Bicycle Ride

"Do you like to hear stories?" asked Om to his newly married wife Sneha who was laying in his lap on the bed. 

" Yes I do. Do you have one to tell me?" She asked.

"Yes"

"Is it interesting?"

"You decide."

"Ok."

Om began.

"Tinku was just old enough to sit on the bicycle rod but his mother was fearful."

"Don't worry he'll be fine", Said Tinku's father as he prepared for a bicycle ride to the nearby park. He neatly made a  soft cushion on the rod with the yellow towel so that Tinku's soft little buttocks do not ache during the ride. He lifted Tinku by his arms and made him seated on the custom made seat on the Bicycle.

" Hold the handle tight, and don't put your fingers in the breaks. It will hurt you"

"Ok papa"

"So are you ready kid, shall we go?"

"Yes Papa"

"Say bye bye to mama"

"bye bye"

As his mother saw both of them rode away  on the cycle, she shouted, " come home soon."

It was a great day for the little Tinku. For the very 1st time he went somewhere without his mother. only he and his Papa. He ate chocolates, Ice creams and played the cycle bells as much could during the ride. He even tried to imitate his papa's whistling as he was doing during the ride. When they returned home with the big Balloon, His mama was waiting for them at the door steps.

" See mama what papa bought me......a balloon!!!"

"A balloon!!....Nice. Then you had great fun? isn't it?"

Tinku nodded his Head. He was so happy.

The day came when Tinku was enrolled in a school and from then on he was known as Omprakash.  It was on the same bicycle he took his 1st ride to his new school with his father. He was even there to take him back home when the school was over.

"How was the school? did you made friends?"

"It was great, Yes I did, his name is Sushant and he don't have his front tooth"

"what happen to his tooth?"

"He told rat took it when he was asleep"

"is it! ok.....what all you studied today?"

"A for Apple, B for Ball....."

"C for?"

"CaaaaT"

"Cat, Good"

Tinku grew up to a smart boy. He was may be in class of 5th or 6th, when most of his class mates came by motorcycles and cars to the school, he was still dropped and picked by his father's bicycle. He knew they were not as rich as them to afford such luxury. He  was quite understanding at such little age.

It was one day His father  decided to stop dropping and picking him. It was because he overheard few of his class mates commenting on Tinku

"See baby Tinku has arrived on his Papa's old cycle !!!"

The other day a new Bicycle was bought for Him. 

His  mother against it, " He is still a kid !!"

"He has grown up" Said his father.

Tinku was surprised about it. It was neither his birthday nor his final results are out. But it was the greatest gift he had ever received. It was as if he got wings to fly. The bicycle was easy to learn. When he rode all alone to school and parked his cycle in the stand he was congratulated by friends and envied by classmates who have commented him as "Baby Tinku". He had then became among the few who rode bicycle to school.

School days with cycle were magnificent. He did significantly well in his board examination and studied science in Pre-university. little Tinku  grew up as matured "Omprakash" and was started to referred as "Om" by his peers.  

It was one evening when Tinku's father returned from his work and parked his old cycle outside the house and was locking it by chains.

Tinku said, "Papa, I am selected for engineering studies. The results is declared today."

"Is it?!! congratulations my son!!"

"Hay you heard? He is selected"

"I knew He would be", said Tinku's mother

It was hard for his father to arrange for his engineering studies  even though he have received a free seat in the top most engineering college. But any how he managed. Tinku knew the pain his father suffered to arrange the sum for admission to the college.

It was during the last semester of the college. Tinku received a call from his home that his father met an serious accident. A speeding car hit his cycle from back while he was returning home in the evening after work. Tinku rushed to his home town. He was in a very critical condition. It was very difficult time for the family. But he was helped by his friends. They all helped him both emotionally and financially. His father recovered but became partially lame. It was difficult for him to work any more.

 By Then Tinku became an engineer. He was selected for a good job. Tinku's job changed the lifestyle of the family. 

In few years then after, Tinku was married to a beautiful girl.

"And her name is Sneha" Said Snhea with a twinkle in her eyes.

"May be" replied Om giving a teasing look to his beautiful wife. 

Next morning. When Shnea prepared morning tea for the family. She took the 1st cup to his father-in- law. He was modestly sitting on the chair, keenly reading something from the news paper.

"Papa, Tea...."

The old man smiled and took it.

The smile was like a divine blessing for her.