As I arrived in San Francisco, I hurried past everyone to be as close to Immigration counter as possible. I did it successfully and my immigration was over in less than 45 minutes. From this point on, the story should have been - I collected my baggage and went straight home, and hugged my wife, and then, we talked for hours. Sadly, it turned out to be different.
Now, the world changed its configuration while I slept peacefully aboard my flight cruising across the world. A very generous friend (who knew the good news) decided to leave his car at the long term parking to make it really convenient for us for the rest of the day. I came to know about it before leaving Dubai and felt great about having a car for myself, for the day. I am new to Bay Area and do not own a car. So, I did not fully understand the dynamics. Someone told me that I could go to a certain point using public transport and then, take a cab to the long term parking building. I did just that, and was told that no cabs actually go to long term parking from where I was. So, trot trot! I came back to the airport building, and took a cab to the long term parking building.
After struggling for an hour to find my friend's car, and to locate the hidden car keys, I was all set. My three heavy suitcases nicely tucked in the trunk, car stereo blaring, air conditioning switched on, I stepped up on the gas. I was on the highway, and I was riding to meet her. I was really happy.
I planned to ride to San Francisco, take the Bay bridge and reach Berkeley. Then, I planned to hug my wife, and talk to her for hours together. But, it was 5 o'clock. The traffic kept getting denser and denser. As soon as I crossed San Francisco and was about to enter the Bay Bridge, I heard a beeping sound. The car was giving an overheating warning, and there was smoke escaping from the right side of the bonnet of my car. The other drivers politely gave me access to the right lane, and I pulled over.
Soon, two friendly highway patrolmen came by with their sci-fi trucks and gave my car an inspection. They waited for over half hour with me, chatted about current affairs, and when the car cooled down, they added cold water to coolant reservoir. Then, they asked me to follow them in my car, and took me to a parking lot. Here is what they advised me.
"Wait for about TWO to THREE HOURS. The traffic will die out by then. Then, you can drive this car home."
The gentleman patrolman left his mobile phone charger with me and I was able to charge my phone and call my wife. I called her on her mobile phone and asked her to come where I was, for that hug I was cravinGg
She loves me. Dearly. So, she came by, we hugged, and then, we sat in the car waiting for the traffic to die out. An hour later, as we started for Berkeley, an extremely tired brain of mine misjudged a traffic light, and as we crossed the traffic signal, an orange turned to red, a camera flash clicked twice, and we are still waiting for a ticket to arrive.
20 minutes later, we were home, tired and EXTREMELY HAPPY and EXCITED.
I had met the two of them.
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