The Ancient Car That Thought It Still Could

"Was that your sister?" he asked almost as soon as I plopped down the seat.

"Yes," I answered brusquely, hoping to discourage further conversation. I asked him to step on it as I was running really, really late for work.

Almost as if he hadn’t heard my semi-unfriendly response, he pelted me with questions. "How old are you? Are you married? Oh, and do you have a child? Where does your husband work?"

A part of me wanted to shush him up but the part that talks and makes judgment calls noted the heavily wrinkled face and gnarled hands, and figured this cabbie is probably just a lonely old man dying for conversation. So, I answered him while I busied myself trying to semi-scratch my face. My skin asthma attacks in tandem with my allergic rhinitis, and I was already wishing the workday would end even before it could start for me.

"I used to work in South Africa," he narrated in rapid-fire English. "I earned P150,000 a month. I used the money to start a taxi business. I now have 20 units, but I like to drive, too, because it helps me meet beautiful girls. Maka-jer-jer intawn ko’g batan-on tungod aning taxi-ha. I have a girlfriend, taga Talisay, 26 years old. She works for a call center. I fetch her from work. Likod sa ilang balay naa’y short-time-manan. Didto ko mabuntagan."

I felt my face burn with embarassment. "Doesn’t your wife mind?"

"She’s in Japan with my daughter. My daughter married a Japanese doctor. My wife will be home by July. She might mind by then. Sayo ko nagminyo, day. Disi-otso. Pero wa koy mahay kay karong dagku na akong mga anak, libre na ko maglingaw-lingaw bisan sa unsang pama-agi nako gusto, Ikaw, day? Asa diay imong bana?"

"He’s here in Cebu with me."

"Ah, maayo. Pirmi diay ka matambalan. Pirmi ma-change oil ba."

I cringe, and kept mum while he jabbered away. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before we reached my building. I handed him my fare. He waved it away. "No, I don’t need the money. I drive so I can talk to pretty little things like you. You can give me your number if you want."

I got out of the cab, feeling amused, appalled, and molested at the same time. He looked older than my lolo.