On that morning, after successfully negotiating dug-up roads and 9 am traffic in his Honda City, 40-year-old Rishi Kapoor had settled himself in his New Delhi office. He worked for Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), a travel agency for the world’s ultra-rich.
The phone rang. It was the personal secretary of His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanlal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, popularly known as the Sultan of Brunei.
“His Majesty is on a world tour,” the caller said, “and immediately needs a private plane in the Maldives.” It was an unusual demand, but then, fulfilling it was Kapoor’s job. A&K had all sorts of wealthy clients, and they were used to having unusual demands met. Just two months ago, he received a similar request from a Saudi prince who wanted to travel incognito and needed A&K to arrange his honeymoon in India. Kapoor recalls the mental note he made of the details: “Private jet, two people, honeymoon, seven pieces of luggage, 11 nights with the ‘usual suspects’ [Delhi, Agra and Jaipur], a spa destination, and the Taj at sunset, sunrise or full-moon.” Plus, if needed, an airfield for the couple’s landing, pre-arranged immigration clearance and a limousine parked on the tarmac.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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