She heeded the advice of a young colleague to take some medicated Chinese calming powder prior to her fourth attempt of the driving practical exam. It wasn’t exactly stressful anymore to her for she had acquired quite an impressive bit of experience in not passing her previous tries. Besides, the confidence that she had established by making a switch to a private instructor somewhat helped too.
It must have been her take-it-easy attitude this time that did it! She passed! Finally!
“What a big relief!” She thought to herself while waiting for the issuance of her license with her husband. “I no longer have to go through the terrible ordeal of driving again!” She didn’t intend to put her newly officiated and legalized driving skills to practice. It was just an additional card she would carry with her in her purse. Very pleased indeed with herself, she walked out hand-in-hand of the driving school with her husband towards their car. Little did she know that her husband had already planned something for her, big time. Handing her the car keys, “darling, you will now start driving. We will drive to your auntie’s office to get her van, do not panic,” as he could see the change of colour in her face, “I will be sitting next to you.”
Sitting behind the wheels of their 7-seater, her palms were already cold and clammy. She thanked god that he was there to give her all the moral support and the directions that she needed, even though she was slightly mad at him for pushing her to drive immediately. “I should be taking the calming powder in double doses now!” as she drove through the major road constructions.
X X X
After taking the keys of her auntie’s office van, her husband dropped the next big ugly surprise, “darling, we have to somehow get these two vehicles back to our office. So I will drive the van, you shall drive our car and follow closely behind me. I will drive slowly.” Already under a close to fatal level of undue stress, the idea of her driving their car alone back to their office after taking the van didn’t occur to her before. It was clear, just that she was simply blinded by the panic attacks induced by her husband! There wasn’t a choice. They needed the van to transport their office equipment. It had to be done. Totally reluctant, but knowing there wasn’t any other alternatives, she gave up on the idea of arguing with her husband.
If on the way to her auntie’s office was nerve-racking, the way back to their office was as good as sitting on the electric chair, waiting for the high voltage to pass on to your head through your entire body. She could have peed on the spot! All the time, she could not decide whether to curse her husband for “cornering” her into this or to concentrate on fighting down her anxiety while she kept her eyes glued to the back of the van which she was religiously following so as not to lose sight of it.
X X X
“You did it, darling! I am so proud of you!” Her husband hugged her so tight she couldn’t breathe. “Don’t you ever do this to me again! Ever!” was her strong but futile protest. She was pissed he wasn’t aware of the torments he had put her through. On the same day she obtained her license! It was way too much for her. She was surprised she still had the energy to be angry with him. In fact, she was fuming mad!
(to be continued)
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