India : A World Meant for Me

If there is anything that I want to do in life, which would encourage me to do my further courses, then that is travelling the world. I am eager to go worldwide and explore exciting new places, climb hills and mountains, swim the lakes and surf the seas. I don’t know if I will ever be able to do that, cause I am still struggling to be a successful MCA. It has always been my father’s dream, and I am sure I will try my best to fulfill it. I think I like travelling, and you don’t always get what you like.

It all had just started when I was sitting in the canteen of CMCA, the college I had been in all those years, with my best friend Manav Shah, sipping my favourite cup of Bournvita. “Pushkar,” Manav said suddenly, “had you told me once that you like travelling?” I wondered how on Earth did that come to his mind. “I remember you did. How would it be if you get to do that once in a lifetime?” He finished. “That would be great.” I was blank. I didn’t know what to say next. “This is a unique opportunity. My father’s friend is the GM of Raghav Trips, and he said he will talk to his colleagues about a world trip for someone my father suggested. He is not a close friend, but I think he’ll agree.” Manav attempted to say three long lines. Raghav Trips was one of the best experience of picnics most people had ever got. “I think I should focus on becoming an MCA first.” I answered. “I’ll repeat, this is a unique opportunity.” Manav stressed. “I need to think about it.” I said, even if I didn’t really want to think about it. I wanted to fulfill my father’s dream, but not so early. I first wanted to become successful in life, and then chase my own desires. “Surely think about it.” Manav said, getting up and heading home.

That night I lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I didn’t know if I wanted to chase my dream before becoming successful. I surely like travelling, so I could just spit out a ‘YES’ from my mouth and just enjoy going out worldwide. But I was certain that becoming successful is very important in life, so I’d rather prefer a ‘NO’.

So the next day, I told Manav that I need to be successful rather than travelling. I was firm with my decision. Manav had a frown on his face and left.

The MCA examination was approaching, and I barely had any sleep at night. I would read the big block of papers, also known as a book, and practice on my own computer all the while I was awake. At night, I imagined myself in the exam hall, full of black and grey computers with other intelligent BCAs staring at me. It wasn’t going to be easy. Competing never is, specially for exams like this. The exams I had given when I was a little one were like study, apply, get a scholarship and your work is finished. But in this one, the Certificate of Degree will be applicable for a lifetime. At least I would be able to settle happily. Then I would think of travelling.

Finally the day had come. I could see fearful and frightened faces all around me. I caught up with Manav and we both headed towards the examination hall. The hall was a large and ventilated room with lots of computers. I sat down on my seat and waited for instructions. Fifteen minutes had passed until the supervisor came. She was a tall woman with short hair. After about five minutes we were instructed to start. Time was just running faster and faster. I had never had so much tension as in the examination. I finished the examination half hour early and saved it on the computer. I then looked around in the hall. Manav had already finished the exam and was playing with a pencil. Then I looked towards the corner of the room. There sat a not-so-tall girl with a bit longer hair. I leaned to get a closer look at her project. It was beautiful. I feared if she would beat me in the exam. Just then someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned and the supervisor shot me a look. I quickly turned towards the computer to show I was working. “The time’s up.” The supervisor called out. I was out of the hall and to the ground floor in a minute. There I saw the girl in the corner walking alone. I ran towards her and asked for her name. “Nina.” She answered. “I’m Pushkar.” I said, shaking hands with my new friend. She looked into my eyes and smiled.

Those were happy days. The friendship between Nina and me grew closer and closer. We met in the canteen every single day. I introduced Nina to Manav and they both became friends soon.

Once it so happened that we were discussing about our likes and dislikes. Manav said he liked coding and working on projects. Nina said she liked Mathematics. Then Nina and Manav turned towards me. “What do you like, Pushkar?” Nina asked, staring right at me. For a minute I was blank. Then I managed to speak up. “I like travelling.” I started. “It would be great if I get to go around the world one day.” I finished. Nina suddenly stood up. “I can give you the money. My father is a businessman, he will agree to give as much money as he can afford. Perhaps, I can’t give you the amount to go round the world, but surely I can give you the money to travel the country.” First I refused. Nina repeated again. Still I refused. Then she demanded. I didn’t agree. Then she frowned and said, “What are friends for?” Now that sentence was a special one. That could make anyone to take or give anything whatever the circumstances are. I had to agree this time. If I cannot travel the whole globe, why not try going around the country?

My flight was scheduled on 29th September. I was eager to travel India. I had to just wait for a week to sit in the airplane and observe the beautiful scene of skyscrapers, which would look like toys from up there. I didn’t remember when I had last seen such toys before.

At last the day had come. Large planes stood on the huge runways. I watched as international planes took off into the air. I looked at all sides of the airport as tall walls and a large roof stood high above us. I sat in the large waiting hall, chatting with my two close friends. We laughed and joked. I didn’t even understand how time was passing by. Soon after two hours, my flight had come. Two hours seemed to have passed in two minutes! I ran towards the airplane to keep myself from missing the flight. I settled in the airplane and waved a goodbye to my friends through the window.

The airplane climbed onto the steps of the large and infinite blue sky. It went through clouds as white as snow which looked as soft as cotton. I wanted to jump out and fly through the clouds, and lay down on them.

My flight landed in Delhi. I had heard from many people that Delhi is a huge city, but this time I had really experienced it. I roamed in the city and admired the India gate and the enormous parliament building. I snapped a lot of pictures of various tourist places. Just by one large city, my heart seemed to be so excited! I ate a delicious cheese stuffed pizza which I hadn’t eaten for a year or two. I boarded the airplane again to explore another large and exciting new place. Oh, how I love travelling!

My next destination was Nainital, another beautiful place, located in Uttarakhand. I enjoyed Nainital, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and lastly the Nicobar Islands. Then I was about to visit Jammu and Srinagar, at the north of India. I boarded the flight and admired the beauty of the heaven-like sky all the while I sat in the plane once again. I landed with a sweater already on my body. It is really cold over there, you know. I roamed in the beautiful part of the country and admired the enormous mountain range of the Himalayas. They were huge peaks covered wholly with snow and they glittered in the sunlight. It seemed as if the peaks were welcoming all the tourists who had come to visit them.

I roamed in the beautiful place for the whole day and at seven, I was ready to return to my hometown, the city of knowledge, Pune.

I was just going to board the plane when suddenly a dark bald man aimed a gun at me. He was ready to shoot me down! I was so frightened that without thinking I picked my suitcase up and banged it against his head. He fell down, a bit of blood flowing from his forehead. I wasn’t sure if he was really unconscious or not, so I ran as fast as I could towards the plane. But even before I could get near the airplane, I was shot into the arm. I turned to see the armed man back up on his feet. I ran into a bathroom and hid behind the door. The armed man followed me and opened the door only to get my suitcase banged against his face once again! I didn’t bother about what happened to the dark man, I was bothered about the plane. I had missed the flight.

I handed the man over to the police and went to the hotel I had booked an hour ago. I had a large bandage on the spot in my arm where I had been shot. It was a really deep wound. After about a couple of hours, I got a message from Nina. ‘Where are you?’ She had written. ‘In Srinagar, I missed the flight.’ I wrote back. ‘How on Earth did you miss the flight?’ She asked. ‘I got shot into my arm.’ I answered. ‘WHAT?’ Nina asked. I understood that she was totally surprised over there. ‘I will explain you everything when I’m back.’ I messaged. ‘When will you be back?’ She asked. ‘After two days, the next flight is scheduled tomorrow at 11 pm.’ I answered. ‘Results have come.’ Nina wrote. Suddenly I felt my heartbeat rising. ‘What’s my result?’ I asked. ‘Oh, congrats, you’re the topper and you’re getting awarded tomorrow.’ She messaged. Oh, that time I was so happy! ‘Can you collect the certificate for me?’ I asked, expecting a ‘YES’. ‘Fine, but Manav was so excited to see you onstage tomorrow.’ Nina answered. ‘Tell him to collect the prize, then.’ I messaged.

The next day, I boarded the flight safely. This time there weren’t any dark bald men with guns at the airport. I didn’t want to admire the clouds as they weren’t visible in the darkness and I was feeling dizzy. I dozed off in the airplane. The plane landed and I was eager to meet my friends. I went to the canteen to see my friends holding my certificate. Nina looked at me and smiled. I gave a high-five to each of my friends to show how happy was I to meet them again. Manav gave me the certificate and we talked about my interesting travels.

I was very happy to both become an MCA and fulfill my dream of travelling.