The Rescue Plane

** 7 P.M, July 7 **

Just few hours more and i'll be with her, celebrating her 23rd birthday. I was waiting for this day so long. Not only because, it was my girlfriend's birthday, but more importantly, it was her first birthday after getting the job she always dreamt of. We had been in a long distance relationship for almost 4 years, and amidst all ups and downs, we held it pretty good. She is destined to have more happiness than ever and, what better gift it could have been to pay a surprise visit on her birthday. It was already 7 pm on clock and i was stuck at my work. I had a flight at 9, almost two hours' journey and then about half an hour through cab to her residence. I wished everything to be just on time. Anyhow, I was just able to convince my boss, left the office, and hurried to airport. 

Bam!!! that plethora of traffic, lucky that I managed to be at airport by 8 pm. Seemed like, the universe wanted me to be with her, or at least i thought so, that's so characteristically optimistic of me. Boarding pass, security check, luggage and blah blah blah, but all I was thinking was about her reaction. I boarded the plane.

** 9 P.M, July 7, In Flight **

Plane took off and I was admiring the city from that height. It looked beautiful and suddenly it started to grow a little dark. There were clouds. I thought they might be a little, as per the weather forecast everything was supposed to be okay. But no, it grew darker and darker. We were in all darkness and the plane suddenly faced some turbulence, once, then again. There was panic spreading, and probably the flight crew were well aware of that. They made an announcement about the situations, "It's unexpectedly cloudy, and we have some turbulence, but all the passengers are advised to remain seated and fasten their seat belts. We are trying our best to overcome the situation. You all are safe, there is no need to panic." But, there was. I knew it. I have traveled multiple times through planes, but never saw something like this. Suddenly, there was a lighting strike, right next to plane and that was definitely horrifying. I heard some voices, some shouting, some praying, some saying something. Crew was trying to get them to seats and somehow calm them. And I was asking myself, "Will I be able to see her for one last time?". 

The plane had lost all connections from control room and the instruments stopped working, the pilots too didn't know what to do. They were just trying their best to save plane from crashing right in middle. Out of nowhere, some lights appeared. Is it some airport light? That was series of lights. That gave a sudden rise in hopes and pilots decided to go towards that light, just in hope that they might make an emergency landing. But, the light started getting closer and closer. No, they were certainly not some airport lights. OMG!!! that was another plane. The sparking blue luminous lights. 

While people were as afraid as earlier or maybe more, yeah me too, I was no brave hearts either, I saw that series of lights coming almost parallel to our flight. Before I could even think or analyse about it, there was another announcement. "Passengers, this is your captain, We have a good news that we have a rescue plane here for our help. They are going to guide us, and I want all of you to relax now. We are safe now. Relax, Ladies and Gentleman, The prayers paid off." 

Meanwhile, in cockpit, the situation was a bit too different than described. None of the instruments were working, and out of thin air, they received some signal on the microphone which said "We know you are in trouble, we are here to save you, please follow us, and don't be afraid. We have done it multiple times. You are in safe hands. We will guide you out of clouds." The pilots had no choice, but they were shocked, shaken to depth, as how did that microphone work first of all and what kind of plane is it? They discussed, kept their calm and decided to take a chance, as they knew that they have no chance to survive this huge chunk of clouds and lightning strikes. "Copy that, we are following you". That was just a gamble, but they had to take the chance. And then the "Mystery plane" or say "Rescue plane" started leading the plane, guiding it.

Whenever, I used to feel scared, usually I went into pin drop silence, I never knew why. But, today was something different, because there are no blue lights on a plane, never. But, the optimistic me said that probably today is something different, how often there is something like this is heard of, seriously a "rescue plane" to rescue another plane? If I survive today, I am going to propose her, and if I don't, then i'll stop thinking such crap because then it won't matter. "Ugghh, how do I always manage to crack stupid jokes?"

Few minutes later, we were out of clouds, and mysteriously "The rescue plane" was nowhere. We were probably safe, but what in the name of God was that plane? "A hero? Superman's plane? Really, how could I come up with such names in such situation." I thanked God for whatever it was, but we all survived. The plane landed safely at 11 pm. 

** 12 A.M, July 8 **
I was outside her residence, I called her to come out. Her shell shocked version could not believe it, mostly because I said that I'll be very busy in an important meeting at this time and I couldn't even call her at this time. Of course, I lied. I had brought her favorite sea shells collection, her favorite dress, and myself on knees with a ring in my hands. "Will you give me a gift on your birthday please? Will you marry me?".

"Yes", she said with tears in her eyes, probably of happiness, or love, yeah love.

** 11 P.M., July 7, Airport **
The pilots were terrified and relaxed at same time. They just raced ahead of a certain tragic crash. They had witnessed more than any of the passengers did. They rushed to the control room to inquire about the rescue plane. The records said that there was no such plane on radar. 

Only there was a plane crash which killed all the passengers, years ago.