Inertia: A Ride and A Crash

Inertia: A Ride and A Crash

A Ride and A Crash

I got back on my feet in a fraction of a second. Just stood there gauging my situation as the seconds felt like minutes passing by. Facing the darkness - there was nothing to be seen in front of me, the bike was somewhere behind. As I turned around, I saw the bike laying there at a distance and two big headlights approaching towards us. As a reflex I just ran to the bike, put myself between the bike and the approaching headlights. I had raised my hand indicating the vehicle to stop. There was not much distance left between us and the breaks squeaked bringing the mammoth to a standstill. Later I realized how lucky I was that the truck was able to stop before it went over me along with my bike. It was a stupid move actually but I guess at that point in time I was blinded by love.
I just turned around, picked up my bike and pushed it on the side of the road. The truck moved on and I just waited there for a while.
I along with my friend “Dada” was on a short ride to Manor. At just 140km return trip Manor has been a regular ride destination with good roads and a smooth ride. Also, there is this restaurant nearby which served the “Aloo ke parathe with butter & cold coffee with vanilla ice cream” to my liking. These two causes of a good ride and good food were enough for a wonderful outing.
It was 7 in the evening when Dada called up asking if I would be interested in riding to Manor. It was an instant yes from me and I asked him to move out immediately. He was just not ready yet so we planned to move out at 8. By the time we actually moved out it was 9:30, this was my first disappointment. But as it was a habit with Dada, I expected it. Dada’s 5 minutes generally lasted 30-45minutes so an 8pm schedule was always out of question. The second disappointment was the patch of road in between which was partially under construction. The ride which was expected to be smooth all the way had now turned into dirt track for a while. We managed to navigate through and get back on the smooth road heading towards our destination. Just because of the roads we took double the time then expected reaching Manor at around 12.
This was my third disappointment – to find the restaurant closed. It was pretty late. My heart had already sunken with these three disappointments; the only thing to do now was to return back with my shoulders dropped. Like a soldier returning from a defeated battle. We started the ride back, riding like nothing to lose. We were cruising at the speed of 80km/hrs. I was just lost, so I let Dada take the lead. My only focus now was the tail light of Dada’s bike. I was in a trance like state, where I was being guided by the dim light in the darkness. I was so unaware that I didn’t realize when I hit the bad patch of road again. Still at 80Km/hrs the bike lost its balance due to the uneven surface of the road and I came crashing down.
As I stood there on the side of the road a car stopped to check on me. I gave them a thumps up to indicate I was okay and they can move ahead. I was waiting there for Dada to turn around and come back for me. Dada took his time to come back. He was in a state of shock, as if he had seen a ghost upon seeing me. He was riding a few meters ahead of me when I crashed. He didn’t see me crash. Luckily he had heard the sound of a crash and stopped at the side of the road waiting for me. When I didn’t show up, he realized it was me who had crashed; the worst of his fears came alive. He literally froze there. The car which had stopped for me also stopped besides him letting him know that I was alright and was waiting for him back there. I had crashed but Dada was shaken. Crashes have been a routine for me after riding for so many years. Mostly whenever I have crashed I was alone. This was the first time I had a company. I talked Dada out of his dismay. Assured him I was okay with some minor scratches and asked him to check if the bike was okay. Dada confirmed that the bike was also okay with some minor scratches. The Adrenalin was still pumping keeping the pain away. We got on our bikes and headed home, this time slow and steady.

A Cup of Tea

I surely like to have my cup of tea as I love it. There is nothing as blissful as having that cup of tea when I need it the most. Early cold winter morning after a night which has not allowed me my regular dose of sleep sure demanded a cup of tea. And so I set myself to find that cup of tea at 7 am, knowing that its going to be difficult in a secluded area where the hospital was located. My first expected stop was the cafeteria located at the groun floor of the hospital which offered little choice on the menu and a machine which deliverd hot milk which could be transformed into tea with addition of sugar and dip of tea bags. Yes I needed couple of tea bags to get the tea concentrated to the level I liked. As I walk out of the ward I see the elevator waiting at the floor above, which swings me into a mad rush towards the call button. These evelators here have a notoreous habbit of making you wait if you miss on. At this point my luck held and caught the car on time. Down in the lobby was my first disappointment as I found myself walking pass the empty cafeteria with its glass doors tied down by a chain. With the need for tea turning into a drive I started calculating my options. I checked my pocket to find the keys to my bike, but the thought of riding the bike in search of tea was discouraged by the bitter cold outside. With the bike out of question I could think of the CCD joint which is just 5 min walk. Am sure they would be serving tea after all they had the same vending machine as seen in the cafeteria , all i needed was some sugar and tea bags. But would it be open so early in the morning was a doubt. At just 5 minutes walk it was an easy chance I took to find my second failure as I saw the shutters jammed down. Another thought springed as I walked pass CCD knowing another 5 minutes down the road was a south indian restaurant, now this was a sure place to get the tea and so I pushed forward in this bitter cold now wanting more and more of this elusive tea. Mid way through my trail the failure raised it ugly head and the disappointment finally set in as sight of closed shutters welcomed me. I droped my head and started walking back, now this bitter cold was feeling more cold.I checked the time - 7:30 am what a god forsaken place was this. How stupid was the person who has built a hospital in such a place. How stupid was the doctor to refer such a place. I just went upto the ward sank myself in the chair put on some music on the phone, closed my eyes and waited. The music seemed to do the trick for me as I opened my eyes it was already 8:30 am which seemed a more hopeful time. As a learning from my prior failure I decided to first confirm about the cafeteria timings. This surely helped reducing the agony of failure, but not the agony of wait. Another 30 minutes is what was expected as a wait. I am not sure what I am doing in such a place where a man cant get his tea in the morning and trust me 7 am is not that early to have tea but its near about perfect time to have tea. I have always lived in places where I get tea by 7.All this thinking kept my brain engaged without making it realize the slow the time was moving. It good that the time doesnt stop for anyone. From situation to situation it at times slows down and speeds up, but never stops. And hence when I got back to my senses the time was right for me to move my butt off the chair. This time i wasn't as lucky as before and at the lobby the elevator made me wait. Another 5 minutes and I was down in the cafeteria. Once on the ground level it was all smooth sailing. I just ordered my tea as usual. Out of my daily habit I asked for a tea bag along with the tea, which was promptly denied by the attendant stating - sir, we don't give extra tea bags. At the looks of it I knew this guy was new, I told him that I have beem having the tea there for last three days and every time I have taken an extra tea bag with its applicable charges. The attendant just informed me that the policy had changed over night and I will have to buy another tea. This actually pissed me off and I responded - what am I going to do with the extra tea- make pickle ? And ordered him to just give me the damn tea bag and take the money for the tea. After having my cup of tea I realized how I was acting like a arrogant snubish ass with the poor attendant. How was he to know how much I had to go through to get this cup of tea. All I want to say to that attendant is that buddy I am sorry. Hope someday you get to read this - thanks :)