When the meal trays are cleared and the aircraft ascends to its highest altitude, the cabin transforms casting a soothing aura over the space. The once-bright lights are deliberately dimmed, while the inflight entertainment systems are set to idle mode, lowering distractions for weary travellers. For most passengers, this atmosphere serves as an invitation to the embrace of sleep, a welcomed respite during the night flight. However, through the tranquil scene, there is one passenger who remains wide awake, unaffected by the hushed whispers of slumber that fill the cabin.

That is me.

I have never been one to easily succumb to sleep outside the comforts of my home. Whether in a hotel room or as a guest in someone else's abode, the elusive slumber seems to evade me, leaving me with the restless hours of the night. It is a peculiar habit, one that has accompanied me on countless journeys and left its mark on various occasions when the need to travel or stay away from home arises.

Being the only one awake among the hundreds of passengers who are comfortably ensconced in their dreams affords me an extra measure of attention from the crew. Their surprise is palpable at the sight of the solitary passenger, bathed in the soft glow of their seat light, diligently poring over the pages of the inflight entertainment magazine. Their concern is evident as they inquire if everything is alright and if there is anything they can do to assist.  It is a care that touches my heart, a reminder of the compassion and kindness that can be found even at 30,000 feet above ground.

I struggle to articulate the peculiarities of my nocturnal habits. But soon, the crew will understand the reason behind my wakefulness when they see what occupies my attention – a crossword puzzle.

To many, the grid of black and white squares filled with cryptic clues may seem like a foreign language, an enigma waiting to be decoded. Indeed, far fewer passengers attempt to engage with the puzzle, preferring instead to surrender to the allure of sleep. But for me, the crossword is not just a game – it is a remedy for the long hours of wakefulness and the frustration that accompanies it.

The mechanics of the crossword are simple yet profound. Clues, provided outside the grid, beckon the solver to go into the depths of their vocabulary and knowledge, seeking answers that fit seamlessly into the checkered tableau. Each word must align perfectly with its neighbours, forming a cohesive form of language and logic. As the game progresses, the need for precision becomes more apparent, as incorrect answers can lead to a cascade of confusion and chaos.

Armed with nothing more than a pencil and an eraser, I embark through the crossword grid, guided by intuition and ingenuity. Each clue presents a puzzle to be solved through a combination of deduction and creativity. As I fill in the blanks, a sense of satisfaction washes over me, a tangible reminder of the power of perseverance and the joy of discovery.

My friend and I were a formidable crossword duo, going through two entire volumes of the brainteasers. However, our victories were witnessed by a bewildered audience – our friends. Despite their strong grasp of English and general intelligence, crosswords remained an enigma for them. The frustration was palpable. We would solve a clue, explain the answer, and they would exclaim, "Of course! I knew that!" But attempts to tackle the next one would invariably end in head-scratching defeat. The most seemingly obvious clues seemed to vanish into thin air when they stared them down.

Crosswords demanded intuition, the ability to make connections and a calm demeanour. Thankfully, we complemented each other perfectly. He possessed a vocabulary that would put a thesaurus to shame. One look at a clue, and he would effortlessly conjure up a word I had never even encountered.

"What in the world is a 'floccinaucinihilipilification'?" I would gasp, utterly bewildered. His patient explanations would unlock the door to this obscure corner of the English language.

My strength lay in intuition. I could often guess the answer based on a hunch or a seemingly random connection. He would meticulously ponder a clue, while I scan the grid, answers popping into my head like popcorn kernels. "How did you get that so fast?". Honestly, it was usually a spark of recognition I could not explain.