We were on the return flight from Pune. Booked it last minute so all of us got single seats far from each other. I was seated on a middle seat between two ladies engaged deep in conversation. I excused myself and sat in the middle feeling a bit awkward to disturb their tet-a-tete.
Initially I just kept listening and thought they must be old friends but gradually I came to know that they had just met. They talked about office work. One of them was in her forties, from America, a single mother of a young girl visiting India for the first time and was all praises for her Boss and Colleagues in India who took great care of her and took her to the places worth visiting in Pune. The other one was in her thirties, doing her masters in UK, married with no children yet. When I told I am 52, they could not believe and said I look very young and don’t look like my age at all, the US friend said your eyes light up like a child, it was truly flattering.
We were a queer group, happily chatting away, the difference of decades just seemed to melt away. I even forgot that my sons and hubby were also on the same flight. The friend from US had a great fear of turbulence in flights and panicked every time it occurred. That is why she also talked a lot, telling all about herself, her breakups, her marriage, the time when she was told she would never have children, her divorce, then her child from a relationship after that. We also got to see pictures of her sweet daughter and present boyfriend who was very supportive. It seemed strange that we talked and advised each other as if we were old friends. We kept on trying to get her mind off the fear of turbulence and talked about ways how it could be dealt.
In the midst of conversation it also occurred to at least ask each other’s names. We introduced ourselves with our first names. As the flight landed, we bid each other goodbye and best wishes for future.
All in all, it was such a great experience and I thought “What was that?” Never had such informal close conversations with strangers before. My sons and hubby met me outside the plane and said “Who were these friends of yours, do you know them from before? You look so happy as if you found your long lost friends.” They could not believe when I told them I had just met them. My son asked me if I had taken their numbers or addresses but we were in such a happy daze that it did not seem necessary.
I thank God for beautiful experiences like these. This is why I love traveling so much. It brings to you new places, new people, new friendships.
Adieu my found and lost friends, May you have a beautiful life, I will remember you and the beautiful happy moments I spent with you ❤️
~ Manisha

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