The Journey to the Chalet - Essay Example

Abdullah AlDabbous S00027374 Dr. Inas Mahfooz February, 20, Life is precious and there is a need to life it to the fullest. This is because onenever knows when death is knocking on his or her door. As a young person, I did not have life goals and I spent my life in what can be described as a care free attitude. However, I have come to realize that there is a need to socialize and make friends as living a solitary life is not fulfilling. Most people in the world often realize the importance of life when they lose someone that is close to them. This can be said to be the same case with me when I saw six of my friends and family breathe their last. I was all geared up after my I finished my midyear exams and I thought to myself that it was time to kick back as well relax after all the sleepless nights spend studying. I could not help but go to the Chalet, this was the first thing on my mind and I knew the opportunity had come for me to have a well-deserved holiday. The thought of the Chalet made me excited and my cheeks flushed with happiness which I could not hide from anyone. The thought of having a holiday was God sent and I could not believe it. I finished packing and called up my friends in order to move into the Chalet. The journey to the Chalet was smooth and we drove as we sung and bonded. I could not believe that I had finished my exams and I was getting the much deserved holiday that in needed. However, upon reaching the Chalet we realized that there was a need to get some foodstuffs in the nearest supermarket. Being the smallest one I was told to follow my Cousin’s car and I followed the car with my ATV slowly. The night was dark and chilly and consequently the visibility was low. It was well known that my Cousin was a good driver, however, things started going haywire when he started showing off. The road was not as smooth and consequently as a result of his drifting, several stones were thrown towards our car and I had to swerve in order to avoid them. However, out of nowhere my cousin’s car flipped and rolled several times. I gasped out of breath and I could not believe what was unfolding before my eyes. Bodies were being thrown outside the window in weird and contorted ways. I was rooted to the spot and could not be able to move, I looked at the horrific accident with my mouth agape. The smile that was there initially was wiped out clean and what was existed was a face that showed sadness and despair. Seeing people that I cared about very much coughing blood and desperately crying for help on the sand and on the pavements made me crouch with fear. There were several that were lying motionless on the ground and I could not help but expect the worst. I was unable to move stupefied and perplexed on the spot, I could feel hot tears on my face. My mind could not absorb the scene that was unfolding before me. I had seen several horror movies but nothing could ever match this, seeing my friends gasp for their last time with pain and spattered with blood was something that I could not digest. I could not help them as my mind was no longer in co-ordination with my body, they were two different entities. In my confusion I never knew how eventually I got home, I was confused to the point that I could not remember my name. What had transpired in front of me was more than traumatic, it was devastating. I woke up in my bed hoping that it was a bad dream, however, when I heard a knock on the door and my father came out with a blue face I knew that the worse had happened. As he was talking to me and trying to console me, all I could hear and see were the echoes of death and the screaming my friends. I saw my father cry for the first time in life, the roles changed and I was the one that was consoling him. He seemed to want to tell me something but a lump in his throat; a lump of pain stopped him. He eventually stuttered “your friends, your cousins, and your brother have passed away”. He could not stay in the room and see the expression on my face, I was shocked beyond repair. I had a flash back seeing my dearest friend Faisal taken by the ambulance and the medics declaring his death. I broke down in the corner of my room, I cried so hard that I started vomiting, I felt like dying myself. I curled up in my bed and tried to sleep with tears gliding across my chicks slowly but profusely. I believed that I could have changed the situation if only I had acted first. I was rooted to the ground and could not be able to move. I believed that if only I had acted first and rationally I would have administered first aid and consequently, save a life. The thought that I could have saved a life tormented me. For this reason, I never went to their funerals as I had not the courage to face them even in their death. I feared them; I felt that I let them down. However, I have come to realize that I was running from the truth and did not want to accept what had happened. I had a feeling of guilt because of watching my friends scream from pain and I did not go to help any of them. However, with time I have learned to accept fate even though it is sour. The incident has made me a stronger man as I am able to handle huge responsibilities that I could previously not handle. The traumatic experience that I had can be said to have changed my life completely. I have come to appreciate life as I lost someone close to me. My best friend died in the accident and I cannot help but understand that life is very difficult but needs to be tackled head on. Further, I also learned that I need to appreciate life and live it to the fullest as I can never know the hour or even the day when I will die. Rest in peace my right hand man! Faisal D AlDabbous Read More