Chapter 3

In the afternoon, Maya and Nora went to their science class. Mr. Tanning was teaching them about gravity and friction this week. May be her genes or her area of interest difficult to pin point, but she is very interested in science. Today they were supposed to do escape velocity experiment with balloons and rope. So, all the desks and chairs were aligned to the wall giving enough room for the experiment. She had already done that experiment with her dad when she was a sixth grader. One of her favorite pass times at home is, she likes to do experiments in her parents’ lab in basement.

The class divided into teams and they were supposed to spin with a length of rope to which a water filled balloon is tied to the end of the rope. The faster they spin the sooner the balloon will get detached from the rope and hit the wall. Each team is to take turns to spin and they were to calculate escape velocity of the balloon respectively.

“Ok Class! What did you learn from this experiment?” asked Mr. Tanning.

Maya put her hand up to answer.

“Yes, Maya “

“Basically, gravity hold us on ground, not only in earth but also in the solar system, sun’s gravitational force keeps the planets together, the escape velocity is experienced by a mass of body if its velocity is greater than earth’s gravitational force. So, in this experiment we prove that the balloon’s velocity is greater than the centripetal force acting on it hence it gets detached from the rope and follows a liner line as stated in newton’s first law of motion. This is the method used to send satellites to Mars.”

“Neatly explained Maya, Good work as usual. Ok now Class!! I want you all to write an assignment on gravity and friction experienced by us in real time scenario in 500 words.”

At that moment the final bell rang, so they bolted out to the hallway. “So, we already have three assignments due tomorrow, and additionally you have only one week time to send your story. Did you figure out what to write?” Nora was chatting beside Maya continuously.

“I will eventually write something so give it a rest, Nora” Maya replied annoyingly. She was struggling within herself for an impressive idea while Nora’s remainder of the deadline just made it worse for her. She bid bye to Nora and pipelined straight to bus. Every evening she returns home in school bus. Her parents will reach home around 5pm along with her brothers. So, she had some peace and quiet to think.

Little did she know that they reached home early, to prepare for her brothers’ birthday party tomorrow. As she entered her home, she heard her brothers screaming from the kitchen bringing her back to reality of party preparation. Her mom was waltzing in the kitchen from island table to pantry and back to stove. She was preparing masalas and spice powders for party night dinner. Her dad was sitting in the barstool with a laptop and scattered thoughts.

“Did you buy the party supplies? Avinash? Also, I forgot to invite Karan’s family can u do that for me? I would need a hand to put up the decorations and Maya will help me with the cake… Maya dear! When did u come? I didn’t hear the door.” Sadha was ranting on.

“Remember I have a key as well? By the way what am I helping you with?” Maya was perplexed. She pulled a bar stool and sat along side her dad. She saw her dad’s vague expression and concluded that he was somewhere else deep in thought. “Here have this snack “Sadha pushed her a plate of diced watermelons “and yes you are helping me with the birthday cake and if possible, for party decoration as well”.

“But Amma, No I can’t I have loads of school work to do” Maya protested but her mom was distracted by her brothers who were so engrossed in squashing the watermelons in their hands and throwing at each other. “NO- FIGHTING- WITH -THE -FOOD” Sadha launched between the boys and cleaned all the bits and pieces from their tray. “Oh!! For heaven’s sake Avinash!! snap out of it. What are you thinking for so long? Did you even look around you?”

“Eh, What?! Oh! Maya, kannamma when did you come? How was your day?” part of Avinash seemed to have come to reality “yah, ok “Maya grunted. She was wondering why her dad seemed to be so lost in thought. “Ajay, Ajith please stop playing with food. Can’t you both stay put without ripping each other’s head off?” Avinash was almost pleading his sons to behave. “

“What is it Avinash?! What happened?” Sadha was worried now.