Chennai To Singapore 🛫

  

Life is uncertain!

 Not for everyone but For me it has always been like this. The things I wish for don't happen but certain things happen suddenly, beyond expectations. How do the routineers cope with their life? Do they pen down their To do's every morning as soon as they sip their first drop of green tea? Won't they get annoyed with their routine? ( Stop it Nakshu at least they have a vision of their future unlike you ). I was snapped to reality by the air hostess who had this pretty smile masked by her cherry red lip shade contrasting her clothing. She offered a glass of water with a constant smile etched on her round face. She reminds me of my childhood dream. I wanted to be an air hostess when I grow up. Had I become an air hostess today I would be doing the same right? No no, I’m too lazy for this job.

As she moved to the next row, the guy seated next to me came into view. Should I make a conversation? Or should I inform him that I am travelling alone for the first time? Should I say him that I dreamt of my plane crashing? Why would I do that? Are these the side effects of travelling alone? Anxiety?

(Stop it Nakshu focus !)

I scanned the entire place for a couple of seconds before I caught the most beautiful view ever. It was ethereal. Likely relaxing my tired nerves better than the overrated 10-minute meditation. The creamy white clouds appeared as fluffy white cotton balls in the sky. As I keenly observed them, I realised these misty clouds very much resemble nothing but the thoughts of our mind.

Messy, clumsy, some gathered and some apart, yet so peaceful! The more I enjoyed the view the more I was recollecting the things that previously happened in my life.

It was an emotional roller coaster for me.

For the past two years, I was no different than a pressure cooker. Giving whistles often (exams), bursting out at times and preparing that yummy meal so fondly called a board exam. The moment all that pressure meant nothing was when the results were out. It was over.

Now I'm gonna step into my college life. Like every teenager, I started getting dreams of my college life already. Not like Karan Johar’s movie but something similar to that was okay for me.

The first twenty-two days of my vacation were meant for clearing up the mess. I had to clean my home. Pheww.....so exhausting.

On the twenty-third day, I was having the best time of my life watching 'RIVERDALE' when my sweet mum came running to me and threw the brand new suitcase on the bed “Nakshu pack whatever you might need for a month" Mumma ordered in her bossy tone that annoys the shit out of me. "I know you will throw me out of the house someday but today ?". "Idiot the ticket is booked you're going to Singapore !" That was it. I knew that if I applied for a visa I’m gonna go there, but still, I was not prepared to go alone.

I am travelling alone. That too not for Bangalore or Vellore.

 SINGAPORE!

 SINGAPOREEE!

 SINGAPOREEEEEE!!!!!!

Before I could digest the provided information, I was at the "CHENNAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT".

My dad was giving me unpleasant judgy looks for the stickers I had on my luggage for identification. Stop it Dad it is cute.

"Nakshatra Ravi is travelling alone on her first international trip" Now this is hard for me to digest.

It is happening! My gut screamed in enthusiasm too. Calm down nakshu. It was just beginning!

My parents like every brown family gave me a quick recap of the do's and don'ts before bidding me adieu. I was a little late so I quickly ran and bought a brownie from the cookie man' which was the only budget-friendly thing I could spot. After numerous phone calls and directions from my mum and dad, I successfully boarded my flight. The flight attendant gave the basic instructions before take off. Luckily my aunt booked a window seat for me. I rummaged through my bag and spotted something. My mum is so sweet u know she gave me a tiny box of raisins to control my nausea. Your Mumma knows you well!

When the plane took off I started to feel it. Reality struck me. It was me and the "AIR INDIA EXPRESS" for the next four and a half hours. I started panicking when the plane started to strike past the gushing wind.

What if the plane crashes? What if someone hijacks the plane? What if the plane fails and I end up dead in the depth of the ocean? Will my 17-year-old life end in the stomach of some gigantic fish? Shut up.shut up Nakshu. Be positive ! I cheered myself which was not at all boosting my confidence.

After a couple of minutes, I saw the entire city getting tinier like blocks of Lego City. It felt amazing to fly alone but boring too. I was smart enough to download some episodes to watch. The only good thing I did in my entire lifetime. It came into help as I binged on it for the next couple of hours.

At Present,

Hours passed and my stomach growled. I remember I bought something. What was it? Ugh yeah, the brownie! It was a bit dry after being in air conditioning for too long but tasted heavenly. Just after I finished the last piece of it I was offered a evening snack by the same air hostess. The box had a samosa and cupcake. Not bad. My tummy was full by the time when there was another staff with a tray of liquor. I suppressed the thought of having one and focused on the book I was reading. It was pitch dark outside the window.

The flight attendant announced that the flight was about to land in a couple of minutes. I watched the entire city shining in vibrant lights. It was an aesthetic view. I packed my belongings in my bag pack. Ready for landing! The landing was smooth and my plane journey came to an end.

The city was welcoming and it all felt new.

I was now at the CHANGI AIRPORT. By the time my uncle arrived, I was collecting my baggage. It was about 10 pm and my stomach made sounds again. So we decided to have something for dinner. But the shops were almost closed. After minutes of roaming around the airport, we entered the back side of the jewel mall which was almost closed by then. But we were lucky enough to find a bao shop. I ordered myself a Bandung drink and lotus bao. I hated rose milk from the bottom of my heart but this was good to drink.

We reached the MRT by 11 pm and it took more than 20 mins to reach home. By the time I reached home, my twin cousins were asleep, I was super tired and dozed off instantly.

On day 4, 

I was again standing at the Woodleigh MRT waiting for Ilakkiya. I was meeting her for the first time. She was of my age and I guess that was the key thing for our instant bonding. In life often we meet and make friends at the most unexpected times which turn out to be strong and affectionate. I don’t care how we met but I’m glad that we did.

The most beautiful fact about teenagers is that they get along so easily.

I was heading to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS with Badhri and Ilakkiya. We reached the harbour front and walked on the bridge to USS. We were both photo freaks while Badhri was freaking annoyed at us. He dragged us both inside after stuffing some good day biscuits which had different plans for us. Badhri had enough of us and took us to the Cylon which was the scariest one. It was my first time on a roller coaster. I was not at all convinced but these two forced me to go with them. As soon as the ride started, Ilakkiya held my hand for support upon seeing my scared face. She was enjoying the ride while I was praying to god just to keep me alive.

At one point, I was at the top, feeling so close to god that I kept praying “god keep me alive I’ll visit u some other time, it is too soon to come back to you, I haven’t even enjoyed my life yet. I want to live a little longer “. These two were enjoying my reaction more than the ride. It was merely for a minute and the ride got over. I was done with this ride and I was not gonna come back ever. But the idiots I was with went for another round leaving me alone. By the time they came back, I saw Ilakkiya stumbling and throwing up everything she ate. The biscuits worked. Soon we were at the restroom cleaning ourselves. The good day biscuit was making our day bad. It was very funny even to face each other.

We then went for other rides among which the mummy and the Jurassic Park was my personal favourite. While travelling on the waterways of Jurassic Park, Badhri was fully drenched. To annoy him more, the family who shared the ride with us made fun of him and even their kids laughed at him. He was the one to make fun of us at all costs and we enjoyed watching them make fun of him. While we were waiting for the canopy ride, an announcement was made that the USS was closed for the day. We then went to McDonald’s for dinner and reached home. On the way back home we laughed our hearts out making fun of each other. I wonder what people would have thought of us. We laughed aloud till our stomachs hurt, walking like drunkards on the streets not caring where we are. We didn’t know we were making memories which were worth more than a million pictures.

We had the best day of our lives. Indeed the good day biscuit was the reason. It was fun with them. I will miss this when I go back home.

The one thing about kids is that they make u laugh like it’s a tickle when your mind is in a pickle. The more they laugh the more your mind eases. After a day full of thrilling rides and tides it felt calm to be with them. I was out of energy by then. I remember speaking to Mom before I went into a deep slumber.

On day 5, 

we went to Sentosa Beach for a picnic. I was again introduced to a new set of people. They were very welcoming. Ilakkiya too came with us. We had great fun together.

I enjoy being at beaches. It was like I could sit forever, and never get tired of just staring into the deepest blue I have ever seen. I have been a thalassophile my whole life.

The dreamy beach was its own master. The beach was buzzing in its dormant strength. The waves were crawling gently to the shore. From drenching the sand often to tickling the feet of many, the water witnessed everything. It was as if it felt happy like an exciting kid jumping and crawling around others. Dancing to the music, having samosas and nuggets added fire to the day. That was a day to be remembered.

On day 8, 

we planned to go to marina bay sands. We reached there by 7 pm. The view was ecstatic..The light and music show at the Marina bay sands was extremely beautiful. I actually liked the mall. The whole place screamed luxury. We roamed there for a while enjoying the view. On Badhri’s demand we went to the floating apple showroom. The whole place was extravagant and so luxurious. I wondered what life would be in luxurious suites. I hope I would reach there one day.. By the time we came back bread talk was closed. So we had to binge on the Nutella to sate our appetite and palate. We called off the day with creamy Nutella. Our memories was posted on our Instagram stories with weird captions from google.

It surprises me how we enjoy our social life more than living the moment. We tend to post everything we eat, places we go, weird scenario's, sunrise, sunset etc.... It has no end. We wake up to snap streaks and doze off to Instagram stories. How will it feel to live that moment. How would it feel to watch and enjoy the sunset. To get that one aesthetic click we take numerous photos which would never cross 150 likes or more. Still we love to do that. My mumma used to share her travel memories. I just look at how happy she becomes on mentioning some random thing that happened years ago. It gives life to the memories. When our kids ask about our childhood what memories are we left with to share ? Photos ? Videos ? Vlogs ? 

On day 10,

 Badhri had to return home. It was very gloomy as I had no company rather than him. After sending him off the house seemed empty. I had no other option than to read the books I bought. I jumped into my cozy bed and started reading “when I’m with you”. And the rest was history.

It was good to be at a new place amongst new people. We learn different ways of living, various cultures, different opinions and so on. I won’t say I learnt a lot,but I enjoyed it. I won’t lie about loving this place. It was amazing. I don’t have the heart to leave this place. This trip was close to my heart.

Travelling alone, New people, loads of happy memories and most importantly lots of aesthetic pictures to post on Instagram.

For now it’s Nakshu signing off with more memories yet to come.