I have lived in the tropics all my life. FALL colours are a rarity,rather they are absent,from the beach lined scenery which is heavily dotted with coconut palms. I am not complaining but Fall colours are too beautiful too be missed by anyone.After all they lend such a sight for the sore eyes and prepare you mentally for that icy white blanket of snow which will soon envelope the entire landmass and transform it into a live freezer.
So saying I take my car up the hills for a pretty zoom,travelling past the maples as they shed their covers to don prettier ones in the spring. They make a fancy sight to behold. I am beyond doubt pleased and yes, much more than pleased for the weather gushes up cool breezes against my cheeks and in place of a customary tan I can see my cheeks take on a blush.A healthy blush.
Driving up and down around the hills,rejuvenation is an added bonus so is the bliss that comes guaranteed with watching such beautiful sights unfold in front of my eyes.I decide to take a piece of these memories along with me. Its difficult. The 2D images that I take with my camera are never going to do justice to the magic of the old world town that I have seen.I am determined to take a souvenir back to my beach nation. Albeit what can it be?
Something native to the FALL season?? Yes. A leaf will be the perfect collectible. It will be inexpensive and personal to saving my fond memories. Now the search begins....
How do I choose the perfect leaf ? Maybe a blazing red. It'll remind me of the blazing tree which appeared to be on fire! Yes decided!
As I drive by I need to make a quick stop in order to recover one such memory medal. As I drive through the winding lanes of the woods,I decide to make a stop real quick and park my Mustang in a rather awkward (and uncomfortable) fashion (atleast for the car).I have this strange feeling in my stomach that something is going to go very wrong.... very very wrong.....
The soil on the shoulders of the road had turned very soft because of an early morning shower, almost a mushy soft texture like sticky chocolate.Now Mustangs have decent power to take on any kind of roads.. At least that's what I liked to think... or rather thought... till that day...
I stopped my car and stepped out quickly to get my hands on the perfect leaf.. I stand there for a whole two minutes contemplating on which would be the best one(silly me).Without realising that I have merrily left the car without the hand brake.The car starts slipping and it would have continued to slip in to the woods.It would have...
Thanks to the stone which was stationed right at the back of the car, it did a great job. But not for a long time. I was sweating profusely as I tried to push the car single handedly forward.No! I was not able to budge it.. Not even an inch. I don't know what prompted me to stop here in the first place. I started blaming myself.I thought this was the end of my rental.No amount of insurance would cover up the damages caused to a car which goes rolling down the hill.As sometimes it happens,I came up with the idea of placing more stones heavy ones i.e.,so that they could hold up the car atleast till I got in and stepped on the gas to rescue it.The back portion of the car was kind of scarred.But atleast I have a chance to get the car out. Putting up a few heavy stones,I swiftly shove myself into the driver's seat. and start to accelerate.Boy! It wasn't working.I gave it a few good whirs but I guess something wasn't working. I braked hard and prayed ... Yes I prayed... Promised God that I wouldn't take such silly risks again....
1,2,3.... Here we go......
Putting all my might together,I gave it an acceleration good enough to put it back on the road,albeit with a loud jerk.And Thank GOD!! there weren't any vehicles on the road at that very moment...
Or I would sure ram into one or the other vehicle... And that was not how I wished this to end...
As I sat and drove back,clenching the leaf- which was my most prized possession, I vowed not to take such a risk for earning a memento,no matter what the conditions were.
And yes,that leaf is synonymous with my FALLs adventure and though the leaf ceases to exist,it continues to teach me :
Stop taking unnecessary risks
It's not worth your life..
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