MB#72: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙠 𝙏𝙬𝙤-𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙈𝙇 𝙑𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙖 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮.

[MemoirBlogthon #72] My childhood excitement over a booked Chetak scooter slowly dissolved over a decade as my father first deferred and then surprisingly gifted the scooter to my brother-in-law—a profound lesson that love often supersedes personal dreams. Though my passion for two wheels went unfulfilled for years, I finally secured my own 1987 LML Vespa after starting my job in Vizianagaram. This green, powerful scooter became a durable, reliable companion for a decade of family rides, quietly fulfilling the passion that my father, despite his earlier decision, continued to inquire about with pride.

MB#72 From Dream Chetak Two-Wheeler To LML Vespa Scooter Reality.

The Chetak Dream Deferred

Every child has a dream object tied to their future, and mine was a Chetak scooter. My father booked it in my name during my childhood, filling me with immense excitement.

Years passed, and while I was in college, we received the notice for the second installment payment. My father, in a decision guided by prudence, deferred both the payment and the delivery, hoping I'd acquire the scooter once I started earning. However, when the time finally came for the delivery, he paid the full amount but, in an unexpected act of love and sacrifice, gifted the scooter to our close relative instead. My decade-long dream never materialized for me. It taught me a profound life lesson: sometimes, patience and dreams do not guarantee personal fulfillment, but love and sacrifice often shape the journey in unexpected ways.

Fulfilling the Passion: The LML Vespa NV

After joining my job, I constantly tried to fulfill my passion for owning a two-wheeler, a necessity as almost every family was acquiring one. However, the lengthy waiting periods and exorbitant premiums required for quick delivery made it impossible.

In 1987, while working as a Company Secretary in Vizianagaram, I finally got my chance. The LML Vespa scooters were becoming more readily available. I seized the opportunity and bought a scooter in green color.

My father, who knew about my disappointments, continued to inquire about the scooter's performance now and then, providing a quiet, indirect form of validation for my purchase.

A Durable, Character-Filled Companion

The 1987 LML Vespa NV model proved to be an excellent, character-filled choice, serving me reliably for a decade. It was praised for its robust build quality and powerful 150cc, two-stroke engine (around 8.5 bhp), which offered strong torque—a performance that held up well even against contemporary bikes.

What I most enjoyed was the comfortable and smooth ride. The all-metal monocoque construction contributed to a solid feel, and the suspension "glided over" potholes, making it ideal for family travel. I fondly remember long-distance drives with my family on the pillion, always prioritizing safety with a helmet and maintaining a medium speed.

The enduring, iconic, timeless Vespa design was a source of pride. The scooter was extremely reliable, running for years with only routine maintenance needed, often starting with a single kick even after long storage. I finally disposed of the scooter in 1996 when I purchased my first car.

The LML Vespa, while not the Chetak I dreamed of, became the sturdy reality that served my family well, standing as a testament to durability and the satisfaction of a goal achieved through persistence.

MB#72: Quiz

MB72: Question: What was the brand name of the scooter the author's father initially booked in the author's name during his childhood?

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• A. LML Star.
• B.Chetak.
• C. Lambretta.
• D. Bajaj Super.

MB#72: Quote

"Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it's how we behave while we're waiting." – Joyce Meyer