I never thought I could remember one of my childhood experiences with riding a bicycle, not until two days ago, a friend came to visit me and brought along his bicycle. When he rode it into the compound, he asked if it was safe or perhaps he should bring it inside my apartment which I laughed it off and assured him nothing was going to happen to his dear bicycle. It then made me remember my then little brother's bicycle which he rode with pride. He never allowed anyone to touch his precious item except for me and his sister who is my immediate younger sister.
I smiled while watching as my friend parked his 'baby' as he called it because it kept making me reminisce about how my brother's bicycle came home. It was a gift from Dad to him and I could see his excitement that time. He was around 6 years old then and would always cry for a bicycle. He used to see other children riding on their bicycles around the street and most times he felt so sad whenever he asked to ride on one of them but the children would refuse, even if they would allow him, it wouldn't last 5 mins.
He would watch them happily riding their bicycles around the surroundings as they tried different styles, though they ended up getting bruises when they fell, the happiness derived with each other was always more than the pain from the bruises and they only felt the pain after they had exhausted themselves and time to get inside when their parents called for them.
My brother would always cry every day and sometimes would refuse to eat unless my dad promised him of which the promise never stopped coming and nothing was being done.
One day, my dad came home in a happy mood and it was a perfect time for my brother to demand his bicycle because on some days, dad would always shout at him to go and read his book and not disturb him with any bicycle. At that period, I wished I could grant him his desire but I was also a young girl with no savings, all we knew was to spend our money on different snacks and satisfy our wants.
My dad, being so happy as if he won a lottery that could change our lives for the better then told my brother not to worry and that this time around, he would fulfil his promise but on one condition — my brother must study hard in his examination. Exams were approaching then and it was a time for my brother to read and not be forced to take his books. No one told him to take his books at that period because he was so excited and ready to do his best.
Lo and behold, my brother did well even though he took the second position which made Dad happy and it was time to fulfil the promise. He was so overjoyed on the day Dad said, "I will buy your bicycle tomorrow". He ran outside to announce the news to his friends and promised never to let anyone touch his bicycle except his sisters. The children started begging him to come for a ride, you know how kids behave right? Kids have one habit — they tend to forget the old item when a new one arrives as it would look so brand new to them with the belief that the new one is always better than the old one and even when the old one hasn't spoilt, they start begging their parents to get a new one for them. That is just their thing.
Finally, my dad brought a bicycle home for my brother and he became a star that day. He never allowed anyone to touch his bicycle as he had said but the children surrounded him like a boss having some bodyguards around. Anywhere he rides his bicycle, other children follow behind while hailing him. I learnt how to ride a bicycle even though it wasn't for long, I could only take little step forward by placing my legs on the pedals while other children would push behind me. At least the joy of seeing my brother happy got to me and was always around him when he was outside so that no one would want to bully him or snatch his bicycle.
How the bicycle got spoilt after weeks of riding it, no one could understand till date but it was so much fun for my brother. Today, my little brother is now a big boy in the University who rides a bike anywhere even on speed mode. I don't think he would remember this moment which I doubt because he was so young at that time.
Images were created by me on bing.com
