The scariest and most doomed day of my life

A page from the personal diary of Debina Bonnerjee This is a real life account of the scariest and most doomed day of my life. I pray to The Almighty that I never see such a day! It is about a fatal incident that shook me completely. Even recalling it sends shivers down my spine and makes me cry. Way back, some 8-9 years ago after my H.S.C exams my mom and her big family had all decided to go for a small holiday to Madhya Pradesh. My father had to cancel his participation at the last minute as he had a very important office event to attend. Excluding my father, we all went for the trip but never thought that it would prove be a nightmare for all. After reaching Madhya Pradesh, we decided to visit a place which was a two hour drive from the main city. So my huge family was accommodated in one big car and five scooters. While my grandparents and many kids were seated in the car, I was accompanied by my cousin on a scooter and my mom, uncle and aunt were on another scooter with a sidecar. On the way, everyone got separated but kept on riding as we were all aware of the destination. Soon we left the city far behind and entered small village streets. I loved the scenario as I am an avid nature lover. From there on we drove up a hill station and inch by inch while ascending it was scary and I would not look down. Then I saw a truck on that small road with spoiled teenagers who were out to tease women. The man behind the wheel seemed drunk and was driving rashly. I even remarked that he would surely harm people. I heaved a sigh of relief when the truck passed on. Unfortunately the troublesome brats later confronted my uncle who was with my mother and aunt on another scooter. They started teasing them, but my mom and aunt ignored them. The drunk driver lost his cool and rammed into the scooter which had all the three members of my family. The scooter just skidded from the slope of the hill and landed up in the farms which were very deep down. In complete ignorance of the ugly accident, we soon reached the spot where I saw a big crowd but I initially brushed it off. But I managed to notice my mom’s bright orange sari and immediately asked my uncle to stop. To my horror it was my mother and aunt who were lying in a pool of blood with my uncle looking after them. He was unhurt as he was wearing a helmet. I stopped the car in which my grandparents were seated and rushed my mom and aunt to the city hospital which was again a two hour drive back. I was too shocked to react and did not break down at all. I was shivering thinking what would have happened if there had been no farms deep down that road? What if I would have not stopped? Soon we reached the hospital and my mom was admitted in the ICU as she was the one who was hurt very badly. Since my father was not around and my brother was very young I took the entire responsibility. My mom and aunt spent a whole week in hospital, but I didn't inform my father about it because he would get tensed. I spent each and every moment by my mother's side because I was horrified that I would lose her. Soon she was discharged and we came back home. It was then that we informed my father about the incident. My mother took months to recover totally. We consider ourselves very lucky that she is with us and has survived such a fatal accident. My relatives praised me for my bravery as I was too small to handle the situation. They even told me that they could see my mother in me, that not only do I resemble her, I am as responsible as she is and I have inherited all her qualities. This was the best compliment I have ever received. I always aspired to be like my mother but I thought I could not match her. This incident made me realise that I am surely like my mother, though I realised it the hard way.