Flight of Fantasy

 Namita loved to travel . The one with  quintessential wheels on her feet, an eternally packed suitcase and a well used passport , Namita had traversed the length and breadth of the world . From the pyramids of Egypt to the Great Wall of China , from the Great Coral Reef to the Aurora Borealis , Namita had seen it all . The stamps on her passport were her souvenirs , for they reminded her of the lovely time she’d had in all her trips .

It was only natural for Namita to choose a career that fuelled her life force ; the insatiable wanderlust and a craving for unusual experiences . She became a travel show host and began getting paid to do the thing she enjoyed doing the most -travelling and talking about it . Soon her show began to top the TRPs and she became a force to reckon with on National TV.

Namita enjoyed collecting souvenirs from all of her travels and she had a penchant for collecting pretty unusual ones at that ; not the run of the mill t-shirts and keychains sold in gift shops , not even pictures of all the beautiful places that she visited and food which she got to eat . Namita picked up coffee mugs and curios from the hotel room , napkins and cutlery from the restaurants she dined in and even curios from the hotel lobby - tiny ones that lent itself to being discreetly dropped in her bag . She had even managed to remove a painting from one of the hotel rooms and pack it snugly into her suitcase .

Many people believed that was kleptomania. Namita believed she was a connoisseur who found beauty in mundane things . Soon , she became the proud owner of a lot of bric- brac from around the world .

One day , as Namita sat sipping her favourite cup of masala chai in her balcony , soaking in the winter sun , she heard the phone ring and it was none other than the producer of her hugely popular travel show .

‘Namaste Madam Ji’, bellowed Rakesh Tekriwal in his trademark baritone , ‘we have just finalised on the location for the next episode of your show . I am confident that you will be excited at the prospect of going to Belize .’

‘Why of course Rakesh ji , it sounds so exciting’, replied Namita, ‘I can already sense that this is going to be yet another super hit episode .’

‘Haan ji’, replied Rakesh, ‘we are bringing in a new director for this episode . I will not tell you who, because that's a surprise . You can come by to the office tomorrow and find out for yourself . I am confident that the two of you will make a great team .’

Namita hung up even as her curiosity was piqued about the mysterious new director . ‘Whatever’, she muttered to herself , ‘as long as I get to go to exciting places and have fun .’

Namita promptly headed to the office of Sunrise Productions next morning , all set to meet her mysterious new director . She walked into Rakesh Tekriwal’s office and found a tall and good looking man waiting to meet her . She took a closer look at him and did not quite believe what met her eye . It was none other than the famous director Freddy Anish!. 

Namita pinched herself , barely able to believe her luck . Her career was poised to go places .

‘Hi Namita’, said Freddy, ‘so happy to meet you finally . I am a big fan of your work .’

‘The feeling is more than mutual’, chirped Namita, ‘for I am a bigger fan of your work than you are of mine . So, what's the plan for Belize ? I am confident you have something magical up your sleeve’

Freddy, who was known for directing larger than life travel shows featuring the most luxurious of hotels in exotic locations , smiled and his smile reminded Namita of the famous Monalisa exhibited in the Louvre .

‘This time’, began Freddy grandly ,’our show will be a complete anathema to the kind of work I have done before . We will travel the length and breadth of Belize on a budget and pretty frugal one at that.’

Namita gave Freddy a startled look . ‘Belize on a budget, haven't heard of more nonsense’, she muttered to herself.

‘You don't quite seem happy with the idea’, exclaimed Freddy, ‘but mark my words , this episode will be a huge hit among the viewers . If you are not upto being the host , I can always find someone else . There is no dearth of people who are eager to work with me .’

‘Oh no no’, Namita rushed to explain , ‘I think the idea is brilliant . Offbeat , but brilliant nevertheless .’

‘Okay good’, remarked Freddy , ‘get set for the trip . We are leaving in ten days .’

‘Yes Mr Director’, said Namita, ‘but I just have one request . I hope we are flying first class to Belize . Surely you don't intend to begin the shoot on the plane itself .’

‘Of course Madamji’, chirped Rakesh, the producer , ‘first class only . After all Go Belizza airlines is the proud sponsor of the show and they are keen to salvage their reputation after passengers spotted rodents in their aircraft. I am sure they are going to stun us with their brilliant service .’

Namita headed home cursing her luck . Working with Freddy was nothing short of an opportunity of a lifetime and only a fool would walk out of the project .But Freddy, the uncrowned king of luxury , doing a project on a budget ! Such was her luck . One would have assumed that the perks of travelling by first class would have been a partial consolation for the vagaries of tourism on a budget . Alas , with Go Belizza in the equation , the only consolation would be the fifty percent probability of not contracting bubonic plague ! Namita could almost see medical bills joining the list of memorabilia and keepsake from all of her travels . Nevertheless, it was too late to back off from the project ,  not unless she was keen on putting her reputation at stake .

The week passed in a jiffy and soon, it was time to leave for Belize . Namita grudgingly stocked her luggage up with the little things of life that a girl could not do without - luxurious creams , soap , shampoo , conditioner, perfume , bathrobe and the works ; basically stuff that she would have gladly helped herself to , from the hotel room . 

Namita decided to focus on the positives , like working with oh so brilliant Freddy, when the chauffeur from the airlines came to pick her up . ‘Not bad’, she muttered to herself as she got into a swanky Land Rover.

‘Hola Senorita’, said the stocky hispanic man sitting in the car, ‘Mee Carlos, your personal valet . Mee taking your luggage and checking in .’

‘Oh wow’, thought Namita, ‘maybe the trip won't be such a waste after all .’

To be honest , Air Belizza was not so bad . There were no rodents visible in plain sight , at least not in the first class . The food was good and so was the wine . The pyjamas were super comfortable and Namita even asked for three more pairs with the promise to promote the airline on her show . She filled her baggage liberally with snacks that was kept onboard and even tossed the 3-D glasses into her bag when no one was looking . After all , this was her only opportunity to make the most of the trip . 

The flight reached its destination, Belmopan, on time and soon Namita, Freddy and the crew were in the terminal waiting for their luggage to arrive . The luggage did arrive , everyone’s except Namita’s. They waited and waited , but her luggage was nowhere in sight. 

‘What's happening’, yelled a visibly irritated Freddy , 'where is your luggage Namita?’

‘Precisely my question’, exclaimed an equally irritated Namita, ‘send one of your assistants to the Airlines counter to find out .’

 The assistant came back with a harried look on his face . ‘Namita madam’, he squeaked , ‘they are saying you did not check in any luggage .’

‘What do you mean I did not check in my luggage’, bellowed Namita, ‘Carlos took both the suitcases to check in .’

It then hit her like a ton of bricks . Carlos, the valet ..

Freddy, who was keenly watching the scene that unfolded , exclaimed , ‘this is perfect ! the host who has been conned of her luggage traverses the length and breadth of Belize with two pairs of clothes and a shoestring budget ! Couldn't have asked for a better theme. This episode is going to go down the annals of travel show history, I can feel it in my bones. Maybe we should say she lost her passport as well!’