I tried to save an RM2 parking fee today. So I parked outside the complex, by the roadside. Usually, many cars do that too. I went for a workout at the gym. From one of the corners in the gym, I could get a view, albeit a little unclear, of my car. After the first hour, I glanced outside and noticed my car was still there. I mean, at that time, I thought, “Don’t be silly, of course it’s there.”
Shortly after the second hour, I looked outside again and noticed that the sight was a little different now. I had lost all my workout mood and quickly made an exit towards where my car was supposed to be. From a distant, I had already noticed that my car was nowhere in sight. I didn’t believe my eyes and thought maybe my memory or eyesight was playing tricks on me. I walked nearer and searched frantically trying to recall if I had indeed parked there, or not.
For about 5 minutes my mind was filled with a torrent of thoughts. Crazy thoughts. I was on the verge of a panic-attack ok! After calming down a little, I walked towards one of the shops nearby, and asked a man in there, “Have you seen my car?”. I went on to describe my car and where it was parked. Hey, when someone asks you such a question, don’t you think it sounds so pathetically desperate? I thought that was the first thing I should do anyway.
Then he said something that lowered my blood pressure back to its original level. He said that there were a few municipal council tow trucks that came, but unsure if my car had been towed by them. I thanked that man and quickly left. At least there was a glimmer of hope that my car was not stolen. I needed to get out of there, and get my car back. But where to start? I had my phone with me. Naturally, there was only one number I could call.
The police station nearby. Yes I keep these numbers in my phone and it was my first time actually dialing it. I asked the cop on the line if he could provide me the MPSJ phone number or tell me where they usually tow the vehicles to. After getting the necessary information, I knew exactly what to do next. But before that, I called to inform my sis. Then, I stopped a cab. While in the cab, I saw a few MPSJ tow trucks in action, trying to tow an illegally-parked car. I didn’t give it much thought then.
Upon reaching, I asked the dudes at the entrance (to an open site where MPSJ-towed vehicles are parked) if my car was there. Thank goodness my car was indeed there!! Holy hell otherwise I would have needed to go to the police station instead! Touchwood!
I asked them how’s the procedure like in order for me to claim my car back. They said just go to the office and pay the fine of RM134. But I didn’t have that much cash in hand… (I don’t carry so much money around ok!). Since it was SS15 – an ATM was just a stone’s throw away. I withdrew some cash, and while walking back towards my car, I even took the opportunity to drop by one of the shops and enquired about the French language programs offered there.
After that, I proceeded to pay the fine and went home. While on my way home, I called and told mom the whole incident. “Good lesson”, I quote her. That was over the phone. Needless to say, second-round was awaiting me at home: I got lectured about parking responsibly and abiding rules and so on and so forth. I had that coming, really. I paid RM134 instead of RM2 for a parking, today. But anything is better than losing your car.
Moral of the story: Don’t be kiamsiap, and yellow lines mean “Don’t fcking park here!”.
