Arjun was late for his flight. It was Diwali weekend. He had been waiting for this for a long time: meeting his mom and dad, seeing his old classmates, visiting his school, and chatting with his best friends. Nothing can beat this, can it?

He had moved to the USA to pursue his goals as an investment banker. He left everything behind in India to make a career for himself. He had heard his parents praise him. He was a good son.

It had been almost a year since he had visited them. He had met Neha on a work trip to New York, and they instantly fell in love. She returned to India while he stayed on. “A few more years, Dear, and I will be there.”

He hailed a cab and instructed the driver to take him to the airport. He had packed a beautiful fur jacket for his mom and a pack of cigars for his dad, which was, of course, to be given without Mom noticing it.  A box of chocolates for his friends. 

He smiled as he remembered Neha. 

Soon they were to be engaged. He had no gifts for her. He had planned to say a clever line if she asked for one. 

“I am your gift.”

He blushed and smiled to himself. He noticed the driver watching him through the mirror.

Upon boarding the plane, he comfortably stretched and relaxed. The flight was in midair now. 

Just a few hours and I will be home. Arjun thought.

“Anything to drink, Sir?” the air hostess asked.

There was sudden turbulence, and the whole plane shivered. A loud sound was heard as if a giant was awake from his sleep. The oxygen masks fell towards the passengers. Arjun felt as if he was on a roller coaster ride. Many passengers were heard screaming. 

Arjun felt a heavy block fall on his head. A bag, maybe he thought. The plane was ok now. No one was screaming their throats out.

What a relief, Arjun thought.

As soon as the plane landed, he hailed a taxi. He could not imagine the excitement at his house today. Mom would fuss about his health, and Dad would ask for his special gift. Neha would be hiding in his room, with tears in her big doe eyes.

He reached the house. To his surprise, no one was there. 

“Ma.” “Dad.” He called out. No one answered.

He saw Neha standing on the balcony. She looked sad and lost.

“Did they miss the date of my return?” Arjun thought, feeling dazed.

He saw Neha come back into the house. She had a photo frame in her hand, and she kept it on the desk near the TV. 

It had Arjun’s picture in it. Nicely framed. She offered some flowers on it and adorned it with a sandalwood garland.

“All the passengers aboard the unfortunate flight returning to Delhi died in the crash this morning.” 

A TV news reporter was announcing!