Working with Cyan Media Corporations was a big deal. Africa's biggest media conglomerate. Yes, I was working with Cyan way before I even joined University. I travelled for workshops, tackled news reporting, entertainment among others. This time I travelled to cover the Bull Riding event. This was not interesting for me at all to do because I just did not understand why people wanted to reach heaven quicker. I do not see the point of riding a bull. If I needed some form of adrenaline rush, I would go sky diving, hiking, racing. Anyways, in this business there was no room for arguing about the public's interest. Millions of people enjoyed this sport here in Australia. I had to cover the Rodeo and interview Dylan Beau. He was extremely talented in the sport, a factor evident in the five belt championships he'd won throughout his career. The charming man_ I got this information online_ is said to be rehearsing a day before he rode any bull_ also got this information online. I was hoping I could do a brief run on with him before tomorrow.
"David, is everything looking, ok?" I ask my colleague, our camera man for this event.
"Yes Juze," he assures me as we checked out the arena.
We were standing at the arena where the bulls and their riders would be doing their intense 8 seconds long activities.
The silence was filled with bellowing noises. That was not a human noise at all. I did not eat since morning, and my stomach could not be the grumbling this loud.
"Juze?" David asks.
I was just as confused as he was. I looked to my left and the angry bull was in full sight. Was my vision blurry? No, my glasses were sitting right on top of my nose. The fuming animal walked slowly towards us, as if confused to see people in its lair. I was obviously not going to stand here and let this bull violate me, I turned my back and ran as fast as I could. David was already running the opposite side. Every man for himself. The bull chased him instead and deep down I hoped he was as fast as flash.
David's scream got louder, and I turned to see if the bull had attacked him. He climbed the fence with one leg over while the other was still inside the bull's visual proximity. The bull kept coming at him and in the brink of time he fell on the ground. It was like watching a shark movie, where the protagonist survives getting eaten by a shark by a second.
David survived now it was my turn. The bull turned the opposite direction where I stood. I ran as fast as I could and thanked my perfect sense in fashion to wear sneakers. I almost wore heels today, but the devil is a liar.
My glasses fell off and as I turned to go back and save them, the bull got closer, so I decided it's better to see blurry than see dead. I can't see dead.
I can't think straight!
I climbed the arena fence and fell off to my survival.
The angry bull stomped the ground, puffs of air coming out of its nostrils. It looked at me lying on the ground and ran back to crash my glasses.
I got up and yelled at him.
"Stop!"
"Why are you so angry, you don't even pay taxes, rent, tuition, there's no reason for you to be so apoplectic!" I yelled.
A loud bang sounded on the far end of the arena. The metal chute was opened up to let the bull back in. It followed the sound and was locked right in.
Just then, David emerged with a torn sleeved shirt, untucked shirt, dusty boots. He looked ruinous, scared.
"Are you okay?" his sweaty palm touched my arm.
I am not okay.
"Yes, I survived," I said.
The workers stomped in to check up on us. Some came with water, blanket and a first aid kit.
We sat on the chairs as the medics tended to our minor wounds.
I was so immersed in my own thoughts. I couldn't believe that I almost died today. The incident made me to start contemplating whether this job was really worth the risk. I know that death is inevitable, but I was fresh out of university, and I have no experience on the real world. I haven't travelled much, haven't eaten all those tasty foods I so want to, haven't worn the beautiful gowns I want to, or fallen in love, haven't done anything. I basically had no portfolio for when I reached heaven.
A hand tapped my shoulder bringing me back from my infinity lists of have nots. I look up from where I was seated. Checked shirt, dark blue jeans, clean brown boots, short beards and a cowboy hat resting on his head, trying to cover his face. A slight move upwards and I am able to tell who this man is. Dylan Beau.
"Are you okay?" His voice is soft as he asks me this question.
Wow.