Around the World

Flash fiction on someone traveling around the world

In this day and age, I can’t believe international airlines continue to make so many mistakes. My business trip in South America ended abruptly and it was imperative I get home as soon as possible.

I left from Buenos Aires on LATAM. It was clear that my destination was Salem, a small town in India. The airline didn’t even check the address. There was no way I could figure out where we were flying to until we landed in Los Angeles. Even then, I thought I would be put on a connecting flight to India.

Everyone was in a rush in LAX and then I was bundled into a smaller plane. I should have known then that something was wrong. A couple of hours later, in Salem Oregon, a big argument arose as people realized their mistake. I was fuming but helpless. By this time, my son in India got worried and called LATAM. They must have told him about the confusion. He was livid too.

My travel woes didn’t end there as the brilliant minds in Oregon put me on a flight to Salem, Massachusetts. I had developed a sense of calm and started to enjoy this world tour.

Saner minds finally prevailed and I got to India without another mishap in my routing.

I landed in Chennai airport. My son was waiting for me anxiously. We finally met inside the special section in the arrival hall. The last part of my journey to Salem would be by road.

There were words I wished I could say to him. It was too late for that now. He peered into my coffin. With tears in his eyes, he gently caressed my forehead. A deep sigh emanated from him as he closed the coffin.