Tataiya (wasp)

 

Kanwar was eagerly looking forward to the evening, anxiously awaiting his father’s arrival. His father had promised to gift him a brand new bike on his birthday, but on the condition that he scored above ninety marks in his 12th standard exams.  

He went above and beyond, exceeding the set goal and accomplishing an impressive success rate of ninety-three percent. Eventually, the highly anticipated golden moment arrived. Luckily, his birthday falls in May, which provides the score of the last academic year. As a result, his annual reward was contingent upon his performance. However, this year was unique as he was preparing for college, and the reward was a cherished one – a BIKE, leading to immeasurable excitement.

Sujata, his mother, had always supported every whim of Kanwar, as he was a pampered child. She had always taken pride in his intellect. However, this time, she was disappointed by the upcoming gift: a BIKE.

Sujata made an effort to convince her husband to reconsider the idea of buying a bike due to safety concerns. She made a similar attempt with Kanwar as well, but neither of them took her request seriously. Finally, Kanwar received the bike as a birthday present that evening. He spent almost an hour riding multiple laps on the bike with his father.

Kanwar successfully received admission to his preferred college in North Campus. He began commuting to college on his beloved bike. Sujata, being extremely concerned about kanwar’s safety, always waited anxiously until he returned home from college each day. 

Kanwar hurried home on Friday for his cricket match that evening. He informed Sujata that he covered the distance from college to home in just twenty minutes, a trip that usually took forty-five minutes. Additionally, he mentioned that he was now able to drive faster.

Sujata was shocked upon hearing Kanwar’s words. She firmly grasped his hand and forced him to sit on the chair. She calmly conveyed to Kanwar, “Those who rush with fast driving and arrive five minutes earlier, one day they never return, beta. I have seen the bikers speeding like tataiyas (Wasps), darting from one place to another. You are our only child beta. Promise me that you will never drive recklessly.” Kanwar promptly nodded in agreement and rushed off to the circket match.

Kanwar had a group of friends in college with whom he often engaged in bike races and occasionally performed stunts, feeling a sense of pride in doing so. However, one day, while Sujata was passing through the market, she saw Kanwar and his friends riding their bikes recklessly on the road at high speeds. Although her eyes were fixed on the road for a moment, the bikers had already moved far ahead.

Sujata had planned to collect the bike key from Kanwar as soon as he arrived home, determined to prevent him from riding any further. She anxiously awaited Kanwar's arrival, but he failed to show up. It had already been over two hours since his usual college dismissal time. Sujata was in a state of panic and had called his father multiple times, causing him to rush home as well.

They inquired in college and also from some close friends, but unfortunately, they were unable to gather any information about him. Eventually, they received a call from Hindu Rao Hospital informing them that he had been in an accident and was being treated there. Sujata and her husband rushed to the hospital and found that Kanwar was in the ICU.

After three days, Kanwar regained consciousness. Upon seeing his mother, he couldn’t hold back his tears. However, it was too late as he had lost his right leg in an accident. He said, “Mom, you were right. Those who rush with fast driving and arrive five minutes earlier, one day they never return. I was the lucky one because of your blessings. I’m sorry for all this, Mom.”

Sujata embraced him tightly.

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