Window seats, thoughts of you;
Sunrise and some thirty-three thousand feet above the ground;

I look outside and I search solace among the clouds. At this point it’s hard to find any. I’m taken aback by the blueness. But then again, I look closely and notice how the sky has lost its colors.

“This is your captain speaking. We’ll be descending soon. For now, if you look at your left you can enjoy the lovely Andaman sea”

The clouds have clustered up to block my view now. I place my hand on the window & It’s just as cold as you are towards me.
I try to imagine the sea. But all I can think of is you.

“Sir, can I get you something to drink?” one of the hostesses ask me.
“Just some water, please” I reply.

She hands me a cup of water. I take a sip.
We’ve started losing altitude now.
The plane hurries through the clouds and soon we’ll have touchdown.

“We’re experiencing some slight turbulence. Please remain seated until……..”
I notice how his voice quivers.

I look outside the window one last time. I try to carve this view in my memories.

The plane’s still quite high up and there’s chaos around but even amidst this all, the water I’m holding is calm. As my hands start shaking, I grab hold of the cup. I close my eyes & thoughts of you invade my mind. I tighten my grip but I make sure that I don’t twist it.

I can’t let it spill.
I can’t let you slip.

……
window seat, you and a terrible landing | August 25
somewhere over the Andaman