Rehan zoomed in front of Tahir’s house, he still couldn’t control the bike as it was too heavy for his 14 year old body. He pressed the door bell and waited. Tahir came out and gestured him to be silent.

He closed the door behind him and took Rehan a little away from the door. “Why did you rang the bell when you already called me?” Tahir asked uneasily.

“Aren’t you amazed? Tell me the truth?” Rehan inquired excitedly.

“Come on Rehan, I told you not to ride the bike and don’t try this adventure in our neighbourhood. If any of our family members see you, they will literally ground us both!” Tahir warned.

“Chill dude, I am taking you out today on this bike!”

“What? No way! By the way, whose bike is this?” Tahir inquired.

“It’s Sarim’s. I asked if I could practice and he gave me without hesitating,” Rehan said.

“Oh Sarim! He doesn’t have a good reputation; he never listens to his father. Did you forget he is one of those rowdy kids of the neighbourhood!” Tahir reminded him.

“I have nothing to do with his reputation. See he has taught me how to ride, and I have become an expert now!” Rehan said proudly.

“Why don’t you understand, Rehan, you can’t ride, you are underage and it’s not safe even to try,” Tahir tried to explain.

“I love bikes and can’t wait for such a long period to get the licence. Besides, do you think everyone riding a bike has a licence or they aren’t underage? What about Sohail and Arij, they are hardly 16 and ride motorbikes. So why shouldn’t I? And I have started riding it in the streets now!” Rehan said carelessly.

“Whether you ride in the streets or on the road, you can’t. And the boys you mentioned have fallen several times and have injured their legs and arms. Do you want that?” said Tahir angrily.

“Tahir, I am not here for a debate. If you are my friend, you have to come with me for a ride!” Rehan said emotionally. “And I promise I won’t take you far, just to the other street, that’s it and we’ll return. I promise!”

Tahir reluctantly sat behind Rehan on the bike. He was scared but was thrilled to see Rehan’s confidence. Rehan ignited the engine and it jerked. Tahir almost screamed, but held Rehan tight from behind. Rehan laughed loudly.

The bike started in a slow pace, but Tahir soon realised Rehan was unable to control the bike as it was too heavy for his small and weak body.

“I think we should stop,” said Tahir.

“No! Let’s go a bit further, I am speeding up....”

As Rehan sped the bike, Tahir tried to stop him but Rehan didn’t listen and accelerated. Just before reaching the corner of the street, they hit the car coming from the opposite direction. Though Rehan saw it, he got confused and couldn’t slow down.

Rehan opened his eyes and found himself in a clean white room. It was a hospital room, where he saw his mother sitting on the sofa wiping her tears, while his dad talking slowly with someone on the phone.

“Mum! Where is Tahir?” Rehan asked the first thing as he came to his senses.

His mum immediately got up and went to him and kissed his forehead and told him that Tahir was fine and home, he was a bit injured but well now. His dad turned and with a serious concern on his face looked straight in Rehan’s eyes, as if he was reminding him of every lecture he had given him before.

Rehan seemed embarrassed and started apologising to both. Just then, a doctor and a nurse entered the room.

“Hello, young man! How are you feeling?” asked the doctor.

Rehan gave a faint smile.

The doctor continued, “Young man, don’t take bikes for granted. I know it is thrilling for boys of your age, but see where you have landed now. What a price you had to pay for your thrilling experience!”

Rehan was baffled and looked towards his parents. “Son, your left leg is fractured, and they have put a plaster on it,” told his father.

“What...?” tears started trickling down Rehan’s eyes as he tried to lift his head up and saw his left leg completely in plaster.

“Don’t worry, you’ll start to walk again in two months!” the doctor said.

“Son, the accident could have been worst, which could have left you unable to walk for life,” the doctor continued. “Life is too precious to be careless with it. It is no use if you have to live with a physical disability, that too as a result of some short-lived thrill.

After the doctor left, Rehan’s father sat beside him and held his hand as he said, “Son, take these two months to reconsider your life, its importance and what led you to this state. There is a right age for everything. Wait till you grow older, then you can learn to ride and get proper training and license.”

Rehan sobbed and hid his face in his mum’s arms while realising all his mistakes.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 25th, 2017