We shared so many pleasant experiences. I recall a camping trip where we spent the entire night telling ghost stories. Video games were another pastime for us, Mario Kart in particular. We would compete to see who could complete the course first. We even developed a unique handshake that we used each time we saw one another.
My car began to spin out of control as a result of the loud noise. I can still recall feeling frozen and unable to talk, like I was in a dream. I looked at my friend when the car eventually stopped for a moment and immediately sensed that something was wrong. Blood was all over, and he wasn’t moving.
I yelled for help, but it took what seemed like a lifetime for the ambulance to show up. I tried to soothe my friend by holding his hand, but it was too late. He died in front of me, and I felt like my world had come crashing down. The moment of the accident was the most traumatic experience of my life. It felt like everything had happened in slow motion, and yet it was over in seconds. The memory of my friend’s lifeless body still haunts me to this day.
After the accident, I was consumed with guilt and regret. I kept replaying the moment over and over in my head, wondering if there was anything I could have done differently. Maybe if I had driven slower or taken a different route, my friend would still be alive. I started to have nightmares about the accident. Every time I saw a car or even heard its voice I would feel cold and start to panic.
With the aid of my therapist, I was able to realise that the accident wasn’t my fault. Simply put, a sad tragedy occurred. She also gave me coping skills for overcoming my anxiety about driving. When I saw a car, I discovered how to calm down, concentrate on my breathing, and divert my attention.
Looking back, I see that the accident had a positive influence on me. We never know when our lives will expire because they are so fragile. The time we spend with our loved ones should be cherished, and we should never take it for granted. I lost a friend too soon, but I will always value the times we spent together.
Ayesha Muqadas is a digital marketing analyst at Sehatghar.
