A Bye... Bye...

I was in 2^nd class when dad got my bro a bicycle. It was a small red Avon cycle. Even the seat cover and the bell was red in colour coz those days red was my fav colour. Of course, it was my selection but I did not touch that for more than a year for two reasons-

1) It wasn’t mine

2) I was afraid to fall down!

By the time I reached 4^th class, it was pretty embarrassing for me as all of my friends new how to ride a cycle and all our girlish games like stapu, tv, Chocolate, etc. etc were fast replaced by cycling which ended up in mine sitting at home most of the evenings! Very soon, my bro grew taller and big enough for that small cycle and this time he got a steel grey and black avon cycle. I still remember, that time the distance between the new cycle’s seat and ground was equal to the distance between by foot and head!

That red cycle was given to me so I had no choice left but to learn to ride that. I could ride properly since the day I started but the problem was I didn’t knew how to stop that and get down. My dad used to get me started and leave. After riding for some time, I would come back home calling dad at the top of my voice so that he can stop the cycle and get me safe on ground! In the course of learning, I did experience the bitter situation where dad didn’t turn up and I had to just fall down. Soon I learnt. I remember pretty clearly, when I got the confidence in riding the cycle and started enjoying cycling, I got myself a red t-shirt, shorts and shoes! Every Sunday I used to wear that red stuff and took my red cycle and go to buy bread. Soon my legs grew taller for my red cycle and even my red-ridding hood costume lost charm. Before my parents could pass on the avon cycle to me and get a new one for my bro, I asked for a ladies cycle ;) so clever of me!!!

My cycle was bought on 30.8.2000, “HERO DEVIL” violet colored with matching bell but I couldn’t get a matching seat cover so I settled for a black cover. Just 2 days practice and I could ride her very comfortably. I used to love riding her at top speed when it rained! Soon I started going to school riding her. From the window, I used to adore her, standing elegant in the parking area. Since 9^th class till 12^th, everyday I used to take her with me. Till the last day of my school, I was the only girl who used to go in cycle.

But today, after more than 6 years of living with it, I finally sold her for a mere 500 bugs! I wasn’t using her since I started going to college and my mom felt that she's occupying unnecessary space which was true to some extent. Her place is now replaced by other things but the place she has occupied in my heart will never be “unnecessary” and will never be replaced by other things!