Having got her renewed passport in her hand, MIL started
spreading the good word among her friends and relatives about her forthcoming foreign
tour to an unknown location.
She also gave them invitation to join her in the tour without
her DILs knowledge. Initially DIL was baffled when her other sasumas and sisters-in law started
calling her regarding their desire to join the venture.
“Arre baba MIL..do
I have to leave the job and start a travel agency or what?”
“What happened DIL?” MIL asked innocently.
“I am getting many phone calls if I am planning to take you
to foreign trip, on a cruise or by air, and what will be the fare I want to
collect and if veg food is available on the trip and also if I am going to take
my commission in cash or by cheque! I am tired of telling them that I have not
started a travel agency and neither do I have a plan to do so.” Said DIL
irritatedly.
“Poor DIL, I understand your problem. I am sorry but I
thought as you collect your maikewale
log and take them for the sightseeing in the foreign land – so you would do the
same for your sasural wale log” MIL
said defending her initiative in asking her relatives for their company.
“See MIL, I am not yet sure about my leave, so cannot
promise anything to anyone. Or else I’ll chalk out and arrange everything for
you people, and you can go and enjoy yourself.” Said DIL clearing out of the
situation.
“You want me to go without you. Never! In that case, forget
about it.”
MIL was so firm in her statement that DIL changed her mind
at that very moment and said “OK. In that case I have a long weekend in the
month of March, around Women’s day. I will take a day or two off and hum log Dubai par dhava bolenge”
“Dubai? But why Dubai? Why not Malaysia – Singapore – Thailand..etc?”
MIL reeled out the some of the famous tourist destinations which she had read
about and heard about.
“Dubai will be our trial run – if you behave yourself then I
will take you to other places in future” DIL pacified her MIL in a motherly
spirit of pacifying a four year old child.
MIL thought over the proposal and nodded her head. Chalo – bhaagte bhoot ki langoti hi sahi!
At least passport will be inaugurated.
After much discussion about the mode of travel - whether by a cruise or by air – majority voted
for the airways. One sasuma who was insisting
on the cruise dropped out.
The final call was taken by six ladies – an ideal mixture of
three oldies and three young ladies. Out
of these, four had visited different foreign countries. Only MIL and one of her
nieces were the novices. That also guaranteed special attention to MILs need.
“Why are you sticking to the computer till late night every
day?” MIL asked with much concern one day.
‘For your sake MIL, for you sake – I have to plan things in
such a way that you will remember this trip all your life time!” said DIL
dramatically.
“DIL, do whatever you want but don’t forget that all three sasumas are pure vegetarians.” MIL was
worried about her ‘pet pooja’.
“OK MIL, don’t get hyper on this food issue. This is the
thousandth reminder given by you! Chill now or...” DIL was irritated.
After this MIL opened and closed her mouth ten times but
decided not to say a word. Later she had a hot discussion with her co-sisters
and they secretly decided to carry snacks like chivda, chakali, laddoos and puranpoli which would last over a
week. Arre, how can one enjoy their
trip on an empty stomach? Be it a beautiful foreign country!
A fortnight before the visit, DIL handed over printed
itinerary and a check list of things to be taken or avoided.
“What? A sweater or a shawl? A long sleeved top and a scarf
too? And one empty plastic bottle of one litre capacity? Ye kya joke hai kya DIL? Are we going to a hill station in a desert
town named Dubai?” MIL wondered whether DIL had gone crazy because of taking
three sasumas along on a tour.
DIL only gave a stern look which meant ‘Don’t ask questions what and why, but do and
die’
Though it was not in DILs list of ‘Do’s ; MIL wanted to
look her best on her first foreign tour – so she visited readymade shop for
readymade jeans and tops and some
leggings too.
The counter girls struggled to shove MIL in XXXXL sized
jeans and leggings.
“Never mind” said MIL to herself. Her next step was a beauty
parlour. The parlour attendants were
shocked to get some extra tip from their regular customer after doing the
haircut and eyebrows in MILs usual style.
MIL was surprised when one attendant asked her “Aunty –
kidhar bahargaon jaa rahe ho kya?”
“Ya ya – I am going to Dubai a day after tomorrow – bolo kya laaoon tumhare liye?”
The parlour girl giggled and said – “sirf ek kilo sona from the gold souk! Jao na aunty – maja karo.
Enjoy your trip”
After coming home MIL was disappointed. Neither her DKT, DIL
or her granddaughter noticed her new haircut, nor did the housemaid ask her
about the big and heavy shopping bag she had brought home.
Just before leaving for her office on the ‘D’ day, DIL left
her backpack with MIL and told her that she would directly join them at the
airport.
MILs co-sister, niece and niece in law had arrived the
previous day. DIL had booked taxi for them to reach the airport. In the evening all met at the
airport.
Our Mumbai International airport looked like a busy railway
station to MIL. She was a little disappointed but hoped for the best at Dubai.
DIL had organised a wheel chair for MIL because of MILs back
problem. DIL did everything for MIL including MILs signature on the immigration
form.
“Hope nobody pounces on DIL for this forgery” whispered MIL
to her co-sister. They winked when all were allowed to get in after clearing
the security check ups.
“DIL – after we get back,
main teri najar utaarungi” said MIL in a choked voice when they took their
seats in the plane.
“And what is that for?”
“For realising my dream of foreign visit – and what else?”
“OK, OK – don’t get emotional now. Only pray to god so that
he gives me courage and patience to handle three sasumas!!” said DIL jokingly.
