Tales on Wheels – Disappearing Act
One day, I left my friend’s house close to midnight. I had called an Uber, he had arrived, and I expected that the ride would go smoothly, without traffic, because of the time. About five minutes into the ride, the driver parks the car, winds down, and alights. I’m thinking he wants to check the engine or something like that. Next thing I know, he crosses the road and disappears. I’m confused, but I relax and think “maybe he wants to ease himself.” But ten minutes later, this man is still not back, and I’m on the verge of a full-blown panic. My mind begins to come up with the most awful scenarios, “What if I get attacked? How am I supposed to defend myself? This wasn’t the plan, I’m just a young girl, trying to live life. God please save me!!”
I try calling his number, only for his phone to ring right beside me in the space between the driver and passenger’s seat. “Jesus!” I think, “this man has finished me.” How do you leave a young woman alone on a deserted road at midnight, with the doors unlocked and the windows down? I’m on the verge of shedding tears, and I can’t take the tension anymore, so I start to press the horn, until he eventually comes back. I’m confused, and angry, but I calmly ask him why he left me alone without a word, only for him to say he was hungry and had to go buy food from one Mama Putt in the area…
I didn’t know what to say at this point, he continues the ride and we go home. Nigeria is a very unique place, it’s funny in hindsight, but that was a very unprofessional move. Please, when you’re in an Uber, and your driver does anything strange, question him? Don’t let them take you by surprise, or you might find yourself stranded at midnight and begging God for your life.
