Chapter 2 Moon sighed
1294words
She glanced over at the red LED display of her alarm clock. The time flashed "03:00am."
"Good morning, good night book! Thank you for teaching me," she murmured, falling asleep and sinking into the world of dreams. She fell into it, the book's undeciphered mysteries integrated into her plans, as she set the alarm clock for the hour of 5 o'clock.
Wrapped in dreamless sleep, a melodious ringing jerked her back into reality. It was 5 am. Why did mornings have to start like this, she mused, wrenching herself out of the warmth of her covers. Her first waking thought was of the day ahead - a bustling market filled with vibrant colours, fresh aromas, lively voices, and hopefully a miracle or two that would aid her in selling roses.
A quick refresh under icy tap water and a few pieces of clothing to ward off the morning chill sent her hurtling out her apartment door. The still-dark morning hummed with subdued anticipation as Moon approached the nearby bus stop. It wasn't the people who brought this—there were hardly any—but the air of excitement itself.
Regular individuals frequented the bus stop, and she met a group as she approached. Eloquent in their simplicity, clad in humble clothing that fought the morning chill, their faces lit up in greeting. The conversation that followed was as normal as any other mundane morning.
"Aresha!" The middle-aged woman. Both had the same goal—to reach the market before it buzzed with the rest of the town.
"I hope to get a head start, grab as many supplies as possible while they're still fresh! Prices skyrocket by noon!" Aresha replied, gripping her grocery basket.
"Oh, that they do!" friend women, nodding vigorously. She joined in the chatter, the familiarity of the routine comforting.
It was early morning with cool air, and the streets still looked empty. The street lights were still bright. It was a bus making its way toward the stop where I stood along with other silhouetted figures awaiting their ride to various destinations. The bus stopped, its doors parting with a mechanical hiss. As the doors started to open, a moment of suspension engulfed the scene as I and others curiously observed. Strangely, no one alighted from the bus. Undeterred, I boarded it with a motley group of passengers and chose a seat near the window.
I was engulfed in the city's rhythm, the city's pulse beating against the bus window as we trundled further into the heart of the metropolis. The onboard bus attendant, a middle-aged man with a crinkly-eyed smile, recognised several passengers, yet his gaze lingered on one person, an anomaly in the routine. It was me, the unfamiliar face on this well-traveled route.
"Miss, what is your name?" he asked, a trace of curiosity lacing his words. The sound volume around me increased as I realised I was under scrutiny. Was he addressing me? I looked around, thrown off balance. The second inquiry confirmed it.
"Miss, what is your name?" he asked again, pointing at me. Somewhat flustered, I stammered out the reply, "Moon. This bus is headed towards the traditional market, isn't it? I hope I didn't get on the wrong bus."
The attendant's eyes flickered with recognition, "Ah, that is right! And you must be a new resident of the apartment, correct?" His guess left me taken aback. "Yes, I suppose that's true!" I replied, fighting off the slight shock. The attendant nodded sagely, "Well then, Miss Moon, might I suggest you always ask your destination before you board, to avoid landing up somewhere unexpected. It's good practice for public transportation. We do have newcomers sometimes getting lost."
Feeling mild embarrassment creeping in, I mumbled a shy agreement.
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll remember that well. This is my first time on a bus."
A woman beside me, seasoned with years and wisdom, interjected cheerfully.
"No need to blush, dear Moon. My friend and I are headed toward the traditional market, too. We can you accompany. We're familiar with the good, inexpensive vendors around there." Her warmth was contagious, quickly dispelling any lingering relief.
"Thank you, Madam. I appreciate your kindness," I sighed in relief, the edges of curiosity creeping into my mind. "I hope I've brought enough money for the shopping."
Kernet bus said, "Alright, we're ready to hit the road!" He sat beside the driver.
The bus blew its horn twice, and the bus started running. Our journey towards the traditional shopping market began. One peculiar but ultimately ending bus ride introducing the heart and hospitality of the city.
Amidst the seemingly mundane, the city had whispered a tale of hospitality, community spirit, shared spaces, and the kindness of acquaintances born out of shared routes.
In the muffled hum of the city's capsule-like public bus, the driver turned around, his seasoned voice cutting through the clamour of idle chatter and the creaking buzz of the bus engine. "As usual, I beg for your attention for a moment, ladies and gentlemen. Please take good care of your valuables. Thank you," he said with a hastily practised politeness, emphasising the urgency of his message before moving forward to collect the fare.
I took out my wallet and a few bills to pay for the one-way fare. The bus conductor nodded as he collected the money, moving on to the next passenger without a word. His movements had a certain rhythm, almost like an intricate dance: collect, node, move on, repeat.
A middle-aged woman moved from her seat towards mine and smiled friendly as she asked permission to sit beside me. "I'm sorry I spoke to you without myself introducing to you beforehand. My name is Vivian. This is my friend, Aresha," said Vivian, her voice as gentle as her demeanour but inviting intrigue. She pointed towards a woman around the same age who sat nearby, and she reciprocated the introduction with a warm smile and wave.
I returned their smiles, comforted by the unexpected yet pleasant interaction, "No problem, Vivian. It's always nice to meet new faces."
Vivian's eyes roved over me, curiosity gleaming in her brown eyes, "Are you the new occupant of the Rosepion apartment complex?"
Surprised but noticeably intrigued, I nodded, "Yes, that's right! Have we met before?"
Realisation dawned on her face, "Huh, no! We've seen you from a distance. I apologise if it sounds peculiar. Aresha and I didn't mean to intrude. You moved in alone there?"
"Yes, I just came," I replied.
With a gentle voice and expression, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. At that time, Aresha and I saw you moving in. I wanted to help you but didn't want to come across as intrusive. Since we're all neighbours, it feels wrong not to welcome you."
I laughed off the concern. "No problem, Vivian. I moved here with minimal belongings to begin with. There wasn't much to do, except for dusting off the room, clean up and settling down."
Her smile was infectious, and Aresha joined in. Their warm welcome dissolved any anxiety I had previously felt, replacing it with a sense of belonging. As our conversation continued during the commute, I thought, 'What a strange yet charming way to become acquainted with my new neighbours'. That day's bus journey served more purposes than transporting me to traditional markets. It helped me find a new family in the city's moving pulse.
