I had no idea that karma would hit the haughty stranger who had taken my bus seat three times that trip. As I saw his day unravel, I contemplated if my ultimate act of retaliation would be excessive or the ideal teaching moment.
Prior to boarding the bus, I was enjoying a really decent day. There was a rush of people at the stop, vying for the first spot. I was able to get a seat, and I helped Mrs. Chen with her luggage while lowering my bag to protect it.
She patted my arm and murmured, “Thank you, dear.” “These ancient bones aren’t the same as they once were.”
Grinning, I turned to face my seat again, only to discover my suitcase strewn on the ground and a man in a suit seated there.
I said, trying not to cry, “Excuse me.” “It is where I sit.”
Seldom did the man take his eyes from his phone. “It doesn’t matter. It’s first come, first served.
But here was my bag. I was only assisting someone.
“Look, lady,” he yelled, finally looking me in the eye. “I’m not going anywhere. Go get your stuff and take a another seat.
I was upset, but making a scene wouldn’t make things better. Shouting under my breath, I grabbed my luggage and walked briskly towards the center of the bus. I smiled sympathetically at a young mother I saw trudging along with a fussy infant.
As the bus staggered ahead, I clutched a pole to maintain my balance. the’s when I heard it, the distinctive scream of a newborn on high alert. I observed the strained look on the entitled guy’s shoulders and had to smirk.
He pivoted and gave the young mother a fierce look. Why can’t you stop talking to that kid?
The woman seems embarrassed. I apologize; he’s just teething. I’m doing my hardest.
“Well, you’re not doing your best,” he angrily said.
I was done. “Hey, friend,” I yelled. “How about you keep your mouth shut? She is making an effort.
He gave me a shady glance before turning around. I said to the mother, “You’re doing great,” with my mouth. She nodded appreciatively at me.
A senior citizen seated close by inclined his head towards me. “My sweetheart, don’t allow him get to you. Some individuals just wake up on the incorrect side of the bed.
I laughed. “More like life’s wrong side.”
That infant was like a small, cute tool of karma for the next thirty minutes. The small guy would wail loudly every time the jerk began to nod asleep. The true kicker, though? He literally began to kick.
thumps all the way up.
Jerk-face’s seat was getting a workout from the rear. I bit my lip to contain my laughter.
“Can you control your child, for the love of God?” He gave the mother a growl.
She appeared on the verge of tears. I apologize; he’s simply agitated. The journey is rather lengthy.
I was unable to resist. “Hey, you wouldn’t be dealing with this if you let me take back my seat.”
I believe I saw the quiver in his eye, but he ignored me.
Adolescents seated across from me giggled. “That dude is going to burst a gut.”
I smiled. “Serves him well.”
A few droplets of rain spattered the panes at that same moment. Reaching for the roof hatch above his head, the thug got to his feet. Fantastic, precisely what we require! Rain, please!
With a loud CRACK, he pulled on the hatch. His countenance turned pallid. “Oh no.”
Water started to fall steadily, directly onto his head. The hatch was jammed shut despite his best efforts to seal it. A little “plop” sounded every few seconds as a new drip fell on his head.
“There, are you having any trouble?” I gave a beautiful little call.
Water flowing from his woolen beanie, he spun around. “Stop talking! I know you are somewhat to blame for all of this.
I simply held out my hands. I’m far down here, hey. Perhaps it’s simply karma?
The mother, who had at last found some peace, laughed. The idiot gave her a nasty look and then sank back into his seat, batting at the water droplets like they were flies every now and again.
I overheard a middle-aged woman mutter to me, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” It appears as though the cosmos is imparting wisdom to him.
I nodded while attempting to maintain my composure. “You’re out after three strikes, right?”
I had a terrible thought as we got closer to our goal. I took out a bundle of cash from my wallet, primarily ones with a few twentys on top to make it appear good. I tucked it under the seat nearest to where I was standing in silence.
“Oh my god,” I bowed down and exclaimed. I recently discovered this.
The bus fell silent throughout. I refused to take the money. Has anyone misplaced this? It was below this chair.
I thought the guy would get whiplash when his head snapped up so quickly. His huge eyes were focused on the money I was holding.
Leaping up, he said, “That’s mine!” “Earlier, I was sitting there! I think I dropped it.
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh really? I doubt that for some reason. Can you provide evidence for it? Was the individual seated on this chair, is anyone aware of him? I pointed to the location where I had buried the cash and let out a loud cry.
To my delight, our other travelers let out a chorus of “nos.”
The man’s face took on an intriguing purple hue. He said, “Give me my money, you thief!”
He made a sudden move, attempting to seize the money. But karma had not yet finished with him. His sneaker slammed into someone’s luggage, sending him falling into the aisle, face first.
Everyone gasped at once, and then there was quiet. The jerk grabbed his arm and slowly lifted himself up. He growled at me, “You’ll pay for this.” “I’ll file a lawsuit!”
My laughing would not contain itself any longer. “For what reason are you suing me? locating my own funds?”
His mouth fell open. “What?”
I spread out the banknotes to demonstrate that the majority were ones. “That’s my cash.” I was trying to teach you about assumptions and karma. Perhaps the next time you won’t be so nasty to a mother and her child that you take someone else’s seat.”
The whole bus burst into cheers. The jerk slunk back to his soaking seat, his expression a mixture of humiliation and wrath.
The adolescent from before praised me. “Wow, it was amazing! You completely controlled him!
I attempted to look indifferent as I shrugged, but on the inside, I was dancing a victory dance.
I looked at the mother holding the infant as we drove into the station. “It was incredible,” she said. “I appreciate you opposing him.”
I grinned. “Don’t all of us bus passengers have to stand together? Plus, your tiny kid completed the most of the labor.
She giggled and bounced the now-slumbering infant. He is normally such a kind giant. He must have just seen that the man needed a lesson.
The old man that had talked to me earlier laughed. “I’ve taken buses for many years, but I’ve never witnessed justice done exactly like that. Excellent work, young woman.
In his hurry to go, the thug shoved past everyone as we all poured off the bus. I had a deep feeling of satisfaction as I watched him storm off, still soaking.
It’s interesting how karma works, I thought to myself. “And occasionally, it takes the bus.”
When I turned to leave the bus stop, I saw the young mother fumbling with the baby and her baggage. I ran to get to her.
“Require assistance?” I enquired.
She seemed relieved. Would you, oh? That would be really fantastic.
She identified herself as Lisa and her little son as Sam as we strolled together.
“Hi, my name is Carla.” “Where are you going?”
“To my sister’s place, just,” Lisa answered. It is just a few blocks away. I hope that I’m not in the way of you.
I dismissed her worries. Not at all. I could use a good stroll after that bus journey.
We laughed over the bus event and spoke while we strolled. I came to a complete halt when we rounded a bend. The bus jerk sat there, looking uncomfortable as he tried to pat himself dry with paper napkins, at a neighboring café.
Lisa met my eyes with a strangled chuckle. Should we greet each other?
I gave myself a cheeky smile. “What do you know? I believe we ought to.
As we got closer to his table, I cleared my throat. It’s nice to have you here.
His head jerked up in shame. “You!” Are you not doing enough?
I calmly raised my hands. “In reality, I stopped by to say I’m sorry. The financial issue seemed a little excessive.
It seems that my admission surprised him. Yes. Okay, so… I guess I wasn’t exactly acting appropriately either.
Lisa moved forward and gave Sam a little bounce. Everybody has bad days. Could we perhaps start over?
The man stared at the infant, and his expression softened. “When he is not screaming, he is kind of cute.”
We all chuckled as the tension dissolved. “Hey, what’s your name?” the man said as Lisa and I turned to go.
“Carla,” I answered.
He gave a nod. “My name is Victor. Additionally, I apologize for the seat issue.
I grinned. Victor, there’s water under the bridge. Shall I say, “Water through the ceiling,” instead?”
After laughing amiably at my humor, we said our goodbyes. I couldn’t help but believe that perhaps, just possibly, karma had had its way with all of us today as Lisa and I strolled on.
How would you have responded in the situation?