I had a class in the morning today. On class days I am extra conscious so that I am not stuck in traffic and get late, I hate reaching late to a class. It rarely happens. So, today morning I started ahead of my normal start time, given the record of the past week’s traffic. All was well till I reached the Gurgaon Expressway. A little before the exit that I take, I felt my car veering in one direction. I guessed that there was a flat tire. And I cannot change a flat tire because I cannot open the nuts to take out the tire, whatever I try they never budge.
So there I was with a class to take and a flat tire that I could not change. I took the exit and parked my car. I requested a tempo driver to change it for me, he gave me an ugly glance and asked me to get lost! I won’t blame him, if I drive a car, I should know how to change a flat tire.
I drove a little further and saw a cluster of auto drivers and decided to try my luck with them. Two of them asked me to park the car properly they would change the tire. I helped them with whatever little I could do and soon I was on my way. They didn’t ask for money but I gave the guy who did most of the work 100 rupees. He thanked me quite profusely and I thanked him quite profusely.
After I had gone 20 meters ahead I looked for my cell phone. It was not there where I keep (I bought a new cell phone yesterday but that was at home waiting for a sim card, I am ditching Reliance after 8 years, because of the limited choice for CDMA handsets) it usually. My CDMA handset is not working because Chhavi has thrown it to the ground multiple times. I was using my dad’s set today. To my horror I realized that while I was helping others in changing the tire I had kept it on the roof of the car!
I braked to the side once again, parked my car and got out. I looked at the distance from where my car was parked while changing the tire and now. I thought the distance was quite small and I could scan it easily for the cell phone. Then I looked at the roof! And there it was, still on the roof. A young lad was walking on the footpath, we both laughed and I got inside the car and drove away.
And I had left so early that I was still not late for the class!
Lady….U really need someone to give u are really good earful for this stupidity of yours…
PS: I usually hold women are bad drivers, u gave me another reason why 😛 ( i am willing to accept brickbats)
sorry to know about it.
special tools are available which make the job easy.
Best option is to keep the mobile number of garage who give 24 hour service.
its great that you give so much importance to reach on time.
Well, talk about luck! You had good helpers on your side, your cell was still there and you even made it at the right time! ;o)
Mridula,
What a nice experience early morng.while heading for work. Men usually do not appreciate when women are behind the wheel. Good, you found your cell.It happens some times. In our anxiety our brain doesn’t function properly.
This is definitely a Delhi that I didnt know existed or u are just extremely lucky 🙂
You could use your feet to press the spanner’s handle downwards, in order to unscrew, while changing a wheel with a flat tyre. The same technique could be applied for tightening the screws as well.
BTW, Rs. 100/- for changing a wheel? Which route do you drive along and how soon do you expect another puncture (considering the average number of times that happens in a month)?
😀
Tarun no you are right, it is stupid not be be able to change tires.
SM yes I have to subscribe to a 24 hour car service ASAP or one day I will get stranded.
Fida I know it was my lucky day.
Chitra thank you for your soothing words.
Lakshmi people still would help someone stranded, at least that is my experience.
Sidhu however much I use my feet the nuts refuse to budge! And no qoo rupees was not for changing the tire it was for helping out someone otherwise stranded. And no flat tire is a rare event thankfully.