A Homecoming Odyssey

 
 

Arjun thought it was perfect. 

He had everything planned: his friends would all arrive at the house at 7pm, from 7pm-7:30pm they would take pictures, and Amma would drive everyone at 8pm. After Amma left, they would meet up with their dates at 8:10pm—dates who remained nameless and unacknowledged to avoid the inevitable parental criticism. At 8:35pm, Arjun would enter his school auditorium with his date and his friends, strutting with the confidence of a prince returning to his kingdom with his five brothers. Arjun was aware that the start time was 8:15pm, but as a well-seasoned high school sophomore, he knew better. At 10:30pm, Arjun’s best friend, Rick, would drive him and the others to IHOP, where they would debrief on what would be an unforgettable night. 

It was going to be the perfect homecoming and nothing could ruin it. Afterall, stakes had never been higher - Arjun was nominated for homecoming prince. 

Arjun’s perfect plan collapsed three days before homecoming, when he woke to Amma’s silhouette hovering over his bed.

“Utho beta!” 

“Mom, I’m tired, what do you want?” Arjun asked sleepily. 

“I won’t tell you if you’re laying down, get up jaldee se,” Amma responded assertively. 

Arjun, knowing that arguing was futile, slowly sat up on the side of his bed, facing Amma. She was visibly tired, more than usual, with the circular shadows under her eyes growing. However, her eyes were warm and wide awake, lit with an energizing fire that somehow always kept her spirits high and body in constant motion. 

“Beta, an important work meeting just came up, so you will need to go back home instead of me, your Dadasa passed away and one of us needs to be there so his soul can pass peacefully,” Amma stated as if the decision was already made.  

Arjun was suddenly jolted awake, as if he had jumped in an ice cold river, his eyes were wide open now. 

Immediately, Arjun wanted to rebuke, 

Home? You mean your home! I’ve only been there once and I can’t even remember it! I’ve never even met my Dadasa. 

Amma rarely mentioned their family back home and Arjun had been born in a completely different world than her. According to Amma they had gone back when he was an infant to receive ‘blessings’, but these memories were not his own. In the last 15 years, neither he nor Amma had been back to her ‘homeland’. Arjun knew how expensive the journey was and that Amma would probably have to reach into her savings in order to finance it. Arjun wanted to say no, but he loved his mother, and he knew she would never ask him this unless she thought it was truly important. 

After a tense 30 seconds, Arjun responded calmly, “When do I leave?”

“Thank you, Beta,” Amma replied warmly, “Your bhaee Krish will receive you.” 

____________

The rest of the day was a blur and before Arjun knew it, he was at the space center, equipped with all the supplies needed to survive the arduous journey. These supplies included a change of clothes, toothbrush and paste, various medical supplies, and most essential for his survival - a power bank for his iphone. 

As Arjun checked his luggage in the center and began to board the spaceship, he tried to avoid thinking about what he would tell his date, Rick, and his other friends. He felt guilty about making plans with friends and not following through and frustrated with Amma for making him choose. Nevertheless, deep in his heart Arjun knew he was making the right decision and felt selfish for being so conflicted. 

Soon Arjun was walking to his seat on the space shuttle, the spot he would call home for the 22 hour long journey to Amma’s homeworld. As he maneuvered around a parent with the crying baby and an elderly man standing in the aisle, he found the seat Amma had booked. Arjun arrived at his seat and immediately thought, she couldn’t have even booked the aisle or window seat for me, as he politely asked the elderly man in the aisle seat to get up so he could squeeze into his seat. As he began to settle into his seat, the space shuttle attendants announced the various tidbits of information necessary for space travel. Arjun found himself forcing both of his arms between his armrests as the men on either side began to encroach on his personal space. 

Arjun distracted himself from his present discomfort by thinking about the inevitable incoming hardship he would experience. A clear memory drifted into his mind, him and Rick were passing a football to each other after school. 

“Why does your mom even want you to remember that world? At the end of the day, you all decided to leave, right? No offense man. Here, catch!” Rick spiraled the football towards Arjun’s chest.

“I don’t know man, she wants me to love this place that I’ve never been to. It’s her home not mine,” Arjun complained to Rick as he tossed him the football.

“Bro, to be honest, I’ve only heard bad things about that place. I know your mom is from there and all that, but think about how bad it is over there even after how much our country has helped them. They’re lucky that we give them the opportunity to work and make good money in that dystopian world,” Rick stated and took a few steps back, preparing to hurl the football like a torpedo, shouting “Go long!”

Arjun caught the football and thought for a second, “Yea man, I get what you’re saying, it can’t all be bad though, maybe we just have the wrong perspective. Afterall our country was built on people that came from there, our industry leaders are from those type of worlds,” Arjun replied while throwing back the football to Rick.

Rick stared at the sky, squinting his eyes at the sun, and responded “that's true, there’s some cool stuff that comes from there, like all of those gods, there’s like a million of them! I think my Dad’s company uses one of them like a mascot, also all that spiritual shit is interesting. My friend’s older brother supposedly went to the Himalayas, took a bunch of shrooms and entered a different universe, that stuff is real you know.” 

All Arjun remembered from the end of that conversation staring blankly at Rick, he felt annoyed, almost angry, but didn’t know exactly why. Why did he feel a sense of loyalty to a place that he had never been to? Although Amma did not often mention where she was from, Arjun enjoyed home cooked idli, dosa, samosa, and many other dishes. Growing up, Amma was always working but somehow found time to make sure Arjun never went hungry. Although they were not religious, Amma told him to respect all religions and people, no matter what. She often told Arjun that he had no idea how lucky and unlucky he was. The luck part always made sense to him, but how was he unlucky? What could this dystopian otherworldly land have that doesn’t exist in his home. These thoughts raced through Arjun’s head as he finally drifted off to sleep. 

____________

“We have arrived, thank you for flying with us,” the speaker announced to the space shuttle. 

Arjun woke up with haste, heart suddenly thumping, realizing that he was finally there, in Amma’s world. Arjun got up, squeezed into the main aisle and grabbed his supplies from the compartment above his head, nervously waiting to exit the stationed shuttle, entering a different world - Amma’s world. He felt an impending sense of doom, like everything he previously knew was about to turn upside down. 

As Arjun slowly marched towards the exit of the space shuttle, watching person after person disappear ahead of him into the exit terminal. He remembered the clear instructions Amma had given him. First off, keep an eye on his passport and personal belongings, next enter the foreigner line in the exit terminal, finally wait in the pickup area for his cousin Krish who would be wearing a blue shirt and blue shoes. 

The instructions were too simple, Arjun thought to himself, she thinks that I can’t navigate this world. I’m 16 years old, why is she treating me like a child? 

Arjun exited the space shuttle and joined the moving crowd of people, the crowd began to fork into two massive doorways, one of them labeled pickup and the other a clear exit into the city. In a split second, Arjun thought to himself, I’m tired of being treated like a child. I'm from a different world than Amma and I’m 16, there’s nothing here I can’t handle, I’ll call Krish after I’ve explored. 

In that instant Arjun decided to walk towards the city exit. The dense crowd he was in covered his view of the city until he was outside, all he could see was a sign which was labeled “Bahar - Exit, No returns into the terminal”. 

As Arjun stepped outside of the confines of the space station, he experienced temporary shock from a sensory overload. The air outside the building enveloped him, as if it was holding onto him in a long embrace, warm and thick. He looked out and saw a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, skyscrapers taller than his eyes could see with neon signs flashing in every conceivable color. Zooming through the sky were flying cars of all shapes and sizes, not paying heed to the population below. The cacophony of honking horns and blaring music assaulted his ears, disorienting him. Wherever Arjun looked, he discovered more, as if the world around him was expanding before his very eyes. 

Like a moth towards a flame, Arjun was drawn towards the city, breaking out of his initial frozen state. There was a raw energy that persisted, amidst the chaos, an intangible life force that was pulsing through the essence of the city. Everywhere he looked he found people, all moving with purpose, it was almost as if the city itself was breathing, teaming with life. 

The people on the streets bustled past him and flying vehicles over his head, including cars and 3-wheeled taxis that flew dangerously close to him. On the street hoverbikes zipped between people, like mice finding their way through a maze. Arjun was drawn to what appeared to be a robotic ox, pulling a cart of metal scraps through the city, with a man sitting atop with a metal pole, periodically encouraging the ox to go in the intended direction. The flickering of the signs advertising everything imaginable, casted shadows on the crowded streets below. Meanwhile, holographic advertisements of light-skinned models with wide smiles, projected over the people below. 

Amidst the whirlwind of activity, Arjun couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between the tremendous skyscrapers of wealth and the people permanently in its shadow. Arjun watched as a glistening maroon vehicle, with a well dressed young man driving and presumably his girlfriend, flew towards one of the street shops labeled Rahul’s Kulfis. The young man lowered the car with haste forcing the people in the vicinity out of the way to avoid being hit and kept it hovering above a green tarp on the ground outside the shop. The store owner had to get on a stool to hand the man what appeared to be two light green popsicles. After receiving them, Arjun watched as the young man blast off in his car, negligent of the exhaust fumes spewing on the people below. Arjun was paralyzed as he saw that there were two small children sleeping under the green tarp outside the shop, now awoken from the deafening sounds of a car above them. 

Arjun suddenly realized he was lost, Amma’s world was cold and dystopian like Rick had described. Frantically looking around to find his bearings, Arjun could not locate the station in the urban sea of people and buildings around him. Reaching for his phone, Arjun finally called Krish, who immediately picked up the phone and told him to wait by the store. 

After what seemed like an eternity, a young man probably perhaps a few years older than Arjun, climbed out of a dilapidated yellow three-wheeler missing doors. Krish stood out in the sea of people, wearing an all blue outfit head to toe. Arjun analyzed Krish as he walked towards him, Krish had a compassionate expression, not one of judgment as Arjun was expecting. His eyes appeared wise and weary, almost as if he had experienced many lives and worlds, despite his youthful presentation.

“Pranam bhaee, you must be tired, come we’ll get some food at my house,” Krish said as he warmly beckoned for Arjun to join him in the 3-wheeler beside him. 

Arjun climbed into the 3-wheeler and watched as Krish confidently stood and leaned into the driver's seat, giving a few clear directions like a valiant charioteer, preparing for battle. Krish didn’t sit back until the taxi was out of the sea of people onto the road, sitting back into his seat and examining Arjun’s face.

“I’m sorry for the delay, bhaee, I left as soon as I got your call, but I couldn’t leave work right away. What was your flight like?” Krish inquired. Feeling frustrated about Krish being late, Arjun looked down at his shoes and replied “to tell you the truth, my flight was awful, you know that flying sucks in general.”

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that the flight was a poor experience. I’ve never flown before.” Krish continued, “Tell me, though, have you been enjoying our beautiful world?

Feeling embarrassed that he had assumed Krish had flown before and overwhelmed by his positive demeanor, Arjun didn’t know why exactly, but he trusted Krish and didn’t want to lie to him. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know how you and Amma constantly say this world is beautiful, I now know why she doesn’t want to come back, this place is terrible,” Arjun replied exasperated. He continued by sharing what he had just witnessed and how it confirmed all he was told by Rick.

“I see where you are coming from, but you and your peers are misguided. Let me explain the history of the world you see, and I promise you will gain a new perspective,” Krish paused, waiting for a response. When Arjun nodded, he continued.

“The world you see around you wasn’t always like this, we had dominant industries, with people from all lands, coming here just to experience the richness and novelty of our culture. Everything wasn’t perfect for sure, but the disparities you see everywhere were not so vast. However, just as your world was colonized, we were too, except they stripped us of far more than just taxes,” Krish elaborated, gauging Arjun’s interest.

“Yea, we’ve learned about the colonization in school, but the effects weren’t really discussed. Surely they couldn’t have been that impactful?” Arjun inquired.

“Unfortunately, the effects of their policy have scarred this world, decimating our economy, exacerbating divisions in society, and eroding our culture. Studies are now showing that 25 famines were inflicted on our people during the colonial period, resulting in millions of deaths. Our generation is genetically predisposed to many illnesses because of the brutal famine that our great grandparents had endured. Even the holographic light-skinned models you remarked are an artifact of the colonial rule institutionalizing their beauty standards on our society,” Krish looked back at Arjun for a reply, who was lost for words.

Arjun experienced a tidal wave of anger towards the colonizers that had marred this world and shame for being so ignorant himself on these issues. “Wow, I never learned about these impacts, how did you learn this?” Arjun responded.

Krish smiled and responded, “I wanted to become a historian actually, this is my true passion. But this janma has different plans, when Appa passed away, I stopped high school in tenth grade to work and help support everyone. But we owe a lot to your mother for her help.”

Arjun suddenly reflected on his own privilege, realizing that Krish had to stop school at the same age as Arjun was now. But before he could comment on this, he became even more confused, “Amma hasn’t even been back in 15 years, she rarely even mentions you all. What do you mean, you owe her?” Arjun asked.

“She hasn’t been back because one round trip flight is equivalent to six months of salary for me. However, she has helped immeasurably—she financially supported my younger sister through school and has helped with various health expenses for our family. Imagine being away from your mother, father, and friends for over a decade. It's an unimaginable sacrifice. But that brings us back to the beauty of our people: we are resilient and value family over everything, despite the immense hardships we must endure. Look outside this auto—from the street vendor to our dear driver, our people are resilient.” 

Arjun didn’t respond for a few minutes and simply looked out the window of the 3-wheeler, as they weaved through the crowded streets, he began to see a society that was rebuilding, rather one that was permanently damaged. Every person has a name and a family that fuels their unwavering determination to provide a better life for the next generation. 

Arjun found his vision begin to blur with tears as he began to think about what Amma had given up for him. He thought to himself about Krish’s passion and what he would have given to be able to just continue his formal education, something Arjun had taken for granted. Arjun got choked up, not understanding why Krish was so kind and patient with him. Wiping away tears, Arjun looked out the window again, taking in the view like he was studying a detailed baroque painting filled with immense life and emotion. He smiled to himself, with a new conviction to forget his preconceived notions about this world and experience the rest of his journey with an open and untethered mind.

“I always knew Amma left for more opportunities, but I never realized what she sacrificed along the way. I’m lucky to have a cousin like you.” Arjun stated firmly.

“Cousin. What a funny word, it doesn’t exist in our language. Isn’t that interesting bhaee?”

“Yes, it is, brother.” 

 ____________

The remainder of Arjun’s trip was transformative, filled with new experiences, adventures, and people. After his conversation with Krish, Arjun looked at the world around him in a new light, despite the clear societal issues, he realized there was a love that he had never experienced before. Arjun found that many of his experiences from his home were contextualized and validated in this world. On the returning space shuttle, Arjun realized it would take him months to unpack his five-day odyssey. 

His duffle bag was packed to the brim with parting gifts from Krish and the other family members he met during the event celebrating Dadasa's life. During the commemoration event he learned about his grandfather’s journey through a desert of fiery sands across rivers filled with dangerous creatures, to pursue a better life for his children in the city. Despite not even having enough money for shoes when he was younger, Dadasa dedicated his life to be able to fund Amma’s education. Arjun pondered that similarly, Amma has relentlessly fought to provide him with the best opportunities possible, sacrificing everything she had known intimately to travel to a distant unknown world.

Arjun realized he was Dadasa's legacy, the product of immeasurable sacrifices. He reflected how the world he had visited wasn’t alien- it was complex, diverse, resilient and most of all human. 

Amma’s world was also his. Filled with a deep desire to return to Amma, Arjun found himself wanting to come back with her, to come back home. He thought to himself, this was the perfect home coming.

Glossary

Amma — Mother
Appa — Father
Bhaee — Brother
Beta — My son
Dadasa — My son
Jamma — Life