For the first time since I passed my driving test nine years ago, I drove a manual car farther than a couple of kilometres.
I was lounging in bed watching a DVD when a call came asking if I wanted to meet up with friends for a drink. I said yes, rolled out of bed and got as far as my living room before I realised hubby had taken the automatic car I normally drive to work. It was either take his manual hatchback or go back upstairs and beg off my coffee date.
I chose to brave the manual car. The worst that could happen, I reasoned, is I would have to continually restart my car while navigating the ramps of the shopping centre carpark and real drivers honked impatiently, swore at me and made rude comments about female drivers. It wouldn’t be that big a deal, just very embarrassing.
I called hubby from the car before I set off. I swear my heart rate was going through the roof. His advice was, “Drive slowly.” Well, he needn’t have worried about that. I wasn’t even planning to take it above fourth gear. Besides, I told myself for added incentive, learning to drive a manual car confidently is one of my 100 things to do.
I made it safely to the shopping centre. Even parked the car without incident. And nobody honked, not once. I stalled briefly at a junction, but I’m writing that off as an “it could happen to anyone”. Even hubby has stalled before.
My heart rate started going up again as we got ready to leave after coffee. I could feel the nervousness invading, hear the inner pep talk playing itself out in my head. It worked because I felt more confident. Until I tried to start the car, and the key just wouldn’t turn in the ignition.
I tried several times, then tried not to panic as I called hubby.
“I can’t turn the key in the ignition,” I was talking really quickly because I’d already paid for my parking and I had to be out of there in 15 minutes.
“That’s because the steering wheel is locked. Turn the wheel.”
“I can’t.”
“Just turn the wheel and try again.”
“I still can’t turn the key. Do I have to do both at the same time?”
You should have seen me trying to hold my phone, turn the steering wheel and turn the key all at the same time. Why is the steering wheel locked anyway? What does that even mean? But I did it. Somehow. And I was out of there in 5 minutes, home in 15.
It wasn’t until I was halfway home that I finally began to relax and enjoy myself. I started getting the hang of it – I’ve always liked changing gears. I began to feel really confident. I even – gasp! – wished home was farther so I could drive for longer. I made it back safe and sound, and spent the evening telling everybody who would listen that I could now drive manual.
So am I ticking this off my 100 list? Well, not just yet. It’s going to take a few more trips before I convince myself I’m fully competent. And then I’ll take the ultimate test: I’ll drive the car to work.
(refrained laughter)
hyuk hyuk hyuk hwa hwa muahahahahaha HAHAHAHAHA HIHIHIHIHIHI HOHOHOHOH BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH GWA GWA GWA GAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t laugh, I really can drive. Have you apologised to the waitress yet?
ha ha ha i knew you’d still be on to this case… you really aunty lar… i did it weeks ago and we are back on good terms. A U N T Y!