Chapter 2 - Delhi

My friends, staff members and couple of relatives had come to see me off at the airport. They all knew I was boarding the 14:15 Virgin flight to Heathrow, where I would be met up by the representative of the college. I bid them good bye and junked the flowers and gifts in the trash can and hopped on the Jet Flight to Delhi at 14:35.

The night before, I didn't sleep. We partied till the wee hours and when I returned to my pad I was overcome by emotions. My parents died when I was a kid, my elder brother supported me all through till I started working. We were very close to each other. He was a civil servant and was posted in the North East. After he got married his focus shifted to his family but we still remained in touch and watched each others back. It was too early to ring him, I couldn't stop myself, I had not even told him what my real plan was and where was I going. He answered the phone in a sleepy tone... we talked for about an hour. I felt better. I had spent last 10 years finding my footing in Mumbai and carving a place for myself in the tough city. ‘The Nights Tail’ was my dream, it was difficult to leave everything which had taken me 10 long years to build.

I felt excited when I boarded the plane. I knew this adventure would help me get a different perspective. I pulled out the package from my handbag, I had read and reread the 'the big race' papers a hundred times but still I wanted to make sure I understood the terms and conditions well and the clue card to find my team mates.

At 16:30, I was in Delhi. The lovely air-hostess announced the temperature and wished the passengers good luck plus invited them to fly again with them. I was nudged passed by a baldy; he seemed to be in too much hurry. I wanted to kill him but pretended I was okay. I made my way out of the aircraft and thanked the lovely lady.

October is a beautiful month in Delhi and the best time to visit the city. I was greeted by the cold breeze and a beautiful winter sun. I only carried my handbag and didn’t bother to pick my luggage – I didn’t need it. My handbag had all I needed - my passport, my phone,'the big race’ packet some cash and my wallet.

The clue card described my team mates and the location where I could find them. For me the race had begun. This was my first time in the city and I was ready for the worst. I hailed a taxi and described the place to the driver.

“Be at the old fort, Delhi. Oct 28th, 19:00.” read the clue card. He gave me an incredulous look after I described to him where I wanted to be, I pulled out the picture of the fort from the packet. He could not figure out which one it was, there were many in the city and they all looked alike. He still insisted in knowing the name of the place. My adventure had begun.

We meandered around the city asking the passerby's where this place was. Some didn’t had time to help and some were prompt is offering suggestion - take left, straight, right, roundabout, narrow lane etc. etc. How helpful? Finally we pulled up beside an imposing fort with crumbly walls and a giant door. It definitely looked old as the clue card described. I looked at my watch, it was 18:45. I paid the taxi driver who still had an incredulous look on his face.

[SHARK IN A POND]