Another ride on my so called…

M. R. T.

I walk out of my room, thinking this day is same as yesterday;

A simple routine I have been adhering to for the past month or so.

I rode the bus like I always do,

Then stop where a jeepney is due.

I hail a jeep and call it to halt as I see the station,

The long line I see, yes it gives me frustration.

I wait for my turn, ‘til finally I bought a ticket.

I received it, swiped it and kept it in my pocket.

Ah… another test for my patience,

As I wait for the train in silence…

‘tik tak, tik tak, finally it had come.

I rushed inside then sat in calm.

I turned my head towards the chatting of the crowd,

I suffered a head ache because the voices were so proud.

So much chattering… ah! Just too much noise

Yes, yes perhaps I am loosing my poise.

From the third station, came a pregnant woman.

No one cared, no one looked.

Most men were sitting but they were comfortably sleeping.

Perhaps they simply did not see.

“Damn all excuses. Men should get pregnant someday.

Well, I will definitely wish for that day.”

This is far more stressful than I thought.

I stood in silence and gave her my seat.

She was hesitant at first but I insisted.

She sat in silence, hopefully comforted.

From the fourth station, came murmurs

Young students talking about their tutors,

More people came inside, some talking

Some heartily laughing…

All the noises aggravated my aching.

The train began to moved,

With a painful head my balanced shoved.

I almost fell off balance

but someone grabbed me by the shoulder.

This stranger steadied me. As if I can lean on a boulder.

He stood a foot taller than I am,

His sun kissed skin did turn out to be a boon.

-Because from where I was standing I see him as a man.

I mumbled a ‘thanks’, though I doubted if he heard.

My gratitude was indeed perhaps blown away

by whatever tune his i-pad was playing.

I gave out a soft sigh and hold onto the railing.

My thoughts were once again focused

on the reading class I have to attend to.

When I reached the penultimate station

I realized this was my destination.

Hmn... The man was no longer insight,

He had probably stepped out when

I was busy with my fright.

----

I followed the same routine the following day,

But I was not lucky as yesterday.

All the seats were taken, to my dismay.

I hold on to the post, think about the bills I have to pay.

A finger interrupted with my computation,

The finger was pointing at a vacated position.

I smiled to myself and said ‘thanks’.

However, the person was no longer looking at me.

And the only profile I see

was a side view of his sun kissed faced

and that familiar headset again.

I remain seated as the third to the last station said its call.

My eyes followed this man as he walked out tall.

---

Now, now even in weekends I still have to commute,

I ride the bus and the jeepney too… it was not cute!

I fell in line, swiped the card and keep it in my purse.

I have been waiting impatiently, I almost slipped a curse.

At last! The train came, heaven you are kind!

I walk inside but someone bumped me from behind.

Damn, my purse just fell on the floor.

Worse, someone kicked it towards the opposite door.

At the same moment, people keep rushing…

I can no longer see where the wicked purse was in…

until I feel a soft tug on the tip of my short hair.

There just on my right, the sun kissed man handed me my pouch

I took it from his hand. I almost whispered my appreciation.

However, I doubted if he would hear such gratification,

his earphones blocked his ears.

Thus I hesitated and simply stared blankly on the floor.

I felt him smiling and all of a sudden he uttered,

“You’re welcome.”

It caught me off guard, my brows raised unconsciously

I was about to say something, but can not think of any.

The conductor announced the name of the station,

and he was gone almost immediately.

---

At last, the review had ended. I can finally go home and rest.

As the door of the train open, I felt at ease.

Only few people come during this late night,

And of course I am right!

It is kind of peculiar though… because although there were vacant seats.

Someone is still standing, leaning on the post.

Standing a foot taller than I am, eyes smiling as if… looking at me?

Well sooner or later we will see,

-Where this Mooned Romance on Train is headed to be.