Mr. Iyer a late middle aged fractious man, was never very fond of travelling but this one he could not avoid. He just became a grand-parent and his wife forced him to go and meet their daughter. He never really forgive her for marrying someone she loved, a non-brahmin, not even a south Indian for that matter, a Delhi guy - Mr. Iyer hated Delhi but hated Delhi boys more. But he knew he could not do much about it because he himself has raised Meena as a self dependent confident women she was.
As he was sitting on his seat on a flight to Delhi, his fellow co-passenger arrived to take his seat next to Mr. Iyer. He was not much old but certainly looked one of those who does not age very well. He was tall, thin, bald and certainly not very well dressed.
As he sat down mumbering something about how irresponsible the airlines were, he said a grumpy hello to Mr. Iyer to which he did not get any reply. As soon as flight took over to runway he opened a newspaper and started out reading it out loud. Before even Mr. Iyer could show his discomfort he turned towards him and said he suffers from Claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) which makes it almost impossible to use elevators and even flights. Mr. Iyer still kept his temper with in to himself and looked away with a disagreement. As the plane was about to take off, ascent into air, he literally grabbed the hand of Mr. Iyer and closed his eyes. No matter how much Mr. Iyer tried he did not leave Mr. Iyer's hand for another good 10 mins.
Finally when he took his hand apart Mr. Iyer was ready to blast but again he turned towards Mr. Iyer and said he suffers from Acrophobia (fear of heights). Mr. Iyer was least bothered about this guy's fears but still thought this man is not even worth his anger.
It was almost a 3 hour flight and Mr. Iyer thought it was a good idea to take a nap. Suddenly the man next to him asked the usual irking question "So, where are you going?". Mr. Iyer could not resist this time and said "If this flight was a bus and I could, I would really go no further then the next stoppage. So for now I have to go where this flight goes.". To this the man replied "So still you will be getting down at the next stoppage, right?" with a smirk on his face. Mr. Iyer turned his face towards window and started to pretend like he care what outside looks like. Again the man tried to initiate a conversation "Well I am going to Delhi.", Mr. Iyer responded better then what a perfect dead corpse would. But still he continued "... I am going to see my daughter, she is getting married. Although I am not invited but I would take my chance on at least having a glimpse of her dressed as a Bride." Finally he had Mr. Iyer's attention
Mr. Iyer: Is she really marrying someone without even your knowledge. What kind of daughter she is.
Man: Oh she is a wonderful daughter, at least to her mother. I actually on the other hand hasn't been a good father. I completely moved away from their life almost a 6 months ago without any word, leaving them both on their own.
Mr. Iyer: And why did you do that? Another woman?
Man: No, lets just say I was looking for more solitude.
Mr. Iyer: You are really both a bad parent and husband then. A man who cannot give time and care to his own family is worst kind of man there could be.
And Mr. Iyer was again no longer interested to speak to him. This man was not worthy of the having a conversation with a man of Mr. Iyer's intellect.
He still kept saying things about how lucky is he to have a daughter like her and all. But suddenly he stopped, the descent of flight has begun. This just re-shuffled him into the face that he was sitting on a closed flight which is mid-air. He again held Mr. Iyer's hand and would not leave it. This time Mr. Iyer turned towards him and when Mr. Iyer looked at him, he was all pale, eyes were so tightly shut that tears were rolling down his cheeks, he had such a horror in his face like the plane is never gonna land and crash onto touching the ground. But the plane did make it safely to the ground.
Upon landing Mr. Iyer although almost disgusted with this man asked him if he had such a problem with flying why the hell he did not go via train. The man replied "I was diagnosed with cancer, last stage, almost 6 months ago. The doctors gave me at most 6 months time. I thought I cannot see my family die with me everyday and left for a ashram in Tamil Nadu. But somehow I made up till now but still I don't know which day can be my last. Every day I live, every hour I crawl thru is just a grace period for me and I could not afford to be dying on my way to her wedding. I don't have time, I never had."
He thanked Mr. Iyer for putting up with him so nicely. This time he turned his face around and moved away.