“I’ve been driving this cab for 35 years now. I’m old, but I still have to support myself. Over the years there have been so many experiences — I’ve seen the best and worst of this city. Sometimes, people like you will talk to me, atleast make me feel human and then there are others who come and scream at me because they’re in a hurry and there’s too much traffic.

A few years ago, at around 12:30 am one night, I noticed a young girl, not over 25 walking from the bus stop, possibly towards her home. It was one of those dingy lanes where there aren’t a lot of people. I noticed her, because she looked very anxious and when I looked behind her I saw these 2-3 drunk fellows whistling, and calling her names. They then began to actively chase her and I was still across the street — so as a reflex I decided to start honking continuously. The noise created enough alarm, because they were startled and immediately ran away in the other direction. I crossed over, and told that girl that I would drop her home — she was so terrified, she had gone completely pale. We drove in silence for those 2-3 minutes….her house was just around the corner, but when she stepped outside, she caught both my hands, started weeping and thanked me over and over again. Even though I said it’s okay and that I would have done it for anyone, she insisted that I wait outside while she went in to get something. She came out with a tin of rasgullas and told me to take them home to my family — I thanked her and left. I barely knew her for 10 minutes, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night.”