22 Sept 2020
I was sending a parcel of mooncakes that might cheer up a friend who hadn’t been home to Singapore for some time.
The courier company was located in the Big Box Mall which was now deserted as many businesses had closed and vacated.
The island wide safe entry requirements had closed off a number of exits and entrances in the cavernous building. Coupled with a lack of signages, and with the premises boarded all around, I couldn’t tell which was the correct drop off that would lead me to the courier office.
My Grab ride was only $ 7. And for that little sum, the Grab driver drove me around the circumference of Big Box compound 3 times, and once up into the multi-story car park, hoping to find someone who could direct us to the correct door so that I wouldn’t have to walk too much.
“No, no, no! We have to find the right entrance,” he insisted, his hands clutching the steering wheel firmly.
While we were circumambulating the expo-like compound in his car, he told me about the ridiculous lengths he had to cover during his recent medical visit because the usual access routes in the hospital were blocked off for safe entry/ exit purposes.
He didn’t want the same thing to happen to me.
When I pointed out a possible drop off, he kept asking incredulously,”Are you sure?”
Actually I wasn’t sure, but I felt it wasn’t fair of me to use up his time and energy like that.
I had to practically assure him that I would be alright, before he would let me alight. And for a brief moment, I thought I saw him calibrating in his mind if he could defy the rules and drive beyond the barricades just to ease my journey.
May my friend who asked for these mooncakes and gave me the chance to experience such uncommon compassion of a Grab driver be protected in all her journeys overseas.
And may the Grab driver be restored to good health. 🙏
Lisa Ong 