Chapter 4. Off to America.

Raghavan was a man of very particular tastes and habits. He detested any change in his routine and more importantly his food.

The airhostess rushed to Aisle 24, seat A yet again, the third time in the past two hours.

"Yes Sir, how may I help you?"

"Yes young lady, you can help me! I have asked for Indian Vegetarian meals. This seems to be neither Indian nor vegetarian!"

The airhostess resisted an impulse to hold her head and scream.

"Sir, this is an Indian vegetarian meal, Sir. This is dal, basmati rice and vegetables with it, Sir."

The repeated use of Sir annoyed Raghavan.

"This food has no salt. The vegetables are unrecognizable and I would like a complaint form please!"

"You can get that as soon as you land, Sir."

Raghavan took a deep breath, carefully wrapped the meal that he had in hand and gave it to the airhostess, "Please take this back. I will ask for a refund and also file a complaint the moment I land!"

"Very good sir", the airhostess walked away shaking her head.

Raghavan took the remaining one banana out of his yellow bag and started eating it and noticed with interest how the teenage Indian boy with the weird crew cut was eating his food with zest.

"You like this food, young man?"

"Uh Huh, much better than anything my girlfriend cooks, dude, err...Uncle!"

While Raghavan did not approve of "dude" either, he was curious about the teenage boy and his "girlfriend".

"I see, your girlfriend does not cook very good Indian food?"

"You see man, she is from Romania and does not very much approve of Indian vegetarian. Her ex-boyfriend was also Indian and somehow she just hates Indian food, man!"

This was too much information for Raghavan. He closed his eyes and was soon snoring away much to his companion's amusement.