Chapter 1: Introducing the revolutionary Time Machine

It all started with Professor Aarthi’s Time Machine…

Birthdays are always happy moments with parties, cakes, friends and fun! On one of my birthdays on July 6^th 2021, my parents arranged a party full of frolic to celebrate. Everyone brought gifts, except my mom’s friend Professor Aarthi. I was both disappointed and surprised.

It’s not that I always look for gifts, just that Aarthi aunty (how she will be addressed going forward) would always bring gifts that would kindle my curiosity. I always looked forward to her gifts, every time she visited me.

Honestly, I would not only appreciate the gifts but was intensely thankful for the wishes of my near and dear ones. On my twelfth birthday mamma had written a poem which Aarthi aunty had laminated and gifted to me. I always held it close would treasure it for the rest of my life.

Coming back to this birthday party, there was a lot of celebration. My parents had bought many books for me. I was thrilled looking at the pile of gifts and the wishes showered on me by my relatives. After the snacks, festivities, and dinner, Aarthi aunty took aside my parents. I was observing their serious conversation, and soon she called out to me. My parents, Aarthi aunty and I hopped into her car and left for her house!

I was so inquisitive and asked, “What happened, aunty?”.

She just replied with a smile, “Stay tuned my boy and you will discover soon!!”

All the way, Aarthi aunty was talking about the birthday celebrations. I was silently disappointed with her no-gift entry for my birthday, and the restless me couldn’t resist asking her, “By the way aunty, did you forget my birthday or did you forget me?”

Aunty smiled, “Why do you say so my boy?”

I reluctantly replied, “I was eagerly expecting a gift from you. Please don’t take me wrong. Your gifts kindle my curiosity.”

Her smile broadened. We had reached her home, she parked the car safely and led us into the house, and then down to the basement.

I followed her, clueless and intrigued while my parents were still calm and quiet. Perhaps they know the purpose of this visit?

She looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes and said, “Here is your gift”, pointing to the end of the room.

There was a big object the size of a refrigerator, covered with a soft silky cloth.

While I was still wondering what was happening, Aarthi aunty unveiled the object by removing the silky cloth.

With a hint of pride in her eyes, and laughter she said, “Child, this is my greatest accomplishment and invention—The Time Machine, Pudumai *.”

I was worried that aunty had lost it!

From the looks on my parent’s faces, I also understood that they felt the same.

But still, we remained patient to hear more from her.

She said, “The Time Machine was science fiction all this while, but I have converted it into reality! This was a secret project for about 10 years. I took every piece of information that my brain had to offer and I worked voraciously on it.”

My eyes widened and I felt that this is just a magical experience or perhaps a 4D movie which would soon end with illusions.

She added, “Sharvesh, for your birthday, I would love to onboard you as the first-ever time traveller”.

I exclaimed, “Woah, woah, woah!, Aunty slow down, slow down. You really want me to try first, a 9^th-standard boy, who barely has any knowledge about this hi-tech equipment?”

*Pudumai – novelty in Tamil

Professor Aarthi said, “Of course, boy. I understand that you like to learn about history. Maybe this will quench your thirst for knowledge on the National Movements, and could be the best gift I can ever give you. Further, I will accompany you on the tour to the past.”

As Aarthi aunty opened the Time Machine door, I thought about how something as small as a refrigerator could accommodate two people.

When she opened the door, I was shocked that there was literally a whole room inside in which I could place all my belongings.

Pudumai was equipped with enough food rations to last for a week, travel equipment and sick bags.

Aarthi aunty and I sat on the seats and fastened our seat belts. Aunty took over the controls and said, “Hold on, boy! This might give you a bad jolt!”

She pushed a button and the world turned upside down. In the next moment, we were jumping from timeline to timeline, aiming for the First War of Indian Independence, 1857.

Pudumai stopped and I could see small buildings, huts and houses, bullock carts, donkeys with parcels, etc., all around us.

We had arrived in 1857.