Bloody racist! That’s racism! Phrases I thought people just enjoyed saying, maybe for the thrill of it or the need to just include it in their sentences regardless of its inapplicability. This made me perceive it (racism) as an overused term until the Saturday I was to return to Newcastle.
I had spent a week in Aberdeen and now it was time to head back to home. The bus plan was Aberdeen to Newcastle through Edinburgh and I was excited; it was at minimum expense, well compared to a flight ticket, and comfortable as well. Why spend money, right? I also got to have a feel of Edinburgh for the few hours it took my bus to arrive.
The officials collected my ticket and then I thought to myself, “This should be fun”. Little did I know the experience I was in for. I got on the bus, hunted for a perfect seat by a window, put my hand luggage in the overhead compartment, earpiece in. I was ready. Other passengers of various physical characteristics (old, young, short, tall, slim, gay- not to judge) all boarded the bus but they all had one thing in common- Race.
I always find the Caucasian descents with their whole “physical features thing” and light skin pigmentation somewhat interesting until I realized I was the only nigger on board. That would have meant nothing though, I mean it’s not like I was in Africa or something but the fact that I had no seatmate while every other person paired up was disturbing. Disturbing but amusing. At least I had to let myself believe that, I wasn’t about to let that get to me one bit. It’s just a seat right? Besides that is nothing compared to what the likes of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie scribble in their books pertaining racism.
At this time, my earpiece was out. Conversations were going down- the elderly talking about the weather, young girls getting ready for the summer sales, kids laughing and eating rather loudly, love birds who couldn’t just wait to get a room, and delinquents doing their “thing”. It was like they wanted me to hear them talk. Very coherent I might add. How nice. Now I knew better than to remove my earpiece, it became my most prized possession. My precious. I made it a habit to check that the volume of my cellphone was turned up to the maximum throughout the ride. Music for the soul as they say.
After a while the bus seemed quiet. Mostly murmurs now. I just needed to get some sleep and when it finally came, I embraced it with open arms. I was jolted forward when the bus stopped suddenly. We had finally arrived, the trip honestly took forever. I could sight my uncle by his car parked at the other side of the street waving at me. I heaved a sigh of relief and said to myself, “finally”, if you know what I mean. A wry smile was across my face and then I waved back. Everyone got down and found the way to their respective final destinations. Well, at least one of us was cheerful… ☺
Awesome..
I admire the way you beautifully craft words and sentences together, which tells me that you can also have a thicker content.