Dancing with Strangers

Left. Right. One step back. Right. Left.

For a moment, we stood still face-to-face and sized each other up to decide what our next move should be.

Right or left?

Our bodies did not touch but we were locked in a complicated dance. Our false steps and erratic rhythm proved that neither of us were prepared for this dance.

Suddenly, a familiar tune rang out, snapping us out of our indecision and signaling for a change in the choreography. In a split second, a decision was made. The right decision would mean a train caught in time whereas the wrong one would result in having to run to work or worst, being late for work.

I stepped forward to the right. The stranger stepped forward to their right.

It turned out to be the right decision.

Just like that, the deadlock was broken. We headed towards our respective train platforms, never once looking back.

Dancing with strangers and racing against time. This is what Cinderella must have felt like, I thought as I hurried down the stairs to change trains.

………………………………………………………

Once I was safely inside the train, my phone screen lighted up.

“On the train to work?”

“Yep.” I typed my reply and hit send.

I also wanted to tell you that sometimes I get tired of dancing with strangers and trying to keep up with a chaotic choreography. But I didn’t.

Maybe one day, I’ll take one of the trains that will take me to your station.

Not yet.

But hopefully soon.

AN: JR Osaka Loop Line was an inspiration for this one.