27th Oct 2025. 3 min read
One would call it Karma for not heeding warnings. The car, being an intelligent vehicle these days are programmed to warn one of undue mishaps. It’s time for service but I had not heeded it.
Finally, it broke down at 5 pm in the bustling city area downtown, like a dead fish, cold as ice smacked at the traffic light.
I was glad that I had no agitation, and felt that I have transcended myself in terms of emotional reaction. The first thing that crossed my mind was how to pass my time productively during the lingering wait for the emergency tow truck.
Like a well programmed robot, I switched on the hazard blinking light, then went to the back of the car to hang the car warning sign.
I sat in the car and figured who to call. First was the tow truck from Automobile Association of which I am a member, then my mechanic to say that I will have my car towed there.
Subsequently, I notified my husband what had happened and how I would handle it myself without disrupting his meetings.
I wanted him to know that his wife had faced multitudes of hiccups along life’s journey and always handle with calm and grace without alarming anyone.
There will always be incidents that would irk me because patience is not my virtue. I see this inconvenience as another possible trigger.
What I learned after a phone call again to determine when the emergency truck would come was that I was not supposed to sit inside the car to wait as some unknowing vehicle may crash into me.
The emergency truck came earlier than I had expected. The driver waved, I waved back and smiled. I reckoned it was near his off duty hours as it was nearing 6.30 pm
After fixing my car for towing, I got a chance to sit in the tow truck which had a high vantage point and sitting next to the driver gave me an opportunity to understand his work.
He was an Indian Malaysian named Rawa with a pleasant disposition. The day’s schedule was always full.
He would drive across the crossway from JB in Malaysia to Singapore every morning after leaving the house at 6.30 am to escape the morning traffic jam.
Work finishes around 6.30 , sometimes delayed as the request to tow vehicles may come in late. Then he might have to return to JB in Malaysia as late as 10 pm. The work cycle repeats itself except for one off weekday.
Every job has its challenges but to do it with a smile is winning the game of life.
Every hiccup in life also allows one to win at life by dealing with it calmly. The driver was a good example of one whose spirit was not dampened by a late work request.
From the truck, I noticed scenes which I otherwise would have missed.
There was a serene canal along Nicoll Highway with glistening water. There were many new shops and eateries along the road to the workshop which would not have been noticed driving each day in my car.
The vehicle was smoothly towed to the mechanic’s workshop where Rawa parked with military precision. I tipped him handsomely for his cheerful and professional service. Rawa’s face lighted up.
He thanked me, took the pictures of the vehicle that he had safely delivered to the workshop and sent to his office as a report.
I handed my car key to the mechanic who subsequently diagnosed a flat battery the next day and fixed it.
Few years ago, I might have acted utterly annoyed at what happened.
I had made it a non event. I am happy things turned out the way that I wanted it to, no drama, racing of heart nor swearing. Just a day of calm, unfazed by life’s little interruptions.
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