Voyagers into the Unknown

Dawn had risen over the historic Indian town of Agra. Agra was a city of monuments, which stood tall, their unmatched grandeur telling of their long and fascinating history. The morning air was filled with the sounds of roosters calling, birds chirping, and morning prayers and salutations. Dogs and cows were being hustled through the streets and errand boys on bicycles hurried along to their respective chores and deliveries.

Amidst this vibrant chaos, a man in his late thirties with an athletic physique, broad shoulders, and unkempt black hair was briefing his colleague in a quiet, affable tone. He held a bunch of papers in his hand, and the other man nodded obediently as he glanced through them, making notes on the pad in his hands. “So, are you all set?” inquired Raj, the black-haired man.

“I think so,” replied the other man confidently, as he took his seat behind the wheel of a mini-bus.

“Call me if you have any questions, Albert. You know where to reach me,” added Raj as he shut the door of the driver’s seat, giving his driver two thumbs up. Albert started the engine quickly and began to roll away from the curb. He was abruptly halted by a sharp knock on the door of the vehicle. The driver slammed on the brakes and looked to see who was doing the hammering. Raj reappeared on the other side of the glass with blank boards and a sharpie. Albert opened the door and reached out for the additional items. “Write the names of my birds on these planks. It will be easier for them to spot you,” explained Raj.

“Birds?” inquired Albert with a confused expression.

“Sure, Birds. Since they will fly back to where they are coming from in a week’s time.”

“Aha! Yes, boss!” Albert winked and started his journey.

After driving continuously for four and a half hours, Albert finally reached Delhi Airport. He glanced through the various itineraries and wrote a name down in bold letters, IRA ADDISON. Then he went to the arrival gate of the international flights and held the plank high so that the disembarking passengers could read it.

A few minutes ticked by. “Hi,” a female passenger waved and walked towards him. “Raj?”

“No... uhhm... yes?” Albert paused awkwardly, “I am Albert. I’m the driver for ‘Raj Touristry.’ I will take you to Agra, where the tour will begin.” He extended his hand towards her. Ira shook hands with him, placing her glasses over her tired eyes while pulling back her unkempt golden hair that was gleaming in the sun. Her thin, petite frame was only thirty years old, yet she had the delicate fragility of someone much older.

“How was your journey, Ira?” Albert inquired as he helped her load her luggage.

Ira pondered his question, thinking back on her journey.

She had checked in her luggage and waited impatiently with a heavy heart to board that plane. Sitting in the lounge area, she had scrutinized the expressions of the other passengers to see if she could tell why they were going to New Delhi, India. Most of her fellow passengers had either radiated joy or were too engrossed in their laptops or smartphones to show any expression at all. The latter group was probably on some sort of business trip. The happy faces of the others, however, had brought forth a cry of pain from her heart. Their joyful expressions clashed hurtfully with her own feelings.

Why me? Where did I go wrong? As these words echoed in her mind, she had realized that tears were rolling down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with her shirtsleeve and pulled her shades down over her eyes. She was a strong woman. She couldn’t break down like this. It would ruin her reputation. This salty flood was only allowed within the confines of the four bare walls of her house. House, not home. Her home had been swept away when someone walked out of her life, ripped her heart out, and left her to pick up the pieces alone.

“Flight 762 to New Delhi, now boarding,” the flight attendant announced. Ira picked her frail, weak body off the seat and moved toward the embarkation line. She noticed a businesswoman in front of her who was well dressed and fashionably styled. She used to have such a well-toned physique and well-put-together appearance, but not anymore. She’d taken such care and pride in her daily “getting ready” regimen. Her mornings consisted of waking up at the brink of dawn and planning every minute of her day in minute detail. This set her up to achieve whatever she had tasked herself with, leading up to the minute at which she’d plunk herself onto the couch in complete satisfaction next to her man, Pete, who was just the opposite.

They had been the poster couple for the saying, “opposites attract.” Still, they made an incredible team when it came to sharing their emotions and feelings. She always felt that she could talk to him about anything that had bothered her at work or elsewhere during the day. He had a laid back way of approaching problems, which contrasted with how Ira was very aggressive and rash in her actions. Her motto was, “If not now, then never.” Pete warned her sometimes about the repercussions of that attitude, but since she had felt that time was on her side, she had paid him little heed.

That was one of our main problems, she thought with sadness as she shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. She buckled up and pulled off her shades to take one final look outside. She hoped that when she returned home, she would have a new perspective on everything. Then a soft nudge against her shoulder reminded her that she wasn’t alone.