The bus

Part one

(From Pinterest)

The Bus

I wake up relieved of all the pain that has had me glued to the bed these last months.Thankfully, they have brought me a dress to change into before I discharge myself.

Yes, it’s finally time to go home.

I take a quick shower to wash off the scent of chlorhexidine from my body.Wearing my favorite sports intimo, I step inside the dress.

When I was younger, I always preferred comfy clothes like jeans, and trousers over girly dresses, but as I got older . . .

Well, who am I trying to lie to here? When I lost weight, I started to wear dresses. It felt weird at first, but when I found the color and style that suited me, it became easier.

I like warm colors on me, not the vibrant kind that brings attention. I have never really been a party spirit or attention lover.

Today I’m wearing my favorite outfit: a lemon-colored vintage off-shoulder dress, paired with a white cardigan to match my shoes.

I look pale from staying confined to these walls for too long. Since I don’t use any cosmetics, I pinch my cheeks to produce some colour. Or maybe I should just think of him to become red like a tomato.

Ready, I come to the door just before my departure. I turn around to say goodbye.

Stepping into the light of day, I can feel the breeze play with my hair.

It has been too long since I felt so alive, walking among humans that usually don't notice me at all. Only their pets pay attention to me, their barks making it impossible for the owners to restrict them.

In my youth, I would have run away fearing for my life, but now I approach and caress their fur.

They stop barking and stare at me, trying to tell me something I can’t decipher.

Walking down the street, I find myself getting closer to a kindergarten. At the playground outside, kids play with each other or their toys.

I don’t have a child, but I’ve always yearned for a daughter who would reflect my features and a piece of her father’s.

My desire might seem selfish, but not when linked to the months I’ll have spent carrying her.

Lost in my thoughts, I’m late to notice that I’ve captured the attention of the little angels around me. They stare at me, wondering how I found a way inside.

I teach them a childhood song and make them go in circles. I bet the teachers will be stunned to see them this obedient.

But I leave before they can take notice, running away to escape the sudden change in weather. I cover my eyes from the furious wind and almost get hit by a bus.

Strange.

The bus seemed to come from nowhere and stopped in the middle of the street.Is this some plot by aliens? Am I being kidnapped?

As I shake off my nonsensical thoughts, the bus’s door opens. I mindlessly climb the stairs and take a window seat.For some reason, I feel sick like before.

Outside, a fog has covered the sunny day, stealing away the colors of its life.The bus is oddly silent. I’m not the only passenger, but I’m the youngest one.

There is a lady at the entrance waiting for her stop. When the door opens and she steps out, she is transformed into a young woman. A dashing young man embraces her.

What is happening? Is this some magical bus that turns people young?

But I am young. Does that mean I’m going to be a little girl? And who will wait for me at the entrance?

Just before I can end my thoughts, a man in the front seat goes over to the door. As soon as it opens, he becomes a little boy and jumps into the arms of a young woman accompanied by a young man. From his approximate features, I could guess if they’re his parents. But this is impossible, so I’m going with my second guess that they’re his adoptive parents.

This is definitely a magic bus.

I can feel my turn approaching. I get up from my seat and fix my dress.

When the gates were open, I suddenly realized that,

I was dead.