A Yellow Pearl Harley Davidson VRSC Part 1

Raj's important appointment was with Haya. He felt that it was so important to spend some time with his daughter that he had, unfortunately, to leave Jason to his own devices. Because of this urgency he drove to her hostel as fast as he could in the dense Delhi traffic.
"Fortunately it's not as bad here as in Mumbai" he muttered softly to himself.
After he had parked his car he noticed a yellow pearl Harley Davidson motorcycle parked near the entrance. At first he stood stunned by its beauty but then could not resist going closer to admire its wonderful design and workmanship at close hand.
"Incredible. What a fabulous machine? Can you believe it? It's a VRSC with a rear seat accessory. Liquid cooled, fuel injected, V-twin engine giving 115 horsepower. Damn. I'd give a lot for just one ride on it." He noticed that the owner was keeping it in tip top condition. He nodded his head appreciatively. "Yes. I like that. Such a fine piece of machinery should be cared for like a most treasured possession."
When he approached the receptionist she smiled politely. She immediately knew of Haya, called her in her room and asked her to come down. Raj greeted his daughter warmly and embraced her until she drew back and looked at him in surprise .
"Papa, you look so happy. What's happened? Have you won a lottery?"
He burst out laughing and put his finger on her nose. "No darling. Something far better. I've just seen a beautiful Harley VRSC standing out there. Who does it belong to?" She began to laugh and laugh until she was obliged to sit down on a chair.
"Oh Papa, you! Trust you to see it. It's only you that a Harley will make smile so happily. Don't tell me you want to ride it. Do you?"
He walked over and bent over her. "Yes. Just like you would love sit in a Czech Z Lin 50 aerobatics aircraft and fly high above the clouds". She stared at him for a few moments deep in thought as if she was remembering past events. Then she shook her head as if she wanted to drive the images from her mind.
"OK Papa, I can understand that. You shall ride it today. It belongs to my crazy room mate Seema. She'll lend it to us. Let me go and ask her."
Then a cunning look came into her eyes. "But only if you take me with you" He reached out his hand towards her saying "deal."
Soon they were out of town and traveling fast down the Mathura road in the direction of Agra. Pedestrians and some fellow travelers, seeing the broadly grinning father and daughter, obviously enjoying their ride, waved happily at them. Some noticed the magnificent bike and looked on in admiration.
When they came to a picturesque lake surrounded by trees, Raj pulled off the road and parked in a shady spot. They walked around the shore of the lake and then when Raj saw a large rock, he turned to her.
Come, dear, it's time we had a little talk."
"About what Papa?"
He grabbed one of her hands and pulled her saying "you'll soon find out."
They sat without speaking for a while and then he looked at her. Her cheeks were still flushed from the buffeting of the high speed wind.
"Oh Papa. That was pure delight. In fact it was a sublime joy."She reached out and tenderly touched his arm. "Thank you Papa."
Then she drew back and looked straight into his eyes. "Oh Oh. Now what's going on in your mind? What do you want to tell me?"
He returned her gaze for a while then turned away to look at some point on the lake. "When you came down the stairs earlier your hair was not properly brushed. You'd forgotten how your mother had taught you over and over again to brush your hair a hundred times every morning."
Haya was completely taken aback. This was not the kind of conversation that she had expected.
"Wow Papa. What are you driving at?"
"What's more you were wearing a light yellow top with cerise slacks. That's total colour shock. A disastrous combination of colours, in fact. My old Haya would never have shown such bad taste."
She looked at him startled and gave a nervous laugh. "What's all this Papa? What have we here? The Raj fashion talk?"
"No Haya dammit. I'll tell you what I'm talking about. You're letting things go and that's not you. Do you think that could ever have done that Lomcovak aerial manoeuvre if you had not paid full attention to each detail? Do you?"
"Papa, what are you really saying to me?"
"I'm saying that I know that you've been put through hell. You've lost your flying license. You're out of the aerobatics team. You lost Rakesh on your wedding night. Those are three great shocks, all within a short space of time. Even if you don't show it, you must be under a tremendous strain. It's all blocked up inside you all the time. That's why you've become what I'll call a little careless."
"Well Papa you must admit that I'm coping, not so?"
He looked at her for a long time and then slowly shook his head. "No you're not dear. You're not. I can see that you're not letting go."
"Of course not Papa. How do you expect me to let go? Poof just like that?I can't do that. It's not just a switch that you pull."
"No it isn't. You'll have to take each loss in turn. Think deeply about it. Don't hide it somewhere. It won't go away. Have some counselling if you wish."
She smiled. There was love but also pleading in her eyes. "Then Papa, you be my counsellor. What do you say?"
"OK dear. Then talk to me. I'm always there for you. I'm retired now you know."
He gave a wry smile but she rewarded him with a warm hearted touch of his arm.
"You know Papa, these tragedies seem to take hold of you. They won't let go. They seem to own you."
"But don't you think that pain teaches you how to love...."
Her interruption was brusque."What did you say? My pain is teaching me how to love?"
"Isn't that wonderful to know? So I'm busy learning about love, am I Papa?"
"Yes dear. Pain teaches you not only how to love but how to love totally."
As tears began to well up in her eyes, she quickly lowered her gaze to her fingers. Her voice sounded forlorn.