Taking a taxi today isn’t seen as a luxury but a quick and affordable way to get around. With apps, ordering a ride has never been easier. Every day, many people get into cabs, trusting the driver. And sometimes, even a short trip can turn into a surprise.

When I was 18, I called a taxi late one night. The whole ride, the driver kept staring at me in the rearview mirror. When we got to my stop, I told him to pull over, but he drove past it. I panicked and yelled, “Stop the car!” He slammed the brakes, then slowly turned around with a cheeky smile and said, “I was just testing your patience!”

I blinked, confused. “Testing my patience?”

“Yep,” he said, smiling. “If you can handle this, you can handle anything!” Then he pulled out a small trophy from under his seat that said, “Best Passenger Award.” I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head in disbelief.