An Afternoon on Mars by Nano Rickshaw

On a February afternoon in the year 2075, precisely at 4 PM, I set off from my house in Suburb No. 5 of Dinajpur, Bangladesh, accompanied by my grandmother, Shathi. But this was no ordinary journey; instead of cars or airplanes, we traveled on a nano-rickshaw along waves of light, heading straight for Planet Mahal. Upon arrival, we found ourselves in an extraordinary tea stall—an otherworldly place with an unparalleled environment.

The moment we stepped in, we were awestruck. The surroundings felt dreamlike. The sky shimmered in a golden hue, and the air was filled with a delicate, sweet fragrance. It seemed less like reality and more like a magical realm. Everywhere, enormous flowers of various colors bloomed, each petal gleaming like diamonds. Floating on crystal-clear water were pink and golden lotus seats, giving the impression of a regal celebration.

The ground beneath our feet was transparent, like glass, revealing schools of vibrant fish swimming below. Trees bore strange, glowing fruits that sparkled like tiny stars, while distant crystal palaces perched on hilltops sparkled like jewels—perhaps the residence of a queen.

The sounds here were enchanting. A melodious hum filled the air—not quite music, but a serene tune that brought peace and wonder to the heart. Birds spoke like humans, and the swaying leaves of trees seemed to laugh with the breeze. Adding to this magical atmosphere were the Eli women, whose presence transformed the scene into something even more mesmerizing.

The Eli women were stunningly beautiful, almost ethereal. Their golden-hued skin glowed softly, as if they radiated light from within. Their large, luminous green eyes seemed to hold countless untold stories, while their silvery, wavy hair appeared to be woven from moonlight. They wore delicate garments of pale blue and white, which gave the illusion of weightlessness, as if gravity had no hold on them.

Moving with a blend of grace and joy, they approached us with radiant smiles, carrying bouquets of 365 vibrant flowers. Their smiles alone seemed to brighten the atmosphere further. In their melodious Eli language, they welcomed us warmly. Although our Google Voice Ultra version instantly translated their words into Bengali, we were momentarily speechless at their otherworldly charm and unique hospitality.

Noticing our silence, the Eli women stepped forward with captivating smiles and enveloped us in warm embraces. In that moment, it felt as though all our fatigue and worries had vanished into thin air. To our amazement, we began to notice a strange transformation in ourselves—our physical forms began to change, resembling theirs! Yet, instead of fear, we felt an exhilarating sense of strength and joy, as if discovering a new version of ourselves.

The Eli women then led us to floating golden lotus seats on the water. As we sat down, they served us steaming and chilled digital tea in diamond cups. While sipping the exquisite tea, we watched live, real-time footage of different events happening across Earth.

Two Eli women, seemingly around 24 years old, sat beside me and gently fanned me with palm leaves. Though the entire area was climate-controlled, they explained that this was their way of showing respect. Their hospitality was so thoughtful and unique that it left me in awe.

At one point, they smiled and asked, “Would you like to speak with someone on Earth?”

Excited, I replied, “Of course!”

They instructed, “Before mentioning the person’s name, say ‘Eli Prithvi Talk’ twice. Then, start speaking.” Following their guidance, I said the phrase and called my father’s name. To my astonishment, I was able to communicate with him seamlessly, as though I were still on Earth.

Suddenly, the tranquil environment was disrupted by a deafening sound. The entire place trembled as panic spread among the Eli people. They began shouting, “The inhabitants of Mercury are launching an attack! Prepare for defense!”

Fear gripped us, and I could see the anxiety mirrored on my grandmother’s face. Sensing our distress, the Eli women acted swiftly. Before I could process what was happening, I found myself back in my bed on Earth, as if transported in the blink of an eye.

Still trying to comprehend the experience, I turned to my daughter, who was beside me, and touched her arm. With a shaky voice, I asked, “Did I just dream all of that, or was it real?”

Smiling warmly, she replied, “Dad, you’re here in reality.”

That unforgettable experience now lingers in my memory—a bridge between imagination and reality, forever etched in my mind.