2 On the Flight I See Another World

As is required in all offices, before promotion you are required to undergo some sort of training related to your work. In August 2016 I was selected to undergo a training program which was of 2 months duration. It encompassed training at the capital as well as a field visit. The field visit was to Sunderbans in West Bengal. Then there was a foreign trip component which for our group was a visit to the UK. It included a few days of study and visits to various offices in London, visit to Oxford and a few colleges there. Then there was also a visit to Wales and the national assembly there.

I took the morning flight to London to attend a course in connection with my work. We all had been asked to report 3 hours before take off. This flight was to leave on 2nd October 2016 at noon. We had cleared the immigration and we were waiting in the boarding area for the boarding announcement. Soon our flight was called and we proceeded to board our flight. As soon as we got on the plane and found our seats, some of the passengers promptly went to sleep.

I was allotted the window seat just above the wing of the plane. I could see the airport as well as the city as the plane soared into the sky above. Soon we were among the clouds and the 'fasten your seatbelts' sign went off. The announcement came that we would be served Lunch shortly. Those who had slept were woken up to take juice before Lunch. We were served a sumptuous lunch and as expected, after a heavy lunch downed with a cup of tea, almost everyone felt sleepy.

I could not sleep, soon the inside of the plane was in complete darkness except for the dim side lights. People were asleep( some were snoring loudly too) and so were my colleagues who were travelling to attend the same course with me. I just could not sleep maybe it was due to the excitement of travelling abroad after 4 years or it was due to the tiredness of packing and making arrangements for children etc before proceeding to the airport.

We had a 9 hours flight before we touched down in London at around 6-7 p.m at Heathrow airport. Then there would be immigration, customs etc. By the time we reached 'Holiday Inn' where we were to stay and where our initial classes were to be held, it would be 9 p.m. It would be Dinner time when we reached the hotel.

I was watching all my colleagues sleeping and some almost asleep, I also felt slightly drowsy maybe due to a hefty lunch. But what I saw outside was hard to believe. Even today while I am writing this I can feel the goosebumps coming all over me. Perhaps I was half asleep or I was half dreaming I cannot say. What I saw was like a dream or was it real? I just cannot say. That time we were crossing the Ocean below, we were flying above the clouds and the sun could be seen on one side of the plane as we were flying westwards.

As I looked out of the window pane, I saw a small child standing on the wing of the plane. This child had curly hair and had white wings fixed on his shoulders. The child was a boy, not a girl. He was wearing something like a white bright cloth around his middle that came down to his knees, something like a skirt or half lungi that men in South India wear. Around his wrists, he had armlets made of white flowers and had a garland around his neck also made of similar flowers. In one hand he carried a short stick which seemed to be a wand.

He was, it seemed, telling me to come out of the windowpane and come outside on the wing of the plane. That I need to step out. I mean, seriously, how can I step out of the plane? It is impossible.

He saw the doubt in my eyes and said, " Leave your body and come out. Try to fly."

"I don't know how," I replied.

He seemed to understand my doubt and then just put his hand through the window pane and if by magic his hand came through the window of the plane and clasped mine. Then he gently pulled my hand and I somehow glided across through the window and found myself outside the plane standing beside him on the wing of the plane. l could see me inside the plane in that half-asleep posture. But I was also outside the plane standing with my new friend on the wing of the plane. How is this possible?

He took my hand and on the clouds, I glided with ease. Soon I learnt to fly and was we were flying among the clouds, then way above into the blue sky. Then even beyond the blue sky into space where it was dark but lit with numerous stars and planets. Naturally, it was a heavenly experience. After some time it started to become dark below, the sun went down and he said it was time for him to go and meet other people.

Slowly we left the stars and the planets behind and descended to the blue sky and then to the clouds and then to the plane and landed on the wing of the plane facing my seat inside.

He led me to the window of the plane. I saw all my co-passengers in flight were sleeping. He told me to slide back into my body. I did not know how but I willed it and soon I was back in me and looking at him. He bid me farewell saying we will meet again but I should not forget. The past has done and gone so let it rest. No need to think about it. Live in the present and work to make a good future, that is the best.

During the journey, outside the plane, he took me to many places which I will describe in the coming chapters. To remember this dream or whatever it was. I recorded it in the form of a poem. Please read it too.

Here is the poem I wrote on 18th October 2016

Flight Of Fancy

My fate for me had ensured,

Traveller's foot and an explorer's galore.

I took a fancy to explore new lands,

My spirit soared for newer plans.

Flying I was, with the ocean, spread below,

Blue skies and the sun above did glow.

The clouds outside were my partners in flight,

My co-passengers had slept to my delight.

With wings on his shoulders and a wand by his side,

a childlike figure appeared outside,

Is he real or is he a dream?

Such thoughts in me started to frame.

The childlike angel told me to step out,

I rubbed my eyes as I had a doubt.

He beckoned again for me to try,

To leave my body and attempt to fly.

I did not know how to and I think he understood,

His hand came through and my hand he took.

Gently leading me out of the window pane,

To my surprise, I stood by the plane.

On the clouds, I glided with ease

Flying with my angel in heavenly bliss.

Soon it started to become dark,

My angel told me its time to depart.

I stood outside the window pane looking in,

All passengers were sleeping and snoring.

The angel told me to glide back in,

Soon I was again in me looking at him.

Now I go to someone who needs me,

Never forget that this is how to be.

The past has done and gone let it rest,

Live in present to harness a future that's best.

renukakkar18.10.2016

Copyright@2016