One thing I dislike about taking the frontseat is having to answer questions from cab drivers that run like these in most popular but annoying order:

1. Miss, pwede kayo magdagdag ng trenta sa metro? Kasi sobrang trapik ho. (Can you add P30 more to the fare? Traffic is bad.)

2. May boyfriend ka na? (Do you have a boyfriend?)

3. Bakit di ka pa nag-aasawa? (Why aren’t you married yet?)

4. Ilang taon ka na? (How old are you?)

5. Saan ka nagtratrabaho? (Where do you work?)

Cab drivers are one of the most inquisitive of God’s creatures. And I happen to be a good storyteller. I am more likely to answer questions about my status and age rather than meter rate issues that might get me to prison for homicide in no time.

Now I was a passenger of Driver 390. Apparently, he turned out to be a nice guy who observed good grooming and tried to trap me with questions he probably got from DZRH radio drama series. Since the cab he was driving has good air-condition and fair taxi meter, I was in good mood to answer them with at least 90% truths.

Q: May boyfriend ka na? (Do you have a boyfriend?)
A: Meron na. (I have.)

Q: Bakit di ka pa nag-aasawa? (Why aren’t you married yet?)
A: Huh? Asawa ko yung boyfriend ko. (My husband is my boyfriend.)

Q. Nasaan siya? (Where is he?)
A: Er, nasa esteyts. (He’s in the United States.)

Q: May mga anak na kayo? (You have children?)
A: Gagawa pa. (We will make some.)

Q: Ilang taon ka na? (How old are you?)
A: Secret.

Q: Saan ka nagtratrabaho? (Where do you work?)
A: Sa Roxas Blvd. (In Roxas Blvd)

Q: Pwede ba ako dumalaw mamayang hapon? Ihatid kita pag-uwi. (Can I see you this afternoon? I’ll drive you home.)
A: Sige, nakatira ako sa Cainta. (Okay, I live in Cainta, Rizal.)

When I reached the office, I thanked him with a P2.50 tip. I promise to wear a ring next time, even if it’s a Hello Kitty or Kerokeropi.

The last time I encountered a real cute cab driver we almost got hit by a speeding van along Quirino Avenue corner Adriatico.