I'll never forget what happened on that day. The day had started very well and I thought it was going to be good. It was a Sunday morning.
I rose up earlier than usual that morning. The wonderfully bright morning sun
could be seen clearly in the far horizon like an angry one-eyed monster.
I went up to my
small car park and examined my Nissan Q D 32 Fourteen seat Passenger Service
Vehicle. White as snow; it looked as good as new. It was awaiting weekly
service. My mechanic had brought the oils, lubricants and spare parts needed
for the job. Soon, he showed up with his toolbox; accompanied with a young man who,
I suggested, was his spanner boy. After greeting and welcoming them, they did
not hesitate to change into their overalls and begin their work.
After around one hour of
working on the vehicle, the spanner boy came to me and asked for the vehicle
starter key which I gave him. I knew they were due for a road test; which they
did and, they came later, saying everything was okay. I paid them their dues,
had early lunch and rested for a while before bidding me farewell. I made up my
mind to drop them at the Bus Station as a sign of good gesture and
appreciation.
One reaching the
Bus Station, we found out that there were no other passenger vehicles, and the
stranded passengers gushed to my vehicle thinking it was on route. “Wow! What
I’m I going to do?” I thought to myself. “There is a little dime I can make
here”, I went on. Looking on, I saw my driver and conductor; their body
language was communicating the same thoughts as I had.
Soon, we agreed with the
passengers to ferry them to a town which was half the distance to where they
were traveling to. There, it would be easier for them to get services since it
was on the busy highway. The passengers
agreed that they would pay a bit more fare than usual to the conductor. I was
also aboard the vehicle in the front passenger’s seat.
Within the
twinkling of an eye, we were off, happy that we had killed two birds with a
single stone. The conductor then, began asking for fares as per their
agreement. Reluctantly, the passengers began paying; with some of them
grumbling in low tones. I was wondering why, until one passenger; at the
backseat broke the silence and tranquility that was prevailing between us in
the fully booked vehicle. “Why are we paying so much money? The fare is twice what
you are asking for, why?” The rear passenger began. The conductor insisted that
it was as per their agreement, but all that hit a deaf ear. The passenger had
incited the rest and they were all shouting, threatening and grumbling.
It was when we
had reached almost half the distance, that I made up my mind to intervene. I
made it clear to them that what the conductor was asking from them was as per
their agreement; and I could fully bear witness with that. “So, if you have
changed your minds all of you, passengers; all of a sudden, then, we are
willing to make a U-turn and take you back to where you have boarded the
vehicle; free of charge. We have other business to do!” I concluded. Seeing how
determined I was to return and start afresh again, they decided to take the
bitter herb; the one they were not previously willing to. Again the inciter at
the backseat concluded with a deep, loud roar which made us, especially me,
think twice. “You will know who the hell I am when we reach the destination.”
He concluded.
We were off
and it was about fifteen minutes drive to the destination where we had been promised
the unknown. Time moved unusually fast in anticipation, fearing the unknown,
but while hoping for the best, we were prepared for the worst. At long last, we
reached the destination. Suddenly, the passengers began alighting from the
vehicle on stopping and at the same time, stage operators came at the doorway
of the vehicle asking if there were passengers heading to other places. As the
passengers were alighting, all eyes were on the rear passenger. On reaching the
doorway, the conductor politely asked why he did what he had done to almost
cause the rest of the passengers not to pay their fares, and that if he didn't have
enough fare or non at all; at least he could have told the conductor, in camera,
and he would have been helped to even travel free of charge.
At that
juncture, one of the stage operators overheard the dialogue and demanded
clarification. “Eh, man, what’s going on here! What are you talking about?
Anything wrong?” He demanded. The conductor began, in a low tone as if groping
for his words, “It is this passenger!” “What about him, tell us now!” The stage
operator asked inquisitively. Directly answering, the conductor pointed
blankly, “He was refusing to pay his fare!” Wow! The operator turned to the
passenger with a slap on the face; another one! Left! Right! Left! Right! “Ooh!
Stop them! They are out to harm me! Help, please, help!” The then rear
passenger lamented, desperately asking for help from us. By all this time I was
still seated with the driver.
I quickly opened
the door and dashed to where the struggle was and asked the stage operator to
stop it; which he did immediately. “How can you board a vehicle and refuse to
pay? Is it your vehicle?” The stage operator posed. “We have to show him, to
avoid a repeat of the same next time!” He went on, and struggling to reach the then
rude passenger. We turned out to be helping him. By this time, he was panicking.
I turned to him and reminded him, “Are you not the one who told us that we
shall know who the hell you are when we reach here? Look now! Can we leave
these people with you here?” Ooh, no, please! These rough men can even kill
me!”
Everybody
bust into laughter. The hunter had become the hunted!
No comments:
Post a Comment