The Biking family - XI (By Mark Bradshaw)

Aparna  liked what she did when she picked up and dropped off Ganesh at work. But the incessant ogling and unwanted attention  began to take toll on her. She kept thinking as to what she should do. Ganesh suggested that she help out a few people who work in charities. Another possible step could be to help children who needed special attention in academics or sports. Lastly, she could visit old-age homes where parents were neglected. He said, it is best to help people when you are physically able to do so.
She decided to help out with a broad range of charities and school children who needed special attention. Often, she had to travel quite a distance for those places. Using her bullet was the best available option for her. As always she wore traditional indian dresses such as Salwars or Sarees. She used to come back every evening and discuss what she saw with Ganesh. Ganesh was astounded by the apathy shown by many towards parents and special needs children. One fine day, he decided to quit work  by taking a voluntary retirement and join Aparna in her ventures. On many occasions they would drive together in their car. Many parents in the old age homes used to get thrilled sitting in the cars and going for a ride. When the special needs kids did go pillion with Aparna on her bike, they would feel Aparna was their own mom. The plight of these people moved them. The family had enough money stashed in their banks to ride out the rest of their lives. So, they did not worry about it. 
A few months had passed that way and one fine morning Aparna got a mail from Sanjay saying that he is going to be a dad. Aparna jumped in joy as though it is her own brother who sent her the news. She wrote back saying that she would come over and help Seetha on her delivery. Seetha lost her parents around 10 years back and hence decided to have the delivery at her in-laws' place itself. In the meantime, Rani's and Anjali's family heard about Aparna's and Ganesh's charity work. They would come over and help them out whenever their schedules permitted. Rani had observed a sea change in Aparna. She has always been a happy lady. But there was a tangible difference now. Her face was visibly brighter and there was a look of satiscfaction hitherto unseen on her face. Her family revolved around the special needs children and the old-age home. All the families residing at the old-age home adopted her as a daughter and the children at the care centre called her "Amma".  
The kids' best moments were spent onboard her bullet. All along she could not help thanking god for the good things she had.
She went riding her t-bird to Sanjay's place to help Seetha in her delivery. Sanjay had a baby girl. She came back a month after the delivery. Rani and Anjali along with Ganesh and Ragav had effectively substituted for her in her charity work. Only this time, her bull was away. 
While on her missions, most women would ask her to teach bike riding. She gladly taught many of them. All profits she made from teaching the women went to the non-profits she served for so long. Ganesh was also involved in teaching the women how to ride. Owing to heavy demand, they bought two more bullet bikes to teach the ladies around.
Years passed. From a time where there was only one woman riding a bullet in her saree, now there were atleast a 100s of them going around. What was once a novelty ceased to be one. As she had predicted many years ago durng the meeting with Ram, this too passed. Biking still continued.
All said and done, "Tomorrow is just another day !!".

Mark  Bradshaw 

This brings to an end the biking family series.