It poured in Karachi, again. It took the power out with it, with my mother’s house, located near Boat Basin, losing power at 10pm and not having any till 11am.

I decided to call my fiancé and leave to go either work at his or a friend’s, before which we also had to go pick up his brother from Khayban-e Badr.

We were on a privileged bubble high, feeling a bit indestructible in his 1995 Land Cruiser which is at least two feet off the ground. By 1pm, we had made it through the worst of the standing water, or so we thought.

Explainer: How DHA built its stormwater drainage system

Officials from Defense Housing Authority have blocked certain streets which are inundated. Main 26th Street was one of them, right where Rahat intersects.

I think the DHA personnel standing near the stop signs were either really bored on duty or just really sick of big cars. They told us to go around the barrier and keep continuing straight on 26th.

Big mistake.

The water levels began to rise right after the barrier, with even the green belt in the middle of the road submerged. The water was above the tyres and the metal step under the door, almost seeping in. Thankfully it didn’t.

The SUV started sputtering, as did I. Firing instructions to my poor fiancé, as he helplessly tried to ensure that the car does not stop. But the fight between the car and the forces of nature was an uneven one.

The car stopped, leaving us stranded in the middle of what shall henceforth be referred to as Neher-e-26th. The only way out was through.

As much as I sometimes hate this place, the generosity of its people – especially during a crisis – brings me around. Three people wading through the street, including one whose own bike had broken down, offered to help push the vehicle.

My fiancé also got out to help, as I took over the steering wheel. We pushed the vehicle to the intersection of Khayban-e Seher, where we were finally able to start it, as the exhaust pipe was now above the level of water. We turned left on Seher from 26th Street and decided to cut through the market, where the vehicle started sputtering again. But this time we were able to make it through as the water was at least half a foot lower.

Overall, I learned that it is much better to suffer at home without electricity and be told off for not going to work than get stuck somewhere in DHA. Big cars may be a blessing in the rain but they too have their limits. The lesson was to stay away from lanes DHA has barricaded, unless you have bought along your inflated boat.

The greatest irony is that the electricity at my mother’s place came back soon after we got stranded in the car.