She’s back!

Kiki’s back! For 6 days now, I have been at the mercy of whatever car is available (thank God that we do not have an L300 FB at the moment…very embarrassing, based on past experience, especially when the office offers shuttle service care of, yes, FBs).

Kiki and I have been together for around 3 years now, and we have been through a lot (some of them with Jane). I think, and I believe, that we’ve become comfortable with each other already. Once, my father was planning to replace her with another [upper model] car…I thought it was going to push through already. But as if it were a sign, the replacement was a bummer. So, it was Kiki and me again, as if she was saying, “you’re stuck with me.” Anyway, in all the years I’ve been driving her, I’d like to think that I know her already—every weird sound, every uncommon swerve, or even an odd feeling while driving. But I even had no inclination of what was about to happen.

Tuesday last week, I had a minor accident…minor but enough to scare the wits out of me. While cruising (fortunately I wasn’t going fast) Dona Soledad (Better Living, Paranaque), I heard a clunk and krrrkkkkk, as if I was pulling some piece of metal. Instinctively, I pulled over; I was staring blankly into space, thinking that I must have had flat tire, when a guard (I was in front of the PNCC office, just before SM Bicutan) told me, “Mam, wala na po kayong gulong sa likod!” I stared at him…of all the luck! I went out of the car to look for the tire, which I left behind. Fortunately, the guard went ahead to retrieve it, rolling the tire from about 30 meters back. Buti na lang…I can’t imagine myself rolling the tire, in my office clothes and all! (Thanks to the guard!) I stared at what used to be the tire at the back passenger side. Panic was overcoming me…but thank goodness I still had my brains. I called my ever-dependable father.

It was good that my father was in the area and arrived to my rescue in 5 minutes, saving us money for the towing. He also knew of a mechanic in the area and had the mechanic take care of it in a matter of minutes. As I said goodbye to Kiki, who was to be brought to the talyer for the meantime, I looked with sadness at what she [we] went through.

Looking back, having went through that was very stressful for me, but I knew I had a lot to be thankful for:

• I was not hurt.
• No damage other than the tire occurred on Kiki.
• I was not driving fast and I was not on the highway when it happened.
• The tire that “got away” did not hurt anyone or destroy any infrastructure.
• My father was in the area and knew a mechanic in Better Living.
• The officer was so understanding in allowing us to call the mechanic instead of having the car towed.

So, I went on 6 days without my beloved Kiki, and I might say I missed her. When I arrived from work this afternoon and found her parked in front of our house, I felt my heart jump, as if I saw a friend again. It may sound silly, especially for a woman who is not hung up on cars, but I’m sure glad that she’s back, safe and sound!

My beloved Kiki, with all her tires where they should be….