On a bloody hot afternoon, already 2pm, I was peacefully trying to find a way back to Cyberjaya from Low Yat today, when I realized that I got lost. I drove along Jalan Yew, hoping to get to Jalan Tun Razak, and eventually out into some highway that can lead me to Kajang or Sg. Besi. [I managed to get to LY from Cyberjaya just fine, can you please tell me how to get back to Cyberjaya?]

During a break at a traffic light, my engine died on me all of a sudden. And it won’t start. And the battery indicators were lit, and then it faded. After about a minute of recollecting myself, a black Pajero stopped ahead of me, and out stepped a Chinese uncle, asking if I needed help to push Boy to the side of the road. Which I gladly accepted.

While pushing, he asked what the problem was. I simply explained ‘Tak bleh start, bateri rosak kot’ when in truth I didn’t have a single clue about what just happened. He then offered to lend me his jumper cables. And as if it was magic, Boy revved up with no problems. So I was going to make my way to the nearest petrol station to get it checked. [If you're reading this uncle, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!]

As I reached the Indonesian Embassy, Boy died again. ‘Oh shit’. Thankfully I was already on the left side, so I let whatever inertia there is left push Boy ahead and guide it to the side.

Stepped out, opened up the hood and voila. Boy’s engine block was smoking. At that point I was already laughing with my face buried in one hand. Oh well, at least it helped me to calm down rather than freak out. Scanned my phonebook to see who I can call up to ask about sticky situations. Tap, tap, tap… and I came across, who?

Jayaram.

I came across this name and I can’t stop laughing. This man here, he helped built up Xfresh’s Teen Development section, which features tips and tricks for teens to survive should they get messed up. He moved up the ladder to join hitz.fm and I am clueless about he does now. Very nice fella. How very fortunate that I have his number.

Jay: Fazri…long time never talk to you, man.
Me: Haha I know, it’s been quite a while.
J: So, there has to be something important you want to know to call me up at this hour. What can I do for you, Mr. Fazri, hmm?
M: Okay, I’ll make it quick. My car overheated, and I’ve no one near me to summon for aid. What the fuck do I, should I, and should I not do?
J: Okay, first off, take your car to the side of the road.
M: Check.
J: Turn off the engine, open the hood and let it cool.
M: Check.
J: When it’s cool enough, get to the nearest petrol station and see what fucked up.
M: Am I supposed to put in water or anything?
J: No, don’t. Leave that to the mechanics.
M: Oh, okay.

A quick gooodbye [Thanks a lot, man!] and there I was idling away in front of the Kuwait embassy. After about 10 minutes of feeling helpless [I SO fucking hate feeling helpless], I couldn’t stand it any longer. So I gambled on Boy, and drove along Jalan Tun Razak. All seems lost,… until I spotted a glimpse of hope.

Esso.

I quickly turned in and went to look for the mechanics. They asked me to bring Boy [no, I didn't tell them I call my car Boy] to the back so they can get a proper look. It seems that the radiator fan wouldn’t spin. But when a mechanic gave it a direct power feeed, it whirred just fine. So, he deduced that the heat sensor is dead. After about 30 minutes of waiting, the part finally arrived. Oh shitzniks, I only have less than RM 80! Calm down, calm down. Messaged my brother a quick sum of what happened. Being the reliable sibling that he is, his reply came sooner than I expected.

‘Ok, if you need anything js call k…’

God, I love him. Thankfully, the part only costed RM 30, and I requested for a coolant top-up, for another RM 10. That would total up to RM 50, including labor. Suddenly, when they were refilling the radiator, water leaked out like mad from behind the engine block. Great, a burst hose. It was a pretty thick hose, too fyi. For it to break open like that must mean that the pressure and temperature inside were at insane levels. So imBA.

So, I had to wait for an extra 30 mins or so to get a replacement hose, which costed me another RM 15 and an extra RM 5 for labor. It totaled up to RM 70! Fooh, fooh, fooh. Oh well, at least I managed to get home in Cheras around 5, soaked in sweat but safe and sound.

Yeesh. What a hot day.