Scribesmeister v4 (In Zero Gravity)

What’s the weirdest question you got from a stranger?

For me, nothing would ever get weirder than this:

“So, mayaman ka ba?” [So, are you rich? Are you made out of money?]

When I heard that one, I knew something something was not right. The tone in his voice sounded like danger, the way he adjusted the rear mirror so he could directly gaze at me and observe my facial expressions sent electrifying shivers down my spine. In the first place, what the hell was that question about? What is the sense in asking and why does he need to know? Even if I was not in my right mind, I would definitely say NO. And if you have presence of mind, you would say no and begin thinking of every possible reason why he asked.

I am talking about the taxi driver who drove me home from my dinner date with some friends…well, I almost thought that I was not going to make it home SAFE tonight, I swear. But I have learned my lesson and I would never let it happen to me again! But sometimes, I just really get stubborn and I have to have more patience next time.

So here’s how it goes…

The moment I got impatient waiting in line at the taxi bay, I decided to leave and start walking towards the corner of Shaw Blvd. and Edsa (main road) and started blocking every taxi that turns or stops at that corner. This was definitely a no-no, but because I was too stubborn like I said, I hopped into the first taxi which halted right in front of me. This time though, I checked the plate number and noted it mentally - but still! I should have just waited at the taxi bay! Then as I got in, I directed him to my destination and when he heard I live near Timog Ave. and GMA (one of the major broadcasting network in the Philippines), that’s when that weirdest question popped up. Then a litany of other weird questions followed after that, like all the things you’d find while filling out a bio data or a slum book. Really! I gave out all the useless answers of course but still he wouldn’t stop asking, little did he know I was observing him at the same time. I was looking for any sign that he might have a gun or anything under his seat and I checked the passenger seat too. I became aware of everything around me. As we got caught in heavy traffic, he suggested that we should take an alternate route. But I told him that I know that route and the streets there are as jammed as the main road and I don’t like passing through dark alleys. And you know what he said? He said, “So what? you are here with me and I am here with you.”

Ahhhhhhhh! My mind went crazy! My instinct have never failed me so far. So I promised myself that if this guy insisted one more time, I was going to jump off that taxi! 7 minutes (yes, I’ve been looking at the time) passed and we’re still moving really slow, I just said no and told him to just do as I say. Just go straight ahead. I could sense that he was hesitating and yet he listened to me after I mentioned something about how tragic my life is - like being mugged a few times, being involved in countless vehicular accidents, having different kinds of unknown illnesses. Now you can’t say that it’s entirely false, because those are true. I just exaggerated it a bit and made up some real horrible story out of it. So instead of planning to kidnap me or something, I could tell that at that moment, he was already feeling sorry for me. His indifference became filled with sympathy.

Maybe he had finally convinced himself that I’m not going to be worth it and that I don’t deserve any more bad occurrences in life because I’ve already had enough - and that is true. I don’t deserve to be assaulted by another taxi driver the second time around! No!

Nearing my house, he asked me one last question…

“If God would take your life now, are you already prepared to die?”

Without second thoughts, I said I am because I know sooner or later death will come - but I will not give up my life without a fight. I will strive to live as much and for as long as I can.

He smiled at me and pulled over then jokingly he said… “Sabi ko na nga ba e..nakatira ka sa building! Mayaman ka nga.” [I knew it, you live in a building..you are rich indeed" (but hey! that's just a small condominium unit! duh!). I looked back and said, "Opo manong, mayaman ako sa pagmamahal dahil madaming nagmamahal sa akin." [Yes I am, I'm rich in love because a lot of people love me. e.g. family, friends :D]

I gave him extra change/bills for driving me home safely and in one piece. And I thank him (most especially for not trying to hurt me in any way).

As I was about to slam the door behind me, he called out to me saying…

“Miss, alagaan nyo ang sarili nyong mabuti.” [Miss, take good care of yourself.]

And to tell you the truth, that’s the best thing I ever heard from a stranger… and it felt soooo good.