It is well known among my circle of friends, that I have a porous memory. I don't remember much of everything, except for the things that I love, and pay attention to, and many of the first experiences in my life. Other than that, I often forget the name of an acquaintance. Many faces often look familiar, and I think I know them, but for the life of me, I can't figure out their names! Fortunately, they remember mine, even after 10 years or so. Hence, it is often a surprise when one springs up upon me and exclaims, "Hey! I know you!" while I'll be shell-bombed, wondering, "Who on earth is this?!"
Anyway, as I was travelling to the jetty on the 1st day at 5 in the morning, I sat in the cab, a rather sulky and grouchy person. I was sullen and silent. My colleagues were the only ones making small talk with the cabbie. When we arrived, I paid for the fare. The cab driver gave me his card. "Keep this . Call me when you return from the platform." I accepted the card and dutifully kept the card in my pocket.
Upon boarding the boat, and reaching the platform, I was so focused on climbing up and down the platform, hopping from boat to platform and vice-versa, following closely behind the technicians, step by step. When we finally reached the shores at 7pm, I was exhausted. I dragged out the card. As I read out his name, a tinge of familiarity spread through my veins. Is he the same person who ferried me around Labuan, three years ago, the year, Malaysia celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence? I wondered.
So, I called the number on the given card. When he picked up, he sounded exactly like my previous ex-taxi driver. The same nasal tone, with the same diction, and I recognized it immediately. Now, I just needed some visual confirmation.
When he arrived at the jetty, I hopped into the cab, and immediately looked for the same air-freshener with the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian Flag) on it. I saw it! It was at the exact same spot, right in front of the air-cond in the middle. So, my colleague wittingly remarked, "Hey! This air-freshener is unique!"
The cabbie beamed. Yes, even in the dark, we could see him radiating with a bright glow of pride. "Yup yup yup! A few years ago, I picked up a female passenger, from Semenanjung, who loved this air-freshener. She was so fascinated by it, that I offered to send it to her, when I found it being sold in the supermarkets. However, she declined my generous offer. Probably, she was embarassed. Hah!" he laughed.
My colleague winked at me, signalling to me, "Jean! Jean! This is the exact same cabbie you met 3 years ago!"
We were all pleasantly surprised! "Uncle!" we remarked. " I am that girl!" hehe!
"Oh!!! It's you? Wow! How long has it been since you last came to Labuan?"
As we reminisced, it had been 3 years! The last time I came, it was Malaysia's 50th Independence anniversary. This is my second trip to Labuan, and without even informing in advance, the same cabbie will be ferrying us around the island for 5 continuous days! What a small world, what a coincidences. Out of slightly more than a hundred taxis in Labuan, what are the odds of having the same person ferrying me twice? We were staying at a different hotel, different person arranging for the cab... woah! Deja vu! This must what we term as 'destiny'.
This just goes to show, what goes around, comes around. We must never, ever burn bridges, because no matter where we go, what we do, we will always meet the same person, one way or another. These are the mysterious ways of nature. God's works. And, that's life for us.
Anyway, as I was travelling to the jetty on the 1st day at 5 in the morning, I sat in the cab, a rather sulky and grouchy person. I was sullen and silent. My colleagues were the only ones making small talk with the cabbie. When we arrived, I paid for the fare. The cab driver gave me his card. "Keep this . Call me when you return from the platform." I accepted the card and dutifully kept the card in my pocket.
Upon boarding the boat, and reaching the platform, I was so focused on climbing up and down the platform, hopping from boat to platform and vice-versa, following closely behind the technicians, step by step. When we finally reached the shores at 7pm, I was exhausted. I dragged out the card. As I read out his name, a tinge of familiarity spread through my veins. Is he the same person who ferried me around Labuan, three years ago, the year, Malaysia celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence? I wondered.
So, I called the number on the given card. When he picked up, he sounded exactly like my previous ex-taxi driver. The same nasal tone, with the same diction, and I recognized it immediately. Now, I just needed some visual confirmation.
When he arrived at the jetty, I hopped into the cab, and immediately looked for the same air-freshener with the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian Flag) on it. I saw it! It was at the exact same spot, right in front of the air-cond in the middle. So, my colleague wittingly remarked, "Hey! This air-freshener is unique!"
The cabbie beamed. Yes, even in the dark, we could see him radiating with a bright glow of pride. "Yup yup yup! A few years ago, I picked up a female passenger, from Semenanjung, who loved this air-freshener. She was so fascinated by it, that I offered to send it to her, when I found it being sold in the supermarkets. However, she declined my generous offer. Probably, she was embarassed. Hah!" he laughed.
My colleague winked at me, signalling to me, "Jean! Jean! This is the exact same cabbie you met 3 years ago!"
We were all pleasantly surprised! "Uncle!" we remarked. " I am that girl!" hehe!
"Oh!!! It's you? Wow! How long has it been since you last came to Labuan?"
As we reminisced, it had been 3 years! The last time I came, it was Malaysia's 50th Independence anniversary. This is my second trip to Labuan, and without even informing in advance, the same cabbie will be ferrying us around the island for 5 continuous days! What a small world, what a coincidences. Out of slightly more than a hundred taxis in Labuan, what are the odds of having the same person ferrying me twice? We were staying at a different hotel, different person arranging for the cab... woah! Deja vu! This must what we term as 'destiny'.
This just goes to show, what goes around, comes around. We must never, ever burn bridges, because no matter where we go, what we do, we will always meet the same person, one way or another. These are the mysterious ways of nature. God's works. And, that's life for us.
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