"Cunt" shouted a man, loud enough to hear for all people within a radius of 50 meters. He followed by saying "That's right, You heard it correctly, I said Cunt".
It is not everyday i get to travel on an airplane, but thanks to these multi-nationals and their willingness to throw money, i got an opportunity. The thought of flying on an airplane excited many but i was calm. I wonder why. Anyways, i reached the airport and as usual, before the unexpected, the expected happened. The airport was crowded and my flight was delayed by an hr. Not a big deal, owing to shortage of chairs, i found a pillar and sat next to it with my back enjoying all the rest it can get. The time was 10pm. So, what does a person do when he is sitting alone in a place filled with strangers? Yes, i did exactly that, i started to observe people.
There was an old lady standing there. Even though her hair was white, she looked physically strong and she had an expression, the expression that usually comes when intelligence and experience meet together, a calm, patient expression, active and relaxed at the same time. She was not smiling, yet she had a poise that appeared as if she was smiling, like smiling internally. She was standing alone next to her luggage box patiently waiting for the plane to come. She was not disturbed by the delay and looked in control. Close to me, there was a girl in her mid teens and her father standing next to each other. As expected, they were not talking to each other, the daughter took out her ipod and started listening to it. It was clear that they were not quite close to each other. Most of the people who were sitting on chairs were either reading books or sleeping. It was generally quiet overall and quite dull because everyone was looking tired. Then came a man, anyone who saw him would first get the impression that he is gay. (Not there is anything wrong with it). Apparently, he knew the old lady and they both started talking.
Minutes passed. The flight was delayed by another hr. I was sitting and watching people. Some flight landed and people were coming out of the next airport terminal. People coming from airplanes have more relaxed expressions when compared to people who come from trains, even though train journeys are more comfortable. Ironical it is, but modern day world tells us that it is time that makes us old.
Anyhow, in between these spikes of commotion, overall time was going quite slowly. And then came our man, shouting the word "Cunt", loud enough for everyone sleeping to open their eyes and glance in his direction, loud enough for the daughter to take ear phones out of her ear. And this man, easily followed by saying "Yes, you heard it correctly". Everyone was shocked. For me, i had found another amusing case and a delightful study scenario. This man was walking towards our terminal to exit from the other end. No one had the courage to respond or say anything. The tension between the dad and the daughter grew stronger and it was quite an awkward moment for the dad in his dad career. The daughter had a curious expression, i think like any teenager, she liked the abnormality of the situation.
The man after walking 10 steps said it again now "Cunt, I said it". As my glance went from the man to the people, it fell on the old lady and she was smiling, smiling externally. Apparently, she was the only one who was able to see the satire in all this and she was the one who responded "Good for you young man, Good for you!". The man with whom she was talking to (whom i type casted as gay without knowing any truth), had shock on his face. The young man, saw the old lady and i think something came over him, my guess would be respect for elders, or something because he wanted to reply but he just saw her and went past. I think her forehead lines, her countenance, was enough for him to answer his troubled soul.
After his exit, no one discussed what they had just witnessed except that old lady with that gay looking man who was nodding most of the time. The boarding announcement followed shortly and we all went on.
It was the next day morning, when finally i was able to replay the events in my head and i realized what that young man had meant. His words were not directed to anyone, so it was not an abuse. He was just trying to break the society imposed shackles which all of us had just decided to obey without giving second thoughts to it. But what a rare coincidence it was that he saw that old lady at the same time. And even her response made sense to me now - "Good for you". I think she in that one line gave him hope, gave him strength.
I think he felt it, i felt it. I am not sure about my follow passengers though. I am also not sure if my alter ego felt it. I am not sure about you as well.
--thass
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