Jeepney Ride

It was almost noon when I decided to go to school. My sister had already gone ahead since her class started at nine in the morning. I put my keys in my pocket and left. The sun was hot and I began to sweat as I walked toward the main road. The main road was wide, wider than the streets in my hometown. Large trucks, jeepneys, cars and motorcycles whizzed past me as I stared, trembling.

The road seemed clear enough for me to cross and so I began walking slowly toward the other side. Suddenly, every car, jeepney and motorcycle began to honk their horns at me. The sound irritated my ears and terrified me beyond comprehension. I wanted to run quickly to the other side but I knew that if I did I would be run over by a truck. I held in my breath and continued to walk forward.

I reached the other side of the road and got into a jeepney that would pass by the school. The inside was packed with various people and I wondered if I would be able to sit down. The jeepney began to move as I walked toward the only available space for me. I was grateful to be able to sit although I was gradually slipping off the seat.

The inside of the jeepney was like an oven and everyone inside was sweating like pigs. The woman beside me looked as if a bucket of water and oil had been poured all over her sleeveless shirt. The fabric was sticking on her fat rolls. Suddenly, the jeepney stopped to let another passenger on. Everyone moved to accommodate the passenger and I was squished between the sweaty fat lady and a man who kept sneezing.

I could feel the woman’s sweaty armpits rub on my shoulder, coating it with a layer of yuck. My eyes widened in disgust.  I tried to move away but I was stuck. Suddenly the man beside me sneezed and I saw something fly out of his nose. I turned toward him slightly and flinched.

Hanging on his nose was a string of snot. He made no effort to wipe it off. Instead he held his handkerchief close to his nose and waited for the snot to fall. The jeep began to move faster and I could see the snot moving toward me. I tried to move away and felt the lady’s sweaty armpit against my shoulder once again.

There was no escape. I sat in the jeepney, sobbing inwardly for my misfortune. When I finally arrived at my destination I quickly got off the jeep and rubbed some hand sanitizer on my shoulder. I was shivering as I crossed the road toward the school. I vowed to myself to never ride a jeepney alone. EVER.