His right hand thrust and twist the remaining cigarette unto the ashtray. The sun is rising and visible from the balcony of his condo unit. He restlessly waits for his wife to come back from her weekly marketing. The kids are still sleeping, their usual practice on Sundays. His wife of 22 years, a beautiful woman in her early forties shows up at the door carrying groceries and fresh food from the Sunday market.
Ali ia a middle age man with strands of white hair on his head. Standing at six feet and slim built make him look younger then his age. He is just an ordinary guy like any other man on the street. There is no special telling about him. He likes to trail ride on Sunday either on his MTB or dirt bike. It is a form of escapism for him and he rides hard. He does things with his bikes no other man his age would do.
The ignition switch is turned on. As the starter button is pushed, the engine starts and theres a soft noise coming out of the standard exhaust tip. He takes a glance at his watch and the hands are showing 8.30 am. He wheels the bike from under the bike shed after a say of his usual prayer. Wishing good morning to the guards who man the entry and exit of his condo,he takes off slowly as the engine of his green Kawasaki is still warming up.
The area where he lives is a busy commercial centre. Daily traffic jam is a normal occurence made worse by a school located just beside his condo complex. Sunday morning is the most quiet and unhurried day in a week and he loves that. It shows on his face but he still has to get away on his bike for a few hours. It is his weekly ritual.
The road to the sec 9 commercial centre from the exit of his condo is quite steep with two slow speed bumps. He stops at a mamak shop for breakfirst where 3 other rider friends are waiting. A glass of teh tarik and roti chanai is his usual fare.One of his friend walks to the counter and pays the bill. He puts down the empty glass and puts off the cigarette. Everyone puts on their colorful helmets ,wear their gloves and start their bikes heading to their chosen destination for the day. The clock on the wall is showing 9.30 am.
All the friends are middle aged as he is and with white hair too. They are friends due to their passion in riding. Each has different story to tell with regard to their biking experiences.
First few minutes of the ride is via tarmac road before entering a powerline trail. From there he heads toward an offroad trail circling a lake and eventually ending up on top of a pipeline trail. He jumps the water bars and reaches a short tarmac road which connects to another part of the pipeline trail. The rest of the ride is via oil palm estates before he exits to another strech of tarmac that connects to the riders destination. The other riders follow his lead.
From the tarmac road he can see their destination a few kms away, a small strip of cleared path up a mountain and lower mountains around it. The majestic mountain is covered with forest and is very green except for the path built by farmers to reach their plots. Now tarmac turns to dirt road and he begins to enjoy his ride. The bike is leaned into corners and the rear end slides exiting and enters another one. After a series of corners he reaches the base of the climb. A short breather is required. He stops and he sips some water by the mouthpiece of his waterbag. As he waits for the rest.
He begins the climb. The engine of his bike strains in second gear as the bike wheelies and the front wheel dodges ruts and rocks. He tries hard to progress and makes it. Stopping at the top he turns around and watches everybody riding up the mountain safely. Everyone gathers up and ride close to each other to the little hut on the top. He pulls a small wheelie and throw his fist into the air as a sign of victory. Someone shouts"hey thats fast".
The 360 degrees view from the top is breathtaking. He takes out a stick of cigarette from his pocket and lights it up. Satisfaction shows on his face and deep down he senses that feeling that only he can feel but can not describe.
They descend the mountain and head for home with the sun right over their heads.
He is going back to face the reason why he does all this, to be a regular family man again. They are bills to pay, food on the table, kids education. He will return home as a recreated man full with energy and determination to face all these realities after half a day of living and enjoying in his own small world.
It will be another stressful week before next Sunday. He prescribes his own weekly medicine.... on every Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment