The next morning we awoke to our last Jalebi with breakfast. During our final discussion we spoke of experiences and learning and memories, but what mattered most was what wasn't said. The feeling inside us all, of having to leave behind a good friend. A city that had slowly begun to dwell in our hearts and our souls.
At the Varanasi airport, I was at the lag end of the line. When there were just 4 of us left, yet to get our boarding passes, commotion broke out ahead of us and soon it became clear, ever people with confirmed tickets were being declined seats. A mismatch in the aircraft meant the flight was already full. And so we waited in line for far longer than the others had, and finally somehow got our passes and moved ahead, exhausted and frustrated. And then we realised, we had been given business class seats! So the four of us, previously cursing our luck and loathing our classmates for getting ahead of us, now strolled through security with our heads held high, and proudly announced to the rest of them - we'd be flying business class tonight. What a hilariously perfect end to the trip.
When we landed at Delhi, filled with remorse since our time of luxury (and cheese sandwiches with Gulab Jamun) had ended. Our connecting flight to Bangalore had already begun boarding, so we ran through the airport to get to it. And somehow, before we even knew it, we were home.
Just like that, it was over.
When did we even leave and where did those eight days of wonder disappear?
We got back late, and already the monotony of normalcy was settling upon us.
Yet those eight days continue to live on in our minds, as Kashi continued to dwell in our souls.
At the Varanasi airport, I was at the lag end of the line. When there were just 4 of us left, yet to get our boarding passes, commotion broke out ahead of us and soon it became clear, ever people with confirmed tickets were being declined seats. A mismatch in the aircraft meant the flight was already full. And so we waited in line for far longer than the others had, and finally somehow got our passes and moved ahead, exhausted and frustrated. And then we realised, we had been given business class seats! So the four of us, previously cursing our luck and loathing our classmates for getting ahead of us, now strolled through security with our heads held high, and proudly announced to the rest of them - we'd be flying business class tonight. What a hilariously perfect end to the trip.
When we landed at Delhi, filled with remorse since our time of luxury (and cheese sandwiches with Gulab Jamun) had ended. Our connecting flight to Bangalore had already begun boarding, so we ran through the airport to get to it. And somehow, before we even knew it, we were home.
Just like that, it was over.
When did we even leave and where did those eight days of wonder disappear?
We got back late, and already the monotony of normalcy was settling upon us.
Yet those eight days continue to live on in our minds, as Kashi continued to dwell in our souls.
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