The Train

"Train bound for... Please mind the gap."

The train PA system blares as I hurriedly dash to the next available seat. To my left is a young woman in shorts and long, kitschy fingernails. Her hands fondle her iPhone and she gets a call from her boyfriend every 5 minutes or so. Her voice low and muttering words in a language that I can't decipher.

Stop after stop. Passengers alight and leave at regular intervals. The doors open like the sea--fresh faces at every wave, each smell different. Freshly-bathed, perfume-soaked or one-day old underwear smells wafting through the carriage. Held my breath at particular cycles to avoid nausea.

Then a couple boarded. She with a smile that lights up a room and skin allergies on her arms and neck due to seafood most likely. He with the black, thick-rimmed glasses and chinky-eyed features. Unlikely couple but, love knows no race, culture, and background.

All seats taken. They stand in front of me with her hand on his left back pocket. They look into each other's eyes and laugh at an in-joke that no one else hears. He puts an arm around her and guides her to the seats across mine as the other passengers get off at the next stop.

She strokes his arms and I hear her say, "So smooth!" to which he smiles and glides his fingers across her allergies until his hand finds hers; their faces inches away from each other. I thought of you and I wondered what it would be like to hold you again.

We all got off at the same station. My heart was left in the train as the doors closed. Please mind the gap.