Taxi rides defined a love life cycle.

It was one of those nights that you discover a complete metaphor from simple things.

When you are from somewhere a bit far and you're looking for a way home, a girl like me would try to ride a somewhat trustworthy-looking R&E cab. After a mile or two you'll notice that the meter is going almost as fast as a shot clock. Things like this happen. A dishonest cab driver cons his way into getting what is probably the last of your good-earned money. And you know you just have to get off that horrible taxi and shove inexact amount of money at that jerk of a driver.

Then you decide that you’re just not up to a taxi ride for the mean time. You’ve just had enough so you settle on riding jeepneys and buses that stop and go in different places and take in other passengers along the way. Some might be nice enough to chat with while some are just nice to look at.

Home is still a bit away and you find yourself tired of riding jeepneys and buses. You get off on the next stop and just wait. A lot of cabs pass by. Some are good enough and some are brand new ones but you’re just not up to raising your hand to call for one. You just stand there waiting. A couple of minutes and one taxi slows down for you. It is ordinary and not well-known. It is not new either and it has some rough edges with signs of experience on the road. The driver asks if you want to get on and where you need to go. You hesitate for a moment but then you get on, anyway.

You never guessed that a taxi that looked that way or any taxi for that matter can play Muse on the radio. That surprise turned into pleasure as it slowly glided into movement.

The driver is polite and asked where to turn before you can even say left, right or straight ahead. He even called you, Maam. You seem pleased and a little more trusting.

When you reached home, the price of the cab ride is just right. The driver is just right. And because it’s hard to find one of these cabs these days, you generously tip the guy. You paid more than the meter required, more than what is asked from you.

The whole process of getting home was tedious but you arrived safe and thankful.

And more grown up…