That Hate

My car

I was so excited. My mum just gave me her old car. No more walking or bumming rides off my course mates. I drove the car happily to class and even went on joyrides with my roommates. I told Airil about my new car during lunch at the faculty bistro. Seth and a bunch of other guys and Seth admirers were at the same table.

"Airil, mum just gave me her old car." I told him happily.

"Oh, really? What car is it?" Airil asked

"Erm, just an old Viva. But at least it can get me around." I said casually. I saw Seth glanced at me as he ate his penang laksa.

"Oh, well, that's better than nothing right?" Airil said casually.

One day I drove out to see Serena. She fell in class and sprained her ankle. So, I was helping her out by getting her essentials. It was raining real hard during the drive that it was all white outside.

Suddenly I felt my car shudder and sputtered into a stop. I quickly steered the slowing car to the emergency lane. Oh shit! Don't tell it's just broken down..damnit! In the rain, I sat in the now dead car on the emergency lane. I was scared as the sky had gotten dark. I couldn't get out and check under the hood. Not that I could if it's not raining. I reached for my handbag and took out my handphone. I called Airil's number and waited for him to pick up. It rang and rang and finally went into voice message. I groaned and called again. I called for 5 more times and it was still the same. Finally, I called Serena.

"Hey girl, what's up? You've reached campus safely?" Serena asked. Hearing her soothing voice was a relief that I felt like I wanted to cry.

"Serena, my car broke down. I'm in the middle of the freeway. It's raining and already dark. I called Airil thousands of time and he didn't pick up. My roommates are all out of commissions. They're on that Outreach Homestay Study trip thing, so they can't help me. They didn't even bring their phones..Serena, please help me. I'm scared. What am I suppose to do now.." I said and cried at the same time.

"What?! Kay, OMG! Err, ok, ok2..tell me where you are." Serena said in a very concerned voice.

"I don't know! It's too dark and there are not many cars around." I moaned as I squinted at the foggy winshield.

"Ok, honey, switch on your GPS and send me your location info ok. Hurry. Call me back when you've sent them alright? Relax ok. We'll get u out of there." Serena said calmly and it made me panic less.

"Alright. I'm hanging up now." I said in a small voice and switched on my GPS tracker and searched for my location. When I found it, I send it to Serena via waze. After I've sent it, I called Serena and told her.

"Alright. Yeah, I got it. Ok, Kay, sit tight and wait there ok. Lock all the doors and keep your headlights on. And switch on your hazards light." Serena said. When we hung up, I sat huddled , peering out the window and shuddered at the heavy rain pelting on my windshield. About half an hour after that I dozed off.

I jolted awake. I could've sworn I heard a knocking on my window. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, peering at the foggy window. Sure enough, someone was knocking on my window. I hesitated. Who's that? I gulped and the knocking stopped. I breathed with relief. Suddenly my cell rang. Serena. I picked up.

"Kay, open the door! That's Seth! He's gonna help you out!" Serena said. I froze. Seth?! How the hell did she get his number?! Most importantly, why Seth?!

"Erm, why did you call Seth?! I don't want him helping me. He hates me." I whined as I peered at the window. Then I saw it. A tall figure under a black umbrella. Yep, it's Seth alright. That dazzling face can be identified anywhere.