Taxi

3. The way I are

"your car is nice!" the woman Samtou just picked was looking around, with a satisfied look. "It's so clean... Doesn't look at all like a taxi, it's not even branded."

"Thank you, Ma'am!" Samtou proudly said.

"Anyone seeing me in it could think I have a personal car and driver..." she awkwardly laughed.

He simply nodded, and the silence came back. But around five minutes later, it became evident she had something to ask, given the way she glared at him.

"Do you need anything, Ma'am?" Samtou finally asked when the awkwardness became too much.

"Oh... No!" she hesitantly said, then sighed. "Or maybe? It's really stupid, you know! It's okay if you can't... But would you agree to play my personal driver for the evening?"

"You want to book the taxi for the whole evening?"

"That's going to cost a lot, right?" She leaned back into her seat and sighed. "I guess I can't afford the lie..."

Samtou glanced at her through the rearview, and the sad look she had made him curious. He usually didn't meddle into his clients' matters, but couldn't help.

"Can I ask why you need to lie?"

She looked through the window with a sad smile. "It's my highschool class reunion, we're doing it at Radisson Blue Hotel, if that's any indication of how well loaded the others are now. I was not popular back then, so I'm trying to fit in. See, I spent quite some money on this dress, and I even booked a taxi!"

Samtou knew he was crossing the line, but felt the need to speak his mind. That woman's situation reminded him of himself a few years ago, when he used to lie and spend some money he didn't have, just to 'fit in'. All he earned was debts and no real friends.

"I know it's none of my business, but if you have to lie to fit in, then maybe they're not worth it."

She said nothing, and the rest of the ride remained silent. Samtou did think what he said, but felt bad for maybe being too rude.

"If that helps, I can open the car door for you when we arrive, and if you'll take a taxi home, I can come to pick you up when you're done."

She happily nodded, and they proceeded. When she came out of the car, another woman about the same age approached her.

"Elody!" She cheerfully called. "Do you remember me? I used to sit behind you in class!"

Her face lightened as she recognised the other woman. "Aya?"

"The one and only! Look at you, so gorgeous! And you've got a chauffeur? I'm jealous! I couldn't even afford a taxi!"

Aya joyfully laughed, and Elody confusedly looked at her friend, then at Samtou. He simply shrugged and gave her an encouraging smile.

"Actually..." she hesitated for a moment, then giggled. "It's just a taxi. And to be honest, I could barely afford it."

"Oh! It's reassuring to know that I won't be the only commoner there! They're trying to show off by doing it here, but I don't care as long as I can enjoy free food." Awa laughed, and dragged Elody with her towards the entrance.

Samtou returned to his car and left, carried away by Bebe Rexha and Lil Wayne's 'The way I are (Dance with somebody)'.