Letters to the past…

Dear Mr. Taxi Driver,

Almost 60 months had successfully past yet my encounter with you is still firmly carved in my memory.Orchard road is a big town and people are bound to get lost especially in the night where different type of men/women comes out in dark isolated alleys.I was walking through those alleys myself 5 years ago.I kept looking towards my left then my right then behind then back in front. When a sound of rattling cans are capable to double my pulse,imagine how would I feel when a cat fall from somewhere and landed on my feet.I ran as fast as Forrest Gump getting deeper and deeper into the alley.I dare not look forward and kept looking down as I walk rapidly through the alley until I hear footsteps and a stream of lights headed towards my face.I look forward and saw you.I could still remember the exact words that you muttered back then “Hei!Budak zaman sekarang ni tak takut hantu?Cepat ikut pakcik” which means;hey.kids nowadays are not afraid of ghost?Come on,follow me.

Advertisements on television would usually say do not listen to strangers but I guess I had no choice but to neglect the advice and follow you.I could still recollect on your physical attribute during the encounter.You were in your late 30s,wearing a black jacket around your t-shirt,jeans and a brown boot.And also you were carrying a small plastic that was usually used for teh tarik during takeaways.However,I could not distinguish the content of it.You led me to your taxi cab and prompted me to go in.I didn’t move until you move closer to me.You went in,placed the plastic on the dashboard and drove us out of the darkness and into the city. You gave me a quick tour of Orchard Road and then said we are going into Geylang.I thought you were senile.

When we reach Geylang, you asked, in Malay, if I ever been into a red light district area.I reply no but I was beginning to think you were more than senile.Then,you show me the dark alleys similarly to where I got lost.There was someone there visible standing in front of a door.Then you drove me next to another alley where there was a couple of men in there doing something.After that,you drove me to somewhere silence and isolated.You lock the door,you grab my shoulders and made me promised not to go there during the night.When you were doing that,your eyes were wide open and your face were serious.You said that I’ll regret going to those places and end up being like you.Then,you released my shoulder from your grasp and asked me where I lived.

You did not say anything and never look at me on the way back home.Your eyes were fully focused observing the traffic.I was still shook up because of that incident but then something came across my eyes.I saw the content of the plastic on the dashboard.It was white powder.At first glimpse I knew what it was.When we reached home,you told me to not forget your advice.I just nod in return and ran towards my block.Now, I never knew what became of you.Maybe you are leaning towards the wall of the jail room playing back our encounter on your mind.Maybe you are in you deathbed with the disease getting the better of you.Or maybe the white powder was just powder or sugar and you are now sending one of your customers back home.Whatever you are doing now,I just want to thank you for the advice that created a part of my present moral aspect.

thank you for a memorable experience,

AFIQ