At College

The bus suddenly parked. A confused James looked at the driver, wondering why he stopped.

He was sure no passenger indicated they wanted to alight the bus now, so he couldn't understand why the bus was parked.

" What, have you forgotten your destination? " Said the driver.

" Destination ? " James still couldn't grasp it.

" Ohhh, Sorry. I forgot this was your first time here. Fuootuoke is just a few steps away from here. This is where buses drop passengers who are students, as they aren't allowed to go further into the street " the man explained.

" Ohhhh, so that's how it is. Thank you for the reminder, Sir " James said as he packed up his things to alight the bus.

" Remember the things I told you " the driver exclaimed as he alighted.

" Yes sir, I sure will " replied James with a smile.

" Alright boy, since that's the case, I think this is goodbye then " the driver said.

" Yes sir, Goodbye. Hope you find solace somewhere " James replied.

" Solace, hahahaha, solace, fine then, hope I do find solace somewhere then, " he said.

" By the grace of my God, I bless you for your kind words to me " he prayed a bit.

" Amen " James replied.

" I think that's enough drivers. Let's continue the journey. I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm kind of running late " a voice sounded from one of the back seats of the bus. It was like a spark that ignited the discomfort in others, and they joined the complaint trend.

Seeing the situation, the driver had no choice but to heed their complaint since they were his customers. With a final whisper of " Goodbye ", he rode away, leaving a teary James behind.

" Goodbye " he muttered, staring intensely at the departing bus.

Unknown to him, his actions had attracted a lot of gazes to him. Gazes filled with curiosity stared at James, wondering why a grown-up boy like him would shed tears, even though just a little, in public like that. Wasn't it too embarrassing?

James, who was still staring at the last point his eyes captured the bus at before it left his range of view, finally noticed the surrounding gazes, but he was strangely calm.

A tranquil attitude that even he didn't know where it stemmed from. It was really unlike the usual him, as the usual him would have been extremely embarrassed by this and might even decide to avoid the street for the rest of his life. But right now, he felt no such thing.

All he felt was pity for the driver and then curiosity. Curiosity for this place called college, which had the capability of making and breaking so many individuals. The final bus stop of formal education.

His interest in this place grew to an extent that he felt he might really be able to let go of his past, and look forward to his future while living in the present.

Unknowingly, he had put the man's advice to play this soon. But putting it to play and keeping it that way were two different scenarios, and whether he would be able to do the latter remained unknown. After all, just as the driver had said, college was a place of wonders.