Madras.. The experience of a lifetime.

Well.

From the first breath I took, I have been enamoured of Chennai. Bred, born and brought up in Chennai, any other town even refuses to be acknowledged as a place worth to live.

Be it in Paris, Madrid, Chicago, New York. My heart beats for Chennai. Any time of my life. Despite all its shortcomings, my city rocks.

This time, when the flight landed at Bombay, I could not still feel as though I was in India. But the flight was delayed by two hours and I was sure the connecting flight was lost to me forever and I could not see the dawn break over Chennai. Disappointed, I took leave of my beloved Bihari.

I walked through a non existent customs check and was rushed through to :::::::::

My flight to MADRAS. It had been waiting for us. It was 4:00 am and I rushed to it as though it was saviour to deliver me from " ".

After a hearty breakfast @ 4:00 am which only Indian Airlines can provide. As a compensation though. The flight was completely empty. It was waiting for us for itwould mean losing passengers. Then after being strongly reminded on Kanchipuram Bus Terminus ,

"Saar, Sriperumbudur, Unndai, Poonthamalli, Porur, Guindy, Ashok Pillar, Koyambedu, eru, eru.. FM radio Mirchi Vandi saar, eru eru. Yamma, antha koodaya eraku. erakku eppo!!!. Poya munnala po edun erukula..eru,...Ticket vanginiya? Kami. sari po. Enga sir pogonum?? (Thirumbi :) Enna sar anga? . erunga saar vandi kelambum.. ellarum vanthathukku appuram..Enna ma anga morappu. eru seekiram. Appan vootu vandiya enna??? Rai rai..(whistle blows) (Yells : somari . vootla soolitu vanthutiya??)"

Literally. Though in high class english, the steward explained to us that the passengers were delayed. The flight could not leave without passengers..high funda operating costs!!! Man!!

I could not even wait for the hour's journey to be over. Impatient to end it quickly, I did the only possible thing : slept off. Then an hour and 10 minutes later..

"Ladies and Gentlemen, In a short while we will be landing in Chennai..MADRASSSSSSS..I was yelling. The guy in the next seat smiled and was surprised at whats so special in this city. He was travelling from Bombay but I, from Lexington!! Only I knew.

The flight touched down. Down know what made it so. But suddenly the region between my shoulder blades expanded to an extent I think not possible at all!!! It could have had 100 hearts at the same time. I thought my heart would thud itself to non existence!! I cried.. As the tears fell unashamedly down my cheeks..I ran out of the aerobridge. Absoultely no customs, no baggage in hand. Ran down the stairs to the baggage claim.........

AMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....

Mom, being an airlines employee, was waiting right inside next to the customs. Teary reunions and "How I missed you so" and salty kisses later. My baggages came through. Ran outside to met pop and mama. Hmm.

If all reunions were so sweet, then we shall wish for more separations I guess!!. In safe hands(actually crushed between those of my mom, appa and mama), I left for home.

Home again....see you soon.