The Terrible Duo Scenario

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐨 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Rebecca:

I am stuck on a crowded train. Wow, what a great place to be stuck in. Lots of people, smushed against each other. Some people smell like they haven't bathed in two years. Others smell like they were swimming (and almost drowned) in a pool of perfume. 

Another thing I hate about my position is that, well, this train was so crowded that I couldn't even get a chance to get a seat anywhere. Five minutes ago, I asked a lady, who had two seats occupied. One for herself, and one for her make-up bag.

Now that I am thinking back at this, I really should blame myself. I mean the way she dressed up to go to work seemed a little extra. 

She had almost 6-foot heels (ok, to be a little bit more realistic, I could say that she wore at least 1-foot heels), her hair was like a rainbow of colors. Her roots looked very dark (almost black), and then it faded into more of a chestnut color, and then a lighter brown. Soon, the ends of her hair were very blonde. Her hair also looked nicely styled, curled at the end. Her hair wasn't too long, until her shoulders. 

The woman also had some serious makeup. Her face was shining, because of how much makeup she used. Her lips were a maroon color, and her eyelashes were as long as half of your pinky finger. (Seriously, what's up with the long lashes?? I mean, how are they not bothering her eyes at all?) Her eyeballs do look like they are not real, probably wearing contacts or something. Her eyeshadow looked a bit weird for formal purposes. On the left and side of her eyes, it was a magenta color, which soon faded into a primrose and a hot pink. Her black eyeliner above and under her eyes was also seen very clearly. She drew it very thick. 

The clothes she was wearing were the only thing that looked at least a little appropriate for office attire. With a white blouse, tucked inside her black tailored skirt. On top of that was a grey cardigan. It looked very expensive. She probably was the boss of the company or something. She looked very serious. With a book in her hand, her white purse, and of course, the makeup bag. 

But out of my luck, I had to ask her. My legs were starting to get numb after waiting for more than two hours. It felt like I was waiting for a Disney ride, except that at the end, there is no ride, just the waiting. 

"Miss, may I please sit here?" I asked very politely. 

"Can't you see both seats are occupied?" she asked, rolling her eyes at me. 

For some reason, she reminded me of a sassy arch-nemesis I met in middle school. But of course, instead of fuming and raging at her, I tried to speak calmly.

"Sorry, I just thought that since you already have a seat that maybe you could just give me a spot to sit. After all, you could just hold your makeup bag, or even put it on your lap!" I suggested, but from the look on her face, she hated the idea.

"Who even are you to tell me what I should do? Please, just mind your own business." she scoffed at me and changed her position of sitting, from two legs hanging low, to one foot on top of another. 

After that encounter, I didn't even bother to ask anyone else. Everyone seemed to be in a terrible mood. 

I bet Roseline is having a better time.

Roseline:

I cannot believe I am stuck in such a terrible situation. The airport security line is buzzing with people. I am a Math major, so my best estimate of how many people are waiting in line right now will be about a hundred people. I just joined the line, so that makes it a hundred and one people waiting in the line. I wish that the line would move faster, but no! People have to talk to the staff for 10 minutes each, and only then can they move on. 

What can I say? It's just my rotten luck of course. 

I wanted to go and pick up grandma from Venice, Italy, but I didn't know so many other people would come on the same day. I have been standing here for about twenty to twenty-five minutes, and not a single person moved in the line. I can't even see the first person in line, or else I would say a couple of things to them. 

I glance down at my phone again, hoping to get any text messages from mom or Rebecca. 

None, I sadly switch off the phone, praying for the line to just move already. 

I wait for a couple more minutes, and after a million years, the first people in line walked away and the next person came.

Yay! I am now the hundredth person in line! I celebrated, but that didn't last too long. 

An entire family of a mom, a dad, three kids—two little boys, and a little girl. All three children looked pretty young, especially one of the boys. I didn't even really care that a family came behind me, what could they possibly do? They were just standing in line, probably planning to go somewhere. Right?

But from that moment, everything started to go downhill.

The flights were all delayed, so whoever is the first person in line now is the only one lucky. 

"Sorry, everyone. All the flights are going to be delayed because they are facing some dangerous weather. We are all expecting the flights to be up and running in another couple of hours. Again, sorry for everyone else who is waiting. We only know as much as you all do. Please keep calm and patient. We are all trying to figure this out together. Thank you folks." the woman announced, and the chorus of groans began.

Not going to lie, but the way how everyone looked so tired in the line, and even their groans made them look like zombies or something. The family behind me screamed miserably like they were the only ones in this entire world who's flight got delayed.

"Oh my! What are we going to do now? We were all supposed to go on a vacation! Will the flights ever start running? The children are going to soon get restless and hungry." the woman spoke, her voice trembling.

"Well, I'll go buy some snacks for them." the man told her.

"No, I will come with you. Mena has some allergies." the woman spoke.

"But then who will look after the kids?" he asked the woman.

I tried to not look at their angle. I tried to look straight like I knew nothing at all. Sadly, that didn't work.

"My little girl, would you be a darling and look after these three? Thank you, child! We'll come back soon!" she said and didn't even let me respond.

"But I—" I stammered, but just then, the man and woman thanked me and started walking straight.

Great, so some strange family walks up to me and asks them to look after their kids, and I have to agree to those terms? I bet Rebecca is having a better time than me. I think to myself.

Rebecca:

"Hope you are all having a good day, folks! I am so sorry, but the train is having some technical issues and the engine has broken down. The replacement train will not arrive in another two or three hours. Again, folks, we are all very sorry and hoping to get the train up and moving. Please show the patience you have been showing from the start." the engineer announced.

I started to groan and complain, just like the others in the crowd. I mean, what does everyone think they are doing? I have to get back home! I hope Roseline has boarded the train or something. Phones aren't allowed in this compartment. Even if I could use my phone, she usually keeps the phone in silent. Hopefully, everything is going fine at the airport. 

Suddenly, the engineer made another announcement.

"Folks, if you want to have a drink or some food, the doors have opened. As always, please do watch your step, and please do continue to wait for more information," he announced.

That's when I had an idea.

I slowly sneaked out of this "No phones" compartment, and slowly went to the normal compartment.

I can try to call Roseline. I thought.

I picked up my phone to call her. Roseline was on the top of my contacts list, so I immediately called her.

Roseline:

As I was babysitting these children the rude woman and man had ordered me to look after, I got a call

Who could this be? I was wondering.

"Umm...children, stop pulling my coat!" I told them, and they did listen.

I picked up my phone from my phone, and to my surprise, saw it was Rebecca.

"Rebecca! Thanks for calling me! Did you reach home?" I asked her.

Rebecca:

I felt very glad she picked up the phone. Though I didn't hear anything

"Roseline! I wanted to call you, but I was in one of those no phone compartments. But, no, I am not even close to reaching home. Our trained stop because of some technical difficulty." I yelled out.

I tried to see if she was speaking or not but I couldn't hear her. I just heard a lot of kids screaming, which I thought was very weird.

Roseline:

"Can you hear me, Rebecca? I told you that I have not boarded the flight yet! They are delayed due to some terrible weather! Can you hear me, Rebecca?" I scream as loud as I can, but I don't hear anything from her. All I hear is more announcements from the engineer, which I thought was weird. She was supposed to reach home by now, but for some reason, she was still on the train.

Rebecca:

"Hello, Roseline?! I am speaking clearly, why aren't you saying anything? Roseline! I said that I am stuck on the train! Are you on the flight? You aren't take off, because you won't switch on your phone. So I think you have still hot took off. Also, why do I hear so many kids screaming? Roseline, say something! If you think that this is the time to prank your sister, knock it off! It's not funny sis! I yell across the phone. Now people really are starting to give me weird looks. I really try to ignore their looks, but I keep wondering why she isn't talking back.

Roseline:

I am mad at the flights.

My luck.

These kids who just won't stop leaving me alone.

The parents for expecting me to be their babysitter.

Lastly, my sister, Rebecca, for not talking.

Is it because she can't hear me? I know that I am speaking very clearly! I still just cannot understand why she is doing this to me.

I bet she thinks that what she is doing is funny. 

"Seriously girl! I just cannot hear you! You aren't speaking clearly—in fact, I don't even think you are speaking! I only hear a bunch of people talking, not your Rebecca!" I continue yelling into the phone hoping something will change.

Rebecca:

Everything was going just great.

I was stuck in a smelly, stuffy, and terrible train.

I am actually starving.

I am also dehydrated.

My terrible sister isn't even picking up my call.

I just wish this would be over already!

I honestly am very frustrated and trying to cool myself down, but I just can't. Based on my terrible situation, how can I even do a fake smile? 

Roseline:

It looks like I just can't do anything. I am stuck here, and I can't hear her. What a terrible situation.

~The End~