Nov 19 2028 – 12:30 pm
Kempegowda International Airport – Bengaluru

Janani reached the airport and started loading her bags to the trolly. Moving the trolly she got into the airport after the security id verification. She saw the Lufthansa Check-in counter from distant and started moving towards it.

Sean and his team were standing near the Canadian Airlines Checkin counter and Janani greeted them with smile and said, “Hi Sean, Glad that you’ve taken your promise seriously. Thanks for the opportunity.”

“You’re welcome. This wasn’t a personal decision—your wit and insight you’ve demonstrated made the India office the obvious choice for AI development. You’ve earned this outcome. So I have discussed with the global team and allocated AI algo development to the Indian BU”, said Sean.

And he continued, “You really didn’t have to come all the way to the airport just to say thanks. No need for all the formal stuff. But hey, I appreciate it—it means a lot.” He smiled and started moving past her.

Janani got lost and confused. She returned back to Sean and asked “Shouldn’t I come along with you to US to finalise the AI project outsource agreement?”.

“No. You don’t have to. Why would we expect that. It’s already been approved and sanctioned”, Sean replied back and moved towards the boarding gate.

Janani once again interrupted Sean, “But I’ve tickets booked by my Manager in the same flight as yours” and showed him her ticket.

“Lufthansa..! “, he exclaimed with shock.

“First of all, We are boarding to Canadian Airlines and second – we never had any discussion with your Manager for bringing you to US. This has to be some misunderstanding. Check with your Manager. I got to board for my flight. It’s getting late”, Sean said and moved to the Boarding Gate.

Immediately Janani called her Manager to clarify this confusion. He didn’t pickup the call. She tried Messaging him, calling over Teams, WhatsApp, Meet” – No responce for all.

She got fed up and sat on the waiting area. With all the travelers moving across the airport hallway, passing by her – she had no one there to talk to. She started questioning herself why her manager booked tickets for To and Fro travel to US without Sean’s approval”.

“And why in Lufthansa while Sean himself travels in Canadian Airlines” – She was lost and desperate for answers.

After waiting for an hour in the hall way without any call back from her Manager, she went to the Lufthansa Check-in counter.

A fair receptionist girl with professional white collared shirt and blue blazer sat behind the desk.

“I would like to cancel the ticket”, Janani said to her.

“Sure, Mam. Please give your ticket.” – she said.

On seeing the ticket – she replied back to Janani – “Are you sure you want to cancel this ticket. I’m asking because it’s for Lufthansa’s Allegris First Class that comes with local stay and transport within San Fransico. And I have never came across requests to cancel such expensive tickets in my service”.

“Why? How much does it costs?” Janani asked out of thrill.

“Should be around 6-7 Lakhs INR including To and Fro tickets, stay and local transport. And there won’t be any refund on cancellation on an hour before Fight departure.”, she replied.

“Nooo, It’s not possible. My company never had budget for these expensive tickets. Also, it seems like a mistakenly booked ticket. My business trip has been cancelled,” Janani said overwhelmingly.

“If it’s a mistakenly booked ticket, then it’s more than an mistake – a blunder i would say. If I cancel it all 6-7 Lakhs go in vein. If I were you, I would not waste it but take it as a trip.” said the receptionist.

“Please sit and take time and decide. I’ll be back in a minute”, said the receptionist and went out of her desk.

Not knowing whether to cancel it or not, Janani once again went back to the waiting area and sat there.

-To be Continued