Untethered
Toiling for balance I set my right foot on the pedal ready to tame this tenacious bicycle that doesn’t let me ride her to school. Masterji will admonish me if I don’t reach on time for school tomorrow. Sighing I start pedaling, wobbliness following my suit.
“Hey Amolika!” I look up to white sarong, Suryababu our new teacher for Sanskrit waves from a little to no distance. I feel my heartbeat increasing, at this rate ill crash into him! I take a sharp turn to avoid it; the pedals spin in reverse direction causing disparity. In mere seconds I’m lying down with one scratched knee and elbow.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry.” Suryababu asks worriedly.
“No I’m sorry I shouldn’t tour a bicycle if I don’t know how to do it.” I whimper.
“Why are you aiming to trip a bicycle?”
“School is three villages away, and I don’t have means of transportation even if we’re in 1964.” I huff.
“Here, let me help you.” He puts his hand out for me take; I hesitate for a while but then give in.
I note he has a bicycle of his own, however he’s not riding it.
“Is this your father’s bicycle?” He questions, I look up into his charcoal eyes.
“Yes, Masterji.” I answer proudly.
“Why don’t you get a ride in bullock cart every day to school like other children?”
“It is quite expensive and bicycle is rather comfortable.” Suryababu does not say anything for a stretch. Discreetness creeps in causing embarrassment.
“I… I should get going else baba will scold me.” I announce faint-heartedly
He nods blankly in my direction still lost in his own world.
Late in the afternoon; I tighten the off-white sari around my waist. Sluggishly I start walking towards the barren land in our village, rusty chains of my bicycle groaning alongside. Bed of lush green grass drives in my view side with a flock of swifts flying squat.
“Amolika” I hear a familiar voice call out. Blinking I scan the field.
“Behind you.” Whirling around I find myself gazing into the same charcoal eyes.
“Masterji? What are you doing here?” I voice my confusion.
“Do you really want to learn how to ride a bicycle?” Solemnity dripping from his voice. I stare into his captivating eyes.
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“I will teach you.” My eyes widen at his affirmation.
“Really?”
“Yes. But first, promise me after one week you’ll explain me what cycling means to you.”
“Do you mind if I ask why you are doing this?” I question timidly.
“Are you questioning your guru?”
“N…no I… I was just, I’m sorry.” I stammer. Fiddling with my fingers I look down.
“There are some things I’d like to explain you, are you willing to listen?” Suryababu continues
“Yes, masterji,”
“I’ve observed you ride her because you need to, not because you want to. Cycling is a leisure activity my child, don’t force it on yourself .You have to see your bicycle as your friend don’t try to tame her.” I grasp the words giving him a slight nod.
“Now sit on the bicycle, and don’t worry I’ll hold it so you won’t fall.”
I swing my leg over seat and stand secure retaining the handle straight. Suryababu holds end of the right handle in one hand and keeps his other hand on the rack.
“Now slowly start pedaling.” He instructs, I gently push the pedal forward, a trivial shakiness making me uncomfortable. My grip on the handle intensifies.
“Relax yourself. I’m here, I won’t let you fall. Just loosen up a little and keep pedaling.” Suryababu’s soothing voice rings in my ears. I loosen my grip and emphasize on pedaling gradually.
Right
Left
Right
Left
The bicycle moves quietly, cobbles don’t root treacherousness anymore. Looking up in the sky I catch a glimpse of swifts dive down gracefully, flying without agonizing about flopping down. I gaze back at my bicycle, thinking ‘only if I could ride my bicycle like that of a bird.’
“One more round across the field then you’ll learn how to stop the bicycle, okay?” I nod in his direction.
He walks parallel to my bicycle holding it at a respectful distance. Pokily I gain confidence in pedaling; my sloppy movements turning into refined ones.
“When you want stop the bicycle you have cutback the speed first and then apply pressure on the brakes. And always remember before entirely halting the bicycle get down on one leg.”
“So I apply brakes and get on one leg at the same time?”
“No, you do it concurrently.”
“Oh, okay. Masterji what if situation like yesterdays takes place again?”
“Amolika, if you’re going to start something you should always plan that how you’re going to end it. Focus on the present, and you’ll overcome every obstacle in life.”
Living in present, huh? I think to myself whilst cycling away with Suryababu’s help.
Three days elapse in a haze, masterji teaches me everything from the Veda of cycling. Now I can pedal, furthermore stop the bicycle on my own. My classes with masterji are over, in next four days I’ve to articulate him on how I feel about cycling.
Till now I’ve been focused on cramming the process but now I’ll start to relish cycling. In these four days I want to make cycling leisure. Excitement floods through my veins only by the idea of it. Cool breeze kisses my face; I peep up to the same plush green grass standing tall. Beaming I set my right foot on the pedal and swiftly bring kaivalya into action. I named my bicycle after meaning the only thing she brings to me, Freedom.
I look down to how my legs move along with the pedals.
Left
Right
Left
Right
Just how I first commenced.
I keep cycling round after round solely savoring the feeling of stirring my legs adjacent to the pedals. I tour sinuously amid the barren land; I zip past the slope of Tirumala temple.
Today is the day where I tell Suryababu, that how has these seven days altered the significance of cycling for me. Swinging my leg over the seat I make myself comfortable. I ride kaivalya round the barren land.
What does cycling actually mean to me?
Cycling is not just one thing. Cycling can portend different factors for every soul. For one individual it maybe just a mode of transportation, for another it must be an infatuation. And for me cycling is like stargazing on a full moon or a breath of fresh air in summer. When I’m touring my bicycle I unconsciously forget about the past or future, it’s just me and kaivalya. The herds of swifts fly tall today, so charmingly fluid. I accelerate and experience the sense of freedom. At this moment as a swift I wing away, and I guess this is what cycling meant to me.
I notice Suryababu riding his bicycle in my direction, grinning I cycle away from him.
“Chase me.” Giggling I shout. Eyeing backwards I find him pacing up with a smile on his face.
