Unlikely Angel in Disguise
by Azmi Samdjaga in Mind+Body+Spirit | 1 Comment | Add your comment

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In all the 4 and half years that I have lived in KL I have never been fond of taking a taxi. With many of them being obnoxious, I thought taxis here would be the death of me. Not just because The Guardian (A brilliant UK newspaper) said they are the worst in the world but also because of real life accounts. They have caused me a lot of stress, money, not to mention time and frustrations. I sometimes let anger get the better of me for their not showing up, making me late, asking for too much money and not wanting to go where they are told to.

However, last night, because of this one particular taxi driver, the experience made me see them and people in general in a better light.

Last night I was watching a movie, Eclipse – The Twilight Saga, which I thought was fantastic (some might disagree) and I didn’t realize how late it was until I came out of the cinema. I had to leave Ida, a friend who was with me, quickly as I was rushing for the monorail. I was dead broke and that was the only way back home. So it was quite enlightening to see that the Bukit Bintang Monorail was still operating at 11.45 pm. One came at 11.55 pm and I finally arrived at KL Central Station at 12.15 am to catch the LRT to the Taman Bahagia station near my house. After walking 5 minutes in the dark towards the station, I turned cold to find that the LRT has stopped operations!! I was stunned. I only had RM6 in my wallet and was very sure no cab would take me anywhere at midnight for that amount let alone 20 KM away to Damansara Perdana!!

I called Dean (my ‘bro’, a term you used for a close friend here) and told him about my situation and that I didn’t know how to get home (Walking 20km DID cross my mind). I tried sms-ing friends but none replied (They must be sleeping I guess, as everyone should at that time). My dad, who was staying with me temporarily was worried but couldn’t offer a solution. Neither Dean nor my dad had any money. So I just sat outside next to the taxi stand to try and figure out what to do.

That was when this Malay taxi driver came and asked me if I had a lighter for his cigarette. I pulled one out of my pocket and told him that he could have it. He took it, lighted his cigarette but returned it to me accompanied with a smile.

He said he was waiting for his regular passenger. Then sat next to me and started to talk about his gambling-addict friend who has been giving him shit the whole day. I told him about someone I knew just like that and how my late uncle had helped him. Then he began telling me a story about having the paranormal and black magic’s help on people like gamblers (Not the topic I prefer in a conversation). We also shared stories about our families, moms and dads. He had lost both parents and advised me against doing anything that would oppose my late mom’s wish as she would always be watching.

He also talked about how he was not able to be there when both of his parents died as he was too proud to face his estranged brother whom he had a bad relation with. He asked me about my family relations, what I did, where I’m from. So after a while, he told me that I seemed like a good kid (KID?!!!), and after learning about the RM6 in my wallet and his passenger not turning up, offered to take me home PRO BONO!!! (He lived 20 miles on the other direction, in Cheras)! I didn’t know what to say except to thank him.

I looked up the stars and counted my blessings. Boy I have many.

In the taxi, we continued talking about our families and life in general. He said that I had made the right choice by deciding to take care of my dad. He also applauded my move for bringing dad here to live with me. He asked me to appreciate my dad while he is still around.

We arrived at my block at around 1.15 am. As I stepped out of his cab, he said to me, “Jaga ayah baik-baik, dik.” (Take care of your dad, bro). I smiled and waved good night.

I am still bamboozled about my whole experience and I regret my not asking for his number and offering to pay him back. I was too dumbfounded about my luck and so puzzled that I even missed in taking his taxi number down! All I remember was that he came in a yellow RADIO taxi, which had a sticker on the window that says, “Welcome – Jemput Naik.” .

~~~ About the contributor ~~~

If passion is what keeps a person alive, then Yoga is his life. Azmi Samdjaga has been one of the strong and well sought after teacher in the Yoga industry having taught in countries like Indonesia, Singapore and Japan. With over a decade of experience and studying under yoga legends such as the late Sri Pattabhi Jois, Matthew Sweeney, Lance Schuler and Louisa Sears, Azmi has converged his expertise that he acquired and brought it to the heart of his practice. An Ashtangi by training and a background in dance and massage, Azmi often shares the grace of his practice in the classes he teaches.

Groomed to be an Architect in school, Azmi changed his course of life and found his calling in teaching after he experienced a great shift in his life during his training in India. He is known for bringing his passion in his classes, creating a close bond with his students which, have built a yoga following that, has grown in numbers throughout the years. Up till today he has students who have been practicing with him since the day he started teaching. The greatest thing that he loves about Yoga is that it has helped him through difficult times in his life. He believes that yoga only works best when you apply it to your life.

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