Cup of Coffee

Cup No. 5

Cup No. 5

The vibration of the train travelled through my feet into my entire body as I tightened my hold to the steel railing that had turned warm under my palm. Strong scent of perfumes mixed with several pungent smell made my nose cringed and my skin tingled. I could not help but sigh internally because of my proximity to other people as my shoulders bumped into them from time to time.

I should have asked my Dad to give me a ride this morning.

Waking up late wasn't part of my plan but Dad's girlfriend was in the house last night and I hadn't seen her for a week. I was also too excited for the preparation of their upcoming wedding this Sunday. It also meant that I would be getting a stepmom but they had been going out for as long as I can remember so I was really attached to my Dad's girlfriend already though I treat her as an older sister more than a mother figure. My Dad proposed two years ago but postponed the wedding until I entered high school but they had to delay it again last year because my brother broke his leg due to an accident.

I covered my mouth with my free hand as I yawned after recalling the events of last night. My eyes watered for a bit and I rubbed it a little when all of the sudden I felt a slight brush against my left leg. I stiffened but I ignored it since it may have been an accident or just a bag that grazed me. Even though I was telling myself that, my instinct was telling me otherwise. I clenched the strap of my backpack and moved forward even though the train car was totally packed. I was nervous and scared but I had only two more stations to go.

I breathed in then glanced towards my left and right. Everyone was busy. The person to my left was talking someone in the phone and the university student into my right had earphones on and turned the volume so high that I could faintly hear the music.

When the train stopped, I considered getting off but it meant that I would be late so I stayed in my spot. There were a few people who got off but there were also a lot of people who got on. The crowd started pushing and I was pressed even more to people. Eventually the crowd finally settled down. I checked my phone and my train pass if it was still in my pockets just because I may have dropped or someone may have picked pocketed it earlier.

This is one of the reasons I hate rush hours. That's why I usually take the early train but today isn't my lucky day.

Once I got quite used to the crowd and almost started forgetting the incident earlier, there it was again, a light touch that was made as if it was just an accident. It sent chills to my spine and goose bumps all over my body. With my heart beating as if it was ready to leap out of my chest, I straightened my skirt and kept my other hand in the back. I silently wished that I had accepted my Dad's girlfriend offer to drive me to school but it was out of her way and she had already promised to pick me up after school.

I wanted to look mature in front of her.

Lost in my bitter regret, a rough and large hand brushed against my hand. It made me flinch and my hand automatically jerked away. Negative thoughts and disgust started flooding inside my head as I held my hand closely together when all of the sudden the train took a curve. I was thrown sideways as it took me by surprised and I was completely unprepared. I was preoccupied with the thought of the molester that I had forgotten the curve. I desperately tried to regain my footing but I was too out of balance and before I crashed into someone, a pair of hands steadied me.

The relief washed over me unconsciously and I was really grateful but when I glanced at 'my savior', my stomach lurched and sunk. It was a man who seemed around thirties and dressed in a dark blue business suit. The inkling feeling was still there and horror must have flooded my face because the man reluctantly yet gently released my air with a strange look on his face. Without saying anything, I looked away and started straightening my school uniform and my hair. I managed to hit someone in the process and it earned me a disapproving scowl.