One Sunny Day

We recently had a short-story writing competition in our office. The challenge was to incorporate all four monsoon images in the given particular order. Limit: 1000 words.

1)    2)

3)4)


Now I am not a romantic buff and I dread romantic novels, especially chic-lit ones. Nope, there's no fault in my stars. I was reading Philip K Dick's Minority Report back then. So I decided to pay a tribute to this sci-fi genius. Here' my modest attempt at the short story:

“I have always loved rains,” thought Stella, “even if it hinders the smooth lifestyle we are used to.” 

She looked out to the Red Bridge amidst the labyrinth of water droplets that had collected on the window. “At least it gives the time to admire things that are not man-made.”

The wire-way cleared and Stella commanded her BugMobil to move. She had desired the advanced ThoughtDragon that would fly by itself to the owner’s intended destination. But the lack of money and time played a spoilsport. “Time…” sighed Stella. That’s what she was looking to mend.

The BugMobil halted at an orphanage. Stella climbed out and the car went on to park itself.

“Pleasure meeting you Stella,” greeted Audrey who was in charge of the institution. “You’ve come a long way from your days here. We’re obliged on your decision to adopt one of our girls.”

“I am compelled to. It’s one of the requirements to obtain the past-gear.”

“Being a future-traveller is easy. But keep in mind that travelling past has more nuances” warned Audrey.

They halted near a playground. Stella saw a 12 year old girl jumping and playing in the muddy waters of rain. She felt a wave of nostalgia rush through her body.

“I believe you like Margaret,” smiled Audrey. On getting a nod from Stella, Audrey beckoned TotalTurtle, her robot PA.

“Hello dear. I am Stella, a future-traveller”, said Stella as she introduced herself.

“Hello mam, I am Margaret. Where are you taking me?” replied Margaret politely.

“Home. You may call me Stella.”

TotalTurtle took the digital biometric prints and updated the database as legal formalities were completed in a jiffy.

“Will I get my own bed?”

“Yes, sure”

They thanked Audrey and made their way out of the building. Stella fired a voice command beckoning their ride.

“And a travel to future?”

“Oh absolutely!”

They entered the BugMobil and started towards home.

“You may call me Maggie,” said Margaret and their faces lit up with a smile.

On their way, they had lunch at McRobots, bought a Google ChromeBed, and beautiful Microsoft WearableWindows dresses for Maggie.

After reaching home, Stella asked Maggie to freshen up while she got busy in preparing the new room. Later in the evening, Stella made delicious hot chocolate that she served to a rather gleeful Maggie devouring majestic rain by the window.  Her joy was short lived as Stella pushed a few books towards Maggie.

“Why these?” inquired Margaret.

“Well madam, we’ve fulfilled your first demand. And in order to travel time, you must learn about it” answered Stella.

“Aye Aye Captain!”

                Over the course of next few days, Stella taught Margaret about time warps, space curves, light speeds and importantly the proper usage of future-gear. For practical, they hopped time in intervals ranging from few seconds to a couple of minutes.

“Can we travel further afar? This advanced theory is boring” pleaded Margaret.

“Alright, but be careful.”

Maggie used Stella’s gear and they moved ahead a good 3 hours.

“Ha-ha! This is fun” giggled Margaret. “I could solve all my problems this way,” she added.

“Not all honey” conveyed Stella, now a little serious. Adding further, she said “I want to travel past to undo a misdemeanour. And to obtain the past gear, I must have years of future travel experience and train a child in travelling future.”

“Oh I see”, exclaimed Margaret, “I’d help you in your mission. By the way, what’s this inscription on your gear?”

“It’s my id. 13U2Z. You either acquire a new id or inherit one from your trainer. I was lucky to find a trainer in my guardian.”

“Just like me!”

“Yeah, but you can’t have it as long as I’m associated with it.”

“So what happened to your trainer?”

“That’s what I want to mend.”

                Margaret had now become as good as Stella in time travel. She was also successful in going forward a month. They were now to make the ultimate leap.

“Ok dear. Now’s the time. If you’re successful in travelling over a year, I could go to the Ministry of Time Travel and get a past-gear and what’s more, you could apply for your own future-gear” said an excited Stella.

“Hold on to your hats madam. For we’re going to travel at top gear!” exclaimed Margaret.

“Where are you taking us?”

“Wait and watch.”

Margaret was nervous as she had never before attempted time travel on such a scale. She programmed the gear and pressed the ‘Go’ button.

                It was a sunny day. The sky was lightly overcast but one could easily feel the warmth of sun after a spell of rain. Stella felt a sense of déjà vu.

“Wowie!” cheered Margaret, “I’d always wanted to see a rainbow across the red bridge.”

Stella’s heart started beating faster. She felt a premonition of what lay next. As she turned, she noticed a guy walking towards Margaret with an electro knife. She let out a scream: “Maggie! No!” and jumped towards the guy trying to snatch money.

Margaret turned back in time and ducked to save herself. The bot police immediately sprang into action and caught the robber.

Margaret’s relief was short-lived as she noticed a pool of blood near the ground where Stella was lying. The emergency bot doctors declared her lifeless. Stella’s body was taken by the bots to the inspection centre. Later they’d arrange for funeral and notify Margaret of the details.

The events had occurred too soon for Margaret to collect her senses. She wanted to undo it all and go back in time. If only she had travelled wisely.

Margaret rushed to the old Victorian building off the corner.

“This is Ministry of Time Travel. How may I help you?” asked the receptionist.

“I want to register myself as a future traveller,” said Margaret. She had made a decision.

“Do you want a new ID?”

Maggie looked at the gear in her hand and answered “I will use 13U2Z.”

As is the case with me, I didn't win. But I am satisfied at trying something different. I also threw in an easter egg for my favourite space ranger. It's easy if you try ;)
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