Bisikleta

April of 1995

Summer is always a good time to learn how to bike. For a kid like me who grew up in  province, learning how to balance myself on a bike was one of my greatest accomplishments. It took me almost a week to learn how to bike. All my mornings and afternoons were spent along the street.  I kept on pedaling until my legs ached. Each time I struggled to move I would lose my balance. My stronger left foot was always ready to extend each time I was about to fall.

Wise people in our community said you cannot learn how to bike if you never stumbled,  fall and wounded. I guess they were right. I was not an exception. I tasted my first fall and I cherished my wounds and scratches- thinking I would eventually learn how to bike.

But I still failed.

My kuya came into picture when after a  couple of days I didn’t show any progress. He volunteered to  hold the back portion of my seat as I kept on slowly pedaling. I was thinking he was still at my back but ho and behold he was meters away from me! I did not notice how he released his hold of me. I was on my own!

Finally, I felt like a king riding and driving a bike!

July of 1995

July is Nutrition month in our school. I was part of the group who would participate in a Nutri Jingle contest. Prior to the day of the contest my teacher allowed us to go home early and to get some rest after days of practice. On that fateful day, as I arrived from school I excitedly took out my bike.

I drove along the street of our community. I was a typical kaskero during my younger days. I look forward for the fast wind and cool breeze of afternoon. I love the intersections and the streets in between the blocks of our community. On my way to the sloppy intersection near our house, I noticed another bike was also going to my way. I  did not mind him since he was distanced away from me, but I was approaching so fast. Then, all things went so fast, I was already tailing the other bike. Without any hesitation he took an unceremonious turn. Our bikes collided just like two smashing Titans. We both summer surfed finding our own self away from our bikes. At a certain point I lost consciousness as I temporarily blacked out. When I gained consciousness, I feel a slight pain on my back and in my right leg. I saw the other kid standing and fixing his bike. I tried to hide the pain and gathered myself up. Credit to the adrenaline rushing in my veins, I still managed to pedal my way back to our house.

When I arrived home, I could no longer walk straight. I felt pricking pain each time I make a small step or stand. A small bruise appeared at the lower part of my right leg near my ankle.

I broke my foot.

On the contest day I did not join my group. My teacher got mad at me… totally. I was lost and depressed thinking how would I continue my life. I thought I could never walk again.  After a day in the hospital, I saw my leg totally casted.

Clutches became my ally.

I was banned to bike again after the accident.

My biking ended… temporarily.

DB

Photo by: Arnel Vergara

Tags: Bike, Biking, Nutrition Month, Summer