WHEN HE CAME KNOCKING AT MY DOOR

Was it fiction or truth?....

Prof. Jagdish Mitra sat brooding on his chair-bed. Age seems to be fast catching up with this brilliant scientist. So, what's wrong with that? He's already in his eighties. Acclaimed the world over for his pioneering research into several facets of cosmology, he once headed the entire gamut of projects dealing with S.E.T.I Even though his theories and predictions about alien existence are given due weightage by the scientific community at large this deep reverance actually doesn't mean much to Prof. Jagdish. He has dedicated his whole life towards his work. Since he felt marriage would be a hindrance in his pursuit he has opted to live singly. Not surprisingly he has worked zealously throughout his life. He has been decorated with several awards for his outstanding achievements thus far.

The evenings seem too long for Prof. Jagdish these days. Lately he has developed this habit of spending the evenings quietly. He liked being left to himself. He treasured these moments spent in quietude. All the madness sweeping the world outside holds little interest for him. He has detached himself from all the trappings that a mortal human being usually hankers for in this world. It's difficult to put it exactly into words but unknowingly he has elevated himself to a much higher level than any average human being. His philosophical insight into life and beyond have charmed innumerable minds.

Inspite of all this Prof. Jagdish is not a happy man. All through his life he craved for an interaction with an amiable alien from outer space. He recollected in his youth he had seen such films like Steven Spielberg's E.T & CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and that had fired his imagination and led him to his profession and towards his dream. How he longed to have a tete-a-tete with such an extra-terrestrial creature before his death? He was eager to know whether the alien would understand his language and vice-versa.

Time dragged on laden feet. The eeriness of the surrounding was gradually spreading its tentacles.

A rap on the door startled Prof. Jagdish. He walked up to the door and opened it. What greeted his eyes truly flabbergasted him! He saw a gigantic man, around 20 ft tall or so standing a few feet away from his door. Before he could say anything the giant spoke "Prof. Jagdish, I've come from a distant planet far beyond pluto. On behalf of my people I have come to invite you to our planet. We would be grateful if you give us a talk enligtening us with your profound insight about life, cosmos & ....our spaceship is waiting outside to take you....if you kindly...."

The stillness of the night gnawingly clawed into Prof. Jagdish's being. The next morning Prof. Jagdish was found dead.