DEJA VU

Have you ever seen yourself doing the same action before? Not like some brain functioning where time stands still and you feel like you have done this before or think that what you are thinking is something you have thought before!  

No. I am not talking about this at present.  

What I see is me riding my bike (cycle) after 8 long years and then seeing my younger self doing the same  along my side.  

Yes! We meet again ATLAS! Atlas is the brand of my bike. :P  

I love cycling. It is among my favorite hobbies. The last time I rode my bike was when I was 15. I was in 10th standard. I had to let go of my bike because studies happened!  

And I didn't get time to actually ride one again, till now! I literally forced my mom to get me a bike. A new one. I used all tactics of emotional blackmail and buttered her like anything! Lo and behold! My efforts were not in vain! We did go out yesterday and came back with this beautiful black ATLAS bike with shiny new ring,  jet black wheels attached with shiny silver strings and black handles. And of course! A new lock with its own set of keys! Back in 2010, we didn't really have locks accompanied with bikes and honestly it wasn't really needed in those days. But yeah, I was all set for today. (Actually yesterday if you take it in grammatical sense.) :P . 

And so we reach home and I get ready to bike. The first thought? Will I be able to ride one after so long?? I actually asked mom to hold on to the bike till I am able to sit on the seat properly. And then slowly,  as I paddled ahead, she let go of me!  

Sounds familiar, eh? It was at that moment I saw an image of myself riding my first bike some 15-16 years back, that red and black ATLAS cycle, having removed the wheels attached and my father holding on to the back long enough to get me steady on the seat. And I remember him letting go as I move forward. Wham! I remember running into an aunty who came from nowhere and.. Well yeah u guessed it. She got hit. She fell down. She cried in pain. I almost fell down. I got up. My face had an expression of horror. And I ran. Of course, with the "murder" weapon :P. Don't freak out readers! We did take her to a hospital and luckily it was nothing serious. She was up and walking in a day.  Though she did shout some curse at me which thank god hasn't been put into action till now!  

Yeah. That was my first Deja vu moment. And then I was back. On my new bike. Soon I smiled a big smile because I realized that though I left cycling, cycling never left me! I was able to ride and ride well. Remembered all the rules, took care of all the turns and paid special attention to aunties and uncles.   

Then I saw a girl. A young girl. Riding her bike. In my opposite direction. She had long black hair tied up in a ponytail. She had a dark complexion and wore a red top with blue capri. She had a big smile. And her eyes were twinkling. She, I thought was the most beautiful girl I met yesterday! We smiled at each other whenever we crossed  paths. After the first few rounds, while crossing I asked her, her name. Her name was Riya. Riya, I repeated and smiled at her. We had small talk whenever we would meet on the way. She asked me my name, I asked her where she lived. I also told her about my not riding a bike in 8 years.  

As I was taking the last turn which led straight to my house, I saw myself again. I turned my head to the left smilingly when I saw a young Deeksha, in pink shirt and blue shorts, her short hair flying in the air and her eyes twinkling. She also had this big beautiful smile on her face and her mouth turned  to cry out loud something like woohoo!  I saw her pedaling faster, riding ahead of me and raising her arms up in the air. At that moment I saw her turn back, she winked at me and gave me a heads up.  

I slowed. I smiled. I shook my head in a yes. I pedaled and slowly.. The speed increases..The wind hits my face like a breath of fresh air.. I raise my hands and my arms all the while.. 

The smile remains intact.. The twinkle gets brighter.   

I ride my bike.