Heart-Stopping Driving

It's something of an acquired technique I've been perfecting ever since I started driving again. It happened on a Sunday when Fartz & I were on our merry way to religious class on the other side of Tampines, near the St. Hilda's area.

And so I drove, surprisingly not too shabbily despite the prolonged absence of my hands on the wheel. Obviously, how can one forget how to drive after learning it? Just like how one remembers how to ride a bike, driving is similar I suppose, as opposed to maybe, forgetting how to swim?? Although thinking about it, it does seem impossible to even forget that.

I digress.

So, I drove, with Fartz handling my silly yellow triangle that kept dropping from its spot. Second-hand as it was, it came without its partnering Velcro sticker and the best my sister could do was slap it with Scotchtape all over the place after she had to make the trip all the way to the back of my Dad's huge MPV twice.

I know, it was hell. For her, not me. She was muttering curses at me as she climbed back in front only for the darned thing to plop helplessly into the boot.

We reached the block of flats slightly earlier and were quite happy about it. That was, until I found a parking space & started to shift the car to Park. And couldn't do it.

I swear, it was like my own personal driving nightmare!! I couldn't reverse the car properly to slide it into the slot & after 5 minutes, I didn't even know what I was doing. It was as if all my parking senses flew out the window.

Okay, seriously, how the heck do you expect me, a P-plate driver with minimal driving experience park such a gargantuan car?? I can't even park properly in my own garage. I swear, I am in dire need of practice.

Long story short, in the end there was this Malay uncle who got out of his champagne-colored Toyota Corolla Altis to approach mine & asked if I wa going to park. I did what I had to do.

I swallowed huge amounts of pride & asked him --very nicely, of course-- if he could please, please, PLEASE park my car for me because I didn't know what the heck I was doing!! The uncle kindly obliged, citing my problem as nervousness.

He was right, though.

So, I hopped out of my car, baju kurung, tudung and all, and made way for him while Fartz remained in the car, half-petrified. This uncle, is also another cartoon.

He didn't know how to use the gearshift & out of all people, Fartz had to teach him how to do so while I hovered outside in the searing heat. But that was fine, considering he was doing the parking for me.

As mollified as I was, it was pure gratitude that the uncle was able to park my monster car albeit a little senget.

After that little episode, Fartz complained of nausea and headache. Wuss.

I got out of the lot with no problem at all, though & proceeded to pick Adlonso up from the mosque. It was only after we stopped by at 7-11 for Slurpees and reached home was when the problem arose again. This time, I had decided to park nose first.

Fat load of good that did.

I misjudged the amount of space I had --or lack thereof-- and promptly scraped the grill of my car on my gate. *heaves a huge sigh*

What else could I do but laugh at the absurdity of the situation??

Of course, Fartz had her head in her hands, asking for divine intervention & when she heard me laughing, her head came up & she shot daggers at me.

Apologizing insincerely to Fartz, I quickly rounded the car and tried again. This time, success!!

See, it really pays to prevail.

Despite all that nonsense that happened during my time driving, it hasn't deterred me --yet-- from driving & I definitely look forward to the next time I can bring the car out.

Drivers, you have been forewarned!! :D

Laterz...
Lenny