Morning Bus Rides

1st Stop-Another Monday Morning

It was one of those lazy Monday mornings when the world woke up  from its weekend reverie. It can be felt in the air as groups of people scrambled to get back to work or school, either dragging their feet or hurrying to get to their transportation rides on time. The looks on their faces were a mixture of weariness and drudgery. It was going to be another long week in the rat race that is life.

A man in a coat and tie made his way through the crowds, maintaining his pace as he tried not to bump into them. He arrived at his usual bus terminal and waited for the usual morning ride to arrive. He was never late for his daily morning trip to work. Unlike most people, he didn't felt lazy going to work this Monday morning. In fact, he looked forward to it. Not for work, but for his morning bus ride.

Leo Stradler eyed his surroundings carefully, as if waiting for someone. He had been this way for quite some time now, since that day she stepped in his bus and stood close to him near his aisle seat. She didn't knew of his existence, but he knew of hers. After that chance encounter, he started to see more and more of her on his way to work. At first, he just dismissed it as one of his innocent, people-watching games he would play whenever he felt bored on his bus ride. But later on, it dawned on him that there's only one person he ever watched out for. That was the random girl who unexpectedly made a dent on his consciousness.

Not that it was love at first sight, but his day felt incomplete without getting to ride with her on that 7:30am bus.

Soon enough, the bus pulled in front of the waiting terminal. Leo joined in with the other commuters who filled up the bus shortly. He happened to get in first, and chose the seat at the back of the driver's near the window. He was thankful that he wouldn't be standing again on the aisle, which meant that it was still early when he left home. 

Just then, Leo felt someone sit next to him. A shoulder brushed against his own, making him snap out of his thoughts. When he glanced to his right, he got the most pleasant surprise of his life that morning. Beside him was Random Bus Girl that he always looked out for.

As the bus drove on, Leo tried not to stare at her noticeably. But he couldn't help but steal glances at her whenever he felt she's not looking. For a while, he got a good look at her face. From her side profile, she had the right kind of eyebrows that framed her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were the shade of brown, her nose narrow, and her small, full, lips had a hint of rose-red lipstick on it.  Her cheeks flushed pink, accentuating her flawless visage. Her shoulder-length auburn hair was pulled in a half-ponytail. Leo also thought she looked good in her outfit today, which was a white blouse with a cream cardigan and an A-line green skirt. Open-toed sandals completed her ensemble and she carried two books and a handbag with her. She appeared to be a college student in her late teens to early twenties.  Leo noted that he never saw her in jeans or pants, but always in a knee-length skirt or dress.

Leo smiled delightfully at the thought of the pretty sight sitting next to him this morning. He secretly hoped that she wouldn't board down the bus yet.

But it happened all too soon. The bus instantly stopped near a university terminal, and some student passengers stood up and went down, along with the girl who sat next to him. Leo felt disappointed that he didn't had the courage to make small talk with her earlier. He watched her depart, the bus doors closing at an end as the journey continued.

I should have talked to her, he thought sadly. That was his chance, but he let it go. Leo could only glance down at his feet.

He then noticed something golden and shiny to his right. Leo bent down and picked it up. It was a thin gold bracelet, its clasp broken. It must have belonged to her.

Leo thought of asking the bus to stop and go down to the university. But then he thought that it can be such a large place; where would he look for her there? Disheartened, he could only look at the broken bracelet in his hand. The thought of her bothered him all day long. 

He must return it to her tomorrow. If ever that happened, he must have the courage to talk to her. This time, there would be no more turning back, if ever there would be a next time.

(To be continued)

Dedicated to Bertang_Badtrip. She's one of my motivation to put up an English story here. Go check out her work, "Beauty and Madness".