Do You Call This Coincidence?

This is a true incident that took place more than thirty years ago.

It was more than thirty years ago during the year-end school vacation. I was alone at home facing the four blank walls in my house. There were nothing worth doing and like a treasured pet bird locked in a small cage, I was almost bored to death. The television programmes bored me even more! There was practically nothing interesting to watch. All my neighbors were out enjoying themselves with their mates. Even my siblings were out with their buddies, leaving me at home, alone and bored.

My little address book was lying on the dining table. It was a five by three inch turquoise colored hard cover book that I used to record my classmates' addresses and telephone numbers. That was the time before the invention of the cell-phones and PDAs. With nothing better to do, I sat down and flicked through the cute little book. I looked adoringly at the doodles and smiley faces that I had drawn. They were reminiscent of the good old times that I had with many of my schoolmates, especially Don Goh, who was a close mate.

Don Goh's address and telephone number were written neatly in the address book in the 'G' section. For no explainable reason, his address attracted my attention. Don's house was located in the countryside in the west, away from the buzzing city. I had always loved the countryside, its surrounding fresh and unpolluted air, tranquility and its refreshing greenery.

"Hello, may I speak to Don please?" I took up my house telephone and called Don, on impulse.

"Yes, speaking," came the reply.

I asked Don if he would be at home in the afternoon as I would like to pay him a visit. He was surprised and welcomed my suggestion. I quickly changed and took a bus to Don's place.

Don had given me the direction to his house when I called him. His family lived in a wooden one- storey shop house that was dark brown in color. He said that there was a huge open compound outside his house.

"The houses are randomly numbered and there are many little footpaths in this area. Do not get lost!" Don warned me.

After a long uneventful bus ride, I alighted near Don's place. With Don's house number etched vividly in my mind, I took a footpath that led towards some wooden houses. The numbering system was mind-boggling. The numbers were totally random. Almost all the houses looked the same: dark brown color, single storey with a large compound in front. The only problem was that there was no Don's house number.

After walking for almost like eternity, I was unsuccessful in finding Don's house. The area was relatively deserted and I could not find anyone whom I could ask. Unfortunately, in those good old days, there was no cell-phone available then. I was distraught!

The sun was beginning to set. My legs were aching from the endless walking. My throat was parched and I couldn't help but to swallow whatever little saliva I had in my dry mouth.

I needed a rest badly. Unable to walk a step more, I stood down and plucked a large leaf from a nearby plant and started to fan myself.

A long five minutes later, I continued my fruitless search, hoping for the best.

"I should find a telephone and call Don," the thought suddenly came to my mind.

Right in front of me was another familiar-looking wooden one storey house, with a large compound in front. Parked in the compound was an unique looking pick-up truck. It was painted in bright orange and purple color. On the front of its bonnet stood a figure of flying Superman. I had never seen a pick-up decorated thus and studied it admiringly.

"Aunty, can I borrow your telephone?" I croaked, using my ultra dry throat, barely able to speak clearly. The lady, plump with a head of shoulder-length wavy hair, looking about fifty years old, glared at me and frowned. Apparently, my words did not make sense to her. I pointed to the telephone on a table. Her frown melted away and she nodded her head.

I dialed Don's number. Toooo... toooo..... tooo.... the engaged tone sounded irritatingly into my ears.

"Come on, put down the damned phone." I pleaded impatiently to myself. I re-dialed. The engaged tone re-sounded. I must be re-dialing a million times. I was dumbfounded!

The lady was standing a short distance away and was studying my actions, with much curiosity and amusement. I gave up and thanked the lady, looking despondent. I decided to give up reluctantly and headed for the nearest bus-stop.

Fortunately, I was able to find the bus-stop without much effort. I took a bus home, feeling lousy and tired. With my mind fully overcome by the immense disappointment, after the unsuccessful attempt to find Don's house, I slouched onto the bus seat and breathed heavily. Along the way, I fell asleep but managed to return home without any incidence.

After my dinner, I sat down in the living room to watch the television program with my family, our family daily routine. The telephone rang.

"It's for you," my sister handed the receiver to me.

"Hey, I thought you were coming to my place today. What happened? Did you change your mind? Did you get lost?" Don hurled the questions non-stop at me, in a hurried tone, without offering me any chance to answer.

I narrated the afternoon incident to him.

"Why was your telephone engaged all the time?" I questioned indignantly.

"I waited for you. I went out with some friends when you did not turn up. Only my mother was at home and she seldom uses the telephone." Don replied.

His answer flabbergasted me. Then why was the phone engaged for so long? I told Don how I tried calling him but was not able to get through as the telephone was perpetually engaged.

"But Don!" I exclaimed, trying to impress him, "I saw a uniquely colored pick-up truck with a flying Superman on its front. I bet you have never seen such a truck before."

When Don heard that, he laughed uncontrollably. I was puzzled.

"What's so funny, friend?" I asked sheepishly, unable to hide my curiosity.

"That is my family truck. Were you trying to call me in my house?" Don replied, sounding clearly amused.

That explained everything! Imagine using your phone to call yourself. Do you expect to hear a ring tone? Of course not. Try doing it. I felt rather foolish. Why hadn't I thought of it then?

Up to this day, I cannot believe such a co-incidence can occur in this world. I was actually in my friend's house and trying to phone him, using his house phone. Fact is indeed stranger than fiction! God must be trying to make fun of me!