“Return of the Memons: A Pyrrhic Victory” continues…

The bookings should reflect only a PNR number to be given to one Suresh when approached, without putting any other details on the computer. The Operations Manager was further instructed that Suresh alone should be given the PNR number and none else. All other details could be taken when the passengers reported for check-in.

The other issue to be resolved was money required for the second set of return air tickets from Sharjah to Delhi. I felt approaching the MEA or my own bosses would complicate and delay matters. With no time at my disposal, I turned to my friend in Dubai again. He willingly gave the required amount to Suresh, when he (Suresh) met him in his office on my advice. The money was, of course, returned to him (my friend) later from government funds.

Things went as per plan, or so I thought. When Suresh approached the Indian Airlines office with the money, he was given a PNR number to be quoted at the check-in counter at Sharjah. Now Suresh was all set to leave for Delhi with his family members. He had been staying at the Claridges in Deira, Dubai since August 23. After packing up, he went to check out in the afternoon of August 24,, only to be told by the receptionist that his passport could not be returned to him as the Dubai Government had ordered that he had to stay put in Dubai. (In most Dubai hotels, passports are retained by hotel receptions and returned only while checking-out, once all hotel bills are cleared. However, the bit about Dubai Government’s order was a lie spoken by the receptionist). Sure enough, when he looked around, he noticed the same set of hoods, which had been pursuing him all those days, sitting in the lobby looking menacingly at him.They had, quite clearly, got the receptionist on their side with money or whatever.

Suresh called me up from his room in a state of utter panic, almost howling, accusing me of putting him in dire straits.

To be continued…