Episode 8

Time seemed to fly by, and before he knew it, Bara was all set to pick up one of his customers domiciled in a posh residential complex in the city.

This was actually his first time serving this particular customer in his ride-hailing gig. And Bara was committing to memory the name of his female client, who had chosen not to display her profile photo in her account.

She was a young woman, and her name was Arimbi. Bara strived to recall the house number of this woman.

Stepping out of his rented room, it just so happened that Bimo was also exiting his room at the same time and greeted his friend without delay.

"Dude...! What are you looking at? Why so serious? Don’t tell me you’re watching some racy video on your phone." teased Bimo, provoking Bara to lightly hit his friend's shoulder…

"Nuts! Don’t hurl baseless accusations. I’m just memorizing the house number of a customer I’m picking up."

"Oh... where are you picking up this customer? Why do you need to memorize it?”

"Well… because my customer lives in one of the elite housing blocks, block F. Do you know the place?”

"Yeah, I know it. That’s where the city’s successful businesspeople live. Wait! How can anyone from that complex be interested in using a ride-hailing service like yours? Am I hearing this right?”

"Even you are doubtful. What more can I say! I’m also partly incredulous, because from what I’ve heard, every house in that complex has more than ten cars. So why does a resident of such a luxurious complex need the services of a lowly ride-hailer like us?”

"Ha! Don’t be so pessimistic, my friend. Maybe they're tired of driving their cars every day, wanting to experience a motorcycle ride with a handsome ride-hailer like you."

"Ha! You’re right, especially after seeing my super cool profile picture, I’m confident customers would instantly choose my service to transport them.”

"That’s the spirit, buddy. When else could they hitch a ride with a handsome guy like you? Oh, are you heading out now?”

"It seems so, my customer has been contacting me for a while now, so I'll be off, dude. Good luck at work.”

"Definitely! Safe travels, Bara, and remember – don’t speed just to chase down orders."

"Of course. Safety first," replied Bara, flashing a friendly smile as he rode off at a moderate pace.

Having been an official ride-hailer for a month now, Bara had grown accustomed to the ever-changing weather patterns.

Bara had matured; he was no longer the whiny and complainy guy he used to be, thanks in large part to the unyielding support from Bimo.

After almost half an hour's journey, Bara had reached the elite housing complex numbered 5. Once again, Bara double-checked the address on his phone…

After several verifications, it turned out that the client who had booked his services indeed owned the house with number 5.

The residence looked extremely luxurious, bearing a striking resemblance to his father’s house. From outside the fence, one could see several cars lined up in the open garage.

Bara shook his head in wonderment.

"Really! Is one of the owners of this place the person who booked my service? But... it seems impossible." Bara mused skeptically.

Before long, the sound of the gate opening by a security guard resonated from within the grounds of the luxurious house.

"Please, young lady." said the guard to a ravishing woman dressed simply in a mid-length skirt, a shirt, and a pair of loafers…

Bara watched her intently...

"Thank you, sir! I’ll be leaving now,"

"Alright, Miss. Ah, and sir hopes you can stay patient and steadfast. I believe happiness will eventually come your way," the guard said with a somber expression, while the young woman offered a sweet smile.

"Let's hope so, thank you for your prayers," replied the young woman who Bara guessed was named Arimbi.

Moments later, the young woman was standing right beside Bara’s motorcycle, compelling him to clear his thoughts...

"Hey...! Are you the ride-hailer I booked earlier?"

Arimbi inquired of Bara.

"Uh... yes, I’m the ride-hailer you ordered, sorry to have kept you waiting, miss."

"Oh... no problem at all, actually I’m the one who should apologize for being late. Could you please take me to 'Adi Jaya Property' company?"

"Sure, miss... here, please put on this helmet first,"

Bara suggested as he handed over a helmet he had brought. Arimbi accepted it with a polite smile,

To Bara’s embarrassment, he found it difficult to look directly at the beautiful woman’s face.

But as she tried to fasten the helmet’s chin strap overhead, Arimbi struggled to secure it…

"I’m sorry, it seems I can't fasten this strap, could you help me, sir?"

Arimbi asked, her face directly opposite Bara's.

Bara unintentionally met the gorgeous woman’s gaze, becoming captivated by her natural beauty - a complete contrast to the overly made-up night-time women he usually encountered.

Distracted by her intense gaze, Arimbi had to wave her hands in front of Bara to snap him out of his daydream…

"Sir... why are you just standing there, hurry up and help me with the strap!"

"Sir....!"

Arimbi's shout roused Bara from his reverie, and he promptly assisted her with the helmet strap, internally admonishing his silly behavior in front of a beautiful woman…

"Bara... what a fool, I’m so embarrassed. How could I be so enchanted by a client of mine? Usually, I’m immune to the allure of beautiful women, but why am I so smitten with Arimbi, to the point where my heart is pounding so fiercely... could it be love at first sight? Absolutely not, because I’m certain Arimbi would never entertain an ordinary ride-hailer like me,"

Bara thought to himself.

Arimbi offered a coy smile at Bara’s awkward manner, something she found rather common.

"Ride-hailer sir, let's go now. Otherwise, I'll be late for work."

"Right, miss. Please get on the bike,"

Bara replied with a soft tone. And as Arimbi was about to mount the bike,

Suddenly, they both were startled by a car pulling up right next to Bara’s motorcycle...

Bara and Arimbi turned to face the vehicle, from which emerged a scornful, smirking woman.

"Tsk... typical poor pauper, fitting perfectly with a ride-hailer like him. I’m sure this impoverished man is the boyfriend you're so proud of, isn't he, Arimbi? Hurry up and marry him, so I can seize everything you own,"

The woman quipped, startling Bara immensely...

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