Saturday, 19 April 2008
I have never been soo happy in my life. I almost cried at the driving centre. Smiling to myself. My two buddies who were there through my Qualified Driving Licence journey... I thank them... Yeak !Friday began with a practice session on 10.30am. Took the cab there. Hah, was abit late. Well wished from folks at work. Would like to thank them too for that. For supporting me. For believing that I can do it. Anyways, reached at the driving centre, went to my car and stepped into the driver's seat. Greeted my instructor. Told him to screw me for any mistakes that I have done and take that practical as seriously as possible. That worked like bees buzzing over sunflowers.
Practical ended very well. Looked at the watch. 12.32pm. Time to ask for God's favour once again. Sigh... I know I have sinned a lot. I know I have been neglecting Him. Went to the mosque and did my prayers under the sun. Telling myself that its okay to be under the sun. I deserve it. Say a little prayer for my family, for Iyah, for my friends, colleagues. Lastly for myself... Dear God. Please give me this... CMON!
Tried to shake off the nervousness by crapping around with Ariff, Ben and their colleagues. Heh, that worked a while. Went back to SSDC. Reported to the Test Room. Took deep breaths. Got used to the test car. "This is it KITT... Its now or never" ... The scene whereby Michael Knight uses KITT to whack KARR with nothing but the Knight Industries 2000, after suffering a laser shot... Heh.. my role models are questionable at times...
Walked up the stairs, heart pounding like mad. Hands sweating. Damn.. its here again. "DAMMIT Zaki... I just need to drive !" Sat down at the test waiting area with 9 other testees. Tester came in and gave words of encouragement and briefing. Cool, calm and composed. Key words. He then walked over the table with a box filled with numbered ping pong balls. "Please take one from the box. The number will represent the tester taking you. Testers will be assigned to a route". Slipped my hand in and held it in my palms. Didn't look at it until my name was called. Stood up and handed him the ball. "Number 9. Tester Mr Chang. Route Number 4." Route 4... rings a bell... the easiest route ever... God is, as always, good to me. The only thing that can screw this up is me.
Went down to the car and went in. "Okay, you may go off now." Started the car and checked behind and ahead. "Okay... you can go now..." Shit... Went to the first checkpoint. Vertical parking. Went in. "Okay good. Now turn right and go." Waited in the lot for 4 other testee cars to finish. Hands on the hand brake, bringing it down, about to go off when.. "What are you waiting for ??? It was safe and clear to go earlier on... You are soo slow.." Relax... its not over yet... The rest of the courses were smooth sailing. Heh, took only less than 10 minutes to do the rest. Before going out, he tapped the dashboard. E-Brake. Wasn't caught napping there. Heading out... Its showtime.
First right turn, some stupid cab decided to stop right before the junction. Shimmied to the right a little, the cab very close to the left. Car still within the centre line. "You know how to drive or not ??? What are you trying to do ? Graze the taxi is it ???" ... My left leg was already trembling like mad... Made a wide right turn. Shit Shit Shit... Relax... Michael Knight has got into worse situations... Went through the test... Hiccups here and there... Finally drive through the stretch of road leading back to the school.. God.. With all his criticism and sarcasm throughout the test route. My mind was in doubt. There is a possibility of a third try. But the clipboard was still beneath the sun visor. Heh, he'll whack me later in the briefing room... Parked the car anyhow already... Shit... Dreaded walk upstairs.
Took a seat in front of my tester. He looked at me sternly, then smiled abit. The fuck... He's going to fail me with a smile ??? Damn. "Macam mane nie encik ?? Huh ? Drive like you just started. Speed so slow. Dunno whether can cross centre line or not ? Huh ?" I was nodding my head like a buddhist monk praying to his deities. He opened the test sheet and start ticking. God, that was alot of ticks in the first leaflet. Shit, say hello to the third test. He turned to the second page. He ticked once. Only once... Oh my... oohh man.. Could it be.. He flipped to the back page and even drew the cab incident at the back. Summed up the score and ticked the first box and strikethrough the second one. "Ok. Congratulations. Next time, don't drive like this aah." He smiled at me and stand up, chuckling. I thanked him like mad... OH MY GOD !!! OH MY GOD !!! THERE IS A NEW KNIGHT RIDER IN SINGAPORE !!!! YEAK !!!!!!!!!!!! Looked at the test sheet. 18 points. The box beside the word "Passed" was ticked. I could cry there and then. Nope... Must watch a video first haha...
Told my mum first. My sis, my friends, friends at work. Sigh... It is a good feeling... A milestone in my life has been reached.
Yes ! I can drive... I CAN DRIVE !!! I AM KNIGHT RIDER ... haha... Thank You God...
Zaki van Persie