It was a bright Sunday morning. My family and some relatives had planned to spend the weekend in our village. To some, village life may seem to be a cruel, hard and harsh. To us, it is a fuel that recharges our lives. It is refreshing, full of simple stuff, pretty sunsets and cotton candy skies.

My cousins and I go crazy while playing outdoor games and exploring nature there. I have a habit of trying new things, doing something that I haven’t done before.

That day, my cousin and my father were cycling. I knew how to ride a bicycle (of my size) and I have done it a million times. So when I saw my father riding his bicycle, I was thrilled and wanted to ride his heavy and big bicycle, which had gears too. I told him to let me try. He laughed, for he knew his girl gets overexcited, but he warned me that it was quite heavy and weighed more than my whole weight. I felt challenged, which excited me even more.

I pulled my leg on the other side of the bicycle and realised that if I sit on the seat, my feet won’t be able to touch the ground. Yet, knowing this, I went ahead and sat on the seat and with a push on the paddle, I started biking down the street. I managed to balance its weight and even managed to ride the bicycle back, but while I was about to stop the bicycle, I stopped pedalling and squeezed one break. Since my foot couldn’t reach the ground, the bicycle fell to the ground, but I jumped off it immediately.

Father smiled proudly while appreciating me. He told me to squeeze both the breaks next time. I nodded and started biking again. I was feeling accomplished and rode many times around our house.

After taking some rest and a sip of water, I told my cousin to race with me on her bicycle and I decided to ride my father’s bicycle. So as soon as my brother blew the whistle, we both rode our bicycles as fast as we could, but as she was used to riding her bicycle (which was suitable for her height), she went ahead of me eventually. I was paddling real fast to keep up with her. Suddenly she slowed her speed because there was a curve ahead. I squeezed both the brakes quickly as I didn’t want to fall or bump into her. As I tried to get off the moving bicycle, I lost my balance and I, along with the bicycle, fall into the water passage beside the street.

My chin hit hard on the ground and my right arm was hurt by the dried thorns and branches lying on the ground. My shoelace got stuck in the paddle so it dragged the bicycle in the water and my other leg was under the bicycle in the water. I lay too shocked to even cry.

My cousin got of the bicycle and came to help me, I told her to inform my father. Meanwhile, I struggled to detach the shoelace from the paddle, but I couldn’t reach the paddle. Consequently, I took my shoe off and then got off the bicycle.

Just then, my father arrived and pulled me out of the muddy water, which was the home of probably a million creepy crawlies. After getting out of the water, I felt a little dizzy because I had hit my chin so hard. But soon I was laughing at what had just happened, for not only my father but my whole family — my cousins, my uncle and aunts — were standing there to see if I was okay.

I touched my chin and looked at my hand. There was blood from the bruise, not dripping but enough to be noticed. My arm was all scratched and some thorns were still stuck in my skin.

My mum was looking at me with teary eyes, wondering how her cry-baby seemed brave. I smiled and told her I was okay. My baba patted me on the back while ensuring me that it was no big deal. We walked to our home. I took a bath as I was all muddy and wet.

Afterwards, when I sat on the chair and my mum started putting some antiseptic on my wounds, I recorded a video and took some snaps to show my friends what had just happened. After sometime, we had to return to our home in Hyderabad. While there was still time, I decided to play again, but this time it was cricket with my brother and cousins.

Trips to our village are always unforgettable because we get ample time to play, connect with nature and have a lovely time with our relatives.

On our way back to Hyderabad, I looked out of the window of the car and watched the sunset, it made me feel good. It is always one of my favourite things to do.

In a short while, we reached Hyderabad. Father said that I must see a doctor, so we went straight to a hospital. There, I was thoroughly checked. I was given medicines and prescribed a tetanus shot by the paediatrician.

Before calling it a night, I felt heroic, amazingly bold. I realised that it was just a mind game. I could’ve cried, screamed and made a fuss, but doing the exact opposite was what made me feel better. It does not mean I would not ride my father’s bicycle anymore. I definitely will, but will be more careful now.

But one thing that I will surely remember is that if something unexpected just happens, I do not have to panic, I have to accept that life will bring unexpected things, I just have to accept them and move on with a smile.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 28th, 2023