One Night at St Paul's

It was just any other night on my way back after dinner. Feeling a bit tired from the day's work ..sober save for the two glasses of red wine over dinner. My mind was on applications and the future ..how the job list is out but Banking has yet to published their seats. Last out and I was smiling at the many amounts of sympathy wishes I have received so far. Too tired to explain Friday but at the same time do not want to have all my eggs in one basket. The music is playing in my ears.. just another night home via St Paul's.

I found myself reciting the loan mechanisms as I walk down the platform of the Central Line. I wonder about scholarships and like a habit sigh at memories. I didn't see him walking towards me. I was oblivious. In a cosmopolitan London what was another Middle Eastern guy? But perhaps I should have... the platform was empty except for a loan stranger on the far end. The Middle Eastern guy walk closer and suddenly time was in slow motion.

Suddenly I felt his hand on my right shoulder. Shoving it. I see him for the first time. Dark tone but even that could not hide the redness of alchohol on his cheek... burning circles in his cheeks. Almost comical but I was taken aback by the force. Before I knew it I was at the edge of the platform with my left hand almost on automatic clenched in a fist and raised high. He sneered.

"What you think you can ......?" He spoke further in his language words I cannot understand.

All this time the music from my Ipod is still blaring in my ear.

"Dance dance..we're falling apart to half time"

He is grinning like a demented Cheshire cat. Taunting. I froze. My left fist still raised but fully aware I could possibly end up as roadkill so close to the edge I was. I dropped it.

He sneered wider. Triumphant. Goading. I couldn't help it. Blind fury coursed through me. And before I knew it...

"Fuck off......"

"What did you say?"

"Fuck off ... you retard"

Almost instaneously the words left me I could feel a sudden attack of rationality. Repercussion is a bitch. Preparing.

The Train rolled in. People started crowding the platform. Both ways. He looked at me. A look of pure hatred. Despite the fact I don't know what I did to provoke the bastard. He turn and walked away. I jumped in. Arrived at my stop and realised that my fist remain clenched all the way.

Got off the train. A girl screamed out as she ran out of the carriage only to re-enter the next carriage behind. All the crazy people of London are out tonight.

My biggest regret? I should have shoved that bastard back.