Wednesday, February 13, 2008

4 nights and days

Berkata yang benar mengenai seseorang itu adalah mengumpat. Kalau yang bohong itu sah-sahlah fitnah. Mengumpat saudaramu adalah ibarat memakan daging sendiri (hadis). Since I couldn’t get it out of my head and in the interest of ‘protecting’ our friendship, so here it is – once and for all (I’d told only 1 person, whom I’ll make sure never to meet this friend).

The other day, we were caught in the heavy CNY traffic all the way back to KL from up north. Blamed it on improper planning if you like, since we did take a detour to the island (again, mostly coz I wanted to) even after reading about traffic being at standstill on the bridge for the previous two days – well, the road was clear at 10am.

After getting out of the ferry at around 2pm, we did lose our way on the new expressway – going back northbound. Mistake no.1 – always know where are you going and have a good sense of direction. But then, sometimes you have to take right turn in order to turn left or go south first in order to go north right? That was still ok la since I’m totally clueless.

I had the Star with me – there was a PLUS ad promoting SMS traffic updates for specific stretches of the highway. Since I was merely a passenger (there’s another long debate here) I thought I would contribute something by getting us some info by subscribing to the service. By that time, we’re crawling inch by inch (almost literally) towards Juru toll plaza. She ‘told’ me that it was ‘just a waste of (my) money’! Of course, knowing ahead that it was jammed all the way towards Jelapang – esp. 10km from before Menora tunnel, and 30-40kmph between Ipoh-Tapah or even 10-20kmph towards Slim River – wasn’t helping us in any way but at least I feel better knowing something instead of nothing! All this while, the emergency lane had become the third lane for fast(er) moving traffic and she did grumble constantly about it. What annoyed me more was the fact that she constantly making calls (no hands-free kit) and exchanging SMS with other friends about the terrible traffic even when the car was having bouts of moving (and unmoving) for short distances– imagine the nerve!

After getting out of the Jelapang toll plaza – helped by contraflow lane at the expense of those on the Northbound, of course every car was rushing ahead to catch up on lost time. The immediate path was clear initially. Ha, this was where we got the one-finger ‘salute’ (my first time ever)! You see, my friend was driving a Kancil. Like all the other people who drive local/smaller cars (me included), we tend to have the preconceived notion that ‘mentang-mentang la aku drive Kancil je, tu pasal depa tak give way’. Some more, for a lady-driver. Which make her more determine than ever to prove that Kancil is faster, can overtake any cars too. So she flashed the car (Wira) in front of us.

Big mistake – the way I see it, we’re already ‘queuing’ on the fast lane with every car maintaining a close distance to each other. But according to her, there was ample space for the car in front of us to switch to the middle lane. They must simply give way to us! No wonder la he gave us the finger….FYI, she’s been hogging the fast lane and flashing the headlight ‘frequently’ since the outbound journey – which was quite acceptable then as the path that day was clear (eventhough I, myself, hated being flashed about – I know la when to move to the left when there’re faster cars coming up behind and there’re clear path ahead, so just let them through). When I tried to explain my point of view, she came out with a better ‘reverse-prejudice’, “Ha, tengok depa yang Melayu/Islam je yang buat gitu (finger salute). Cina mana ada….” Yes, eventually we did pass by the carful of Malay males esp. the driver who gave us the ‘look’! God, what if they’re road bullies?

Afterward, things kind of become strained between us for the rest of the long journey. She wanted me to ‘just rilex and try to sleep’ – which make it easier for her to drive (I told her that I trust her capability to safely bringing me home as I never once tekan brake pun on the passenger side). On my part, since I started driving I have never shut my eyes a wink even as a passenger – it’s an ingrained habit by now. Somehow, I did what she told me to do – at least, pretended that I was. There’s no way I let her or anyone else drive for long while I slept – think of all the dangers that might have been involved. When I offered to drive, she gave me all sort of reasons, “You are my guest. Must be treated with respect (more like pampered, which I never need or ask for). You are not familiar with the car. Have you drive for this kind of long distance before (implying I never did but I did drive from Cameron to XXX in one stretch before)? You cannot even drive in KL (must be aggressive enough, car plate KL selalu tak bagi jalan untuk car plate Kedah etc.)”

Muhasabah diri
Yes, I’m not familiar with her car or anyone else pun. But I got my license through Kancil and at one time, when she borrowed mine I drove hers.
Yes, driving a Kancil tak sama dengan Wira. Gegar and getar tak sama. But all local cars are like that lah.
Yes, saya tak berani pun drive in KL bila jalan sesak (I got scared when she asked me to park the car nearby after refuelling - it was so sudden la).
Yes, I’m guilty of driving on emergency lane before (it goes against my principle but…) and of (appropriately) hogging the fast lane too. Seldomly use speaker phone (with both hands on steering wheel still). And overtaking from the leftside. But I do believe that I’ve never drive dangerously. I flashed my headlight at times only to caution overtaking cars coming my way from opposite direction. Or to warn ada speed trap.

And on related matters (Lain-lain Perkara):
Yes, now I’ll never put my life in someone’s hand for more than one night and day. Being carless, not knowing where to go or when or how. I’ll need to plan ahead whenever possible. Playing tourist (with Indian, Chinese friends – been there, done that) is way too different from being a house-guest. Esp. when I sorta invited myself.
Yes, I know now that I’m an independent-minded person. Never like to be pampered. I like being showered with respect to a certain extent but not like I’m incapable of even angkat pinggan sendiri. Because I expect you to do the same if you’re a guest in my house (at least after the third meal).
Yes, I believe I’m a fair person. I’ll feel better with going Dutch. Share the driving and all expenses. But do keep your views to yourself.
Yes, I’m old so I’m fixated in doing things my way. I’ll try to understand your point of views but I expect you to have the courtesy to do the same for me. I don’t like being told off.
Yes, I’m a very private person too. It takes lots of adjustment/tweaking to constantly share air space just for 4 nights and days (I ‘suffocated’ easily- kenot imagine the astronouts at the space station). Let’s try one day at a time next. Not.

End of story:
We reached XXX close to midnight (compared with journey forth which took us about 4 hours since we departed at 7am). And we’re still friends – after saying sorry and all that. Alhamdulillah and thank you, my friend.

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Yes, I'm back. Sorry for MIA (not that I purposedly time it to happen for exactly 3months). Thank you for keprihatinan. Nope, the T is not cross yet *sigh*.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alhamdulillah u r back.
You go cross the T yr self, go tigress!!

kak tenah

Darling said...

welcome back.. mis u so much beb..

rad said...

Ahkak,
Alhamdulillah, things are getting easier nowadays..

my darling,
Wah, I miss u too lah...not much time to bloghopping as before - nah, scrapped that! I was simply not into commenting mood before - I was always around u know!