The New Lock

It's a hot day again. How I wish I don't have to step out of my 19 degrees room. The temperature outside must be almost twice of what I'm enjoying within.

Unfortunately, there are errands to run today. I had to take a cold shower before I could bring myself to leave home & I almost fried my own ass. The sun had baked my bike seat till it was glistening. It was as if it could melt at any instance. But then, a man's got to do what a man's got to do.

I was doing a friend a favour by paying a visit to the bikeshop he patronise on his behalf to make a payment. I had been to this bikeshop 11 years ago & I assume (it is not healthy to do this) it will not be difficult to locate it again. I was wrong, so damned wrong. I travelled in circles & circles. I passed by buildings that looked so familiar twice, thrice. My meter clocked in at 4 km when I finally found the alleged bike shop. 4 km travelling in circles. That's 1 darn big circle.

The supposed payment was for an amount of $199 due on 7th March. Yes, I was late & my friend (who is currently out-stationed) had conveniently forgotten about it till the night before he was to fly off. So armed with the $200 (Not from my own pocket that is) I strutted into the office & informed about my purpose. Marvellous, there's an outstanding $17 fine for the late payment. Obviously I was not going to pay him, so I tried to talk him out of it. To no avail was my effort & I did not insist as the reason he gave was quite satisfactory. "I don't mind waiving the fine but I cant make any adjustments to the system. I don't have the access level." Why am I wasting time talking to a low level office boy? I accepted that reason as he was the only person around at that time. Strangely, I don't believe the mechanics outside had higher access level than him.

It was a relief to be back on the road again, this time with a different quest. Yes, I have yet to replace the damn lock which I destroyed the night before. I decided to check out my neighbourhood town. Paid a visit to a drink stall which I've patronised since I was 13 yrs old & managed to squeeze some information. The retailer which I'm looking for is just next to the hawker centre that I was in. It was rather easy locating the hardware shop but the lady tending it did not seem that enthusiastic to make my sales. She kept pointing & pushing some Italy made locks that cost more than $25 to me. Why should I buy such an expensive lock if I'm only going to wreck it again in due time? I dillied & dallied, trying to make up my mind & then the answer I was looking for surfaced. She pointed elsewhere & stated those are China made. Yes! Exactly what I wanted. No consideration was needed once I saw the price. I paid for the merchandise & headed home to complete the task.

Hammering the old lock off from the door was relatively easy, but removing what's left of it requires a tad bit more skill. The wooden door was already scarred from my rage & I had no intention of doing anymore damage to it. It took me quite a while before I managed to change the new lock on & it worked fine. Best part of it was that the lock came with 3 keys. 2 of which I dutifully handed to my mama & secretly kept the last for myself. You never know when history will repeat itself.