India to UK

.....

I will be completing one month on November 5^th here in York, United Kingdom .Things have changed completely in a way that nothing is same. When I left India on 4^th October night (INDIA GST) my excitement was at its peak. It has to be as I was getting closer to my dream. Finally I was heading for my master’s to UK. That one feeling was enough to drive me through that phase of leaving family and friends. On my arrival at London Heathrow airport everything was new and exciting. As shown in Bollywood films, the first feel of air was ‘the moment’J. Happily I called my brother to inform my arrival and to my surprise he will take another two hour to reach airport. According to him I will take another one hour to clear immigration and baggage collection. But all got over in next 15 minute: P and as a result I was asked to wait for next two hour.

London airport is pretty huge with 5 terminals connected by free transit service. As per my brothers order I had to travel from terminal 3 to 5 with my entire luggage (3 bags each 23 kg) through transit without any trolley to carry the cases. Without any assistance I somehow managed to reach terminal five successfully. In the meantime he was still an hour away from airport. It took me 45 minutes for transit: P. Finally at this point I was out of balance on my number making international calls. Using Indian traits I managed to ask one elderly Sikh couple for their mobile to make one local call to inform Mr S (my brother) about my location at terminal 5.

Here I was sitting at London airport waiting for my brother. Everything was the same as described in movies, novels. Glaring around the surrounding for initial few minutes, I felt numb. It was freaking cold: P. I just felt like shouting – ‘please switch off the AC’:P :P :P :P. Sitting at one corner next to costa coffee all alone in new place, finally it was the time when I realised what I left back in India. What I am going to miss big time? Past few years just captured my thoughts and in next few moments I found my eyes filled with tears (nothing surprising) .Finally they had to come out.

It was not the first time I left my home but it was the first time I left India. That one hour made me realise that I won’t be seeing all my people (friends and family) for next one year. After four years in SRM, here I was again for new start. Isha four years ago and Isha now shared some thoughts. There was excitement, anxiety, fear prevailing around. But one thing is different, now I have those special relations to miss which were developed in SRM in past four years.

Suddenly i feel a touch of someone’s hand at my shoulder. Ahhhh finally Mr S is here with his friend and in next second I am walking with him towards car park. Out of all thoughts, speechless just walking besides him and controlling my emotions, hiding my tear ………………………………………………

To be continued…