Shengliver’s Note: To be or not to be, that is the question.

 

Last weekend I got on a No 16 bus to come back to school. Luckily one of my best friends, Susan, happened to be on board. After exchanging pleasantries, we chatted along.

All of a sudden, a rude voice put a stop to our conversation. It was the driver cursing from the front, “Oh, what the fuck are you doing there? Get out and throw up off the bus!”

He was swearing at an aged passenger, who was vomiting next to the bus exit. Obviously, the old guy was bus sick.

The elderly man responded feebly, “Oh I’m terribly sorry, driver. I did not mean to do it. Please do not drive me off. I have to go back home. My folks are waiting for me to see to some urgent matters.”

Glaring at him, the driver insisted that he get off right away. The old man looked around the bus. I guessed that he was hoping someone would stand out and give him some support. However, the passengers around him, who did not take his side, all stepped back and turned a blind eye to everything.

I had no idea how to react to the situation. “What should I do? How could I help him? If I helped him, I would …” It seemed as if thousands of insects were buzzing in my head. I turned to my friend for help, but she was looking away out of the window. Following the herd, Susan chose to ignore what was going on, too.

While I was struggling for a choice, the exit opened and the helpless man got off. Looking at his back, I rued my indecision.

These days whenever the bus scene pops up in my mind’s eye, my stomach knots. It never fails to drive me nuts. I feel a bit better now that I have shared it with you, Shengliver.