A Rider’s Day: Sweat, Struggles, and Small Gestures | Passion Projects | Education | 57438

The sun was already climbing high by the time my shift began, the kind of September heat that clings to your skin and makes even the slightest breeze feel like a blessing. I had fuelled myself the way I usually do before a session: bread mixed with egg, two sachets of Brazilian Coffee in 250ml hot water, and a banana. A rider’s fuel is never glamorous, but it’s enough to keep the pedals turning and the body steady through the chaos of the streets.

At 12:15 PM, I clipped in and rolled out for the afternoon’s ride.

Order 1 – Degchi Bari, Golphar

The first order came from Degchi Bari at Golphar. Smooth pickup, steady ride, and a customer who greeted me warmly. His bill was ৳448.70, but he handed me ৳450. A tiny gesture—just ৳1.30 more—yet it always feels like a nod of respect, like the customer values the effort behind the delivery. That first order set the tone for the afternoon.

Orders 2–4 – 7 Dayz

Not long after, the rhythm of the day picked up. I received three consecutive orders from 7 Dayz.

• The first one was online paid, quick and easy.

• The second customer’s bill was ৳442.50, but he only gave me ৳440. Technically, it was short, but I let it pass. Sometimes people just round things their way.

• The third customer’s bill was ৳567.05, and he handed me ৳600. I returned his change, but once again, I noticed the quiet kindness in these little exchanges. Even when customers don’t say much, the way they handle the bill tells a story of their own.

Order 5 – Hotel Zaman & Biryani House, GEC

Next stop was Hotel Zaman & Biryani House at GEC. The customer settled the bill exactly—৳285. By then, I could already feel the heat pressing against me, the city’s traffic like a furnace, but my legs kept steady on the pedals.

Order 6 – The Pizza Co., Khushi

From there, the ping sent me to The Pizza Co. at Khushi. This one was online paid—no cash, no change, just a handover and back to the road. A relief sometimes, to not juggle notes and coins under the sun.

Orders 7–9 – Another Round of 7 Dayz

Then came another series of three orders from 7 Dayz.

• The first one was again online paid.

• The second customer’s bill was ৳396.75, but she gave me ৳400. That little ৳3.25 tip may not sound much, but for me it’s a reminder: someone thought of me in that moment, even briefly.

• The third order, however, became the highlight of the day.

His bill was ৳237, and he gave me ৳550. I was supposed to return ৳300 rest ৳13 was tip, but I mistakenly handed him ৳400 instead. I only realized after he left. My heart sank. For a rider, even a small financial slip feels heavy, because every taka counts.

But what happened next was beyond ordinary. When the customer checked his wallet, he noticed the extra money. Instead of keeping quiet, he tried to contact Foodpanda to get my number. Company policy didn’t allow it. Still, his determination didn’t stop there. He went on Facebook, searched my name, and messaged me—at first unsure, asking: “Are you the Foodpanda rider who delivered from 7 Dayz to my location?”

I admitted it was me. He then explained he wanted to return the money. Later, he sent it back to me via bKash. He said something that struck deep: “It’s not a big amount, but I know how much difficulty a rider faces delivering food in this heat.”

That honesty, that kindness—it wasn’t just about the money. It was about respect. Not everyone would go through the trouble he did, but he did it anyway. In the middle of all the rush, his gesture felt like shade under a scorching sun.

Order 10 – Momos by 7 Dayz

The final order of the session came from Momos by 7 Dayz. The customer’s bill was ৳472.30, but he gave me ৳470. A slight shortfall, but by then my heart was still full from the earlier kindness.

Evening Reflection

By 5:30 PM, my delivery session came to an end. The legs were tired, my shirt clung to me with sweat, but my spirit felt steady.

When I returned home, I ate a simple meal: rice with egg, felon lentil, a banana with bread, and sweetened yogurt. Nothing fancy, just the kind of food that refuels both body and soul.

But what lingered wasn’t the food or the fatigue—it was the human moments:

• The customer who tipped ৳30 extra without saying a word.

• The customer who searched me out, not to complain, but to return money I mistakenly gave.

These are reminders that kindness exists in small pockets everywhere, even in the chaos of delivery life. A rider’s journey is not just about moving food from kitchen to doorstep—it’s about crossing paths with people, some indifferent, some generous, and a few who remind you that honesty and humanity are still alive.

And so, September 14th, 2025, wasn’t just another delivery shift. It was a story of sweat, wheels, and kindness carried across the streets of Chattogram.