First Go, First Responsibility

I had completed my driving course just two weeks earlier. My driver’s license had yet to be issued, and my confidence was still as low as a raised handbrake. Up until that point, I had only driven short distances around the neighborhood, always accompanied by my older brother. But on that day, I was faced with a decision that would become a defining moment.

That morning, my brother Aziz—a tobacco entrepreneur—was in a rush to open his store in Bandungan. Approximately thirty minutes after his departure, I noticed the keys to the store lying near the sofa.

 I immediately called him. His voice was filled with frustration.

“Oh no. Can you send them to the store? But who could deliver them? Online couriers would take too long…”

I swallowed hard. I was home alone. Our parents were out of town. Then I saw the car keys hanging nearby, almost as if they were calling out to me.

“I’ll take them.”

Half anxious, half determined, I grabbed the store keys, got into the car, and began what would become my first true solo drive.

Lesson 1: Emergencies can be the most effective teachers.

I had never driven that far by myself. However, the urgency of the situation pushed me to rise to the occasion. I recalled everything my brother had taught me—maintaining a safe distance, checking mirrors frequently, and staying calm while changing lanes.

Lesson 2: There is no shame in driving slowly, as long as you drive safely.

Several drivers behind me honked in frustration, likely due to my overly cautious pace. Still, I remained composed. I told myself that arriving a few minutes late was far better than risking a lifetime of regret.

Lesson 3: Stay focused, and breathe.

At one point, my hands were trembling as I navigated the main road. But I reminded myself that fear could not be allowed to take the wheel. I regulated my breathing and remembered the purpose of my drive: to help, not to rush.

 After a thirty-minute journey that felt like two hours, I finally arrived. My brother waved to me from a distance, visibly relieved as I handed over the keys.

“You’re incredible. This was your first time driving this far, wasn’t it?”

I could only nod with a stiff smile. Internally, though, I felt as if I had just conquered a mountain.

Reflection:

This experience taught me that sometimes, a sense of responsibility can overpower fear. Although I was still a beginner, the urgency of the moment became a powerful lesson that significantly strengthened my confidence as a driver.

To this day, every time I get behind the wheel, I recall the emotions of that morning—nervousness, yes, but also pride. Because ultimately, being a true driver is not defined by how long we have been learning, but by our readiness to step up when the moment demands it.