostrils. Airports are always hotter than city areas and it was especially so with IGI airport, what with soaring temperatures in the ever-polluted capital city. They crossed over to the main building, dodging the slew of taxis and cars driving up with passengers.

Her flight was to take off at 7.30 p.m. so they had an hour before she needed to report at the gate. They decided to sit at the small café and have coffee. Shikhar was most concerned about his sister stepping out into the world for the first time. For the nth time, he explained to her what to do when she went into the airport, where the display boards would be, the check-in counters, security check, boarding pass and what not.

‘It’s not the first time I’m taking a flight, Bhai!’ she said, exasperated. ‘I know how to read signs and maps.’

‘Oh dear! I almost forgot! Did you bring along the map of Tokyo I gave you? Did you go through it? Do you remember you have to take the N’EX train from the airport? And Shibuya station? Memorise all these things, please,’ he said yet again.

She only smiled at him, this time, knowing how he felt about her going away. She felt the same herself. They had been friends since childhood and he had always been like her shadow and shield from all things unpleasant. They shared the deepest of secrets and a bond difficult to come by in this day and age.

At last, it was time for her to go. Shikhar couldn’t stop himself from instructing her as he walked her to gate number 5. She only hugged him tight in return….he hugged her back, for as long as he could. Then, she got swept along the queue and was soon lost in the crowd inside. He stood outside trying to catch a final glimpse as she stood in line to check-in her luggage.

‘Be safe, Di. I love you,’ he whispered through the glass, conscious of the people around him, choking back tears. With heavy steps he started for the parking lot, mouthing prayers for her. Once in the car, he couldn’t hold back any longer and broke down, sobbing his heart out.

Meanwhile, in the terminal, Shikha stood in line at the counter. She headed straight for security check after the formalities were over. Once through that, she sat in the Privilege Lounge, staring at her phone, through her tears. She dialled her brother’s number twice, but disconnected before the call went through, well aware that it would be impossible for her to speak. She sat there, listless, wondering how she would get by without her family. The announcement of the flight broke her reverie. She quietly made her way down to the departure area, with tear-stained cheeks and moist eyes.