I went to my parents’ house in a second-class car. I had the top seat, but it didn’t embarrass me in any way. The lower shelves were occupied by two women. I wanted to wait for the conductor downstairs, but even then one of them started to resent me climbing up.
When I decided to get something to eat, the women wouldn’t let me to the table. They sat on either side on purpose and quietly drank their tea so I wouldn’t take up their territory.
– Can I have a quick bite? – I asked.
– Young man, you have a ticket for the upper seat. Did you save money? You can eat there! We have to sleep and smell your food afterwards. And anyway, we want to rest, – said one of them.
I realized that they had no intention of giving up. I made my bed and climbed upstairs with my instant noodles. As soon as I started to eat, the train jerked – my entire lunch flew to the bottom shelf.
My noodles were everywhere, including the fancy hair of my fellow traveler below. Long strands of pasta took over the whole compartment. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.
– Young man, don’t you know how to eat on a train? Is this your first time on a train or what? It’s horrible! – The passenger was indignant.
– I did not do it on purpose! – I answered and began to untangle the noodles from her curls.
The whole night we smelled a persistent aroma of instant noodles. Even the conductors shunned the lady. She wanted to wash up, but how? The train was an ordinary one, without any comfortable conditions.
I slept peacefully, though the sense of hunger from the smell didn’t go away. What can I say? It’s their own fault!
