Space travel

Nikhil loved travel. Traversing the terra firm was reserved for the hoi polloi , he inferred. 

Invading the unknown  and far-off planets was his idea of adventure. And it ran in his 

veins.

The space-ship which resembled an orange hot air balloon glided smoothly  towards 

the Milky Way.  Nikhil wished the vehicular traffic had smooth sailing on Mumbai 

highways. He had read a report by doctors that screamed of backaches and slip-discs of 

patients commuting on pot-holed roads. His flight odyssey would make Mumbaikars green 

with envy. 

The planet of Hoth has fierce creatures like the predatory wampa and tauntauns but they 

couldn't harm him. He would be safe, he  assured himself.

The hot air balloon picked up speed and the centre of the Milky galaxy look surreal. His 

eyes twinkled.

He had watched  'The Empire strikes back' umpteen times. Stars Wars was his fav serial.

School academics failed to ignite his curiosity. The lessons seemed banal to him 

and the teacher's voice monotonous. Science-fiction unleashed his interest and creativity. 

As his space ship cruised closer to Hoth, he imagined the cold white snow and ice for 

miles around. His heart beats resonated in his ears and he couldn't contain his 

excitement. He would regale his classmates with his experiences of the small terrestrial 

planted. But ughh !! the cretins  would not be interested. 

Hunger pangs pricked his insides and the aroma of his mother's rajma-chawal broke his 

reverie. The door opened. "Nikhil, rajma-chawal is ready. Enough of your simulation video 

games."

            Nikhil stepped down to hard reality and headed towards the kitchen.

                                          

Mumbaikar - resident of the city of Mumbai.

Rajma-chawal -  Indian one pot meal of rice and kidney beans gravy.