With a shudder I wake up from my sleep, hurriedly checking from my windows and balcony for strange objects, spying into my privacy. Though I find none, I cannot still reconcile and doubt the clouds, the space above my building out of my sight, and hidden behind the neighbour’s flat. Despite no sighting, sleep eludes me as I resignedly lie down, enviously looking at my wife sleeping totally unconcerned at the threat of invasion of privacy.
Ever since the news regarding huge balloons floating over the U.S., Canada, and Latin America (and God knows where else) emerged, I have been deeply disturbed. My mind flies beyond the limits of my imagination, chasing the huge balloons, each almost the size of three buses and almost 50 feet in diameter. Soon it emerged that they were Chinese and were spying on critical installations. The diplomatic waltz between a wobbly Biden administration was short, as the balloon was shot with a missile and the debris was confiscated for forensic examination. Strangely, China’s response was muted, and they limited themselves to expressing an uncharacteristic “disappointment,” a sure climb down from their usual punch-packed retorts.
News emerges that the balloons were guided by AI, another lesser-known subject for me, leaving me more confused and irritated. Besides spying, what could the huge floating balls in the sky could’ve done? Did they contain nanoparticles of whatever to cause a famine or pandemic? My lessened reliance on and respect for China, under Xi, as a safe country to coexist with others, seems to shrink with every passing day.
By the way, congratulations to the President of the United States, who ordered the shooting down of the balloon. U.S. proved to the world; it is ready to take on China if they do any mischief over the U.S. territory. I have not, though, stated that a balloon almost 50-feet-diameter and floating forlorn over the seas are pre-requisites for any military engagement! Abruptly deserting Afghanistan and refusing to engage directly in Ukraine had caused doubts over the efficacy of the response of POTUS and the U.S. missiles, drones, or technologies. Thankfully, those have been put to rest now.
Here I walk into the bazaar and see a balloon seller! I stare at him intently; he still seems to be Chinese, despite his dark skin, sharp features, and even a “tilak” on his forehead. The telltale “Made in China” mark on his balloon packet has revealed his identity. The kids around him are joyful, and as my alert mind wishes to warn them, “Don’t buy the balloons,” they could spy your activities. I restrain, as I may be laughed at!
One of the balloons escapes and floats merrily in the sky. “Wait! “Is it hot heading towards the direction of my house?” I leave all work and return, my curious wife wondering as to why I was sweating, despite a cool weather. I can’t explain or scare her. Additionally, she will go on WhatsApp and Facebook, and the city may be alarmed.
I close the windows, pull the curtains, and turn off all lights, whichever are not needed. “There it is—the same balloon that escaped from the child’s hands.” perched between branches on the tree and opposite my room.” Should I call up our army man neighbour and ask him to shoot down the balloon, which by now I’m sure is a spy gadget?
I try to catch some sleep as I see through a gap in the curtains that the balloon seems to be smiling at me.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépid Voix
