I used to think that when someone refers to an 'appointment', it merely meant a meeting with friends or the doctor or in my field of work, clients. It could also refer to a note jotted or a date blocked in my diary reminding me that I have to do something or go somewhere for a specific reason.
That 'appointment' happened when I was driving back to my office sometime last week at approximately 1.45 p.m. While I could not recall the exact date, I could still replay the scenes in my mind. For starters, it was a sunny day with a slight drizzle. I didn't know why but on that particular day, I suddenly had the urge to leave my office for a drive during lunch hour. Usually, I would only drive out if I want to go to a specific restaurant or if I have something to do. And considering that this month is the holy fasting month of 'Ramadhan', there was obviously no good reason for me to drive out to anywhere at all.
Yet, I found myself driving along Penchala Link, passed 1Utama (with no absolute urge to check out the stores) as well as the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery and finally, the ever familiar Victoria Station row of shops on my left before I take the flyover to Damansara. Road users who are familiar with the route that I'm talking about would know that in order to go to Damansara, one could either opt for the left road which will have the Esso Station on your left (and having to bear with the oncoming traffic from Bangsar) or settle for the flyover which I would normally do.
And the flyover I did take. Funnily enough, there was no car in front of me at that time. And if you are familiar with the flyover, it is usually busy all the time! I was then talking on the phone with my mum (at this point, please don't comment on the whole 'don't talk on the phone while driving' because I know what I did was wrong. Anyway, who cares!) while keeping my attention on the road. At this juncture, it's worthwhile to note that I was driving on the left lane (slow lane). Even when I was talking on the phone, I noticed the figure of a person standing near the flyover. From afar, I discounted it as someone who could be waiting by the roadside thanks to a stalled car. However, as I drove up the flyover and manoeuvered around the sharp bend, I then saw it.
Attired in brown with long hair, the Chinese lady in her 30's (I think she's chinese from her features) stood in the middle of the flyover. To be more precise, she was standing in my lane. I was not driving at a fast speed (could be because I was on the phone and only one hand is available to grip the steering wheel) and perhaps because of that, I had the time to look. I could even remember letting rip a 'What the hell is this lady doing?' to my mum. Anyway, she definitely saw my car approaching and yet, she didn't move one inch. Instead, she remain rooted and looked at me with this very queer expression. I remembered staring at her and if possible, trying to mentally will her to move aside but she didn't move.
I didn't contemplate to stop because it was a flyover and stopping my car would be dangerous for both of us. Second, I noticed that there was no stalled cars by the side so there is no good reason for a lady to stand on the middle of the road at noon. But the most important reason is simply because of her expression. The way she looked at me with her arms raised pricked my spine. Something told me that I must not stop.
I had no choice but to swerve to the right lane before returning to my original lane. Had I remain in the left lane, I would have rammed into her. After passing the spot where she stood, I viewed my back mirror and still saw her in the same position. I was just relieved I didn't hit her, thought she was one crazy lady to be standing in the middle of the flyover under the hot sun and with those thoughts in mind, continued driving.
I remembered making a mental note to tell everything that happened to my colleague. After all, not everyone can bump into a strange lady and an irate motorcyclist on the same day. However, I totally forgot about the whole episode until I reached home at night and blurted to my poor sister. At my sister's insistence, I then told the story to my parents. Only then did I understand why the motorcyclist was angry at me. I saw the lady and swerved into his lane. To him, however, I may just be another of those female drivers who swerve according to their whims and fancies. The only explanation available would be that he did not see the cause why I swerved in the first place...
That was when my dad told me about the concept behind the 'appointment'. Mortals and supernatural beings exist side-by-side in this world. They have their own 'routes' while we manage ours. Yet, there are times when a chosen mortal will have the opportunity to 'sight' what normally the eyes cannot see. It was not a fluke that I felt like driving out to nowhere and it was certainly not by chance that I ended up on the flyover at 1.45 p.m. I guess it was the same for the lady. She must have 'travelled' the route on a routine basis without being seen by the living. The only difference that led us to 'meet' was because we had an 'appointment'.
I've been telling people about this 'appointment' and truth be told, I am often left amused as they shiver. As I told my parents, the feeling was not of fear but just that the situation was at best, surreal. Until today, I would have flashes of the lady standing and her expression to strengthen my believe that sometimes, we just can't run away from the 'appointment'. I just hope my 'appointment' will not return for yet another time.
