13/7/2018 0 Comments runStory Whispering to her friend, thinking I don’t understand, my pulse begins to run a triathlon. The minibus conductor forces us to sit shoulder to shoulder, “Eish… the way she smells” scrunching her noise in exaggeration, “like onions and garlic but they still manage to take our jobs.” Now I have to maintain my solitude and hold my breath. If I am still, paralyzed in an upright position, she will stop. If I say something, my accent is a dead giveaway and make things worse. So shhh.
“First they clean our toilets, slash our grass. Then, give them a few more years…” speech heavy with loathing the corners of her mouth foam while her friend titters. Smiting my back with daggers I can feel them carve into me, digging into my pride, “They sleep their way to the top.” Her decibels increasing, passengers in front of us turn to glance at the venom and our eyes lock. Welcoming them, I pass a timid smile. Generously dishing out respect, overcompensating to buy at least one them for support. They reject it. Wrinkling their noses, gracefully turn away squeamish. My heart sinks further, gathering I have no allies. “If they are so brilliant, why aren’t they in their own country? Why do it here, and steal our men? Mmm…they are disease you know?” agitating a response. An icy breeze cuts through the metal carton, a hissing window scratches against the sandy brim. Despite the sour winter the conductor pushes it open. Perhaps to calm the steaming witch and ogre? Or to dry my malodorous nerves? We jar against each other and the silence speaks volumes. A bitter raging red quiets around me bonding them. Fuming repulse. Very patriotic. A fox amongst wolves, I am unwanted in this pack. “She must go back. They must ALL go.” Halting at a bus shelter, engine still humming and the door yawns abruptly. A full minute passing with no one boarding or offloading. The camp has spoken, unanimously, I am voted out. I grab onto the cushioned rest to crouch out in forfeit. A smooth bang followed by a screeching glass slid shut, they rattle off. Finally taking in a deep breath, thick fog escapes. Pheeew… Tugging down my sleeves, I shield my chest folding my arms. Today they tolerated me a little longer. I can walk from here. Better on the ground, where I have an option to walk a little faster or run.
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