PROLOGUE
Jack’s older sister Emily disappeared on her tenth birthday.
“Oh, my darling is going to look so beautiful in this sailor’s suit…”
“What’s wrong with you Dad, I am a girl… remember?”
“Oh, the decorations are so beautiful; I can’t imagine my girl is finally 10!”
“Mommy, Jack’s messing with my ship collection again!
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…
“Where’s Emily? She should be in her room!”
“Emily?”
“EMILY! This is not funny anymore... once I get hold of you… I swear!”
“EMILY?!”
They searched the whole house, called the neighbors and informed the police.
Suddenly, Mom woke up sweating, perspiration rolling down her forehead.
Chapter 1
“Jack!” squawked Dad, “You are late again! It’s already 7 am, how many times have I told you to wake up early? I really don’t like that habit of yours!”
“But Dad, it’s just 7 am and…”
And it started again! Every morning it was the same, but today was different, and to my surprise, on the breakfast table, Mom and Grandpa, for the first time, weren’t arguing! My mom was looking so graceful - she had worn a long dazzling turquoise colored dress, it shone as bright as the sapphire in her elegant brooch. Dad and I were astonished to see mom look so jubilant. This was the first time she had looked so happy after Emily’s disappearance. Couple of seconds later Grandpa Rolf stood up, and I saw him wearing his own most loved sailor suit. He even had his eye patch on.
He raced towards me with elation. I wasn’t aware of why everyone was so joyful today. He hugged me, and chuckled, seeing me look so baffled!
Chapter 2
“Surprise!!” whooped everyone! I couldn’t understand how and why everyone was at my house, including all my friends! I felt odd and just then I could hear a tune playing at the back, and at that very moment I skedaddled into the room, flipped the calendar to April 10, and there I saw it, it was no other occasion but my very own 10th birthday!
Just then mom approached towards me and gave me a big kiss and wished me in the sweetest way ever. I was astounded and exultant at the same time. My cake was in the shape of the Titanic, and of course it was Grandpa’s idea!
Grandpa Rolf entered with a huge present in his hands and handed it over to me. My curiosity rose to heights, to see what was in it, but mom wouldn’t let me, so I put it aside and joined the party! I wished for a pool party, but well I was sure that this too would be fun and just then, mom became the center of attention and announced everyone to gather as she was taking us all to the grand opening of the poolnasium!
Grandpa looked puzzled so I ran towards him and he asked me in a curious tone “Hey what on ever is this poolnasu..nasi..??”
“Oh dear grandpa, poolnasium as in, a pool with a gymnasium, recently opened, the biggest pool in New York, I am sooo… excited and can hardly wait.”
I felt so strange, as if all my wishes are coming true, but little did I know that more adventure was waiting right round the corner…
*******
“Splash!” I dropped myself into the pool.
After our swim, we jumped into the hot water jacuzzi! Grandpa sat in the middle as we encircled him to listen to his stories of the great Titanic. To this, all ears got attracted except mine, since I heard this story a million times before and no way did I want to hear it once more. The best way to escape was making an excuse and slipping away from there. I stood up near the wash basin and all of a sudden, I felt weird, a burning sensation caught my face with my eyes turning red with grit... Baffled with this situation, I splashed some water into my eyes. Slowly I felt dizzy and lay on the seat behind me…
Chapter 3
“Congratulations Sir!”
A man, who was older to me, slapped me heartily on the back! Just then a whole group of people came near me and invited me to a party on the deck. I was horrified as to where and how I could be on a ship? I looked in the mirror behind and I couldn’t believe my eyes. To my stunned surprise, I appeared like a 50 something year old man in a proper suit. Just then a young lady, who called herself my assistant, escorted me to my room. People all around me addressed me as Sir Thomas and when I kept insisting that my name was Jack Matthews, their faces seemed confused. I entered a room which was supposed to be my room - it was massive and very luxurious! There was a mirror in a shape of a ship. Again, I started at myself in wonderment. I turned against the mirror and walked ahead towards a table and on that table was a blueprint of a ship. Flipping the paper, I saw what was written behind it. The words “R.M.S Titanic designed by Sir Thomas Andrews” jumped out at me. Just then I remembered who Sir Thomas was! My grandpa used to mention his name lot in his stories of the great Titanic.
I heard a knock, and by the door was my assistant pleading me to hurry up for the party. I hurried toward the wardrobe and put on a suit for the first time in my life. I cautiously walked down the stairs and observantly eyed the ship and how massively it was made. Approaching near the deck, a magnificent view of the sea was seen right ahead, which unfortunately, I did not fancy much. Gingerly, I walked towards the edge of the ship, the highest point from where the whole Atlantic Ocean could be almost viewed. I felt that I was losing myself in the deep blue sea.
Alas! The party was waiting, so I opened the door to the hall and was overwhelmed to discover that the party was arranged in my honor, for the marvelous ship I had designed.
Chapter 4
I glanced round the hall, where my eyes caught a lady wearing a long yellow dress with a hat, walking with two other ladies and that fair lady looked exactly like my sister Emily! I walked towards her and called her; out she came from the party hall, congratulating me.
I talked with her and conveyed that I was Jack Mathews, and she believed me as she was my own sister who had also mysteriously disappeared on her 10th birthday. In her memories, my parents always had a doleful look on their faces.
We both talked as we had met after such long time and telling her all about what was happening to me, I felt relieved as at least someone believed me and understood who I was. She told me that she was a complete stranger when she had arrived, and that only she was older in age, but looked the same and she made her own life here!
There was a happy buzz around the ship. The sound of glasses clinking made the moment grand. Just then a man came over and whispered something in the captain’s ear. Suddenly, he tensed and an expression of horror slowly suffused his face.
“Attention dear passengers, we have some devastating news. But before we tell you that, everyone must wear your life jackets and hurry up to the deck near all the life boats!”
“Dear passengers! Please do not panic! We have called the emergency life boats and again please put on your life jackets…”
“Oh no Jack! We are going to die, remember what Grandpa told us about the sinking of the Titanic and the deaths of hundreds of passengers?”
We both bolted through the crowd, hundreds of people leaving the ship in a small boat. The ship was already flooded with people and suffocation, millions of people waiting to board on to the boats with small children crying with pain, not understanding what was going around and their mothers trying to calm them down and telling them that they were safe. While seeing all this, my heart lost hope and my body being crushed against people in that crowd, I could barely stand. Emily was right beside me, holding my hand and trying to escape.
I couldn’t help but think about my parents. What would they feel when they would not see me ever again? They had already gone through a lot of pain when Emily had disappeared, and Grandpa? Who would he tell his stories to? I couldn’t imagine them like that. I could see another ocean of tears and sadness and tension all around.
The ship was tilting to one end. It had already sunk on one end and I could see hundreds of people flailing in the ocean. But Emily didn’t lose hope and kept on reminiscing about our family and hoping for something to happen.
A moment away, I could feel myself going down. I was very close to the water, I almost touched it, I was numb! All I could feel was ice hitting me with a sword. We could see death approach towards us. I gave up as I couldn’t bear the freezing water. I was benumbed by the cold. Emily was on death’s edge but still we didn’t lose hope. We both held hands and were only thinking about our family. As blink later, inch by inch, water started filling up my lungs. I tried coughing, splashing and swimming as hard as I could. Suddenly I heard a voice…
Chapter 5
“What do you think you are doing?” the life guard shouted. There was a splash! I felt strong arms around me and then I was pulled out of the water! I lay on the ground – my lungs were burning.
All of a sudden we heard a noise behind us. All of us turned our eyes at the same time. I could hear a strangulated, gurgling sound. It was coming from Mom! I got up on my elbows and looked towards what their horrified eyes were seeing.
It was Emily, standing at the door, shivering and water dripping from her clothes. Mom couldn’t control herself and hugged Emily and brought her in, dried her and just held her for a long time.
At home, we all gathered near the fire place and had hot chocolate. Mom was eagerly asking Emily about where she was and how she got back here. We narrated the whole story, but of course they didn’t believe us and instead advised us to go to bed. We were really thankful and joyful about Emily’s return and now we were a perfect family again.
EPILOGUE
When Jack grew up, he himself became a ship designer. It was as a result of his marvelous past experience. Emily, she wasn’t far away from Jack, as she worked with him. They both together designed a ship which was the exact replica of the Titanic.
They named it after their grandpa - The Rolf-x!
Jack’s older sister Emily disappeared on her tenth birthday.
“Oh, my darling is going to look so beautiful in this sailor’s suit…”
“What’s wrong with you Dad, I am a girl… remember?”
“Oh, the decorations are so beautiful; I can’t imagine my girl is finally 10!”
“Mommy, Jack’s messing with my ship collection again!
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…
“Where’s Emily? She should be in her room!”
“Emily?”
“EMILY! This is not funny anymore... once I get hold of you… I swear!”
“EMILY?!”
They searched the whole house, called the neighbors and informed the police.
Suddenly, Mom woke up sweating, perspiration rolling down her forehead.
Chapter 1
“Jack!” squawked Dad, “You are late again! It’s already 7 am, how many times have I told you to wake up early? I really don’t like that habit of yours!”
“But Dad, it’s just 7 am and…”
And it started again! Every morning it was the same, but today was different, and to my surprise, on the breakfast table, Mom and Grandpa, for the first time, weren’t arguing! My mom was looking so graceful - she had worn a long dazzling turquoise colored dress, it shone as bright as the sapphire in her elegant brooch. Dad and I were astonished to see mom look so jubilant. This was the first time she had looked so happy after Emily’s disappearance. Couple of seconds later Grandpa Rolf stood up, and I saw him wearing his own most loved sailor suit. He even had his eye patch on.
He raced towards me with elation. I wasn’t aware of why everyone was so joyful today. He hugged me, and chuckled, seeing me look so baffled!
Chapter 2
“Surprise!!” whooped everyone! I couldn’t understand how and why everyone was at my house, including all my friends! I felt odd and just then I could hear a tune playing at the back, and at that very moment I skedaddled into the room, flipped the calendar to April 10, and there I saw it, it was no other occasion but my very own 10th birthday!
Just then mom approached towards me and gave me a big kiss and wished me in the sweetest way ever. I was astounded and exultant at the same time. My cake was in the shape of the Titanic, and of course it was Grandpa’s idea!
Grandpa Rolf entered with a huge present in his hands and handed it over to me. My curiosity rose to heights, to see what was in it, but mom wouldn’t let me, so I put it aside and joined the party! I wished for a pool party, but well I was sure that this too would be fun and just then, mom became the center of attention and announced everyone to gather as she was taking us all to the grand opening of the poolnasium!
Grandpa looked puzzled so I ran towards him and he asked me in a curious tone “Hey what on ever is this poolnasu..nasi..??”
“Oh dear grandpa, poolnasium as in, a pool with a gymnasium, recently opened, the biggest pool in New York, I am sooo… excited and can hardly wait.”
I felt so strange, as if all my wishes are coming true, but little did I know that more adventure was waiting right round the corner…
*******
“Splash!” I dropped myself into the pool.
After our swim, we jumped into the hot water jacuzzi! Grandpa sat in the middle as we encircled him to listen to his stories of the great Titanic. To this, all ears got attracted except mine, since I heard this story a million times before and no way did I want to hear it once more. The best way to escape was making an excuse and slipping away from there. I stood up near the wash basin and all of a sudden, I felt weird, a burning sensation caught my face with my eyes turning red with grit... Baffled with this situation, I splashed some water into my eyes. Slowly I felt dizzy and lay on the seat behind me…
Chapter 3
“Congratulations Sir!”
A man, who was older to me, slapped me heartily on the back! Just then a whole group of people came near me and invited me to a party on the deck. I was horrified as to where and how I could be on a ship? I looked in the mirror behind and I couldn’t believe my eyes. To my stunned surprise, I appeared like a 50 something year old man in a proper suit. Just then a young lady, who called herself my assistant, escorted me to my room. People all around me addressed me as Sir Thomas and when I kept insisting that my name was Jack Matthews, their faces seemed confused. I entered a room which was supposed to be my room - it was massive and very luxurious! There was a mirror in a shape of a ship. Again, I started at myself in wonderment. I turned against the mirror and walked ahead towards a table and on that table was a blueprint of a ship. Flipping the paper, I saw what was written behind it. The words “R.M.S Titanic designed by Sir Thomas Andrews” jumped out at me. Just then I remembered who Sir Thomas was! My grandpa used to mention his name lot in his stories of the great Titanic.
I heard a knock, and by the door was my assistant pleading me to hurry up for the party. I hurried toward the wardrobe and put on a suit for the first time in my life. I cautiously walked down the stairs and observantly eyed the ship and how massively it was made. Approaching near the deck, a magnificent view of the sea was seen right ahead, which unfortunately, I did not fancy much. Gingerly, I walked towards the edge of the ship, the highest point from where the whole Atlantic Ocean could be almost viewed. I felt that I was losing myself in the deep blue sea.
Alas! The party was waiting, so I opened the door to the hall and was overwhelmed to discover that the party was arranged in my honor, for the marvelous ship I had designed.
Chapter 4
I glanced round the hall, where my eyes caught a lady wearing a long yellow dress with a hat, walking with two other ladies and that fair lady looked exactly like my sister Emily! I walked towards her and called her; out she came from the party hall, congratulating me.
I talked with her and conveyed that I was Jack Mathews, and she believed me as she was my own sister who had also mysteriously disappeared on her 10th birthday. In her memories, my parents always had a doleful look on their faces.
We both talked as we had met after such long time and telling her all about what was happening to me, I felt relieved as at least someone believed me and understood who I was. She told me that she was a complete stranger when she had arrived, and that only she was older in age, but looked the same and she made her own life here!
There was a happy buzz around the ship. The sound of glasses clinking made the moment grand. Just then a man came over and whispered something in the captain’s ear. Suddenly, he tensed and an expression of horror slowly suffused his face.
“Attention dear passengers, we have some devastating news. But before we tell you that, everyone must wear your life jackets and hurry up to the deck near all the life boats!”
“Dear passengers! Please do not panic! We have called the emergency life boats and again please put on your life jackets…”
“Oh no Jack! We are going to die, remember what Grandpa told us about the sinking of the Titanic and the deaths of hundreds of passengers?”
We both bolted through the crowd, hundreds of people leaving the ship in a small boat. The ship was already flooded with people and suffocation, millions of people waiting to board on to the boats with small children crying with pain, not understanding what was going around and their mothers trying to calm them down and telling them that they were safe. While seeing all this, my heart lost hope and my body being crushed against people in that crowd, I could barely stand. Emily was right beside me, holding my hand and trying to escape.
I couldn’t help but think about my parents. What would they feel when they would not see me ever again? They had already gone through a lot of pain when Emily had disappeared, and Grandpa? Who would he tell his stories to? I couldn’t imagine them like that. I could see another ocean of tears and sadness and tension all around.
The ship was tilting to one end. It had already sunk on one end and I could see hundreds of people flailing in the ocean. But Emily didn’t lose hope and kept on reminiscing about our family and hoping for something to happen.
A moment away, I could feel myself going down. I was very close to the water, I almost touched it, I was numb! All I could feel was ice hitting me with a sword. We could see death approach towards us. I gave up as I couldn’t bear the freezing water. I was benumbed by the cold. Emily was on death’s edge but still we didn’t lose hope. We both held hands and were only thinking about our family. As blink later, inch by inch, water started filling up my lungs. I tried coughing, splashing and swimming as hard as I could. Suddenly I heard a voice…
Chapter 5
“What do you think you are doing?” the life guard shouted. There was a splash! I felt strong arms around me and then I was pulled out of the water! I lay on the ground – my lungs were burning.
All of a sudden we heard a noise behind us. All of us turned our eyes at the same time. I could hear a strangulated, gurgling sound. It was coming from Mom! I got up on my elbows and looked towards what their horrified eyes were seeing.
It was Emily, standing at the door, shivering and water dripping from her clothes. Mom couldn’t control herself and hugged Emily and brought her in, dried her and just held her for a long time.
At home, we all gathered near the fire place and had hot chocolate. Mom was eagerly asking Emily about where she was and how she got back here. We narrated the whole story, but of course they didn’t believe us and instead advised us to go to bed. We were really thankful and joyful about Emily’s return and now we were a perfect family again.
EPILOGUE
When Jack grew up, he himself became a ship designer. It was as a result of his marvelous past experience. Emily, she wasn’t far away from Jack, as she worked with him. They both together designed a ship which was the exact replica of the Titanic.
They named it after their grandpa - The Rolf-x!