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9
Meanwhile the cloud to the east had slowly crept over us. It looked as if a huge shadow had descended on us and was obstructing the moonlight from reaching us. The stars were also not visible. A quick, cold and moist wind blew over the hill rustling the leaves overhead. The night became suddenly cold. It didn’t seem that it was a summer night.
Lisa looked up at the sky and said, “Oh God, we have to get back quickly.” I asked, “Why?” and the sky answered my query. A lightning struck somewhere near and was followed by an ear-splitting roar of a thunder. And as a spontaneous effect, my palms shielded my ears. Then I knew what Lisa meant.
“Do you have a bicycle?” she asked.
“At home.”
She looked tensed. “Can you carry someone in a bicycle?”
“I did once. Can’t you?”
“No,” she said humbly and stood up. She ran towards her bicycle. I followed. She then hit the stand of the bike up and holding it she said, “Drive it. I will sit on the back seat.” I was stunned at the proposal. I wanted to say that I had carried my friend once, but we had fell down miserably, with the bicycle crashing on top of us. After that we were not able to leave the bed for one whole week! I was dangerous! That dangerous! But before I could commit that, Lisa said, “Come on. Quick.”
Unable to think of anything to say to her so as not to freak her out than she already was, I ascended the bicycle, and so did she. I placed one of my feet on one pedal, the other resting against the ground. I paused, uncertain for a moment. I didn’t want to hurt her. Suddenly she cried out, “Quick” and a thunder struck somewhere behind us. And as a result of so much energy (her cry and the thunder) absorbed by me, I pushed against the pedal not knowing what I was doing. At first I thought I would fall along with Lisa. But I was able to regain my balance quickly and pedaled fast. Pedaling fast helps to maintain balance. And so I was able to retain my balance, our balance. I pedaled faster and faster till I reached a fantastic speed. We whizzed through the meadow. It seemed as if we were participating in a Formula One Racing Championship!
The lightning struck again and again behind and around us as if threatening us to leave the hills. It seemed that as if it was raining lightning and thunder instead of water! A lightning struck so near us that I was able to see it strike from the corner of my eye. I knew what would follow, but I was unable to use my hands to stop it as my sweaty hands were clasping onto the handles of the bicycle. A deafening thunder followed. For a moment I thought that I had become deaf. But another thunder, far away, made me realize that my eardrums were still intact. I kicked at the pedals madly. I did not want to be hit by lightning. And I knew for sure, Lisa also did not.
Soon the school was in sight. I slowed down a little but was again speeded up by another lightning. My legs were getting tired of carrying the weight but I still pushed on. The bridge rattled as we crossed it. The thunder was now faint but I still cycled fast up the road. Then I slowed down.
I allowed the bicycle to roll up to my house, as it came in view. Then I pressed on the brakes and the cycle screeched to a stop in front of the blue door. I placed my tired feet on the ground balancing the cycle on my two legs. I rested my elbows on the handles, my hands hanging loosely down. I also hung my head down. I was breathing very fast and my heart was hammering against my ribs. Then I raised my head up and turned my head around to make sure that Lisa was still there on the bicycle. She was still sitting on the back seat. She looked totally dazed. But she recovered quickly and hopped down from the carrier. The bicycle suddenly seemed lighter. Then taking a deep sigh I descended from the cycle. She held it and I let it go. She smiled vaguely and said, “Thanks.” I also smiled and, without knowing what I was saying, I suddenly said, “Same to you.” She was taken aback and raised her eyebrows as if asking why I said such a (stupid) thing. I, thinking of giving it a much sensible meaning, made it still sillier by saying, “For lending your bicycle.”
She smiled awkwardly. I quickly changed the subject, “So when shall we meet again?”
“I think we can meet tomorrow at the park. Do you know it?”
“No.”
“Okay, then I will come over to your house tomorrow at ten in the morning. From there we can go to the park.”
“Okay, then. See you tomorrow,” I smiled and extended my hand. She smiled back and accepted my hand. Her hand felt cold as ice.
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