Airports in 2021 (Post Lockdown)

2020 was like a road accident injury, you wouldn't know about the damage done, till the numbing pain turns to be limb amputation. With the New Year seeping in, 2020 reflected to be a year which looked bad, but recovering from it is something we are all still trying to learn.

Airports are where stories find you; all it takes are mindful gazes at people moving. When airports shut down in 2020 and borders began to get an identity, stories began to brew up about an unknown virus that took upon the world and how airports were a graveyard to go to. And yet airports remained a cupid that held hope in its bows for lovers on both sides of the borders.

As winter touched us in 2021 and the undying spirits of Mumbai lit up New Years' fireworks, I gathered some courage to book a flight to Dehradun. I packed my bags on a prior Sunday and on 9th of January boarded a flight to meet Ganga Maiya.

All the airlines made everything online (web check-in) and I couldn't have that little joy of holding my blue and white boarding pass at the airport. It was replaced by a black and white printout from local stationery. I saw a queue of people quickly check their luggage in. Not gazing, maintaining social distance and a tiny bit of worry hid behind their masks.

I quickly checked in my luggage and passed the security check, all my electronic devices neatly placed on a set of trays. Then I began walking towards Gate 40B that lies at another end of the airport.

After 15 mins of walking and passing by strangers with no eye contact whatsoever, I sat on a seat with crosses on both of my sides. A woman's recorded voice echoed through the PA systems reminding everyone to wear masks and keep social distance in 2 different languages or was it 3? I couldn't concentrate with the fear in my head of going to an unknown place with a known virus still making its rounds in the world.

I had 45 mins to spend and so I began observing people around me. A lot of people had headphones enveloping their ears; they probably weren't expecting to converse with anyone. Some were just waiting to get done with the day and reach their destinations. The seats started to slowly fill up and soon after, the Indigo crew members called out everyone to get their safety kit.

I put my face shield around my head and started walking towards the aircraft. I was the first one to enter and so pleasingly greeted by the staff. Those were the first smiling eyes I witnessed at 7:20 in the morning. I reflected their warmth and sat on my seat by the window. Somehow, in an aircraft full of strangers and the flock of clouds accompanying us, I let go of all my worries to enter the Yoga capital of our country- Rishikesh.