Episode 6

Ms. Clarissa Bencher is one of the most able administrators of Dr. Mac Meyer and has a fine ability to assess and judge people. She is of the kind who will test you right from the fiber with which you are made. Nothing can be hid from her. She can see through anybody. Stern, lean and tall Clarissa is a widow of a very sincere army man. She has seen life in all dimensions and that is what makes Mac Meyer believe that she is a class apart.

Clarissa says to the selected six, “I believe you all know about the risks that you are taking up in Mission Marshal 678A. Your life is at stake and believe me NASA doesn’t take much responsibility if something unexpected happens out there. Yes! It is true that your family will be paid handsomely but still there is a huge loss… this irreparable and permanent loss… your parents will never get you back and your children will never see you again. So it is my genuine advice to each of you, think twice. I agree there is adventure, but things don’t really happen the way you expect them to. I’m not trying to scare you or shoo you away from the honor but I’ve seen the consequences and it is my responsibility to put you a foreword.”

Throughout her speech Ms. Bencher looked straight into the eyes of the six contenders and clearly she was reading their minds. She then continued, “So Ms. Singhania, I believe this is the second time that you have been nominated to go on this mission… what happened the first time? Were you scared?” Ritvika knew this was coming. Instinctively she said, “Not scared, bound”, Clarissa shot a deep glare at her, “Free from the bonds already?” “If aim stands taller than any other bond, I am absolutely free from every bond existing on Earth to go to Mars”. Clearly pleased, Clarissa gave her a faint smile and shifted her attention to a file on the desk and said, “While I ask the other five to leave, might I have a quick word with Mr. Renae”

Episode 5

Ritvika was back on her journey to the NASA, recollecting all those childhood incidences where her parents pampered her, scolded her and cared for her so much! She couldn’t hold back those tears. The pain that she was facing then was so much beyond comprehension because for the first time in her life she felt her heart turn two ways. She was in fact cursing herself for leaving her parents. But she knew what she was doing and didn’t regret her decision.

On reaching her destination, she wiped her personal life completely and stepped into the world of destiny as she calls it. Mission Marshal 678A was her only dream that she wants to achieve at any cost. After working day and night for the next three months, the space craft they have been working on was ready and all set for the launch. That was the day she felt closest to her dream coming true. A crew of four scientists was to be sent on this mission to Mars and undoubtedly Ritvika was one of those four because she is the only one who knows rock meteorology and an apt technician who can make the mission meaningful.

The concern was all about the other three scientists who would go with Ritvika. Almost all the scientists at NASA knew that accomplishment of this mission means eternal glory to whoever is on-site of the mission. The Chief of NASA, Dr. Mac Meyer was now in deep trouble as he knows that it is difficult to satisfy everyone and yet send only four people on the mission. With great difficulty he filtered the most eligible ones and brought six people to the front. Co-incidentally, three male and three female… dropping two of these six was even more difficult than he thought it was. It was now that he sought the help of his most trusted colleague, Ms. Clarissa Bencher.

Episode 4

Intelligence, diligence and patience personified...Ritvika, was the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Raj. Ritvika was born and brought up in Agra, a beautiful place in the heart of the country. Her childhood passions were playing in the rain and playing with the mud. She was much attached to her maternal grandmother than to her parents. The sudden death of her granny caused her a sense of loss...loss of her most cherished support...loss of someone who always backed her whenever nobody seemed to hear her.

It was soon after this tragic incident that Ritvika made it to NASA. She went to the USA with both her parents along. Her boundless confidence and her zeal to unearth the outer space, made her go for the Mars Exploration project. She was often obstructed by her parents' disapproval of her trip to outer space. Over two years, seeing that their daughter is too much involved in this Mars project, Mr. & Mrs. Raj insisted on going back to India and settling there.

They now intended to marry her off to a suitable groom and get her settled in a happy marital life. At that moment, Ritvika could not afford to say a harsh NO to her parents, whom she loved more than anyone. They came back to India immediately. It was just one week past their arrival that Mr. Raj found this letter on one fine morning!

Episode 3

Dear Daddy,

This is the last thing that I ever wanted to do and now...it is my only resort. I love you and respect you more than anyone else in this world daddy. But today, my ambition stands taller. It has been really very tough for me to take this decision. Life has given me this brilliant opportunity for the second time and this time I cannot act blind towards it.

I set this goal of mine, way back in the elementary school itself. I told this to you & to all. I knew nobody would take me seriously on this at that age. To prove my worth and achieve my goal, I worked hard and made it to NASA. After putting in all the effort and hard work, I got my first opportunity to reach my goal. I was there standing right in front of it and still couldn’t get it because my hands were bound by Mom’s love and affection.

Today, I got this second chance and daddy! I don’t want to be weak at this moment. Not always does life give you a second chance to achieve a target and when it does, the only thing that makes sense would be “Go for it!” Take care of mom. It is only you, who can manage this situation. I must have hurt you and mom terribly by moving out daddy, but if I ever come back, I will never leave you’ll again. I now take your leave, to get there… My goal… My dream… Marshal 678A – MARS EXPLORATION.

Love you loads,

Ritvika

Episode 2

He was so surprised and taken aback on seeing this weird envelope in his daughter's bold and legible writing. Still wondering what it could have been, Mr.Raj hurried through the thick yellow envelope, setting his spectacles straight. He could no longer resist the curiosity. As he unfolded the letter, he saw his wife going into their daughter's room with the cup of coffee. His heart thumped as he read the letter to himself. His round bead like eyes widened with shock as he read each line and a tiny tear rolled off his cheek and fell on the letter, blurring the ink. His hands went numb and he turned pale. The already wet letter, clearly showed that the person writing it was emotionally so broken while writing it. The faint morning breeze through the window suddenly turned into a fierce and uncontrollable strong wind making the windows bang against the adjacent walls. When he finished reading the last line of the letter, he saw his wife coming out confused and worried, calling out for their daughter. She came close to him and Mr. Raj gave her a look of desperate helplessness as he handed over the letter to her.

Already worried Reshu, became all the more anxious and read the letter. Her heart missed a beat and she dropped the coffee cup in her hand. She slapped her hands across her mouth and started crying loudly. Raj-tears rolling down his eyes, was trying to calm her down. After a little while, the senior couple calmed each other, went and stood by the window, facing the bright sun.

Episode 1

The old antique clock, by the bedside ticks away 6:00am before Mr.Raj Singhania wakes up and calms it down with his plump banana-like fingers. He then sits up and looks over his shoulders to find his wife still sleeping. This surprised him more than anything, because he never saw his wife sleep till 6:00 in the morning. She usually wakes up an hour before he does and gets things ready for the day's work. Things seem different today.
Mr.Raj, a tall, hefty and bald figure, now gropes for his square-shaped spectacles by the bedside and wears them. He then walks sleepily towards the hallway. The hall seemed calm and unusually serene. The morning sun had already flooded the hallway. He walks past the high table towards the main door and dreamily opens it. He picks the Economic Times from the mosaic floored veranda, turns back and bangs the door shut behind him.
As he walks in trying to focus on the newspaper, he trips against the high table and falls flat on the tapestry carpet. Taking the support of the glass teapoi, Mr. Raj gets back to his feet and picks up the newspaper again. He throws a serious glance at the high table and dives back into his Economic Times.
He reads the first word of the headlines and only then does he realize that he had seen a pale yellow envelope on the high table. He rolls his paper and throws it on to the sofa with his eyes fixed on that jaundiced envelope. He then walks towards it and lifts it to about 20cm from his eyes, adjusts his spects and finds it addressed "Daddy"