Saturday late morning.
Lady: eh…. uncle… turn left here…. yah…. stop… stop…. reach leow….
I stopped my taxi collected the money and the woman alighted.
I am 35, eligible to start driving a taxi, to move out from the rat race. I used to be a Project Manager in a global company. However, there were too much back-stabbing as well as office politics, I guessed that I had enough of the stressful environment.
As I was single, without a family to take care of, I am only accountable for myself. Although I was not lazy, I still work enough to cover for my 3 room flat and still have enough savings every month.
Even 35, I still have my boyish charms, but whenever someone boarded my taxi, they will always stereotype the taxi driver and still addressed me in the local context of “uncle”. It was only when I turned to collect the fare that they always had a shock to find me so youngish looking.
After the initial passenger closed the door, I drove forward and about 50m away, I spotted a woman by the roadside, apparently flagging a taxi. The front cab stopped, spoke to her and went off. Mine was next in line and she flagged me as I approached. She looked young. Maybe about 25 but dressed in a provocative fashion, sunglasses, black tube top with a black stretchable mini skirt and a large tote bag. There were streaks of blonde in her hair and “ah lian” rings out from all aspects of her.
I stopped besides her and waited for her to open the door. I was not in a rush and should be able to send her anywhere. She opened the door but did not enter, enquiring first.
Woman: Eh… uncle…. ok to go Turut Road?
It sound familiar but I cannot remember the exact location. I turned around and replied.
Me: Where is it?
Woman: oh…. sorry…. errrm….. Mister, it’s somewhere in Neo Tiew. Ok to go?
Me: ok…. but I have to let you know that I am not sure of the exact location.
Woman: No problem….
She got in and closed the door. I depressed the fare meter and started driving.
Our initial conversation gave me the impression that she spoke Mandarin or Hokkien as her native language (Yes, I was also stereotyping). Previously I had some bad experiences when I try to engage in small talk with a similar kind of woman, and end up, she thought I was trying to get fresh with her. A consistent stream of expletives greeted my ears then. Today, I was on my guard and kept my silence. However, she was the one to make first contact.
Woman: Do you know where the place is?
She asked in her soft voice.
Me: I am using the GPS to guide me.
Woman: Is that accurate?
Thinking that she was afraid that the GPS may use the further distance, I quickly became defensive.
Me: Is that any route that you would like me to take?
Woman: no. nothing in specific.
I was actually surprised by her English. Structurally was quite sound, unlike initially when she opened the door.
Me: No worries. I’ll go by the shortest route. We will take the PIE till Neo Tiew. After that, I need the GPS.
Woman: ok. Please…. I need to get there.
After so many passengers, I could tell that there was desperateness in her voice. Some passengers rushed me because they were rushing to see their loved ones for the last time. Some passengers rushed me because they were late for a flight and many other reasons. However they never travelled to such an outskirt location. My instincts told me that there was something wrong.
I looked into my rearview mirror and even with her sunglasses, I could tell that she was frowning. A worried look across her face. I decided to take my chance to see if she is in need of help.
Me: Miss…. I know it’s not my business, but is there a reason for you to go to such a quiet place? And I mean…. you are dressed like this….
I braced myself for the expletives but she took a brief look at me through the rear view mirror and look out the window again, not replying to my question. I see that a sign of asking me to mind my own business as she was too polite to speak those words out.
The journey continued in silence until we exited into Neo Tiew. The GPS advised me to turn right and I did, moving into a small road without markings. There were only a construction site on my right and jungle on my left. There is no reason for her to be here.
Woman: Mr Sam….. could you wait for me later?
I was surprised that she saw my name from my license hanging off the dashboard. She was definitely observant.
Me: would it be long?
Woman: I think not. Should be about 15mins maximum. You can keep the meter running and I’ll pay you the initial amount when we stop.
I was not afraid that she would rob me as she was just alone in the taxi. Furthermore, I did not have much cash with me.
Me: sure.
I continued driving slowly and soon we passed the construction area and there were only green forest on both sides of the road.
Suddenly she told me to stop. I looked around the area and was only surrounding by thick bushes, just like the time when I had an exercise in this area during my army days.
Me: stop here?
I asked her as I was unsure and I turn to look at her properly for the first time. She had removed her shades and was looking out the window. She was actually very pretty. Her make up was light, just enough to accentuate her features.
I looked where she was looking and was surprised to find that there was a small track on the left into the forest. I could not see where it lead to but I hope she was not going into it.
Woman: yes.
She handed me the cash for the meter.
Woman: please wait for me and keep the meter running.
She reached out to open the door. The alarms to my instincts were ringing wildly. Something is definitely wrong.
Me: wait!
She stopped and looked at me.
Me: are you going in there?
She nodded.
Me: Miss…. sorry, but are you doing something illegal?
Woman: no…. why?
Me: you dressed like this and then going into the jungle. It doesn’t make sense.
Woman: Not everything in life make sense.
She reached out for the latch again. I tried to find out a little more.
Me: if you go in there, your legs will be scratch by the thorns. Also there are alot of mosquitoes.
Woman: Sam…. just wait here…..
She opened the door and before she close it. she looked in.
Woman: name’s sara.
She closed the door and I watched her slender unblemished legs gingerly stepping into the jungle trail. Even though she was a passenger that I had just met, I was worried about her. She said 15mins and 15mins is a long time.
I adjusted my car to face the direction which we came from and kept it to the side of the road so that I would not be obstructing traffic and waited.
2mins
I looked at the trail. The overgrown shrubs had covered the pathway and there was no indication that she had went into it.
3mins.
Still no sign of her. I was getting more and more worried.
4mins.
I made up my mind that I will head into the track to look for her. I am not going to wait for 15mins. I texted my taxi buddies to let them know where I was and shut off the engine. I looked around for a long branch to prod my way in case of snakes, before venturing into the trail.
Luckily I was wearing jeans and the twigs and branches would not cut me. However, I could not do anything about the mosquitoes as they started to buzz around me. I put my foot carefully and tried to listen for sound. All I heard was the cicadas and birds in the bushes.
Fortunately the track was rather even without much potholes. After about 100meters, the bushes gave way to a clearing. Instincts told me to wait before going into the clearing and thus I squatted down between the bushes and looked into the area.
The place seemed like an old settlement of some sort, but only a small wooden hut remained in the middle of the clearing. Even though there was no doors to the hut there were some areas in it that was hidden from my line of sight and Sara could be somewhere in it. There was a guy outside the hut, but he was holding the tote bag that she was carrying earlier and looking at the contents in it. In his hands were a small evil looking knife. My instincts proved me right once more.
Looking frustrated he threw the bag on the ground and went to the other side of the hut and spoke to someone.
Guy: stupid bitch. Where is my money?
The other person replied but I could not hear her clearly. I presumed she is Sara.
My outpost was not the perfect place as it was on the track, albeit hidden by the bushes. If someone were to come up behind me, I could be caught. Furthermore, I need to reccee the surroundings so that I know the area well. I retracted the way I came by and flank over into the bushes, avoiding the clearing, keeping myself hidden. This time, I was getting prick by the branches of the bushes. I took care to move slowly and not step on any twigs or branches. In the meantime, I found a sturdy shorter branch that I thought would be useful later on.
While I was making my way across, I heard some shouting and deciding that even though I was not in the place where I wanted to be, I peer out from the bushes.
Sara was sitting on a old wooden stool and the guy was standing in front of her, pointing the knife at her.
Guy: I have your pictures! you better give me the money!
Sara: but…joe…..that’s all I have….
Joe: fine. remove your clothes then.
Sara: my…my…. driver is waiting for me by the road….
Joe: I don’t care! remove your clothes. NOW!
He waved his knife at her.
Fearing for her life, she started to weep and her hands slowly went to her top. She put her fingers under the bottom of the tube top, and slowly pull it over her head, exposing her half-cupped strapless black bra.
Joe: faster! I have seen all of your body. No need to be shy!
He was getting impatient. slowly she stood up and not in a sexy way, she removed the tight skirt, leaving her only clad in matching black bra and panties.
Joe: haha….. nice….. remove those now…..
She was sobbing, perhaps at the indignity of having to strip in front of a stranger or maybe because of fear.
I watched as her hand reached back and unclasped her bra. She put a protective arm across the strategic spots on her chest before leaving the bra on the stool.
Joe: good. one more piece…..
she turned around, back facing Joe and removed her undies and also left it on the stool, and after cover her privates with her other hand, she turned back to face him.
I wanted to move to my desired position, some where nearer to the action, but I was fixated to the action.
Joe: take away your hands.
She reluctantly moved her hands down.
Sara had a beautiful body. Her breasts and nipples were of the right size to her body. Her ample B cups were highlighted with 2 light colored areola ending with small nipples. Down south, she was not clean shaven but her pubes were carefully trimmed and looked like a tiny rectangular airstrip. Her body was perfect, even with the small birthmark on her upper thigh.
I started to have an erection even in my squatted position. It was uncomfortable but I could not make adjustments. Also, it was not the right time to rush out from my hiding place.
Joe: haha….. very nice….
He pulled down his jeans and left it hanging around his ankles as he did not remove his shoes. His erected dick was fully on display and Sara had a look of disgust on her face.
Joe: haha…. what is that look on your face for!? it’s not as if you had not had seen it before….bitch! …. turn around, bend over and hold on the stool….
Initially, she refused but he brandished his knife and wave it at her once more and she did as she was told. I could hear her sobbing as she turned over and offered him a view of her perky ass.
He hobbled forward and stood behind her. Holding on his dick, he maneuver his dick and placed over the mouth of her pussy. With wearing a condom, he pushed himself into her. I heard her gasped first, followed by a whimper.
Joe: aaaaahhhh…. you are so tight!…..
He held onto her hips and started to ram into her cunt. Even though her mind was against it but her primal physical state took over. She started to give off soft moans despite her resistance.
Sara: ummmm…. eeennnngghhh…. ummmm….
Joe: haha…. I knew you will enjoy it.
I knew this was the time. Slowly I made my way out from my hiding place. I moved swiftly and noiselessly, holding on my crude weapon in my hands, closing the distance in a few second.
By the time Joe realized that I was behind him, I struck him on his head as he was turning around to face me. The stick hit his temple and with a shout, he crumpled onto the ground.
I went over to Sara, who had squatted down from the commotion. She looked to be in a state of shock, looking at the lifeless form of Joe. As I stood over her, she suddenly shouted.
Sara: NNNNOOOOOO!!!!!
I turned in the direction she was facing but I was too late. An accomplice of Joe had appeared from nowhere and I felt the cold of a blade in my midsection. I felt the warm from my blood as it trickled down my middle.
I looked at the guy and he was sneering.
Guy2: die….. you fucker…. die!!!!
Rap……rap….. rap……
I jumped up from my slumber in the taxi, rubbing my eyes, unsure of where I was. I my confused state, I checked my stomach as the stabbed wound felt too real before I realized that it was a dream.
Rap….. rap….. rap…..
I looked up at my window, interrupted by the sound. Someone was on the rear passenger window. I wind down the window and saw a girl with blonde hair standing there.
Woman: Mister….. do you take passenger?
After the sleepiness left my eyes I was shocked to see the girl(Sara) that had appeared in my dream earlier, at the door. My mouth dropped open and I stared at her dumbly.
Sara: Hello…. hello….mister…. are you taking passengers?
I quickly caught myself and nodded. I was still stumped. I mean, what are the chances that a person whom you did not know, appeared in your dreams and then magnifies in front of you. Probably one in 10million chance.
I gave her a second look. She was not dressed like in the dream. Just in plain simple T Shirt and jeans. However, the colour of her hair seemed to be the same. She was wearing a different pair of sunglasses.
She got in and close the door.
Sara: Sorry if I am distrubing your rest. But it was hard to get a cab at this time of the day…. Luckily I saw your cab.
I am still trying to get to terms with myself.
Sara: Plaza Sin please…..
Me: shall we go by AYE and then CTE?
Sara: I am not sure of the way…. anything…..
Similar to my dream. She does not know the roads too well.
I started the fare meter and pulled out from the carpark.
There are so many questions in my head. But I did not know how to ask her. I mean, how do you ask whom you had not met before, “Hey are you Sara? I know you from my dream.” I am sure she would ask me to stop and make a complain to my company.
I kept my mouth shut as I tried to think about the ways to lead her into a proper conversation. The concidence is too much. There must be some unknown forces out at play here.
I turned into Jurong Town Hall.
Me: Miss, why didnt you called Uber or Grab?
Sara: I prefered the conventional way.
Me: oh….
I kept quiet again until we were on the AYE. Just like in my dream, I watched her from my rear view mirror. I noticed that she was not playing with her cell phone and just looking out the window.
Me: working today?
Sara: har?
Me: I mean, are you going to Plaza Sin to work?
Sara: oh…. sorry. Just meeting some friends for coffee. It’s Saturday….
I deduced that she was working a white collar job and based on her answer, I felt that she was willing to speak a little more.
Me: I used to work as a Project Manager.
She did not reply but continued looking out the window.
Me: Been driving for about 1 year.
She turned back and looked at me.
Sara: Yah, you took the easy way out….. want to move out the rat race and so on. Right?
I am dumbfounded. Her tone changed suddenly which caught me by surprise. I decided to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the journey and since I hit a brick wall, I decided that the dream could be just a dream and every thing could be just a coincidence. I mean, I encountered all sorts of people over the past year when I was driving. There were good locals and bad locals. Likewise for foreigners as well.
I exited AYE and turned into CTE.
Sara: Sorry….. Sam…. I wasnt trying to be nasty…. anyway, whatever….
I was not surprised that she read my name from the license plate.
Me: It’s ok…..
From there onwards, we did not engage in any further conversation. I exited the CTE, cut through Clemenceau, and just outside the Singapore Shopping Center, she spoke.
Sara: ok…. here will do….
Me: stop here?
It was quite a distance from Plaza Singapore.
Sara: There’ll be a jam at the taxi stand. I dont want you to be stuck in it.
Me: It’s ok….
Sara: How much?
I looked at the meter, state the fare, she paid me and alighted.
Because there were cars behind me, I drove off, leaving her by the road side. I guessed that this would be the last time that I could ever see her.
I turned into Penang Road and just about 30 meters down, I picked up a passenger.
Man: Uncle, Bedok Interchange please….
Me: ok…. which way you want me to go by?
Man: errm…. Scotts Road then Steven Road and then PIE.
Me: ok….
I started to move off.
Man: Eh… uncle…. there’s a phone on the back seat…. here…. take it…..
He passed me the phone and I did not have time to look at it only after he alighted, then I found a place at empty carpark lot and had a look at the mobile device. I wondered who it belongs to.
It had not rang since he passed it to me. It was a Android phone and just as I held it in my hand, the device started to ring.
A woman picture came up on the screen and she did not look too familar. I guessed that’s the stored picture from the number that is dialing in now. I picked up the phone.
Me: hello?
Sara: Phew!….
Me: har?
Sara: Sam?
Me: yes?
Sara: It’s me.
Me: sorry?
Sara: ok…. I am Sara. The woman who was going to Plaza Singapore but dropped at the Singapoe shopping Centre side.
She confirmed her name as Sara. I was not surprised.
Me: Yup. Your phone is with me….
Sara: Thank goodness….
Me: A passenger found it and left it with me. I had already dropped him off.
Sara: Are you still near the area?
Me: Nope. I am in Bedok.
Sara: oh…. could you send it back to me? I will pay for the cab fare.
Perhaps it’s destiny, but I saw the opening that I had been looking for.
Me: Where do you stay?
Sara: errmmm…
Me: I am thinking to send it back to you or your place when I am in the vicinity if there are passengers that is going to your area. That way you do not need to pay additional and I do not need to be caught in the jam at Orchard.
I could almost hear her thinking about my proposal.
Sara: ok….
She proceed to give me her address in West Coast Park
Me: oh…. I am staying in Clementi. What time will you be back? I’ll drop by after work.
Sara: I’ll pass by Clementi anyway, perhaps I meet you there?
Me: it’s ok. I need to return the taxi to the hirer in your area anyway.
Sara: I see. I be home in about 3pm.
Me: ok…. I’ll be there about 5pm. See you later.
Sara: sorry to trouble you and thanks.
We hung up. I got the address where she was staying. Some how, she did not seemed to be in any kind of trouble at this point in time. I wondered if I am getting the wrong premonition.
Sorry guys. I am having issues with my work.
More of company headcount freeze and i am doing 3 person work. Drowning with the amount. When i reach home, too tired to do anything
Hopefully once i clear some of the things, will update again
After we hung up, i switched off the phone so that she would not re arrange to meet me else where.
Later after i returned the cab, i made my way to her place. It was the block just besides the secondary school.
In the lift i tried to think of how to get more information from her. Blame it on curiosity or my nature but apart from the dream, i was hoping to get to know her better on a personal basis.
The lift doors opened and i looked around for the flat. Hers was at the end of the corridor.
I knocked on the door and could hear some commotion inside. Soon a woman about same age as Sara, opened the door. Her hair was cropped short, bob style, and in plain tshirt and shorts.
Woman: what are you selling?
Me: errmm actually no…. i am looking for sara.
Woman: oh.. sorry… she is not at home.
Me: oh… will she be back soon?
Woman: i dont know… i cant reach her on her phone
I quickly replied before she asked me the purpose for the visit.
Me: i see. I’ll wait for her at the void deck then.
Woman: errmmm.. that will be a bit cruel of me…. want to come inside and wait?
Me: errmmm… is it convenient?
Woman: dont worry….
She started to unlock the gate and opened it.
Woman: i am vivian. Sara’s housemate….please come in
Me: oh thanks.. i am sam…
As I walked into the house, I took a brief glance around. The furniture was sparse. There was no sofa, just a mat on the floor, and the old looking TV sitting on a standalone console. Obviously this was a rented premise.
Vivian: sorry…. I was watching TV. If you dont mind, you can join me.
She closed the gate but left the door opened before sitting down on the mat. I took a seat a few feet away from her.
Me: so, Vivian, Sara is your colleague?
Vivan: Nope. We were ex-Uni mates…. haha….
My unwitting question opened the floodgates as Vivian started to talk non-stop even without me asking for more information.
She started to tell me that they were studying in Business Administration previously and because they did not like the hostel, they rented an apartment since then. Sara’s parents were from Indonesia and were rich. So the apartment was paid by her. Because she felt lonely and so invited Vivian to be the live in house mate.
Currently, Sara was working as a receptionist in Pandan loop whereas Vivian was working in some off-shore firm.
Me: Sara is working as a receptionist? I thought she had a degree?
Vivian: haha…. she could. Her parents are rich, remember? Basically she did not like to be too stressful.
She continued to talk and I allowed her to. They seemed to be good friends and shared information between them. Vivian even told me that Sara is between relationship now as she caught her previous boyfriend eating out.
Vivan: oh… sorry…. I forgot to offer you a drink!
Me: dont worry about it…. it’s ok…
Vivian: haha…. but I am thirsty….. wait here… I’ll get you something….
She got up from the mat and I watched her walking to the kitchen, giving me a good glimpse of her butt cheeks in her FBT shorts. My eyes automatically check her out as previously I did not notice as I was thinking of excuses to try to get to Vivian to provide me with more information about Sara.
She had nice long legs ending in a perky butt. Both of them seemed to be around the same height and even their body shape seemed similar as well. She disappeared from view and I stood up and walk into the kitchen. To know more about Sara, I should try to have a look at the house as much as possible. As I walk towards the kitchen, I realized that the room doors were closed and could not give me any information about it.
I almost knocked into Vivian as I entered the kitchen as she was coming out with 2 cups.
Me: oppsss…. sorry… I was looking for the toilet.
Vivian: its at the back….
Me: Can I use it?
Vivian: go ahead….
I went back and she went out.
The kitchen was neat and proper. A quick guess is that they do not cook at home. However, the toilet tells a different story. There were 2 laundry buckets. One was covered and the other had used undergarments hanging out from there. I could not guess which belongs to who. Although I was tempted to rummage through them, I held back.
The rest of the toilet does not tell me too much. There was only 1 set of toiletries, such as bathing foam, shampoo, and so on. Both girls apparently shared those.
I did not stayed too long to avoid suspicion and went back to the living room.
The gate opened as I came out of the kitchen. Sara and myself looked at each other.
Vivian: Oh… your friend Sam is here…
Before she could reply, I spoke.
Me: hi… you are back…. I got your stuff…
Sara: Thanks….
I walked over and passed her the phone. Sara stood at the entrance to the house, waiting for me to leave.
Vivian: har? That’s it? I thought you are waiting for her?
Me: oh…. you did not asked…. but I am a taxi driver. Sara left her phone in my car and I came to return it….
Vivian: what?!
Sara: what?!
Sara looked at Vivian and then at myself and back to Vivian again.
Sara: Vivian, you did not asked who he is and you let him into the house?!
Vivian: And you did not mentioned anything about it?
Vivian pointed a finger at me.
Me: sorry… but you were talking and did not asked the reason why I was here….
Sara: wait….wait….oh….. Vivian…. come on!….
Vivian: what?
They were not actually quarrelling but rather bickering. Their tone were not loud, but sarcastic and I felt sandwiched between them.
Sara: dont blame the guy here. luckily he was a nice guy….. what happens if he is a bad hat? He could just rape you….
Vivian: if he wanted to, he would have done it…. anyway, he dont look like a bad guy….
Sara: yah…. a bad guy will not tell you that he is a bad guy…. and they look like good guys too….
Vivian: I thought he was your friend…. and since you did not switched on your phone…..
Sara rolled her eyes.
Sara: he came to return my phone right?
Vivian: ok…ok….
She turned to me.
VIvian: bad guy, do you want to rape me?
I wouldnt mind and that seemed like a good proposition. However, I could not reply to that. Best way is to act dumb.
Me: har?
Vivian: see!
Sara: TSK!
She shook her head.
Sara: ok… you win…
Sara turned to me.
Sara: thanks Sam…. sorry for the commotion
I smiled awkwardly at her and head out the door.
Me: errmm… no problem…. you are welcome.
Sara: Are you free tomorrow and what’s your number?
Me: har?
Sara: To thank you properly… for bringing my phone back…. it’s important to me….. and it’s late today…. and I am tired….
I gave her my number.
Sara: I text you later….
Me: ok…. good night….
Sara: good night….
I left and went home. Later that night, I received a text from her to meet her at 5pm at Jem mall the next day. She wanted to treat me to dinner.