DISTURBING

IRREGULARITY

When I was just 9 years old, I went to the city downtown area with my mother. We were intending to buy Christmas gifts for the family. We decided to go by bus. The bus station was packed. People in crowds competed to fill vehicle spots. Some people were left behind waiting for the next vehicle to try to get a seat.

Our bus finally arrived. Everyone ran and crowded at the bus door, squeezing to get inside. The commotion caused me to accidentally lose my mother of sight. The bus left and she did not make it in.

I was very scared. It was my first time riding a bus alone in the big city. Those strange looks scared me. My head was racing. My heart was pounding and my eyes were jumping from side to side looking for familiarity in the streets we passed. My little hands were sweating. A lady came up and asked,

'' All right there, little one ?! ''

I replied with a smile, I didn't want to seem helpless. I had heard scary stories from the city.

Another man started to look at me with a malicious look. I was terrified. I got off three stops later, not knowing where I was. It was a part of the city I had definetaly never seen before.

I got off the bus still in the crowd that had come down beside me. I walked over to the bus platform across the street. I couldn't contain the tears.

A man standing on his back turned and saw me crying.

'' Are you all right? '' - he asked

'' My mom... I... got lost '' - I said cleaning my tears.

The man looked at me puzzled. He took a step back, tilting his head in disbelief. His reaction seemed more exaggerated than I expected.

His eyes flashed. He frowned, crouching at my height. He looked into my eyes.

'' Don't be afraid! '' - he said looking with wide eyes and furrowed brows, but with a steady and calm voice.

'' I know who your mother is ... I know where to find her! '' - He stood up and held out his hand.

I felt I should trust him. I left him take me to the opposite side of the same platform we were on. Sometimes he would look down at me with a friendly smile.

A bus approached. He then stopped and said.

'' Here, she will be on that bus... get on it '' - He was standing next to me.

When the bus opened the door I ran inside. The man watched everything from the platform.

''Mother!? mom!? '' I got on the bus asking.

'' Son! '' My mom responded from behind some people. She ran towards me and hugged me.

The bus started to move, closing its doors. As the vehicle moved I realized that the man was still standing at the station. He had a comforting smile on his face. All I did was ask myself ... how?

Today, 25 years later. I was going to work this morning. I Decide to go by bus. As I stood there, fiddling with my distracted cell phone, I could hear a whimper behind me. I noticed that there was a little boy scared and sobbing.

I asked if everything was okay with him. He told me that he had lost his mother. I looked more carefully.

I couldn't believe it when I looked at him cautiously. He wore the same clothes, he had the same look ... I knew him.

I looked around. I crouched down towards him. My eyes filled with tears. After that, I already knew what to do.

Like many of us, I believed that time was linear. Divided into past, present and future. But he plays tricks on us. It has a life of its own and it is irregular for each one of us.