Ride and prejudice

When I was three, Dad did not have a car. He used to transport us - Mom, sis and me - around on a giant black motorcycle. I don't even know which brand it was. Whatever was "the family motorcycle" in the early eighties I suppose. You can't even call those things 'motorbikes'. Nothing less than 'motorcycle' would do.

My Mom and sis would sit on the back seat, and I would be perched in front (was that the petrol tank?) Dad was the only one with the helmet, the rest of us would be bindaas helmet-less. And I loved it. I would wish for days when Mom and Sis did not accompany us. I would get to sit on the back seat and be ferried all over town, going 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'. :D

For someone who was freaked out by rollercoasters, this was my personal (and very safe, if I may add) roller-coaster ride in the gentle and trusted hands of none but Dad.

After Dad got his car, the motorcycle rides became history. Once in a while I'd remember them and get all nostalgic. I would watch the Bollywood hunks on their sexy black bikes and ooh-aah about them for days. Anyone remember Sunny Deol in shades cruising along on that black bike in Jeet? Of course he spoilt it all later by doing the 'Yara-o-yara-I-can't-start-my-scooter' dance with Karishma Kapoor in clown pants. But as far as I was concerned, men on bikes were still hot.

Then I came to Singapore and heard/read about the perils of motorbike riding. My own classmate in university and his pillion rider were seriously injured when his bike skidded on a rainy night. He was hospitalised and missed an exam. One of my juniors had a bike accident on the highway. As time passed, I became more and more prejudiced against bikes.

Recently, my temp flatmate mentioned that he wanted to get a bike. He changed his mind later. The fact that I'd said, "Bikes are dangerous dangerous things! If you buy one, I will not let you into the house." had nothing to do with it.

It's true. In Singapore, motorbikes are probably the most dangerous vehicles to be on. Like a friend of mine and I joked, "Riding a bike in Singapore is dangerous. The roads are too smooth. At least in India, the dirt on the roads provides the friction."

I'd resolved to myself - I'm never getting on one of those things again! Bikes are dangerous! Dangerous!

So coupla weeks ago, I faced quite a dilemma when I met a friend for dinner and he offered to drop me home on his bike. Now as a rule, I refuse to sit in vehicles that do not balance by themselves. But to be out on a fast bike on the Singapore highway at night sounded like a thrilling and fabulous offer.

"Really??" I asked him when he said "I'll drop you home?"
I think I had the exact same expression that I had when my Marketing Manager told me he wants to send me to Pakistan. Utter fear mixed with utter excitement.

I'd even forgotten how to sit on a bike, and I had to ask him where I was supposed to place my feet. I held on to him for dear life as his bike zoomed on the highway. In my head I was going 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE' all over again!!!! :D

We reached my place, I got off and removed my helmet. If this were a movie, I'd have done a post-helmet-removal-hair-shake-routine a la Rani Mukherjee in Ghulam. He asked me if I was okay. I told him I was. In fact, I was more than okay. I was very thrilled. My feet were still vibrating to the tune of the bike's engine, and they continued to do so for the next half an hour.

So a few days ago, I was excitedly relating my bike adventure to a friend.

She - "You were on a bike??" *shocked expression*

Me - "Yeah!" *proud expression*

She - "On the highway??" *shocked expression*

Me - "Yeah!" *proud expression*

She - "Do you know how dangerous that is?? Do you know that pillion riders are the first to die??"

It was at this point in time that we traded expressions.

Now this particular friend of mine is my 'Sayesha's guide to Singapore'. (Yes yes, in spite of my 8 years here, anything she says about Singapore is my paththar ki lakeer.) She was right. No matter how careful a motorist you are, one small mistake by another person can cost you your life.

Errrmm... I'm so glad I didn't die that night.

Okay, that's it. I'm never getting on one of those things again! Bikes are dangerous! Dangerous!

Except maybe when they're on the highway at night?

Then they are just... WHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! :D