Essay: Mumma, I did not know I could run this fast

Isha Kansal shares a personal essay, merging a core memory with a recent nightmare and connecting it with random memories to create an unforgettable lesson for a lifetime.

On October 21st, 2023, the clock had almost struck eleven when I left my best friend’s birthday party to return home. It took considerable effort to convince my parents that I would return safely and sound. My mother’s concerned voice from our earlier phone call still echoed in my ears.

“Beta, you know how I feel about you taking cabs alone at night,” she had said.

“Do not worry, mumma; I will text you the cab details and live location,” I reassured her. “I will be home in not more than half an hour.”

Now, watching the cab driver struggle with the automatic transmission in the deserted Cantt area of Dehradun, that confidence evaporated like moisture from wet clothes under a harsh sun. The digital display in front of my eyes flashed warning signals, casting a frustrating look on his face. Afraid he might be held responsible for tampering with the cab’s system, which did not belong to him, he pulled over to the side of the road, the sound of the engine falling silent.