YELLOW, MYFIRST RIDE!

I am gifted my life and living it is my

birthright.

In the early days of life happily playing

non-stop at best I plotted and planned

games with my sisters and the

neighborhood kids.

It was striking those days when eating

and sleeping delightfully fell into place,

no outlook needed.

Riding my tricycle I do not remember but

what I do live with is the sublime

memory of my lovely Yellow three

wheeled scooter.

You know the one now made famous

with Hiritik Roshan setting his foot on it.

Yes his ride in ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ that’s the

one!

{For those who don’t know Hiritik. He is

the sizzling Indian movie star of today}

I witness my left foot on the ground the

handle confidently gripped. The right

foot right-angled to the elegant straight

front extensions firm in the panel that

served as foot rest.

Mind full of anticipation and my eyes

after that only see the path ahead.

Leaning forward I’d push forward quite

gently.

That was the happiest moment in the

history of happiness I was moving.

Next incessantly the left foot would do its

job of striking the ground at just the right

angle at just the right time to keep me

moving faster and faster.

At that moment the left foot would then

obtain its honored place behind the right

foot on the foot rest. It takes its spot

quite naturally at 35 degree angle to the

right foot.

Quite simply done!

Upright I would be gliding; maneuvering

the handle came naturally to me. So

sometimes throwing one arm to

the wind I’d sail …..

I felt the air against my face, mostly hot

for all of this activity would take place in

the early evenings of the hot summer

days.

Sweat trickled down my back, shone on

my face, waltzing down my hairline.

I did not mind sweat then as I do now.

The fringe on my forehead parted ways

on every ride I took.

I did not mind it then surprisingly

I do not mind it now.

Tall slim rounded bars growing endlessly

from the bottom plate held the two iron

springs that apprehended the handle

to the lone wheel in front.

These were strong as they were ugly.

Many times I would try to wiggle my

fingers between them to clean them of

the dust or a gone astray pebble.

When firm they held they place refusing

to budge. So when I washed and cleaned

my Yellow the springs looked quite the

nasty rebels.

The church compound and the CI club

grounds were so large

in my mind’s eye I thought mother let me

go out in the world when I rode there.

But the largest part of riding took place

in the Kale Bhavan Garage.

Which I must mention here I thought

was part of our home for longer than I

can remember. Its tarred road was ideal

for my escapades on Yellow.

I would go up and down the

road with not a gasp of breath to

spare as I turned and hurtled down the

way again.

The tall looming identical slopes that

took the cars up to the no road strips of

platform were my danger zone. Yes this

would get my breath racing as fear

whispered just before I’ d leave the safety

of the platform to hurtle down those

mean slope at speeds that landed me a

fall more than once.

But I’d do it every now and again to win

some and lose some.

Tears dried well before I reached home.

The two back wheels looked meek and

humble awaiting my bidding to roll and

rumble.

But let me carve up with you

how vicious a fiend it would be.

When in motion if for some

reason my left foot came too near it.

It scrapped the skin off

my ankle bone and looked on

unfeelingly as blood left my wound.

The nut and bolt at all times looked cruel

through my tears.

Nevertheless love my Yellow I did!

Mum would put dettol on the damage

and I would squirm

but as the sting subsided my mind would

already be in travel mode.

Yellow had a factor that made it easy

enough to slip under my bed. Somewhere

just near the front wheel were

insignificant two claw like clutches.

You had to pull hard

and fast outwards and then let go.

Moving your precious

digits away quicker than silver was

essential.

For then the handle collapsed on to the

foot rest the handle bars nestled between

the back grumpy wheels confidently.

With one swift shove I would trust it

under the bed for safe keeping. As well as

it was in easy vision for me, all it

required was to hoist the bed sheet an

inch to see Yellow sleep his metal sleep.

Some may remember it red but I know it

was always Yellow.

And my fascination with driving remains

till today.

Love always

Joscelyn