Life and Lies of M R Maiti

AIR Don't say it! “Actually...” I begin to speak, making an innocent face. I pause, seeming to hesitate. It works all the time. No, don't say it! “It's my first time.” It's not. You're lying. “Can I have the window seat?” You're going to burn in hell. My subconscious takes a back seat as the middle-aged man shifts to my seat and I take the one by the window. The plane slowly makes its way to the runaway. It takes a slow left turn. A brief pause when it flexes its muscles, its flaps, gearing up for the run. Then, it slowly breaks into speed. My headphones are plugged in. I have to time it right. The music builds up as the Airbus gains speed. And just as it lifts its nose up, leaving the ground, the lyrics come up. I LOVE THE FEELING WHEN WE LIFT OFF I relish the sunken feeling in my stomach as the world slowly shrinks below me. WATCHING THE WORLD SO SMALL BELOW After an hour of flying over the clouds, the plane is descending now. The h