Mainak Dhar - Vimana

That was when he saw Kartik walk in. Kartik just nodded to him and sat down some distance away, ordering a drink for himself. Perhaps because he was already a bit buzzed from the Soma, and perhaps because his mood was already pretty rotten, Aaditya walked over to Kartik.

'You having a bad day?'

Kartik just looked up and smiled.

'You seem to be avoiding me like the plague. What's up?'

Kartik seemed about to retort angrily, but then his features softened. 'Aadi, sit down and have a drink with me.'

He offered Aaditya another glass and poured himself one.

'I'm not avoiding you. Things have just been so crazy over the last few days that I haven't had time for anything. By the way, I gather Tanya's pissed with you because you forgot her birthday.'

Aaditya sat down next to Kartik, now realizing just why Tanya had been so angry with him. With all the action of the last few days, he had totally forgotten about her birthday.

'What the hell can I do to make it up to her?'

'You'll need to do something truly spectacular to recover from the hole you've dug for yourself, my friend.'

'Any bright ideas?'

Kartik beamed as he answered. 'I do actually. Take her for a spin.'

At first, Aaditya wasn't sure what Kartik had in mind, so he spelt it out. 'Take her for a flight on your vimana. She's never been in one.'

'Can I do that?'

Kartik slapped him playfully on the shoulder. 'You're a full-fledged pilot here now. You have two Asura kills to show for it. Of course you can.'

It was as if a light bulb had just gone on in Aaditya's head. Why had he not thought of it before? 'Thank you, my friend. You're a lifesaver.' Then he ran to get Tanya.

***

'What the hell are you doing?'

Tanya almost screamed in surprise as Aaditya woke her up and bundled her out of bed.

'Trust me for a minute and just play along.' He put a blindfold around her eyes.

'Aadi, what are you doing? Come on, tell me!'

Aaditya laughed as he walked her out the room and towards the hangar. Finally, with a dramatic drum-roll he took off the blindfold, and Tanya gasped as she realized what Aaditya had in mind.

'Happy birthday, sweetheart.'

He kissed her and then helped her into the cockpit.

'Should we really be doing this?'

'Aadi Air Flight 1 is ready for take off. Please make yourselves comfortable and we will serve refreshments soon after take off.'

The hangar doors opened as Aaditya commanded it and the vimana slid out and started a gradual climb. When it settled in level flight at about ten thousand feet, he dug into the area behind his seat and pulled out a cake.

'Black Forest. Your favourite.'

When they had eaten, he took the vimana into a gentle climb, going into the upper stratosphere. They could see the stars gleaming bright with no cloud cover to obscure them, and the full moon above them.

'All for you, my love.'

All of Tanya's worries about whether they should be out in the vimana dissipated as she saw the stars ahead of her. They flew for a few minutes and then started to return to base. Tanya's eyes were moist, and she reached out to touch his arm.

'Thank you, this is the best birthday I've ever had. Not just because of the ride, but because I spent it with you.'

They kissed once more and then Aaditya guided the vimana back into the hangar. It was already close to four in the morning, and they went back to their room and slept.

The next morning, Aaditya was called to meet Brahma. When he walked into the meeting room, he was surprised to see all the Devas assembled there. Kartik was there, but unlike the previous night, he was not smiling at all.

Narada pulled him aside.

'Aadi, what were you thinking?'

'What?'

Brahma stepped forward. All the other Devas looked downcast, as if they wished this were not happening. For the first time, Aaditya saw anger blaze in Brahma's normally grandfatherly eyes.

'Aadi, do you have any idea of what you have done?'

Aaditya was now totally clueless and began wondering if this was some elaborate practical joke. Seeing his reaction, Brahma only got angrier.

'We all love Tanya, and understand your feelings for her, but do you realize the danger in which you placed all of us with your irresponsible action last night?'

It finally dawned on Aaditya what this may be about.

'Look, I just wanted to do something special for her birthday. I didn't realize taking her in my vimana would be a big deal.'

Brahma took a deep breath, as if trying to control his temper.

'Flying alone is a big enough risk. We know you are learning fast, but what if multiple Asuras had ambushed you? And what would have happened to Tanya?'

'But I thought…'

'The problem is that you did not think. If you had told me, or one of us, we could have sent an escort and you could have still taken her out, but going out like that without telling anyone betrays the trust we have placed in you.'

Aaditya searched for Kartik, and began to say that he had spoken to Kartik when he saw the slight sneer form on the young Deva's mouth. He had been set up.

He stood up straight, looking Brahma in the eye.

'I realize what has happened, and I am sorry if you feel let down. But I am also not a child, and will take whatever punishment you choose to give me.'

Brahma said the next words as if he were unloading a great burden. 'You are not to fly till further notice.'

It took a while for the words to sink in, and then Aaditya realized just how devastating a punishment he had been doled out. He started to protest, but seeing Brahma's unforgiving eyes and Kartik's smirk, he stopped himself. He had been wronged, but he would not debase himself by begging.

By the time he got to his room, word had reached Tanya and she just hugged him tight, not saying anything, knowing both how hard Aaditya would have taken it, and also realizing that she had something to do with it.

Aaditya sat down, not saying anything, just looking blankly at the floor. After a few minutes, Tanya tried to get him to open up.

'Aadi, it wasn't your fault. I'm sure they will let you fly in a day or two when everyone has cooled down.'

Aaditya turned on her angrily. 'Of course, your precious Devas can do no wrong! I just have to sit and wait for their mercy.'

When Tanya recoiled back, Aaditya instantly regretted his words and reached out to hold her hand. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. But do you know what really happened?' And he told her everything. When Tanya heard about Kartik's scheming, she was shocked. 'You should have told Brahma.'

'Come on, why would he believe me over Kartik? Who am I after all to them?'

'Maybe I should talk to them.'

'No, please Tanya, don't. I don't want you to get into any more trouble. It was my fault to start with, and even if I can't fly, I have you, and I hope I made your birthday special. That counts for more than flying a stupid vimana.'

Tanya smiled, and the two of them sat together, wondering what the new day would bring.

Aaditya had already resolved not to make things any worse, especially after Narada came calling and told him that Brahma was a softy at heart and would very soon realize he had been too harsh. He had also decided not to seek out any confrontation with Kartik. He realized till he was in trouble, bringing any more attention to himself would not help his cause.

For the first time in weeks, perhaps months, without the constant thrill of flying, Aaditya got a chance to reflect on what exactly he was doing. He loved flying, and he loved Tanya, but beyond that, he had no idea of where his life was headed. What was the end point of all this? He realized that even in what he had considered his 'regular' life, he had gone through his daily routine not because he was certain of, or even aspiring to, some defined destination. It was just something he had accepted as a matter of routine. Now life was far more ill defined, but at least every day was a chance to do something he loved and was passionate about. And if he did get a chance to uncover the truth about his father, or to avenge his death, that was certainly something worth hanging in there for.