The Jeepney Ride

It was a quiet evening as Maria boarded the jeepney, heading back to her dorm after a long day of classes. She was the only passenger, and the familiar hum of the engine was almost soothing. The driver, an elderly man with a kind face, greeted her with a nod.

As the jeepney trundled along the usual route, Maria relaxed, watching the city lights blur past. But suddenly, she noticed the driver taking an unexpected turn. Confused, she leaned forward and said, “Manong, hindi po ata tama ang daan natin papunta sa dorm ko…” (Sir, I think we’re not on the right path to my dorm…)

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he adjusted the steering wheel and returned to the correct route. Maria felt a wave of relief wash over her and settled back into her seat.

A few minutes later, the jeepney came to a stop in front of her dorm. Maria gathered her things, ready to step out, but the driver called out to her, his voice low and serious.

“Ineng, pagpasok mo sa loob ng dorm mo, hubarin mo agad yang suot mo ngayon at kung maaari ay sunugin mo na rin pati. Napansin mo ba na iniba ko talaga ang ruta ng daan natin kanina, kasi pagtingin ko sayo sa salamin ay wala kang ulo…” (Young lady, when you get inside your dorm, take off what you’re wearing immediately and if possible, burn it too. Did you notice that I changed our route earlier? Because when I looked at you in the mirror, you had no head…)

Maria’s heart pounded in her chest as fear gripped her. She quickly thanked the driver, her voice trembling, and hurried into her dorm. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed to her room, desperate to rid herself of the clothes she was wearing.

Inside the safety of her dorm, Maria couldn’t shake the driver’s words from her mind. She followed his advice, hoping to dispel the terror that had taken hold of her. As she sat on her bed, trying to calm her racing heart, she couldn’t help but wonder about the strange and eerie encounter she had just experienced.