What if I fall and develop wings ? -London

Just like any Software engineer I had the luxury of traveling to London. Though the trip was spanned over a period of 14 days I intended to make the most of it. My best friend was already in London as a part of his work too. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for more. So with the limited time we had (to be precise a weekend), we planned our expedition.We decided to meet at Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus is London England’s equivalent to Time Square in New York City and it is ablaze with lights in the evening.

It was quite an experience meeting your dear friend after an year in another part of the world. A year ago we were wondering what to do with our careers and here we were laughing our hearts out discussing our pasts.

We woke up on Saturday morning only to find rain play spoilsport. I was shattered as we had reserved our bookings @Beccles. We called to inquire if there were any alternatives and they were courteous to re-schedule the appointment. I still couldn’t believe what just happened. What if the weather remains the same tomorrow as well? I couldn’t process any of it. I would be gone the next week and so my dreams. 

There are a lot of places to visit in London, take no credit away. But I traveled to London with one purpose. Yeah, I get it, it was an official trip, I agree it can’t be the only purpose but I am being completely honest here. I had only one weekend to turn my dream into reality. It took a lot of convincing from my friend to find my feet again. We headed to Madame Tussaud’s as we booked our entry tickets online. It’s a nice place to be with lots of well-crafted wax statues, a place where we can make good memories. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who visits London. 

The rain did ease out in the evening and we set out to take a walk across the river Thames. The London circle and the river Thames feature in most of the Hollywood action flicks. I wouldn’t say it is a go-to spot for tourists but yeah since you have been to London you can opt for a bird-eye view.

 

With the hope that we can stick to our reservation, we headed back to our stay.

As expected the rains eased out and we headed to the railway station. It takes around 4 hours to travel from London to Beccles. That train travel was one of the most exciting travel experiences.  Since the train was passing through the countryside I was flabbergasted to see the scenic beauty. The train passes through a lot of open and pleasant rather a spectacular countryside. The horses running across these open fields were a treat to watch.All along the day, my friend kept me at bay from reading the newspaper. Since it was a 2 weeks trip I hadn’t purchased a sim with mobile data connectivity. So I stuck to listening my favorite numbers and to the mesmerizing views.

Now that we were in Beccles we headed out to the airfield. Once the formalities were done I was asked to sign a paper that I will try to explain in the best way possible. Here it goes..

The human body is amazing in it’s ability to heal. We hope your healing is quick after the jump.

Your’s Sincerely

It was while signing the papers that the reality hit me. Out of nowhere, I turned around and had a conversation with my family. It was like saying goodbye. I knew that jitters. It has started to consume me. My friend realized it too, walked up to me and said “You will never get these moments ever again. Unless you are willing to spend another INR 70000 – 80000”  (including all expenses like traveling from India). That was the best one-liner advice ever. I wouldn’t shy away from accepting the fact that, even after four years (while penning down this article), it still appears to be a huge amount. So brushing all things aside we set out to get dressed in our jumpsuits.

The staffs were courteous. I met the other two people who were my most trusted persons for the next 20-30 minutes. Dave Tee captured the best moments during my jump and the other was a life savior. Dave Tee started off with an interview and it sort of eased me out. 

I walked to the plane and climbed up the ramp. I was elemental, radiating with a smile. The engines turned on and the plane started to take off. The sound was deafening and the doors were of plastic that rolls down from the ceiling, totally foreign to any other airplane I’ve been in — slides shut behind us. As the plane ascends the smile on my face diminished inch by inch, to a point where I didn’t want to jump. I look around and look on their faces: that here-we-go-oh-my-god kinda look. I gathered some courage not enough to make the jump though. Only 2 participants remained on the plane. No surprises I was one among them. I was dragged to the edge of the plane. I was constantly reminded not to look down. But that’s the irony, your mind does exactly what it’s not supposed to. As my eyes started to roll down and my head along with it I felt like a hand reaching out and holding my head up. Yeah, it happens, you start wondering if everything is happening quickly, am I really doing it? Is there an option to back out? I wish I had a pop-up blocker in my mind just like any web-browser.

Dave Tee was latching onto the plane waiting for us to make the jump. I was scared, I knew it, my instructor knew it and so did the cameraman. I said to myself, the only way to end this misery is to jump and carry these memories to my grave. The golden words “You will never get that moment back” flashed across as we jumped off.

I realize I stopped being scared when my feet left the plane . There is no preparation that can prepare you for this experience.I didn’t blink an eye, even if these were the last 45 seconds of my life I wanted the pictures to read “The happiest death ever recorded”.  These are the moments that take your breath away. The strong winds caressing  your cheeks, it’s the wildest, craziest, most inspired, most joyful, most incredible. And most importantly being myself I have ever been. 

Suddenly, I feel the taps. I cross my arms as the parachute opens. It all slows down to a state of calmness. We glide across the beautiful landscape to land. I didn’t break a sweat and I am thankful to all those who made this possible.

Finally, to that one question that you must be having in mind. Why did he keep the newspaper away from me? Well, the headlines read 

Woman with dwarfism killed after modified parachute fails to open..

Now that you have read the headlines, tell me ,will you make the jump ?