Chapter 56

Part 57 – Ride the bike Indian style!

Manthan walked into his suite room shutting the door behind him. He had to break the sad news to his wife now.

 

M: Nisha?

N: Yeah?

M: Our sight-seeing program in cancelled. Sorry.

N: Really? Why?

M: The guide got some kinda an attack…So we can't go today.

N: It's ok. We'll go some other time.

M: But today was supposed to be so special. Just us two of us alone with Austria's beauty.

N: (Smiles)Well, we'll go alone with Austria's beauty some other time.

M: Yeah, I guess so…Wait! What if we go alone? Without the tour guide? In the hotel car?

N: Manthan, we don't know the roads to Austria – we could get lost – and plus –

M: Come on, Nisha!

N: But –

M: No buts! Get ready in 2 minutes; I'll get the car ready downstairs, ok?

             Manthan ran out of the door putting on a jacket hastily. He was going to show his wife the country she wanted to see, no matter what happened. She had chosen the honeymoon spot because she wanted to see it and what good was coming all the way to Austria without sight-seeing? He walked over to the receptionist table and asked for a car.

R: I'm sorry sir. We can't lend you a car right now; all our extras are being vacuumed currently.

M: (sigh) Can't you just give me a dirty one then?

R: No, sir, it not possible. I'm sorry.

             Manthan sighed. How was he going to show his wife Austria without a car? He looked out the glass window, hopelessly. He saw a small boy riding a bicycle in the distance. That's it, he thought.

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M: Nisha!!

N: Haan! I'm in the washroom. Ek minute. Hum -

             Manthan barged into the washroom and pulled Nisha outside of the hotel.

N: Arre! Kya hua?! What are you in such a hurry?

M: Come on! Just come for a second! We're going on the tour of Austria that I promised you.

N: But what's the hurry?

M: I wanted to show you this.

             Nisha looked ahead of her. There stood two bicycles in front of her, freshly bought as she could tell from the tags.

M: We're biking through Austria! If I can't get a car, then we'll bike ride!

             Nisha stood stunned, staring at the bicycles. She had never ridden a bike before.

N: (nervously) Umm.. Manthan?

M: yeah?

N: I can't ride a bike.

M: (unbelievably) You've never rode a bike before? Never?!

N: No, I always take the bus or a rickshaw in Mumbai. I never ride a bike anywhere.

M: Well, then I guess we can take the cab…

             Nisha looked at Manthan's disappointed face and changed her decision immediately.

N: Umm…actually I've seen Isha ride a bike many times and it doesn't look that hard! Plus I'm a fast learner!

M: Really? Are you sure?

N: Yeah! Come on, let's go see Austria!

             Nisha got on her bike carefully. It was true that she had seen Isha ride a bike many times. When they were small, Isha used to take a cycle and ride to the food market. But Nisha had never bothered to sit on a bicycle and try it herself. Now she was standing here on her honeymoon trying to remember how her sister rode a bike. She took a deep breath and peddled. She was a bit wobbly at first but she got the hang of it. This was so easy! She was getting it! She could ride a bike! She didn't need any help either!

M: Nisha, can move you a little slower, I can't keep up.

             Nisha turned around to see Manthan holding the end of her bicycle. So she couldn't ride a bike! It was Manthan who was holding on to the cycle and not letting her fall!

N: Manthan, what are you doing?

M: What do you think? You think I'm going to let you fall?

N: I won't fall; I told you already I'm a fast learner. Just let go, it's ok.

M: You sure?

N: Yes.

             Manthan reluctantly let go of Nisha's bike. Nisha peddled faster this time, careful not to wobble. She speeded up really fast.

N: Manthan! I got it! Look!

M: Nisha, watch out for the -

             But it was too late. Nisha had already crashed into a log on the ground. Manthan ran towards her, in panic.

M: Nisha, you alright!?

N: Yeah, I think so. My ankle – I think it's twisted.

M: Can you walk?

             Nisha grabbed Manthan's shirt and attempted to get up but her foot would stand because of the pain. She yelped in pain. Manthan saw this and let her rest. He had an idea.

M: Wait here. I'll get my bike. We'll lock your bike here for today.

N: But – Manthan –

             Manthan went over and got his bike. Then he lifted Nisha up and carried her to the bicycle. He placed her on the top tube* of the bike. Next, he placed himself on the saddle behind her and started to peddle. He rode the bike "Indian style". By passers were amused and kept smiling at the true Indian honeymoon couple.

*I hope you guys know what riding a bike Indian style is. LOL If you've been to India, you probably know what I'm taking about because you've probably seen men sitting on the saddle with their wives on the top tube of a cycle. Here are the parts of a bike to help you visualize:

                        Btw, was that long enough??

 

                                                             -Pooja

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