Chapter 8: Days before the Ban

Something I learned during this period of time was that whenever survival mode is activated everyone starts to have a hidden agenda. I believe in this situation, it was worse, because at this point I had known B.N. for only 6months. Therefore, I was not sure what she was capable of. I needed to be selfish at that moment because I had to leave this foreign country as these red flags were contributing to my selfishness. 

That same day, I was ignoring all text messages and calls from B.N because I just did not feel like talking to her. On the other hand, I had to play it safe because she was well known in Qatar and most likely had the ‘connections’ in the country. However, I still ignored all communication and went for a nap. I felt tired, sad and somehow still in shock, because that feeling of not being able to leave was still there.

The next day was my birthday, but the evening before I went for dinner and drinks with L.L, D.S and another friend W.P to this lovely Jazz bar. It was lovely; the music, food and drinks were great. I enjoyed myself and at 00.00 we cheered and the Jazz band started singing Happy Birthday. It was such a lovely night, eventhough I was not really in the mood for my birthday. Later that night, we also went to another bar but I went home after some time. 

The day of my birthday, I had to ship all my stuff to Amsterdam via Cargo center. I remember this very kind man picking me up together with a girl (Cabin Crew from Australia) who was also leaving. Due to the inefficient system, we literally spent my whole birthday at the cargo center. It took us almost 7 hours to ship two suitcases. Sadly, I don’t remember this girl's name, but she was leaving because they treated her poorly. She got into an argument with a senior cabin crew about a suitcase not being stowed correctly in the bus, the senior reported her and she got called to the office. The thing is, some people stand up for themselves and that is something Qatar Airways does not like. She stood up for herself, they put her on lock (month no flying with curfew) and eventually fired her. 

It wasn’t the way I planned on spending my birthday, but we laughed about a lot of things and we started roaming around in the cargo center. She was pushing me on the cart and so was I. We were playing, teasing and laughing about stupid things. We were like two kids, who forgot about all their problems. It was magical and while we were waiting outside, she looked at me and I looked at her. She said: “Daniël…I really can’t believe I’m leaving, but on the other hand, I’m happy to go home and back to my family. Because they treated me so bad here…and it doesn’t feel right. But what now? Being a cabin crew is a hectic life, and you don’t really have the time to think about stuff, until everything stops.” 

I could see and feel her pain. As the sunset, skyline so beautiful, I replied to her: “you know…life is unpredictable and sometimes certain things happen to guide you in a certain direction, which you won’t always understand. But believe me, in the end whatever you believe in, it turns out to be the right way. Keep believing, keep your faith, stay positive and be grateful for this opportunity and chapter in your life. Promise me one thing? Promise me that you will always be and stay this kind girl, who turned a bad day in a magical day, where I forgot all my problems. Do you promise?”

After some time we were finally done and settled. The man brought me home and that was the last time I saw her…

The day after my birthday, 1st of July was officially my last day in Qatar. I got my clearance for July 2nd. At that moment, I thought I could leave, because Qatar Airways didn’t tell me anything about the ban, but I still wasn’t sure and haven’t been so nervous in my life. That day I had to clear my apartment as well. The company had to inspect the room and make sure everything is still intact. L.L also came to my accommodation, but wasn’t allowed to enter my building. Only related male family members are. The clearance went fast and I remember B.N calling me several times, but didn’t pick up. I did message her that I will call her back. At that moment, she wasn’t aware that I had my official clearance and moved out of the accommodation. 

After the clearance, I went to the hotel with L.L and suddenly received a text message saying that she knows that I left the accommodation. What?? How?? How did she know? I believe her intel was very strong at that moment. After some time, we called her but did not mention anything about leaving. I think she did find that suspicious, because we did not really answer the question about when I was leaving. She got angry at some point and asked us to visit her right away in the hospital. We ensured her that we will, but that we are dealing with some other stuff. I mean we had to play it safe even though L.L and I agreed we would not go.

As the time was ticking, I was getting more nervous. I’ve never been so nervous in my life..Time was going slowly…It was like the moment of departure is never coming. As I was deported out of the country (normal procedure when leaving Qatar Airways), my passport was still with someone from immigration. We agreed to meet the immigration guy at 4.30Am at the airport. It was now 23.30 the day before…

We again started getting calls from B.N, but ignoring these… Even text messages with the question when I will leave the country and if we are still coming.. Again we didn’t reply on any of her messages..

00.20…I remember the exact time… we suddenly receive a text message from B.N. saying: “Daniel…. I know you are leaving and I called the Airport Security to arrest you the moment you want to leave”…”You won't go through security”..”And I will make sure, to be there as well and make a scene out of it’

The world……dropped underneath my feet…