A few deep breaths and many jagged ones later
M’s flight was not until 12 hours from now. So I shut my laptop and rushed to the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. I had no plan - just some research I had done on my phone while sitting behind a Grab scooter.
I reached the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and walked towards the gate. That’s where you get stopped. You meet an officer there and if you convince him of your situation then he will ask a senior officer from within the building. If you’re visit is unplanned like mine you won’t be allowed beyond that point.
I explained my situation to the entrance-officer, showed him my research and asked him if the Embassy could help. He read my research and then called the Senior Officer wondering if the Embassy had the powers to help in such a situation.
The Senior Officer sounded confused on call and then came to the entrance. I showed him the screenshot of my research.
He squinted at it. “Ma’am, this says Vietnam Embassy in India… not Indian Embassy in Vietnam.” I tried hiding the shock on my face as much as possible as I re-read the same screenshot. Did my brain hallucinate in panic? And how did the entrance-officer not catch this?
I tried to look sad and distraught in case that triggered some Indian-sympathy-sentiments. “Sir, Is there anything that you can do?” I pleaded with both of them.
“It’s not her fault, sir. What can she do?” I pressed
“Well, she can not board the flight and save herself from complications”, he said rudely and walked off.
As for the other officer whose job was at the entrance of the embassy - he looked at me with pity and offered me some water to drink. I thanked him for it, quietly walked not-so-far from the embassy and stood next to a tree, wondering what I could do.
Now, I really was on the verge of sad and distraught.
It was 5PM now. 10 hours to her flight. I called M and asked her if she had any luck.
“No, none of them are answering the calls.” she said sadly, and then asked “What about with you?”
“Not yet.. But I am looking for other options. Maybe we can look at the visa on arrival option?”
“Yeah, even that needs some prior paperwork and fee payment in advance” she said. Of course she had read through all the other alternatives in the meantime, I thought - almost smiling a sad smile to myself. “Rosh, it’s fine. I think I need to pay the $250, and I need to do that in the next hour. Else even that window will close and I will not be able to come..”
Just as I began to protest, I heard someone call my name out loud.
“Roshni…”
I turned to see them. HUH?
Next part drops on Friday the 13th at 13:00. Stay tuned!
