Life As A Backseat Passenger
Amongst the darkened asphalt, they telleth stories
Birth.
There was a sudden jolt of pain and light stars pouring in through my pupils. I can see figures and objects around me albeit blur. I could not understand what was, is, happening around me.
I hear sounds though. I soon start to recognize them as voices. These are joyous voices. And then I am placed on top of a body and quickly two large arms wrap themselves around me. I looked upwards. I see eyes, I see myself reflected in them. I see….is that how I look like?
“Welcome to the world, my love”
I felt warmth, strength and love all at once. The figure that held me in her arms is my mother. Soon another figure comes close, and that, my father.
“Come, let us go. We’ve got a whole world to explore” said my father.
Hope.
I am put into and strapped properly into a chair, made specifically for me! Both my mother and father sit in the front. They started chatting happily. And then both of them looked back towards me. They told me that we’re in a car and we have a long journey ahead of us.
“Don’t worry bud. You’ll be able to see and explore so many things! We have so much to do” my father said.
“Slow down dear, the baby’s still… a baby”
Both of them chuckled and then turned their back to me to face front. I was left there, feeling confused. But I do enjoy the colours and sounds that are entering my eyes and ears.
Play.
Both my parents now started coming up with things that they call “games”. My mother starts to put both her hands up to cover her face and then suddenly burst out, “BOO!”
I jumped back in my seat. I was shocked. But then, I realized I have hands too! I started mimicking my mother. And soon both of us are trying to scare each other.
My father is a little quiet. But he does still try to boo me sometimes. Mother said he can’t play with me full-time because he has to concentrate on the road.
The…road?
Imagination.
My parents told me a lot about the world. About everything that is wonderful and magical! I also find out that there are others like me out there. Little children, we are called.
My father said that we’ll need to do quite some stops now along the road so that I can have time to learn about the world.
I will have to go away from them sometimes. I don’t want to be with other adults. Though I do get to meet others like me. I made a lot of friends while I’m away from my parents. I don’t understand why sometimes, so I do what every other child like me do, cry.
One day, my father came back to me in a new car! Both my parents are happy about it. Me? I do not understand why. I got in anyway.
“Are you ready to go kid?”
“Yes! Yes, I am!” I replied with my hands up in the air waiting for a high-five.
Passion.
My mother sometimes let me sit in front, beside my father, on the passenger seat. She says that this can help put perspective on the road ahead. I can see why. Things are mostly clearer in the front here.
“I want to learn more about business dad” I turned to him
“Sure, but you must be good in maths!” he chuckled. But knowing him, I’m sure he meant well.
One day, I was reading up on a book about business and then on my left a car slowly overtakes. My attention was nearly taken away by the book once again when I see a beautiful lady seated in the backseat. Straight away I winded down the window and started waving to her. She waved back! Her name is Kira. We have such good conversations!
Soon enough though both our parents told us to wind back up our windows. The speed of our car didn’t match for long and soon my father’s car distanced itself.
“Focus on your studies first. Relationships can come later” my mother said.
Adventure.
I still remember the day that I got my first car along one of the road stops. My parents were proud of me. And I hope they still are proud of me. I still see them sometimes on the road.
“You ready to go?”
I turned towards the voice and replied “Yes. Let’s move!”
I have a wife now. We’ve been married for about a year so far. Things are going great!
On the road, I mostly stick to the middle lanes now. Can’t take many opportunities these days, especially with a child coming along. I’m sure my parents would be proud of this news as well. Can’t wait to tell them!
My friends from school though, some of them got themselves stuck in traffic jams or worst… having to stop by at hospitals and getting towed. But there are also friends who are doing way better than me. Opportunists, I call them. Always swerving in and out of the speed lanes.
I am quite happy so far with where I am. The car’s doing well. I have a wife. A child is coming. The journey is good.
Contemplation.
I manage to catch up with my parents at one of the road stops. We talked over about our journeys so far. Told them about how my relationship with my wife has grown. And the adventures that we’ve been through together. And of course not forgetting our kid as well.
Getting him to go through school has been tough. My parents just brushed that thought aside and said that’s how I was the last time. I’m just in their shoes right now. We laughed much over this idea.
I find myself contemplating a lot more the further along I drive along this road. Is it because of the tiredness that has grown on me over the years?
My parents are not as young as they used to be. Clearly shown by the innumerable amount of grey and white hair. I love them much still. That never changes.
Benevolence & Regrets.
There was a loud crash from the back. And then the car behind me couldn’t stop in time. It screeched all the way into the bumper.
Shit.
Just for the record. This isn’t the first time that I find myself at the roadside workshop. It’s just…. one of those days that nothing’s part of your control. The universe just decides to throw an iron bar into the spinning cogs.
My wife and child is okay. That’s what I care about most. That’s the most important. My parents thought me well, I thought.
As I sat on the waiting bench in front of the workshop with my wife, I wondered where is the end. Or when is the end. Then it hits me. It could be anytime, as this accident has shown me. My journey on the road, could’ve just ended. Did I achieve what I wanted? Do I regret my time here? My decisions? There were loud laughters. I looked towards where it came from. My son was playing there with some other of his friends.
I smiled. I think I did a great job raising another life. That should count as one decision I’m proud of. Right?
Wisdom.
I once drove by a beautiful scenic stop a few highways back. I never blinked or thought that maybe it’s good for me to do so. Just… enjoy the scene, you know?
Now I grab every opportunity to stop at one if I ever chance upon them on the road. My wife agrees with that idea too. My son? Not as much. Says that there’s no time, he needs to be at places. Silly kid. Then again, he reminds me a lot of my younger self. If only he sees and knows of the things that I know now. He wouldn’t be so pressured on drives.
“Hey… come here…” my wife said, waving for me to go over.
I walked over to her. Both of us now leaning on the guardrails along the shallow cliff overshadowing a beautiful sunset beach scene.
“I could get use to this…”
Life.
There was a sudden jolt of pain and light stars pouring in through my pupils. Then there was stillness. Dark, silent, piercing stillness.
I couldn’t move. I couldn’t — there is no me. Wait no, there’s no “body” of me. I now float in this infinite darkness. With only my conscience? Is that even right? How do I move?
Then I can see figures and objects around me albeit blur. I could not understand what was, is, happening around me.
A faint light appear in the distance. I am calmly pulled towards this light in the distance.
“From dust you came… and to dust then you shall return”
A calmness overcame me. Like everything is alright.
“Welcome home” the Light said.
