Atiqah and her tire issue

My posh friends from district came to KK last night for a movie and they booked a hotel for the night. Posh people I tell you. They headed out very early for their Brunei roadtrip so I had the room for myself. Had the shades opened to enjoy the sunrise from the comfort of the hotel bed. This was my view. It's always a good idea to rise early in Sabah because the view is so nice.

After a sleep in, I checked out and sent my car for service. I'm terrible at car maintenance so I called my dad and brother who both didn't pick up. I resigned to my fate of being at the mercy of the counter guy. I told him I need to check my tyres alignment (bro told me months ago) since I blew up my front tire months ago and he said they don't do that here, I would need to send the car to a tyre shop.

Dad later returned my call and said to get the tire alignment and balancing checked, probably swap the front tires to the back etc. I asked him why and when, he said he wasn't sure either and I need to read on that. Sigh I'm really not good at this, not even sure what to read on either.

After the service, I messaged a few people who didn't reply on the spot (what did I expect). I decided maybe it'd be a good idea to go back to my place, shower, eat, then regroup. I've only been to a tire shop once in my life and that was the one in front of our house where dad is a regular customer, so I dared to go on my own. But this is KK, first time and I'm on my own. I don't even know who to ask, what to ask before I step into a random shop.

Maybe ask Savin to accompany me to a tire shop, but he's in KK to maximize his time with his friend so I shouldn't do that. Or Vicky but he's postcall and knowing him he'd still be in the hospital for whatever reason. Guys should know cars better right? I don't know any girls who know about car maintenance.

I decided to go back and on the way back send the car for a wash. Then I saw plenty of tire shops on the road back, close to my regular carwash place.

Should I wait for people's advices based on their experience? Should I have someone accompany me and be my guide? Should I marry a handyman and leave everything to him? Or should I make my own mistakes and experience at whatever cost that might be?

I decided to go with the latter and went into a random shop. Parked the car and went out, slowly approached a guy who nodded at me expectantly. Perhaps my awkwardness was palpable. I told him my problem and he took a glance at the car.

"Tayar kanan depan nampak lari, makan dalam sedikit."

Either he's good or he's bluffing me. I wouldn't know any better but I prayed God have mercy on me. He asked if I got the left tyre changed recently and I told him about the blow out. He suggested I change the right tyre and he'd do the balancing after. I agreed.

Midway through the changing brother returned my call. He said I should use the same branded tire for each end of the car, since the recently changed left was a Good Year, I should get a Good Year for the right because of the thread. I told him too late, they only have Falken and it's already dismantled.

I asked if it'd bring a great misfortune. He said it depends whether I'm speeding and the road post rain or not. I could drift off course.

I'm known to go at least 60 km/h at a corner. I won't bet on changing my habit, but this is potentially life-threatening. Huh. So much for making own mistakes and experience.

Hadi also told me to get the fronts swapped with the back since front tyres worn out quicker, and that there are plenty of tips written on Facebook and such.

But I was done. I don't know. This is like a non medical parent with an okay child with a problem. I want the best for my child but I don't know whether this problem is big or small or perhaps he's fine. The doctor will say something, right? The tyre man would have suggested to swap front to back now, wouldn't he? Or not, because it would be adding more work at no advantage for him? I don't know. Should I have asked him? Retrospectively thinking maybe I should. I should.

It was almost noon. I paid for the tyre, dropped my car for a wash and meditated at the mosque. I hope I'll marry a handyman.

Miss Atiqah

Mom has been suggesting me to buy a car. Finally they are admitting I need my own car to wreck (havoc in). Like the good daughter I am, I went with mom's first choice of model and colour. A Ford Fiesta in True Red colour.

She's buying from her staff's husband which makes it all easier for me. Encik Ehsan came over to our place on my off day today and let me test drive the car. I told him I'm a low maintenance person, as long as it's fuel efficient, has an easily accessible service center and can go fast real fast (I sprinted up to 100km/h in the city, felt bad for him if I went overboard) I am okay.

He said he'll send the car for service since he understands my workload. Bwahaha that sealed the deal, but I would have bought the car anyway. We don't mind waiting as long as we get the True Red colour (mom chose and it does suit my on-road demonic nature) and a 6565 plate number.

I paid RM1000 booking fee and we're paying 50% down payment and applying for a 3-year car loan. Encik Aman from Kuwait Finance called me and said I am illegible for three years since I have a house loan, but I told him I am applying three years because in three years time I am paying for my house loan. He said he'll rearrange and need my house loan offer letter in the meantime.

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So to review my adulthood checklist:
1) career aim and progress -checked
2) apartment -checked
3) car -checked
4) other half -hmm oh well
5) other income -yeah this one is next. I yet to reapply to buy stocks after my last visit there.
6) Russian Blue cat -after I establish my own place

I'm grateful for a father who loves his kids more than he loves his cars

So I'm the notorious car-denter in the family (but only second to Hajime). Today I went out in my father's car as I have been since I sent him to the airport yesterday for his Bangkok trip. Mom and him didn't forget to message me to "drive safely" from the airport.

I know, I know. The road at the airport is excellent for speeding and despite what they said, I sped anyway.

So today I went out in dad's government car. Mom told me to be careful. From the way she said it I know she wanted me to take the Innova instead but hey, I've grown to like the Perdana/Honda because of its smooth speed.

And when I got to Lin's house... I accidentally slid too close to the gate and it made a horrifying sound.

Oh God, please don't punish me please please don't let me do this to my dad.

Lin was aghast. I sweat-dropped and told her coolly "I'll handle it later. Let's go to the mall first."

And yeah after we parked, wound inspection showed a clean scratch about 8cm tall and half cm each side of the back door and the body. I was saved. It wasn't bad (compared to how I dented the Innova).

When I got home, I answered mom questions about what we ate and questioned Lin's allergy. I sat down and solemnly started.

"I have something to announce."

Mom turned around to face me. "I knew it."

"I'll send the car for a wash and polish this Saturday." Because tomorrow I'm oncall. Let's not tell dad until he gets back, please?

"How bad was it?" Hyde asked.

"Not that bad, just minimal scratch." Unlike the Innova, I wanted to add but thought better of it.

"Not dented?"

"Nope," I grinned. God I'm a beast. I need to buy my own car to wreck.

Some people will always be my favourite

Last night I dreamed about work and there was Nasri involved as well. I woke up thinking maybe he's gone to KL already.

Wherever he is, I wish him happiness and success. Thank you for everything Nash.

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Today I dented the car at the automatic car wash. I was queueing and didn't realise there was a metal bar to my right and bamm! The car wash guy laughed at me and told me to get the car fixed or else "abah marah".

My colleagues were asking why I don't buy a car. Well obviously because all the fund for that goes to repairing all the family car(s) I screwed.

Innova from the Garage

It's amusing how my parents caring for me can somehow border on distrust. Today I was to fetch Melle from school. I wore my tudung, picked up my IDs and phone and realised the car key was not where it was supposed to be. I heard its engine running outside and went out.

Mom was in the car, backing out from the garage. The Innova was parked in a way that its rear will be facing the concrete fence and mom's Accord when backed out. She said she was sleepy and that's why she asked me to pick Melle up, so what was she doing not napping? There were few differentials for her intention ranging from doing a favour to downright distrust that I might dent the Innova or worse her Accord. Hahah.

But all are out of love, so I simply grinned in amusement and took over the car from her.

Granted I do drive as awesome as an Egyptian (or as dangerously as, depends how you see it) and accidentally blew up the Vios's tyre in the process once, I can safely manoeuvre the Innova ever since I learned how to drive and I've never got it scratched since.

Pengganas

Harini saya tersilap anggar kerapatan tembok rendah di simpang dengan kereta disebabkan kegelapan malam. Sifat menekan minyak dengan riang keluar simpang telah menyebabkan kereta terseret tembok tersebut di bahagian belakang sebelah kiri sambil mengeluarkan bunyi yang kuat serta menakutkan.

Saya terbayang kecalaran yang dahsyat. Maka saya suruh adik 9 tahun di sebelah untuk berdoa semoga kereta sihat-sihat sahaja dan meneruskan perjalanan pulang ke rumah.

Kira-kira satu kilometer kemudian, kereta mengeluarkan bunyi flapping (maaf, saya fail BM) semasa meluncur di jalanan. Kereta dipandu dirasakan kurang kestabilannya berbanding biasa. Saya segera berhenti di tepi jalan sambil berdoa tayar elok-elok sahaja.

Pesan adik duduk diam-diam dalam kereta dan kunci kereta dari dalam. Saya keluar bersama henset yang berlampu suluh dan memeriksa bahagian kiri belakang kereta. Kelihatan sebuah tayar yang pancit dengan luka berbentuk L bersaiz kira-kira 10 x 10 cm.

Saya terpecahkan tayar kereta. Nice...

Orang perempuan mudah terdedah kepada bahaya jika duduk tepi jalan dalam kegelapan malam, maka eloklah kita masuk ke dalam kereta di mana kusyennya empuk dan nyaman udara air-condnya, diiringi muzik yang takde la sedap mana tetapi sekurang-kurangnya ada adik nakal yang suka tanya soalan tanpa henti. Seterusnya buat panggilan kepada penyelamat.

"Salam papa. Ni Hana." Nada tenang dan bersandar dengan selesa di kusyen empuk.

"Ye Kak Ngah."

"Hana terpecahkan tayar dekat tusyen James tadi. Tayar dah pancit. Hana parking depan bangunan SPR. Sempat ke nak balik rumah tayar camni?" Nada anak muda tinggal di Mesir lima tahun yang bukan sahaja bersifat suka menyelit ketika membawa kereta malah kini sudah naik taraf kepada tahap pelesit pemecah tayar ini masih lagi tenang.

Sebagai doktor konsultan kanak-kanak, beliau telah sentiasa berhadapan dengan SITREP oleh MO/HO di hospital mengenai pesakit yang sedang kritikal dan bertarung nyawa dengan gaya yang cool, calm and collected. SITREP anaknya kali ini pula bernada tenang dan tiada kecedaraan manusia dilaporkan dan tayar pecah bukanlah spleen pecah, maka pastilah tenang-tenang aja.

"Tak, nanti rosak tayar kalau drive. Kena tukar tayar dulu."

"Okay. Papa datang ambil kitorang boleh?"

Mama tolong papa baiki tayar sementara anak bertuah ni pegang lampu suluh.

*SITREP stands for SITuation REPort. Saya belajar dari Army Wives.