It started as a casual afternoon drive. The plan? A simple chai break at our favourite spot in the Aravalli’s. But as life often has it, plans turned into an unexpected journey—not to the scenic chai spot but to a deeper understanding of human kindness.

We had stopped briefly to check a parking area. The sun was dipping, the air carried a quiet calm… until it didn’t. Just as we prepared to move a few meters ahead, a car, speeding recklessly, slammed into ours. The impact was so fierce that our vehicle was lifted off the ground and ended up down the embankment. It was as though time froze, then shattered into fragments of disbelief, fear, and adrenaline.

My son was the first to react. He bolted towards the scene while I followed, my heart pounding. What awaited us was nothing short of overwhelming. 

People—a sea of strangers—had gathered. Some were pointing and talking animatedly, trying to piece together what had just happened. Others immediately offered help, one even joking that our car’s dramatic landing could give action movies a run for their money. Amid this chaos, it felt like we had inadvertently become the main characters in a live soap opera.

Young boys, barely in their teens, came forward with photos of the accident. These weren’t just bystanders. They were active participants in our ordeal, offering evidence, support, and, more importantly, solidarity. One man took it upon himself to narrate the incident to the police, backing up our account with an unwavering commitment to truth. Honestly, it felt like he deserved a mic and an award for “Best Supporting Witness”.

When the police arrived, their approach was nothing short of compassionate. They ensured we were unharmed, took detailed notes, and even comforted us amid the emotional whirlwind. “Are you okay?” they asked repeatedly, their concern extending far beyond protocol. Their reassurance was a soothing balm in the chaos, even if it couldn’t fix my frazzled nerves or the emotional toll.

That night, as darkness enveloped the scene, I felt something unexpected- gratitude. Gratitude for the teenagers who acted with maturity beyond their years. Gratitude for the witnesses who stayed until every detail was documented. Gratitude for the police who showed that authority and empathy can indeed go hand in hand.

But most of all, gratitude for my family. To my son, who stayed calm and handled things far beyond my expectations. To my husband, whose warm words and a comforting cup of tea at home helped ease the tension of the day. And yes, gratitude to myself—for not losing my peace and balance, even when my body felt like it was in an entirely different universe.

And now, the legal path begins. I hoped it would be a cakewalk. Well, yes… and no. Turns out, legal proceedings are less of a walk and more of a marathon—imagine running that marathon on a treadmill that occasionally speeds up, throws confetti in your face, and then demands a selfie for documentation. With the New Year approaching, I can’t help but wonder: does ending the year with a big bang, promise a boom of wonderful surprises ahead? I love surprises—the bright, beautiful ones… especially if they come with an ocean of money. A full wish list, of course, awaits.

Meanwhile, my car’s journey to the mechanic’s workshop has thrown me into a new kind of suspense—will they deliver it back better than when I bought it? Maybe they’ll even throw in a few luxury car features as compensation for my heart trouble. A built-in coffee maker, seats with a massage feature, and high-beam lights designed specifically to stun those wrong-side drivers who seem to think they’re in a video game—now that would be the ultimate dream package!

So, as for the next steps? Let’s just say I’m bracing for anything—be it a dramatic twist that belongs in a Netflix series or me awkwardly jogging into the New Year like someone chasing a runaway balloon. Either way, it’s shaping up to be more “a blooper reel” than “a cinematic masterpiece”—and honestly, I’m here for the laughs!

Resolutions? Let’s pause. I’m reflecting on life’s unexpected gifts. Navigating the legal process here has been chaotic, unlike the straightforward approach in Poland. It felt like solving a mystery without clues. Thankfully, we found someone to help sort it out, though my chai fund took a hit. Now I call them “operational losses”. 

There was also a lingering thought: what if we had been in the car? What if we had driven ahead and faced a head-on collision? Or… what if our car was the cushion for the speeding driver, sparing him a much harder landing or worse? These questions and more played in my mind as I sat, realizing how unpredictable life is and how God truly works in mysterious ways. It’s like a plot twist that’s both scary and humbling.