TAXI DRIVER SHARES HIS STORY OF AN ELDERLY SEX WORK AT GEYLANG

I can see she is in a hurry to get a taxi. She looks sick to me as she kept bending down to catch her breathe. Out of curiosity and compassion, I drove forward to this lady and winded down my windows and asked if she needed help. Still catching her breathe, she pleaded to me saying: “Sir, I have $10 on me and I want to go to Indus Rd. Can you help me sir? Please!” She crosses her fingers and did a begging gesture. Based on my experience, the fare from Geylang to Havelock Rd would be around $12-15, it’s not far off the $10. So I thought to myself, why not? So I pick her up.

Along the way, this lady told me about her ordeal tonight. Tonight is her first day back to work here in Lor 16. Due to a fight earlier on in Lor 16, the Police came and raided the area and all the people dispersed. As a result, the lady was unable to get any business tonight. So she is going home. This $10 fare she gave me was the only money she had and she borrowed it from a transvestite sex work.

I asked her did she tried looking for other jobs? She told me she is suffering from Kidney problems and she is too weak to find a job. She could not stand for long hours and could not stay in air con room for long hours too. Providing sex service is the only means of making some money for her. And she was proud that she did not resorted to stealing or begging or even cheating other people. She used her own ability to earn money.

Upon, hearing this, I felt ashamed to have taken her only $10 away from her. I keep my eye sight away from her as I did not want her to see my watery eyes. I know these are tears of both shame and compassion.

I stole glances of this lady by the side of my eyes. She looked worn out, probably due to her life’s experience and her sickness. But she wore a thick makeup and I can tell she tried to look her best. She wore a sexy dress.

From her handbag, the lady pulled out a long sleeves button shirt. She told me to excuse her as she wore the long sleeves shirt over her sexy dress. At this moment, I realized she didn’t wanted her neighbors to see her in the sexy dress. She is staying in a rented flat at Indus Rd.

We reached her destination without incident. She was profuse in thanks for me sending her back. It was at this time, I took her $10 and put it in her hands and told her to take this money and get herself some breakfast. At this moment, I think I saw tears in the lady’s eyes. Just as my own vision started to blur due to my own tears. I hurried her off (as she kept thanking me) I didn’t want her to see me cry for her. For what I know, I am a proud person and would never want other people to cry any tears for me. I think this lady is a warrior in life and she would also feel the way I feels.

As I drove out of the car park, I couldn’t hold my tears any longer and it rolled down my cheek. Deep within me I know I pity the lady. Having to work at an elderly age as a sex worker while having health problem.

I did a good deed tonight. I feel satisfied. And I still have to thank the TD uncle who gave me a free ride about 16 years ago. If not for him, I most probably won’t do this good deed tonight.

If you think my story is inspiring to you, please, try to help out pax who are truthful about not having enough fare for the ride. At least they are honest, do give a helping hand if it’s not too troublesome for you guys.

ps: God works in miracles way. Before I changed shift this morning, I got a CJ for 3 pax going Clark Quay > AMK > Bedok > Newton Rd. Fare was $42.05, pax gave me $50, ktc. Guess it’s the way God said I had been good tonight! 😊😊😊

Source: Paul Chua