What is it with me and
men on tubes? Why does this seem to be the place where I get chatted
up the most? The lighting is rubbish and most often I have my nose in
a book and my ipod on. I hardly look my best and I am not very
attentive...
So last weekend, I was
battling a medium level hangover, and had promised to meet a friend
on the South Bank. I had gotten up, made myself somewhat presentable
and headed to my favourite local cafe for some sustenance before
braving the tube. I had a delicious round of eggs bene, a fruit
smoothie, and then after I had finished feeling squeamish from that
had a pot of peppermint tea and a brownie. That had a crème egg
baked into it. You know that there is something wrong when I am
breaking out the peppermint tea. So after reading my book in the
warmth of the cafe and feeling generally sorry for myself, I realised
the time and headed out to catch the tube.
I decided to take the
bus from Balham to Stockwell and grab the Northern line from there.
I was standing on the platform when tube pulled in. I was standing
where I knew that the exit would be at Waterloo, to make for a speedy
exit. As the tube pulled in, a man on the tube caught my eye. He
was staring at me and looking me directly in the eye. I gulped and
got on the carriage and sat down opposite him. We barely broke eye
contact during that 30 seconds. So I sat down and we stared at each
other. After another 30 seconds I began to feel silly, he had his
earphones in too, so I opened my book and started to read, very aware
of his eyes on me. The next time I looked up, he was playing a game
on his phone, but caught my eye nonetheless.
The tube got stuck at
Oval for a few minutes and we both listened very attentively to the
announcement, and both sneaked a shy smile at each other.
At Kennington, my
delicious mystery man stood up and mouthed the words, 'Have a good
day' to me and started to get off the tube. I mouthed 'You as well'
and treated him to my biggest smile. He motioned for me to come with
him. I just waved and blew him a kiss as the tube pulled away.
I relayed this story to
my friend when we met up and told her that even though this encounter
was really nothing more than two strangers smiling at each other,
that it made me realise that I still have it and that even feeling
like rubbish, I can still be attractive. She asked why on earth I
had not gotten off the carriage and spoken to this man? There are a
number of reasons for this, not in the least that he could have been
a serial killer. But more likely, that the illusion and the thought
of him is going to be much better than the real thing. And lets not
forget I was still feeling very green around the gills. I would not
have wanted to start it off feeling like that. And I am actually
incredibly shy when it comes to men, I would have most likely tripped
off the carriage, sworn and then said something really inappropriate
and then his illusion of me would have been shattered.
So its better this way,
us both remembering each other as the attractive flirty people on the
tube. We will never have to deal with the grumpy versions of each
other, argue about what to watch on tele, or clean up after each
other. One day I will not be so shy, when someone asks me out, I
will, firstly realise what they mean, and secondly say yes. And then
according to my latest Scottish future seer, I will fall madly in
love and be happy ever after. Apparently it has to happen if I am
going through all the hassle of leave to remain. Its destiny.
So man on the tube,
thanks. Thanks for making me smile, thanks for making me feel
attractive and thanks for being so damn hot yourself.
