On a busy morning, I found myself in a rush of activity as I prepared for my trip to Dhulikhel. Fumbling through my belongings, I felt the pressure of time as my classes were starting at 9 and the clock already read 7. Despite the chaos, I pushed myself to gather all the necessary items and double-check everything. Feeling a sense of relief, I decided to opt for a ride-sharing app called inDrive to make it to Koteshwor and from there I could take a bus.
As I received the ride request from a female rider, a wave of mixed emotions engulfed me. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, one that strangely brought back memories of my very first ride. That ride had taken place during my 12th boards amidst the Covid pandemic, and it was an experience I will never forget. The rider was clearly reckless, driving at breakneck speeds that a normal person would never reach. I remember feeling a surge of adrenaline as the bike leaned at an acute angle on the road, and the wind whipped through my hair with relentless fury. At that moment, exams were the last thing on my mind, I just wanted to reach college safely. Despite my fears and doubts, I couldn’t bring myself to ask the rider to slow down. Maybe I was too scared as it was my first. Anyways, looking back, I realized that it was a missed opportunity to prioritize my safety and well-being.
Fast forward to today, after four years of being a regular customer and exploring various ride-sharing options, I received a ride request from a female rider for the first time. I accepted the request and began actively seeking out female drivers while waiting for her. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were quite a few, I wondered how I didn’t notice them until today. As I waited patiently for my ride, I noticed on the app that the rider was heading toward a different location. Despite it being late for my classes and having already waited for 10 minutes, I thought of taking another ride. But I didn’t want to miss out on the experience of riding with a female rider. So, I called her several times to inform her of my correct location, and finally, after a couple of minutes, she arrived. I got on the back of the bike, and we started our journey to Koteshwor.
It indeed was a comfortable ride, but also a memorable one. In the end, I gave her a rating of 5 stars, even though she was quite late. For me, it was more important to support her efforts than to let a minor inconvenience get in the way. While I acknowledge that everyone may have a different approach to the situation, for me, supporting such endeavors is a priority. It isn’t every day that you get to see a woman in a heavily male-dominated profession.
This experience was truly unforgettable and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Happy Women’s Day!
