Sunday
Nothing out of the ordinary happened during my shift. Business was brisk as it was the F1 weekend. I fetched passengers across singapore and by 4pm, I had to put up a sign to state that I was only taking passengers to the West side of Singapore
As I dropped off the last passenger at International Business Park, I returned my taxi and took a bus to the mall. It was 4.45pm.
I waited at the entrance and until now, she did not text me. Although, I did not have her number and there is no way I could reach her, I was not worried. Based on the previous night conversation, she seemed sincere and I was sure she would be here.
Beep beep*
My phone vibrated to the incoming text.
Sara msg: Hi Sam. This is Sara. Sorry I will be late. COuld you get a seat at the Jack’s place first?
Me msg: sure.
I quickly took a mental note of her number and saved it before heading to the restaurant.
The restaurant was not crowded at this time of the day and I was led to our table immediately.
At 5.30pm, I saw Sara walking into the restaurant. Her hair was tied in a pony tail and she was dressed in simple TShirt and Shorts. Behind her, Vivian followed. She was dressed in matching attire as Sara’s.
The waiteress led them to the table I had reserved and after they sat down, we each ordered some food.
Sara: Sorry we are late. She wanted to tag along.
Sara took a quick side way glance at Vivian and Vivian scrowled at her.
Vivian: ok… sorry sam…. for being late.
Sara: you should….. you took so long to put on your make up.
and they started bickering again until the waitress came back with a plate of bread, then they stopped. Although they were not loud enough for the next table to hear their conversation, but I was a guest with them. All I could do was to keep quiet.
Sara: oppss… sorry…. there we go again…. haha….
Me: it’s ok….
Sara: did you waited long?
Me: not really…. maybe 5mins…..
Vivan: thank goodness…. if not she’ll start again…. haha….
The food was soon served and we took our dinner. During the whole session, I did not have any chance to get to know Sara better. THey were mostly bickering, which was unusual in my opinion.
When we finished dinner, Sara thanked me for returning the phone formally and I thanked her for the dinner. After that they departed.
As I did not have anything to get from the mall, I went home.
Later that evening, Sara texted me again.
Sara msg: sorry for this evening. I’ll make up to you for another dinner. I know that you did not waited for only 5mins. If you are free tomorrow, we could have dinner. Perhaps in central.
I was surprised that she had deduced my waiting time.
Me msg: sure….
Sara msg: i’ll text you the location tomorrow. Good night.
Monday
Normally Monday is a busy day for me. Professionals normally has Monday blues and they would always be late in the morning. I had a busy morning that day.
At around 10am, business started slowing down. I had just dropped off a passenger at Pasir Ris and I was hoping that I could get a passenger into town so that I could escape the ERP as well as catch the lunch time crowd. Otherwise, passengers would normally hang around the neighbouring town for a short cab ride and earnings would be low.
Luckily I picked up a elderly lady and she wanted to go to Boon Lay and that would be over $30 at this time of the day.
Once I dropped her off at her destination, it was about 11am. It was then I received a text from Sara.
Sara msg: Sam, are you driving today?
Me msg: I just dropped off a passenger at Boon Lay.
Sara msg: Is it convenient to pick me at 12pm?
Me msg: your location?
She gave me the location and I concluded thtat I could be there.
Because I had 1 hour to burn, I drove around the area, selecting only passengers who are going nearby. At 11.50am, I stopped at the lobby outside the location she had provided.
She appeared at the lobby in a pink one piece dress and she looked very demure. After just glancing at my number plates, she opened the front passenger seat and got in. I was a little surprised.
Me: errmmm…. where are you going?
Sara: Before we go, can I check if you are ok to spend the afternoon with me?
Me: har? DOnt you need to work?
Sara: I took urgent leave.
She is confusing me.
Me: Some thing happened?
Sara: Can you just drive off first?
Me: sure…. where to?
Sara: hmmm….. ok…. Vivo
I drove off but I did not pressed the fare meter.
Me: why did you take urgent leave?
Sara: I told you last night that I still owed you a proper treat?
Me: Na…. you already did yesterday….
Sara: it’s spoilt by Vivian….. not counted….
Me: it’s ok…. a treat is a treat…. it’s done….
I saw her glaring at me from the corner of my eyes.
Me: ok…ok….
Sara: good…..
She seemed to be a girl that wanted things to be done her way. She kept quiet along the way. In this scenario, she is unlike Vivian. To me, Vivian seemed to be the talkative one whereas Sara seemed to be quieter.
I remembered those silky legs in my dream and because she was looking out the window, I took the opportunity to peek at her slim legs. I wondered if her bush was also neatly trimmed as in dream as well.
The journey was smooth as there was no congestion along Pasir Panjang Road and we reached there shortly. I parked the car at the Seah Imm open carpark.
Sara: here?
Me: Is that ok? I am not too sure if the overhead advertisement board can go into the carpark.
Sara: oh yah…. haha…. ok…. let’s go….. I am hungry….
ara settled on one of the restaurant for lunch. It was crowded but fortunately we did not have to wait long before we got our seat and ordered our food. I noticed that she had her chin in her hand, which was resting on the table, and looking at me. There was no malicious intend in her eyes and all I saw was curiousity.
Me: yes?
Sara: tell me honestly…. why are you a taxi driver?
Me: errrm…. you answered my question the last time….
Sara: I want to hear from you…
Me: errrm…. ok…. I did not like office politics. It just showed the bad side of human nature. That’s why I moved out….
Sara: Dont you get bad customers as well?
Me: errrmmm… but I only see them once….. errrmmm….. After that, I wont see them again.
I was stammering as I am not used to be scrutinize by a woman. Till now, I only had 1 girlfriend before and that was almost 5 years ago.
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms across her bosom. Although I had not pay attention to her boobs, I remembered them as I had in the dream. Perky B cups with lickable nipples. I quickly caught myself so as not to stare at her.
I looked down and played with my fork.
Sara: are you uncomfortable with me?
Me: errrmm… no….
With her arms still crossed, she put them on the table and leaned forward.
Sara: I say you are….. When is the last time you speak to a girl?
I thought about it and answered truthfully.
Me: errm…. earlier…. when I dropped the last passenger off?
Sara: no… I mean as in having lunch with a girl alone?
Me: I…. cant …. remember….. I think maybe 5 years ago…..
Sara: who was it?
Me: my…. ex….errrmmm…. girlfriend….
Sara: no wonder….
Even though the restaurant was cold, I was feeling hot as I started to get anxious for some reasons unknown to me. I was getting irritated with myself as I thought I wanted to get to know her better so that if there was any impending diaster upon her, I could try to save her. But now, I was just getting the jitters. The classic butterflies in my stomach.
Sara: sam…. sam…. look at me…..
I slowly looked into her eyes still feeling uncomfortable.
Sara: just relax ok? ok?
I nodded my head.
Sara: Relax….. I’ll tell you about myself first.
She started.
Sara was 25, just as I guessed. Her parents were Indonesians, but she was born here, with pink identification card. She used to have a nanny when she was younger. But the nanny had went back to Malaysia since her Poly days. Since then she had been living here on her own.
After the early days, her uni days tellied with what Vivian told me 2 days ago.
Sara: so…. I worked at the company where you picked me earlier…. that’s all about me….
the waiter interrupted us and served the food.
After she paid the bill, she brought me to an dessert stall downstairs.
We ordered and sat in a corner and the butterflies had left me.
Sara: ok…. your turn….
I told her about myself and she listened attentively. Although it was not a date, but basically just 2 person trying to get to know each other better.
Sara: see! you have relaxed….. haha…. good…..
She gave me a smile and I noticed that she had dimples.
Sara: so…. earlier you told me that your last girl friend was 5 years back. Since then, you lived all alone?
Me: yah?
I am not sure where she is going.
Sara: I mean, dont you need to release?
Me: what?!
I spoke a little too loudly.
Sara: sssshhhh….. not so loud please…..
Me: sorry… your question shocked me….
She squint her eyes into tiny slits.
Sara: are you so conversative?
Me: no…but….
Sara: sssshhhh….
she put a finger on my lips. When her nicely manicured finger touched me, I frozed. It had been a long time and I did not know how to react.
Sara: good….. now answer my question….
Me: errrm….. errrmm….. I DIY…..
Sara: wow!….. 5 years…. a long time…. impressive…..
She looked genuine enough and did not scorned me.
Me: what about you?
Sara: me? dont you know girls do not really need it?
Me: your boyfriend?
Sara: I dont have 1…..
Me: ex?
She took the spoon and played with her melting desert. She looked a little angry and a little sad. Not too sure how these emotions can be together, but she expressed it concurrently.
Sara: I only had 2 relationships. Both had other woman. Vivian caught them. Maybe the problem lies with me…..
Me: oh…. sorry….
I did not know how to go on and kept quiet. After a while, she put her spoon down.
Sara: shall we have a walk?
Me: errrmmm…. ok….
She walked in front and led the way and me just tagging behind her. After getting to know her history and personality a little better, I took the opportunity to study her physical appearance. She was petite and slim, definitely a nice figure. And with her pretty face, I cannot understand why her ex boyfriends would find another woman when they were with her.
She did not walk far and when to the outside area by the sea, facing Sentosa and sat under one of the trees. I sat down quietly besides her.
Suddenly her phone ring.
Sara: what is it?
pause*
Sara: no…. I took urgent half day….
pause*
Sara: I am not in a good mood….
pause*
Sara: what? why do I need to inform you?
pause*
Sara: no…. stop it ok? I am not in a good mood.
pause*
Sara: whatever…..
She hung up the phone. Even without her telling me about the caller, I knew it was Vivian.
Sara: Sam…. why does she keep trying to babysit me? I know what I am doing.
Me: hmmm…. maybe she cares and is worried about you?
Sara: It’s very irritating some times….
Me: come on…. she is your best friend….
Sara: I need my personal space as well.
I wanted to answer but she answered herself.
Sara: whatever….. come let’s go catch a movie….
Me: errrmmm…ok….
Sara: I am going to shut off my phone….. hmmmpppphhhhfff…..
And so she did.
After the movie, she seemed to be back in a better mood and I had to return the taxi to my hirer. She followed along and the trip back to the West was different to the prior trip. We engaged in conversation and got to know more about each other.
We had dinner at a coffee shop nearby and we went home separately.
Just after I entered my flat, I received a text from her.
Sara msg: thanks accompanying me today. I enjoyed it. I should be free tomorrow evening. Good night.
I looked at her message again. She is hinting for me to ask her out. After getting to know her for half a day, she did not seemed like an easy woman. I shoved my thoughts aside and convinced myself that she is just enjoying my company as a friend.
Me msg: me too. Good night.
Sorry guys for the slow updates. My plight is not unsimilar to bro ilock. But we are not in the same industries.
Shakes head*
Sorry, have no time to update the story but able to provide some comments as this one no need creativity.
FT affects mostly the office / professional workers because they take over our jobs, but they help to boost the rental business.
In small businesses, eg. eatery, FT help the business to save cost because rentals are very high and these SME needs profits to survive.
overall, it’s a vicious cycle. without FT, SMB dies and cannot hire. People do not want to buy houses to rent out, so affect property market. With cooling measures, rich foreigners do not come over to buy. So no money coming into the market.
With FT, they affect the general population in the office / professional sectors. General population loses job to FT. No job, no money to spend in the market.
But general economy globally is slowing down faster than we thought. So it’s difficult times for everyone.
My apologies that I cant update as I have so much stuffs to clear. My company reduce my team to only me. I have to take over all their jobs. It’s killing me slowly.
Staffs working here for 10 years were asked to leave over night. But no, I don’t pity them because a lot of them are sitting down doing nothing in the office for a long time. They are just getting by, wasting time and wasting company resources.
But my company is not making money. So perhaps cutting head count and streamlining could be better for the company.
Only problem is that company cut cost without going down to the low level view. they cut in an over view sense across the company. There are still people sitting there doing nothing, basically just messager but they have good contacts up there to suck at the bosses toes.
whereas my team is now struggling to make up for the people. because of the workload.
Tuesday to Thursday
I did met up with her for dinner on Tuesday. Just a casual one around Jurong before we went home. The remaining of the week remained the same. However, every day, as the day got nearer to the time of our meet up, my heart always started to pound faster. I was not sure why, but I am deeply affected by the feeling.
Our friendship progress quickly and as we got to know each other better, we shared some similarities, some similar interest. But of course there were differences as well. Vivian did not interrupt our meet ups as she had to work OT that whole week.
Friday
I started work as usual until lunch time when I received a text from Sara. We had not arrange to meet up that day.
Sara msg: shit. I have to go back to the office tomorrow.
Me msg: why?
Sara msg: I have some facilities maintenance contractors coming. I need to be present.
Me msg: what about your facilities manager?
Sara msg: he is away to Europe and some of the facilities for the building are faulty. I am covering him. Dont have a choice.
Me msg: ask him for an extra off day since he is eating into your Saturday.
Sara msg: haha…. good idea…..
Later that day, she told me that her boss had approved for the additional off day and she could take it during my off days to spend it with me. We did not meet up as she is having dinner with Vivian that night.
Saturday
As usual, I got up before the sun rises and went to work. I drove around until about 8.30am, I received a text from Sara.
Sara msg: good morning…. I am going to work now
Me msg: ok…. do you want me to pick you up later?
sara msg: hmm… you are so sweet…. I expected to be about
Me msg: Text me when you are done. see you later.
I was happy to be able to meet her later and went about my job looking forward to her call.
At about 1pm, I still had not receive a call from Sara. I wondered if she was done. Just when I was about to call her along Alexandra road, a guy flag my taxi and as I stopped for him, I was taken aback.
With his long hair and heavily tattooed arm, even in his shades, I cannot be mistaken. It’s the guy in my dream. Joe.
He opened up the door to my cab and got in.
Joe: West Coast car mart.
I was stunned as I looked at him from the rear view mirror.
Joe: you know how to go or not?
I collected myself and asked him which way he wanted to travel by as I started to drive. Along the way, he was on the phone, speaking mainly in Hokkien. It’s was of no importance to me but I am intrigued by his sudden manifestation in front of me.
I drove quickly as I was sure that his appearance is of no coincidence. Some thing strange was happening.
He alighted without much incident and I quickly call Sara. Her phone was ringing but no one picked up. I started to get worried as I remembered the dream that I had. I had a bad feeling about Sara.
Turning on the unavailable sign, I rushed to Sara’s work place.
Ignoring if there were speed cameras, I reached there in record time. At the entrance to her building, I slowed down as I turned into her compound, as I did not want the guard to be suspicious. I waved to him and he nodded. I drove around to the main entrance, which is at the opposite end of the guard house.
There were no vehicles in sight. I parked my taxi right at the entrance and alighted, calling Sara’s mobile once more. Again, just her ringing tone greeted me without picking up.
I felt a sense of impending doom.
I looked into the glass foyer and the reception area was empty but the lights were switched on. Pushing at the door, it opened without any noise. I stepped into the building and looked around.
Nothing suspicious greeted me except that Sara’s phone was on the desk.
Me: Sara?
There was no response. Only eerie silence. Apprehensively, I crossed the reception area into the office, listening carefully for any suspicious noise. My nerves were taut and senses were heightened, ready for any action.
A quick scan of level one revealed no one and my eyes noticed the stairwell at the end of the room. As I made my way to the stairs, suddenly, I heard a thud sound as if something heavy dropped on the floor on the next level. Taking 2 steps at a time, I rushed up the stairs, shouting out for Sara’s name.
Just as I reached the second flight of stairs, I heard Sara’s screams. Without waiting to figure out what happened, I continued my swift ascent and arrived at the 2nd level just in time to see Sara’s neck was being arm lock by a guy, dragging her into a meeting room.
I started to run and shouting at him at the same time. But I was too late. The door to the meeting room slammed shut and was locked from the inside as I tried the knob. There was a plane of glass which I could look inside, even though, there were blinds, but the guy had his hands full to draw it down to hide his actions.
He had released Sara as he locked the door. She had tried to hit him but he turned back and slapped her hard across the face, leaving her sprawling on the meeting room table.
I watched in horror as I saw a tiny trickle of blood flowing out from the side of her mouth and her eyes looked stunned. I pounded at the window shouting at the guy.
Me: OPEN UP! YOU FUCK! COME OUT AND FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!
I was sure he could hear me as he stick out a middle finger at me before turnign back to Sara. Her body was lying on the table with her legs still on the floor. She was wearing a short white flare skirt and because of her sprawling on top of the table, the skirt had raked up quite a bit.
The guy went forward and lifted her skirt, exposing her butt. I could see that she was wearing a white Gstring that day. He looked at me and then down at her again before grabbing her putt cheeks. His dark hands contrasted with her porcelain tone.
I suspected that his touch jolted her up from her mild concussion. Suddenly, she turn around, still on the table, squirming like an eel and managed to drop on all fours on the floor, intending to sprint away from him. She had the element of surprise.
However, he was faster. Immediately once she was on all fours, he did not try to pull her leg but instead rugby tackled her hips, causing her to lose her balance and falling to her side. Once she toppled over, he sat on her stomach.
I started to pound on the door, but I did not want to keep Sara off my vision. I went back to attack the window. It vibrated from my pounding, but it held firm.
Sara started to swing her arms wildly at him but in his position, he evaded her easily. He reached out and pulled her hair, knocking her head back onto the carpeted floor and once more he slapped her hard across the face. Even outside, I could hear the sound of the slap audibly. Her body went limp and she looked dazed. I could see the red marks appearing across her cheeks.
Taking this opportunity, he turned her over and took out a rope from his pocket and tied her hands behind her back.
I started to ram the window with my shoulder until it started to ache, but the pane still held firm.