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All of you may wonder what eight, I am talking about. Yes, I am talking about the vicious eight, which played an unforgettable role in my life. I guess I am giving too much hype for after all a number. Well, I am talking about the eight that everyone has to drive through, to get a license. To everyone, 29 June dawned as a normal happy day but, for me, it was a dreadful one. Maybe I was getting too tense for a very trivial matter, but, I could not help it. My sister, my cousin and I went to the RTO, as a courageous trio. As soon as I set my foot in the RTO, unavoidable chills ran up and down my spine. The moment my eyes rested on the area which was marked into a sinful ‘8′ that little hope inside me, also died. There was a small slope that I had to first ride over and then two big circles which denoted the ‘8′.

For a majority of people, it may have been a cake walk but, for me, it was a herculean task. ‘Why 8, why not a 6 or 7?’ Ridiculous questions rushed through my mind. My cousin and sister managed to achieve the target during the practice session. But I sat in a corner as a silent spectator. I did not even have the guts to touch my scooty. The early morning practices flashed before my eyes. I deeply regretted having wasted my precious sleep. during my hols. My sis and my cousin coaxed me to try. My mom talked on the phone to give me moral support. But I did not budge. So many people were practicing in that confined space that, I was sure, that I would dash into someone. I was just used to driving in empty and vehicle less grounds. I found myself wishing that the RTO officer never turned up. Time was running. The sun was just blazing overhead. Soon, everyone began to park their vehicles aside, waiting for the officer.

Suddenly, when I saw the free space, I felt the confidence surging. Sounds funny but true. Then suddenly, I took the scooty and boldly decided to give it a try. I failed thrice. But, in the fourth, I made it. Both my companions flashed smiles of victory, boosting my confidence. Just as I completed a fourth ‘8′, the officer came. My driving school teacher instilled confidence in me saying that I was sure to get the license if only I avoided putting my foot down while balancing the ‘8′.

Then the final moment came and the test started. I was the first from the three of us. I had a great start. Successfully, I completed the first circle, but during the second, I had a near fall. Ooh! I was making a fool of myself in front of everyone. That moment I knew I was not going to make it. My cousin was fine, but my sister too put her foot down once. The three of us sat in solitude praying from the depths of our hearts. Within minutes, our teacher came beaming, our results in his hand. Now, I am a proud license holder.

V. SOUNDHARYA VIJAYAII Year, Biomedical Engineering, SRM University

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