On that day, I was very happy and delighted as I had bought a new bike.I rode the 'new born' euphorically as it was my favourite model, which I had been craving for years.I reached my house,halted the bike and looked it with the countenance of satisfaction. My legs itched for more; I wanted to go for a jolly ride.I looked at the watch, which showed fifteen minutes past six, in the evening. Nevertheless, I took my bike and manoeuvred it to the untrodden path, which I hadn't travelled before.
I ,enjoying the vegetation and bushes besieged on both sides of the road,travelled at mediocre speed. The climate was gentle and endearing to any bike rider. I was no exception. I was relishing every moment of it. But the road was bit curvaceous and wet,which made me to drive with enough caution. Gradually, I accelerated the speed. The wheels revolved speedily. Wind swayed my jacket gently. I flew at a high speed for a few kilometers. I was not able to notice anyone in the vicinity. When I got an attention of a Tea shop. I decelerated my bike to have a refreshment. Two strangers obstructed my bike with petrifying looks. I was frightened on seeing them,stepped up the speed, without hearing their words spelled on me. They shouted and screamed,'Stop, dont go that way!'.
In a kilometer, I was able to witness the incident and understood the reason, as why those two strangers had asked me to stop.It seemed that there was a riot being taking place. There was a huge altercation between the two groups,hurling the stones between eachother.I didn't know the motivation behind that fracas. 'This is senseless',I mused.I would be entrapped if I had extended my social contemplation.I swiftly encircled my bike and propelled towards the path from where I came. When I crossed that Tea shop, those two strangers grinned at me.I too smiled. The time was Seven. The climate was getting better with time;and it was getting darker.I was not in a mood to go away from the heavenly place. Adding to the beautiful vegetation and the climate,the clouds too came to the party with the drizzling drops plopping out from it.
I went astray from the return path,rode towards a path full of herbal plants, which were captivating. I decided to spend time in that rugged path, but the bike could not be ridden easily. So,I halted the vechicle. I started to stroll, sniffing out the salubrious smell of the plants. When I was walking, noticed the animal waste,queuing across the road. I was not sure of to which animal it belonged. Nonetheless,I continued my stride. With in a few exploring seconds, a monstrous elephant came towards my path, with its traditional trumpeting.I was transfixed and the elephant came towards me. I turned back and moved towards my bike. The elephant was few yards away from me. I hurriedly started the bike.The bike didn't realise my urgency. The engine failed to respond. I left the bike there and ran without looking back.I ran as faster as I could. My heart palpitated.Rain started to shower heavily.I crossed nearly a kilometer;and the elephant lost its way.
I found a small shelter on the road side.I landed under a 'look-alike' banyan tree,which gave me a respite from unfortunate mishaps being happening.I started to ruminate.I was blaming myself, as why I went there. Was it a bad omen on the arrival of new bike?. Perhaps, I missed my bike, which I had left. I wanted to get it back; but the thought of the elephant haunted me. Time went by. I spent the next thirty minutes under that tree. Rain subsided. I started to move towards the spot, where I had parked my bike;I was circumspect, was looking for the elephant,which could be shrouded anywhere. Finally I reached that captivating yet dangerous spot. Fortunately,I was not able to hear any doubtful,deadening sounds of the elephant. I looked at my bike,which was not damaged,except the foremirror was misplaced in its position. I adjusted it and when I tried to seat comfortably, a knife popped up before me with a shrill voice, 'Take what ever you have.Huh quick!'. I yelled, 'I don't have anything,leave me'. He,masking his face,extorted me. The haggling went for a few minutes, with my unaccompanied outcry. When he was about to get my bike key, the elephant, which had been reclining behind the bushes, raised its body and trumpeted. Both of us got nerved. Sooner he fled in the opposite direction. I started my bike, which immediately responded. Swiftly I accelerated the speed; and the elephant was running behind. In a few kilometers, I felt relieved as I had completly escaped from the elephant.
'If the elephant is not there, I would have been killed by that robber; if my bike is not there, I would have been battered by the elephant' I thought.I thanked my bike, freed my arms and kissed the wind;and I came back with a heart fraught with an apparent fright and an unusual excitement..
