Drive-Thru

Stuck in Traffic

You see their faces every morning. Their eyes were usually deep and tightly shut, as if they were trying really hard to sleep. Soon you'll see them loosen up, finally able to rest for a while. Some had their mouths open, worse was when a sound comes out of their mouth.

You see their faces in the morning. Just to be on time, they would sacrifice their mornings. A lot of people would endure standing up for two hours, losing the time to sleep, even more tired as they go to work, even more drained as usual. You see their faces and yet, you wonder, how could they do this everyday?

For whom?

You see their faces in the morning. You see their worn out faces, the once pressed clothes now etched with marks from the crowd. You see them counting their money as the conductor comes to get their fee.

And the weather doesn't help, either. On some week, when the forecast told to expect light rainfall, you see their faces crease as the water drops, stronger and stronger, the usual contradiction of the weather. Soon you'll see their shoes soaked. Some practical people wore slippers, tucked the cuffs of their pants upward, expecting the situation beforehand. And they will be wet, and you will too. Either from the strong outbursts of wind, the droplets from the umbrella, the cursed flood... the list goes on and on and on.

The traffic makes everything worse. It was as if they were made to suffer everyday. And the choices weren't looking too good for them. They could endure the traffic, or force themselves to the crowd inside the train, or pay higher for a Grab car.

And you wonder, where is happiness in these miserable situation?

You struggle to find a single smiling face on these trips. Even you yourself couldn't form the slimmest curve when you experience this. It was hard. So hard to keep a positive outlook on this.

Where do these pay-off?

And then you start to answer these questions yourself.

Imagine the look of your family once the head of the family had the cash on hand. They would be able to treat their family on a simple restaurant. It doesn't matter whether it's a simple bucket of Chickenjoy or a box of Mr. Mappy pizza. You brought something, and that's all to celebrate.

Imagine the look of the parents once their children start to give back to them. Even just a small portion, as long as they could give something, they would think that they did the right choice. Somehow, the weight they're carrying lessen.

Imagine when a person could finally take their special someone outside. Whether out on a museum, out of town, or a movie date. The look on the face of their special someone lightens what a person carries. It was all worth it, so to speak.

Imagine a lot of things in return for their sacrifice everyday.

You see their faces every morning and think, these will be for a better future.