Earth is Spherical: Lesson 2.

As the conference was over, a line of passengers formed in front of the Hilton hotel along the piled up luggage.  Then slowly roaming taxies came flowing. Like the beads dropping off a broken pearl necklace, each one hurried to get in through the opening doors.

“Airport… anyone? We can take one more person; Excuse me Sir, would you like?”

I did not realize that it was meant for me as I was busy getting my phone out of the pocket to check the flight schedule.

“Oh I am sorry... Yes, me too. Just one piece here.” I placed my luggage, leaning on the back door.

The driver was politely holding the door open for me to get in the van.

Making sure that I didn’t bump my head on top, somehow got in the empty seat spotted straight ahead.

Then I paid attention.

A familiar face.

The fellow from the old University. Now having realized the futility of the respect and fear, she just pleasantly smiled” Hey Sir, where are you these days?”

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Then we exchanged pleasantries for a while. I said, “However that was a good thing that I left the University. Now I feel that it was the great decision I took. There is no return.”

Now the fellow has grown to Assistant Professor. I remember the time when I was quizzing her, she could not get the answer and made her cry. It stayed in my mind like yesterday.

In the seats behind us in the van, an elderly man and wife enjoying the vacation photos from before.

“Are you still living in Crestwood?”

“Yes; we bought a new house” Fellow said

“Oh! You could’ve told me, our house is still there, empty”; I said.

“What happened? Couldn’t sell?”

“No; the market is bad now; May be I can come back to you guys. That’s why I left it like that” Both of us laughed.

“No I was just joking. I had decided to leave before the chairman there makes a mess of the department with his ineptitude. And… rest of the people just interested in backstabbing the deserving ones; including the Dean”

 “True; I know; but they all have changed”

While taking a deep sigh, I spotted the sign for the Airport.

“So; when would we see again?”

“May be next time in some meetings like this one; would you say ‘Hi’ to your family for me. I have to go to the next terminal.”

“OK then”

I let the way for the couples from the back seat.

While giving the goodbye-hug to the former student, I saw the couples returning to the van.

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“Here is my business card, Doc”

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“Give me a buzz if you need to sell your house. Your Dean and I are very close friends”

With a smile both of them walked away

While I and my fellow searched for the already departed words from our tongues.