"» 5 km" altitude (My First Flight)...!!!

The maximum altitude that you can go without flying, i.e. by land is 8.8km (Mount Everest). Of course I didnt trek that one up, so its on an avg. 5km.

Its always something that you will think about : Travelling around.

There have been various means of transport such the ancient carts, then developed bull carts and so on to bicycles, bikes, cars, ships, aircrafts, submarines and rockets too. But, everyone has their own likes to its selection. To be frank, I prefer a safer one; Train and its the best to be travelling in it.

After 21 years 8 months of my birth, its the first time that I have got an opportunity to fly in air; My First Flight. I reached there, way before the prescribed time - 6am. Went in and had a clear view over the entire terminal section. Had a wonderful sight very similar to a Class-Mall and nothing less. Getting set to get in, I went into the Arrival Gate No. 01. and CISF jawan bearing a M/C gun and AK47 (hope so) verified my passport and tickets and later allowed me in.  I went into the Airport. Had a brief of all and went in for check-in. There were 2 neatly white-ed ladies behind the glasses and I smoothly, to her attraction gave my tickets. With a very widened smile she confirmed my check in and I got my tickets to fly. I walked on to the security check, where-in I was checked briefly and allowed me into the lounge.

The gate number written was 26 @ 9.40 am.

I waited watching the highlights of the match between India and WestIndies ( T20 ).

Meanwhile, something happened. A very pretty and absolute lady with a heavenly attire and smelling pure came by side, I plugged out my ear phones

'Can I sit next to you?', she said

It was one common long chair (not much long), but just to accommodate 2 people. And their was not hand rest in middle to the resistance.

'Ofcourse!!!', I said

I was amazed to see such a pretty lady (really couldnt explain) even without makeup sitting next to me. [JUST NEXT TO ME]

'Oh wow!!!', I said involuntarily

My weird looks and behaviour on her confused her thoughts.

'Hi', She said

'HIIIIIIIIIIIIII', I responded in length

I looked down to stop her being suspicious on me.

'I have a flight to catch', She said and flashed off taking her very tiny little red bag that matched with her yellow attire.

After some distance she waved at me with a big smile. She was following some handsome guys and other pretty girls of same attire. So, she is an Air Hostess.

'Wowwwwww!!!', I said to myself

I waited there till my flight was announced and Gate was open. I went through that narrow passage bridged to the Boeing Airplane.

I was greeted with a cool Namaskar at the door edge by another pretty girl. I complied and reached over to my seat. A cute pair came up and sat in the corresponding seats adjacent to me.

'Hi', I said diplomatically

'Hii', he said

They were in their own gestures and talks as they were all set for there planned honeymoon in Kerala. I preferred not to disturb them and concentrated on the first flight instructions. After having known those 'anytime helpful' instructions drama by air hostess, I saw that smooth flight movement towards the majestic runway.

It stopped.

Ignition was ON and supercharger inside were all set too and everything to provide the initial lift for the flight to take off and reach the altitude.

Slowly, then swiftly, then tremendously it capacity. I felt the drop of pressure in my blood. It felt different but definitely it contained a thrill. Within 10 min it reached a stable height and instructions to relax were on air. I just never missed the chance to view the land below, the land below thick clouds.

For the first time, I needed to watch down to get the view of a cloud. Those views are just too much for the first flight passenger's to enjoy and grow ecstatic.

I slept for some time and the hit inside me stopped me sleeping. After 1hr and 40 min, captain announced the landing and we were all locked in seat belts again.

As and then the land started to appear, it was complete greenery I could see. I was proud Malayali then; the proud Kerala wala. I saw only trees in the farthest vicinity. And it was at some 10km above the land level that I could see those roads, lanes, buildings, fields, rivers etc.

My concept about Air Hostess got completely reversed, but it was later that I got to know that in Domestic Planes and usually in low cost flights you cant avail any loyal services. I had intuitions of them serving us politely and giving attentions. It was all different.

I liked the sound when hit down Cochin International Airport Runway. I liked the way the giant body with no friction pitched the ground with highest friction with least tolerance. Its absolutely a miraculous register or invention by Wright Brothers.

And there it ended my first flight which I thought was the first one for some others too, reading there actions and attitude.

And that was it...!!!

The Undiscovered Man - (EPISODE 1) - Short Story

VILLAGE OFFICER'S RESIDENCE

'utensils falling'

'What happened yar...???', asked a polite man with his manly-but-lovely voice

'I dont know how come I fall in love with you', said a middle aged pretty lady who still could win the term 'Miss' once again despite of her age

'I too doubt how', said the polite man

'Yes, I was mad and I regret', shouted the lady

'You should be', the polite man said giggling

'Another utensil fall down'

'Papa, I want a cycle!!!', a Cute Boy demanded hesitatingly with a fear of being scolded

Polite Man was a very cool gentle man desiring the least from his half life ahead. A clear irony is reflected in him, to someone who knows his past. Just 10 years before, he was one of those passionate dreamer of life who topped the boards and universities. Expectations of thousands entitled every drop of his blood to aim much more higher position which made him reject the offer from CitiBank and joined IAS coaching institute, debt-ing everything. He criticized those expectation hoppers.

He was anxious about his children. He never wanted his children to be in a situation which he was. He had limits of making all of his wish possible.

He is now an ordinary Village Officer of a very low class village and earning a sum of Rs.30,000 and has to feed his pretty wife and two children.

He preferred not to reply.

'Papa, are you hearing???', Cute Boy repeated

Polite Man tried to act being busy in the work he is doing.

Cute Boy accepted his defeat. He left for the second option: 'his mother'

She laughed and said, 'he is never gonna get you any cycle unless its a dream'

Her face bold and eyebrows raised and was looking at him. And his eyes already on her, he smiled. She gave sarcastic look on him and turned over her head towards the kitchen works which she hated and wanted a servant to replace, which actually was the reason of the fight for the day.

Cute Boy was desperately needing it and demanding it for months but he dejected it and lost his hope on any improvement on the cycle issue.

They had their dinner together and everyone were in complete silence. The only sound that echoed in the room was that of the tv featuring the movie ' SARFAROSH '  starring Amir Khan as IAS officer, which made him think about his past. He didnt complete his dinner that has been served and went to sleep. His pretty wife noticed it, and soon went to the dark bedroom and checked him.

His manly voice never reflected in his life, he was very sensitive person from heart but always tried to show the laughter outside.

He was crying.

He noticed his pretty wife coming. He started to wipe those small drops of innocence that came out of his eyes. She gently moved her hands over his hands and came forward to kiss him on his cheek which still contained those tears. She kissed him lovingly and moved her hands over his forehead. Both were exchanging infinite messages through there eyes that could only be heard by the rain which just started to fall to cool the eruption of emotions.

'I love you', she said

He smiled. She smiled back in return and kept her ears over his heart which she usually does. He started moving his hands over her straightened hair passionately.

'We need to get him a cycle', he said

She got up, removed her ear rings and gave it to him.

'You remember what I said when I took your hand', he said

He helped her tighten it back on to her beautiful ears.

She smiled and hugged him.

The Cute Boy overheard the conversation and was cursing his demands. He understood his limits and love that his parents have and gave to him. He remained hidden in the corner and all of a sudden a cute gal came up jumping over to the bed and the cute boy followed his sister.

The next day, he took the savings that he made by walking to the office rather taking the bus and bought a new gear cycle which he thought his child may never even have dreamt in his dearest of dear dreams.

A brand new reddish-black gear cycle was all set to meet the surprise of a cute boys' year-old desire. Both Polite Man and Pretty Lady were waiting for the happiness due on their child's face.

- to be continued