This incident happened to me in the month of January 1999

Place: Narangi, Guwahati, Assam

Once I went to the co-operative stores for buying bread without my bicycle (there was no air in my bicycle tire & my cycle pump was not working!). While returning it was nearly dark. I noticed a shadow following me and I was the only person walking on the road. I was able to hear my own heart-beat- lub-dub-lub-dub. But I consider myself very brave. I was carrying the bread on my left hand and the shadow following me was on my left. I shifted the bread to my right hand and then that shadow shifted towards right. I turned back and saw a stray dog who is following me. He/ She – I don’t have any idea regarding the gender of that dog- it was wagging its tail , with tongue out, saliva dripping and showing its sharp cannines. I started walking fast. As fast as my legs can carry me. I reached home and closed the door without turning back. I peeped through the window after 5 min. to find that the dog was still waiting in our balcony. My mom came out and chased the dog away. Finally a tremendous relief for me. Thanks to my mom.

This incident happened to me in the year 1998 when I was in 6th standard. Probably it was in the month of August or September.

At that time my dad was posted in Narangi, Guwahati. Our company township is not that big but very secure for all the kids staying there. There is no gate in any of the houses. We used to go cycling, discover “galis”, etc,etc. “full masti full fun”. I was so “ustaad” during those days that one can’t even imagine of (considering its me just kidding!). Whenever guests used to visit our home, I become very happy as mom use to tell me “Go bring sweets, chocolates, samosas, etc. from the canteen”, which means I can ride on my bicycle.

During that period, I learnt to carry my little brother, who is 8 years younger to me on my bicycle. His name is Donie (please note:I only kept his nick name). He was 3 years old at that time. I use to carry him on my bicycle every evening and just roam around the colony eating chips, chocolates and soft drinks.
But this evening which I am going to mention is slightly different from other days. Evening was pleasant and usual but the incident that happened is unusual. We planned to eat “Dairy milk” chocolate that day. Me and Donie as usual started our bicycle ride from home at around 5 pm. Double-carry is really fun. I made Donie to sit in front holding the handle tightly. There is a Children’s park and on two sides of the park, two narrow lanes are there. Surrounding the park is a huge drain- broad & deep. Unfortunately, the way to the canteen to buy chocolates is that narrow lane. We both were in high spirits that day- Donie was singing rhymes while I was driving the bicycle. He joined preparatory class in “Tiny Tots school” just one month before that particular incident. I took a turn towards the narrow lane for heading towards the canteen. Suddenly a bus came from the opposite direction. The lane is so narrow that only one bus can move at a time. When a bus is there on that lane, there is no space even for a bicycle to pass. So, what to do we both have to save our life- I thought Oh God our life is at risk. Suddenly, an idea came to my mind. Bus was heading towards us and we all know that bicycles donot have “reverse gear facility”. Hence, I told my brother, “Donie, Now we will dive into the drain along with the bicycle. Hold the handle as tightly as you can. Even after falling into the drain donot leave the handle. Okay? Understood?”. He agreed to me and said, “ Okay Liza ba, I’am ready”. I said,” 1-2-3 go”. And finally we both were inside that huge drain. The bus stopped just in front of us on road with a sudden brake making a screeching sound. Our mission was successful- we are alive although inside the drain that doesnot matter. People came running out of their houses. Bus driver, conductors, everyone came and gathered around the place to see what has happened. Typical Indian scene as you all are aware of. Out of so many people only one family came forward to help us out of the drain. One will be surprised that I landed on the drain so well that even inside the drain we were sitting on the bicycle. Not even a single scratch came to my little brother and me. We said thanks to that uncle and aunt. Both bus and audience left the scene. Me and Donie headed towards the canteen, had chocolate and took only a single round around the colony that day and returned back to home.


Scene after returning home:

Mom: “ Liza & Donie , where you both went today ha? Mrs. Sharma called me telling you both were inside the drain just 15 min. before. Is it true?”

I narrated the whole incident to my mom and dad. Also I explained to them why I selected the drain as I didn’t had any other option with me except that.

Mom: “Why didn’t you both returned immediately after that?”
Me:" We went to canteen to buy Dairy milk. Actually mom it was our plan for today”.

Mom simply astonished by my reply stared at me and then looked at my dad.

Dad:" You could have told us. i would have bought it for you both. Anyway, from now on if anything happens come to home directly. Okay”.

Both mom and dad hugged me and Donie tightly. They both appreciated me for my presence of mind. That evening we went to my Grandma’s home for dinner. My parents narrated that incident.Everyone appreciated my bravery and presence of mind. I was on cloud 9 for next 2-3 days.