Lekhny post -09-Dec-2021

                                          SPEED THRILLS BUT KILLS.

One fine morning we planned to go to meet our relatives who lived in a nearby town. Though the distance between the places is just 100 km, it would take a longer time to reach because of the traffic. That is why we started early in the morning to go before the traffic congestion would increase. It was a beautiful day with a cold breeze blowing. The sun was rising lazily, and it seemed as though it had covered everything with an orange blanket. Birds were welcoming the day with melodious songs. I was delighted to see nature at its best. My hubby rode at an average speed, humming some old romantic song. I looked at him with eyes filled with romance, and he glanced me back. I asked him to look forward and be attentive on the road, but he smiled and replied that my sight would not allow him to see the road.

We were teasing each other with these romantic conversations which were suddenly disturbed by a car which passed us with a speed of 160km/hr probably. The vehicle passed with such a pace that our car trembled at its speed. I was startled. I looked at the car, and few youngsters were in the car. They showed thumps down as they surpassed us. My hubby increased his speed to teach them a lesson. I stopped him, saying that they had lost their mind and it did not mean we followed them. They drove an expensive car and were in no mood to go on the road. They moved as though they were in clouds. I was disturbed by their behavior. All the excellent spirit with which I started the day had collapsed. I told my hubby that they are untamed, and their parents need to train them to behave well and control themselves. He asked me to forget and to stop being moral police. Though I smiled at him, there were so many things arising in my head exploding my mind.

Anyway, we stopped by a restaurant to have our breakfast. We had a good breakfast and sipped hot coffee and proceeded to reach early. Now we had crossed the busy traffic lanes and were on the highway. We expected to reach the destination in no time. Now the sun had risen a bit high, and it was shining bright. We continued our journey. We had hardly traveled 10 km when we came across a huge crowd and rush. We were surprised. We did not know what the matter was. There were few police vans and an ambulance too. My hubby got off the car to have a look, and it was a severe accident. Out of curiosity, I also stepped out of the car and went to have a look. What do I see? It was the same car which had the youngster. All the four youngsters laid out dead with hands and legs cut off. The entire road was red with blood. I heard few people speaking that they were driving at high speed when a poor man with a water pot was crossing the street. They were so drowned in their world that they hardly saw him and crushed him into pieces, and then they moved the steering to hit a big rig standing nearby. All of them died on the spot. They might have died, but the ones whom they left behind, what will be their plight?

I was shattered. They were young boys of nearly 20 to 25 years of age. I started shivering. I could not control my tears, so my hubby rushed me to the car and asked me to relax. I drank water and closed my eyes. I remembered those boys who teased us. Why did they rush? To meet their death in such haste? What was the fault of the man whom they killed by mistake? Numerous questions drove me crazy. I could not go further. I told my hubby to return. I wanted to go back home. I imagined what might be the condition of their parents.

That day I realized that speed might thrill, but it kills too. If you want to die, no one can stop you, but you have no right to kill innocent people who are willing to live. A little caution and attention can save so many lives. What is the use of thrill, which is at the cost of one’s life? Life is precious and beautiful. Do not wipe it with stupid stunts.

                ………………NOOR TABASSUM…………….