the driver

Since I had shifted to a new place last weekend, I was not really sure which route my cab driver would follow. Thanks to the organisation I work for, that cabs are provided to-and-fro from the workplace.
Yesterday, being the first day that I was being dropped by the cab to my new place, my drop was clubbed with two other guys from my department. It was a weird combo, the three of us, since each of us have our houses at opposite corners of the city and to top it all, I was the last one on the drop list.
The ride began half an hour later than the scheduled time and we were in no mood for any compromises with the driver at the end of the day. After a little cribbing, we were on our way to our destination.
Small talks kept going on just to cover up the silence. The first drop was quite far..infact too far, the second one was a huge relief since my drop would be next. After my colleague got out of the car, I was slightly paranoid since I was there in the cab alone at 9pm in this huge city with only the driver beside me. The driver must have noticed it and he began small talk complaining about how unfair it was for me that my drop was clubbed with the other two. Then he proceeded on to say how some people are unreasonable enough to leave their colleagues even if they are only two minutes late than the scheduled pick-up time. The he asked me a funny question.."Do everyone at my place speak perfect English..?"I said.."Well, not everyone..." He was amazed and then he said something really inspiring.."Madam, had I had a chance to learn the language, I would speak fluently within 15 days." I told him that whenever I get a drop in his cab, I'll speak english with him..to which he just smiled.
Our conversation about language, the people of the city went on.. When I asked him how he charged his bill, and what about the owner of the car...to which he proudly said, "This is my car.." I wish everyone could see the change of tone in his voice and the glow on his face.
That instant, the driver showed me a ray of light.
He dropped me at my place after 2 hours....safely...each of us gaining a whole new respect...