I bet Paul Tan missed this one out: Singapore's National Car

Back at last. Had to go make credit card repayment at one of the banks in Greentown, so it's only logic for us to dine there as well. It's those once-a-month thingy, so, what the heck.

I had no idea today's Sunday. Ok, ok, two irrelevant things in my life are, 1) Day of the week, and 2) Time of the day. If you ask me these two questions, chances are you'd get a blurred look from me. I'm not a walking calendar nor a clock, k.

After going round the mulberry bush for the umpteenth time, we hit jackpot. A table for four right in the middle of the coffee house's main entrance. Hubby stopped the car and i quickly jumped out and grabbed it. No parking space available, so, hubby double-parked right where we stopped. Another car followed suit.

Gawd! The place was jam-packed. So many hungry souls. Hubby brought Gordon in from the car and put him in the highchair. We ordered set lunch thinking that it'll be much faster. We were waiting for our food to arrive and chatting when suddenly, "excuse, me do you mind if we... Eh, Samm. Waaah, long time no see ah.." and their asses plonked down at our table, the woman quickly waving a waitress over to take their orders. KNN. We didnt even get to chance to refuse, reject, say no.

For fark's sake, it's a table for four. Blind or what, these friggin assholes? Doesnt Gordon count as a person? Why must he make room for them and sit at the table's corner? Just because they know us doesnt mean that they are welcome at our table, k. Oh, well. Being courteous, we simply had no choice but to bear with the agony of them lunching with us.

This Singaporean couple, happens to be an old acquaintance of hubby's. They made their money short-selling stocks in the 90's. Seldom mix with them though occasionally, they do call up asking us to join them for dinner, clubbing or party.... boring stuffs. From what i gathered from the short moment we sat together, they are now in the entertainment business. Maybe ran outta cash and had to turn Mamasan more likely.

I kept Gordon entertained whilst Hubby made small talk with them. What to do? The conversation was about cars, cars, cars and more cars. Sometimes, in the middle of a sentence, that woman will turn to me and ask, "right, hor, Samm. Dont we women just love yellow cars...." as if seeking for my support. I just nodded and smiled.

It seems to me that they are in the market for another car and trying to recall which car they havent already bought. And that woman also trying her best to impress me with her car knowledge... how generous her hubby is for changing her car like every other season, yadda, yadda, yadda....... aiyo!!

Hello, what is this? Did we order this? Gimme a break, they were still talking even with their mouths full, what a sight. UGH! I was already seething by the time lunch's nearly over. Whilst we waited for the bill, i joined in their "cars" conversation. They were still talking non-stop that i wondered if their food will ever get a chance to get digested or not as all their energy's channeled to their mouths. I should really think of something quick to at least make today's lunch a memorable one. If i'm not wrong, it went something like this:

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Me: I think there'll be a new long-awaited car in the market soon.

She: Ya meh. If there is, i'm sure we'd be the first to know.

Him: What make? Japanese? I'm not buying another Jap car, y'know.

Hubby: She's online everyday. Maybe got first-hand news leh.

Me: Wah, my hubby so clever. Like this also he know.

She: I dont think we've missed any new cars. Dont tell me it's one of those Continental sports cars. We're not buying any of those.

Me: (Cannot afford say so lah) No, lah. But havent you heard that Singapore's coming out with their own National Car end of this year?

She: Blurred look....

Him: Sat upright immediately....

Hubby: (Smiling already, i think he knows what's in store for them liao, hehe. It's an old joke.)

She: (Getting excited and giving her hubby sideway glances all the time) Eh, this is great news. Dar, we must go back and take a close look at it when it launches, hoh.

Him: Singapore's National Car? Never heard of it. What type of car is it? Any idea?

Me: The buzz is that it's a joint venture between the two giant auto makers. Korea's Kia and Japan's Suzuki. A kinda transfer of technology thing. Funny, you guys live in Singapore. How come never heard of it.

She: Wait, i make a quick phonecall first to double check on this.

Him: Hurry, call Kelvin. Tell him to find out for us what type of car it'll be. Maybe we can support our own country, hahaha. Singapore's first car woh. I want to be the first to drive it.

Me: Of course you should. It's perfectly tailor-made for the ultimate Singaporean car enthusiasts like the both of you, man.

Hubby: (Paying the bill... and picking Gordon up from the highchair)

She: Eh, leaving so soon?

Hubby: Yes, meeting some friends after this, and we're running late already.

Him: Samm, any idea what this new car's called? I'm sure you know. Like your hubby said, u go online everyday. Can check for me or not?

She: Ya, man, Eh, Dar, Kelvin say dont know woh. Maybe he's still half asleep. I'll call him again later.

Him: Yes, You'd better remember. Eh, Samm. Call me tonight, k. I want to know as soon as possible.

Us: (Getting into car already, and hubby's about to burst out in laughter, poor man) Aiya, no need to call lah. I said it already what. Joint venture between Kia and Suzuki. Suits the both of you perfectly. (winding down window) It's called the KIASU, bye. *waves*

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And yes. We left them fuming by the roadside. I dont think we're going to see nor hear from them for a long long time.

Sometimes, it pays to read all those emails so thoughfully forwarded by our dear friends. We'll never know when they'll save the day. Well, KIASU really came in handy today.