I get off the metro at my daughter’s station so that we can meet up and continue the ride to have lunch with my husband near his office. As I sit waiting, I watch the bustling crowds. It is fascinating to watch hundreds of people who are crossing paths and sharing a ride only long enough to diverge off to their own destination.

There is a woman speaking loudly on the phone in another language next to me. Tourists are dragging suitcases or staring at maps, looking harried and lost. A train pulls in and I catch a glimpse of varied strangers sitting in silence, some looking at their phones and some staring into space. One or two will look out towards the platform as I look in. It’s easier to make eye contact when you know they will be speeding off into the dark tunnel in a few moments. On the cold, cement platform, some people move with knowing purpose, others hesitantly and unsure. Certain individuals give off an air of supreme confidence, some look defiant or angry, and others look sad or tired. There are solo riders and people in pairs and groups. Some will run at full speed to try to beat the closing doors and some accept that they’ve missed this one and move to the side to wait for the next. They may be heading out or in and there is no certain way of knowing which.

I make up or wonder about their stories and admit that I am probably no where near the real one. Is this man kind to the woman whose hand he is holding? Does the sleeping construction worker have a family at the end of his ride? Are these kids up to no good? Does the guy in the sharp suit cheat on his taxes? Have the older couple been together forever or is this a new relationship in their golden years? Has the young woman with tattoos, piercings, and fishnet stockings lost (or found) her life’s purpose? Is she a straight A med student and I’m just a judgmental asshole?

As I sit there as an observer, I wonder if anyone is watching me watch others. Are they wondering who I am? What my story is?

Amongst the crowd, I recognize the gait of someone I’ve known her whole life. The crowd thins as people turn and move on and she focuses into a single figure walking straight towards me. I smile at the only person who knows me and my story in this dirty metro. Our paths converge and we jump on to the next metro to continue our journey together. For now.