RAK#1: The Taxi Ride That Restored My Faith In Humankind

That morning was a morning that I would not forget although I now fail to remember what date it was. Nevertheless, it was the day that installed my faith that kindness still exists in this world.

 For the sake of making this recollection an interesting article, let us just assume that it took place right after the announcement of fuel price increase during early 2011.

 I was late again that morning. It was not unusual since I have insomnia problem. Most of the time, sleep does not come easy and that day was not an exception. The alarm went off at 6.30 am precisely. About seven snoozes later, I woke up. Dragging my body off bed was of course, not an easy feat. But alas, I managed too.

 The time was already way past 7.30 am and even starting out at 7.30 may result in arriving really late. I checked my purse and there were about RM 6; more than enough to pay for the taxi fare.

 Or so I thought. The traffic was really horrible. It is actually pretty normal to see more cars on the road during rainy days but I totally forgot about that. As a result, I had to endure a whole excruciating long journey in the taxi.

 The journey I seriously did not mind because honestly, I know it was entirely my fault for rising really late. But what was bugging me was the fact that I did not withdraw my money yesterday, leaving me with an exact RM 6. It was a day that I regret for not withdrawing money (but we all know that I’m going to repeat the same mistake).

 The traffic was crawling. I have to squint my eyes all the way because I haven’t put on my lenses. I usually wait until I reach office to wear lenses. It was drizzling a little outside and the numbers of the metre was changing very fast, even before you finish trying to say metre out loud. I know you are trying to say ‘metre’ now.

 It usually takes a 15-minute taxi ride to reach the Putra station so that would usually cost about RM 4- RM 5 at most. And so I was already fidgeting in the taxi because there was still a long way to go and the metre was showing RM 4.50 ( I have RM 6 in my hands and I really do not know why I have to repeat this), I was not wearing lenses and my umbrella was a bit battered.

 But I still cling to a very thin hope that the traffic congestion will not last long. That thin silver ray of hope vanished when we turned into a corner and saw that the traffic was terrible. I did not know how far it was from the station but I can be sure to be sweating if I were to walk from that point onwards to the Putra station.

 I can do nothing but pray. My prayers include (but not limited to): the metre will reverse backwards and the congestion will magically disappear. I keep on squinting my eyes at the metre and when it reached the RM 6 mark, I had to ask the driver to stop.

   ‘ Sir, can you please stop here?’ of course it has already been translated.

   ‘ But it is raining outside,’ the driver told me in a kindly voice.

   ‘ It is ok. I only have RM 6.’ I was holding my money and ready to give him.

   ‘ No, no. Let me take you to the station. It is raining outside.’

   I feel like crying then and there. It was that kind of situation that restored your faith that good people still exist in this world.

   I understand that this person; my vision was really blur and it was a pity that I cannot see him clearly, must face some kind of hardship because the fuel price has just been increased. I always meet taxi drivers who just push their prices to be more than what was shown on the metre. But not this taxi driver. Despite the fact that his metre showed RM 9.60, he gladly accepted my RM 6.

  I was honestly deeply in awe. It was the kindest gesture anyone can make. I mean, any taxi drivers can make. I asked him to stop before the station twice because I feel really bad for not being able to pay for the full price but he insisted on sending me right at the station.

  I am always cynical. It was really hard for me to digest that no one will give you anything without expecting something extra. But that day, my faith was restored. The taxi driver did not ask anything extra from me, not even my phone number. It was truly an act that moved me, a random act of kindness from a total stranger.