A Jeepney Tale: Bumper

I was in my usual “moment” that one fateful day, on the way home from school. Just minding my business and staring off into the space that is the mouth of the jeep.

Suddenly, my serenity was disturbed by a sharp and somewhat painful blow on my back by my left shoulder. I ignored it. Must be accidental, I thought.

Until I was hit again.

Twice, thrice… and then I felt the weight rest on my backside for a few seconds.
I didn’t have to turn my head to figure out what was happening. The person beside me was nodding off to sleep… on my back!

The nerve!

Bump.

Bump.

Bump…

I endured it for a bit. I thought she would come to her senses soon enough. Still, even though that’s what I thought, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to “help” the nudger wake up.

So I turned a little to my left, just enough so that her head would fall exactly on the sharpest tip of my shoulder.

If I’m lucky, I would hear a skull crack for the first time, I leered.

I felt the corner of my lips slowly move upward.

Bump.

Bump.

Bump.

My smile turned upside down after a while. I was starting to hear MY shoulder crack.
I felt my temper surge to astronomical heights.

I don’t care anymore! She’s gonna call for her daddy when I’m through with her! I’ll blast her off to Pluto with my fist and—

I turned to look at her for the first time.

And—
…

Sus. Eh maganda naman pala siya eh.
…

Bump.

Bump.

Bump…