Merepek

On my way out of the office yesterday during lunch hour, I passed by my colleague’s room and caught him very engrossed in a book. Hmm…..since the fasting month started, he has been napping during lunch hour but reading now? Must be some thriller or what, I thought to myself. I popped in to his office and found that he was reading a car manual. That’s to me is as exciting as watching paint dry.

I hate reading manuals – ALL MANUALS; cars, tv, dvd players, washers, cookers, phones, cameras, computers, etc. etc…… Whenever I buy any appliance/equipment, I’ll just get that salesman to teach me the basics only - how to start, how to get what I want and how to switch off - even though that appliance/equipment might have multi-functions and multi-compatibility or multi-whatever. It’s OK really, because my brain works pretty slow and I get confused easily.

Take my car for example. It’s my car and what do I know about it other than open the car door, put in the key, get it started and go? Ya, of course now I also know how to fill up the tank and pump the tyres. This car has been with me a few years already and now I know a bit more – like when the diagnostic lights comes on, then I’m to sent it to the workshop la. I don’t even bother to refer to the Owner’s Manual because I will automatically fall asleep by the time it takes me to read the third line on the page.

I remember years ago, when I was driving the old car and it smelt funny; something smoky, but I continued my way until smoke came out from under the bonnet. I quickly drove into the petrol station at the next corner, jumped out from the car and asked for help. The station attendants asked me to open the bonnet. Huh??...... Bonnet?....Open??......OMG, I don’t know what to press or where to pull. Then one of them came to my side and pointed out the release lever to me. The radiator hose was leaking and I hadn’t notice – not even the ‘H’ reading on the temperature meter (is this the correct name?). One attendant then said, “Miss ah, you better tell your friend his car is now at this petrol station.”

“Friend? Which friend?”, I asked.

“The owner of the car la.” he answered.

Aiyooh, because I was so blur and doesn’t even know where the release lever was, this chap assumed that I borrowed someone’s car. Soooo…..malu.

But, malu for a while only ler. Now I am still not reading any manuals.