Decades ago,I had promised my then fiancee (now wife)that I would take her to the enchanting Far East for our honeymoon. A New job, a new venture and the responsibilities of raising a family forced us to put off our jaunt abroad immidiately.Years later,my better half reminded me,none too gently of my unfulfilled promise . By then,I had some spare time and spare money and was able to make good on my pledge Albeit belatedly.It was in the mid Eighties,and the company had very generously allowed for the first time in annual foreign exchange worth US$750 per person for travels abroad. The trip, which took us to five far eastern destinations,was like 'if it's Monday,we must be in Manila!'
Strangely enough,the highpoint of our expedition took place right at the outset when we started our trip at Madras.We went through various formalities of checking in at the airport .After security check,we processed to immigration,where we produced our passports and boarding passes.As the immigration officer was about to stamp his endorsements,a gentlemen from the airlines came up to us and asked for our boarding passes.We got worried,thinking there was something amiss with our travel documents.
The man casually told us,'Congratulations' we are upgrading your tickets to first class -- our compliments of the Airlines . Have a nice trip!'He then stapled the First class boarding passes onto our respective security checked economy class passes .We were left speechless.Even before we could bring ourselves around to thanking the gentlemen he had melted into the crowd.We were thrilled to bits to say the least .In anticipation we could hardly stand the long wait in the departure lounge.--well we had to literally stand,as the limited chairs were all occupied.Hakf an hour later, the flight was announced.
Remnants of niggling doubts in our minds whether it wasn't some practical jokes being played on us vanished when two smiling airhostess ushered us to the first class section of the plane.It was indeed pleasent experience flying first class.We were treated to the best of wines,best of food and excellent music.The three hour flight wa hardly felt in the spacious and well appointed surroundings.We were mollycoddled in keeping with the motto with the Airline.--We treat you like Gold --and we wished the flight lasted longer.
As the old adage goes:'All good things must end'.We heard the Captain announce that we were approaching the Kuala Lumpur airport .He then nonchalantly added,'Ladies and Gentlemen we have lost one engine.We will be making and emergency landing at Kuala Lumpur International airport.Please fasten your seatbelts and stay calm.'Follow emergency landing instructions '.A ripple of Alarm ran through the occurance of the aircraft . All the passengers started praying to their respective gods.I turned to my wife and said,
'Oh Dear!What a way to go.'She surprised me with a cool reply,'First class's!'Just then the aircraft lurched violently.The bejeweled Tamil lady seated on the next asile got hysterical and howled:'O Kada Vale'!Ayyo Kada vale!O Murga!We could hear her philosophical husband trying to calm her,Just imagine this is our flight to heaven;if the worst happens it could be quite painless and be over in a flash'. He got a mouthful from his wife who was not amused. There was total panic in the cabin.The aircraft was flying almighty tilted to one side.I held my wife's hand and we looked at eachother.'Looks like this is it',I sighed.Just then, a funny thought crossed my mind:'God must have upgraded us to first class because we were destined to heaven.And those souls in cattle class must be headed for hell!'.I wanted to share this crazy notion with my wife but the captain nervously announced that he was going to land the big wounded bird. The Airhostess came on the intercom to remind all he passengers to follow the safety instructions.Suddernly there was an absolute silence as the aircraft made an alarmingly rapid decent.
The aircraft shuddered violently as it approached the landing strip,and we could see scores of fire engine's, ambulances and rescue teams on full alert.The tension amongst the passengers was palpable.The landing was rough and hair raising.There was a collective sigh of relief from all the passengers after the bumpy but safe touch down.As soon as the aircraft came to a halt there was loud cheering,and profuse thanking by their respective gods.The Captain and the cabin crew recieved a standing ovation . Our First class flight turned out to be a first class escapade as well. As they say:All is well that ends well;and here I am,happy to be on terra firma to tell you the tale.
