While the bus zoomed through countless streets and highways, constantly bypassing numerous vehicles and pedestrians, the driver, whose expression had been slightly weird for a while, as if he was considering whether to perform a certain action or not, suddenly spoke.
" You're a student, right? " he asked. James needed no information to know he was the one being spoken to.
" Yes, I am sir " James replied. ' Why is he asking? ' he thought.
" You're probably wondering why I am asking right " The bus driver asked.
James was about to reply, but the driver gave him no chance and continued his words. " Are you a fresher? " he asked. He asked a second question without replying to the first.
" Fresher ? " spoke a confused James.
" Ohhhh, you don't know what it means. That means you are indeed a fresher, " he replied, seeing James confused state.
" What's a fresher? " James asked, though he already had an idea.
" A fresher. Well, you have probably watched movies where most colleges globally call students who just got into the university a freshman, but over here, we call such people freshers. There is a saying that first year students are like fresh seeds falling on the ground. Whether they will birth fresh trees or weeds remains unknown " said the driver.
' What kind of proverb is that? How can seeds birth weeds? ' James thought.
The driver sighed and then spoke " Indeed, it's just an illustration, a bit ironic, but not overly. You see, college is a place of wonders. Your actual first step in living your life since there will no longer be your parents or guardian around to tell you what's right and what's wrong, what's good and what's bad. You only have yourself to make such decisions. "
' Is he reading my thoughts or something ' James thought.
" No, I am not. I have just seen a lot, so I understand a lot " he replied.
' Damn it ' muttered James inwardly. ' But his words do make sense '.
" What career do you want to study? " the driver asked James expectantly.
" Mechanical Engineering Sir " replied James, respectfully.
" Mechanical Engineering, hahahaha, that's a good career there " said the driver in laughter.
" What's wrong? " James asked, surprised by his maniac action.
" Hahahaha, don't mind me boy. But what a coincidence, a coincidence indeed. The funny factor is that we actually went for the same career, hahahaha " said the driver while still laughing.
' Went for the same career ? Wait, did he enter college? If so, then what is he doing working as a bus driver? Could it be he is one of those that went to university and got distracted, or maybe he used crooked means to get in at the first place ' numerous thoughts were processed in James' head as he speculated on numerous scenarios that could have led to the driver's situation.
The driver's lively face suddenly turned into a pathetic expression. His eyes grew a deep bearing as he looked at the fleeting road while lost in thought. Thankfully, there were no vehicles nearby or there might have been an accident.
" Should I tell you another secret? " the driver said in a serious tone.
" Go ahead sir " James replied.
" I attended Fuootuoke college too " said the driver.
This revelation shocked James to the core. ' Could it be .,, '.
" Ask your question freely " the driver said to him.
" Could the problem be with the college? " he asked.
" Hahahaha, with the college. Isn't it the same humans that attend other colleges that attend Fuootuoke? " The man replied with an indirect answer.
" Then … " James was about to speak again but hesitated, feeling what he was about to say might come in a rude way.
" I know what you want to ask " the driver helped him out. " But something you should know is that I was the best student in my secondary school, getting admission with more than double the cut-off mark for the career " he added.
" Then why ? " asked James.
" WHY, THEN WHY " he emphasized in sarcasm.
" Well, the answer to your question is that to score a goal doesn't only require bypassing the midfielders. One has to have the will and determination to move on, dribbling even the defenders and then the keeper. If not, all your effort will be in vain " The driver spoke in parables.
" As for me, you could say I lost my zeal after getting to the midfield " he said.
James processed his parables and got an idea of what he meant.
Seeing the flash on James' expression, the driver smiled and asked " You now get it right ? ".
James nodded without saying actual words.
Suddenly, the driver asked " Are you a Christian ".
" Of course " replied James.
" Do you follow the doctrines, or are you just one by name? " the driver asked.
" I follow the doctrines " James replied without hesitation. This was something he needed no further thought about.
" You follow the doctrines, good. My advice to you is that you cling to those doctrines and morals firmly while over there, or you might just become a second me " the driver spoke in wisdom.
James stared at him for a short while, and then asked. " Can I ask a question? " he said.
The driver stared at him in surprise. A smile crept into his lips, and then he replied " Go ahead ".
" Is the profit from the bus driver that bad? " James asked.
" Hahahahahahaha " laughter spilled from the driver's mouth uncontrollably.
" I won't answer that for your own good " he replied.
James' expression went down. " But I could tell you another little secret of mine. "
James' eyes lit up after hearing that. " What is it, sir? " he asked.
"My parents and I haven't seen since then. Do you know why ? " he asked.
James thought deeply for a few seconds before the answer kicked in ' He is ashamed '.
" That's right. So instead of asking me the question you asked, ask yourself whether you want to become like me."