The Bus Ride Conversation

The bus was almost full that rainy morning, and Mia had only one seat left to choose. She sat next to a young man who was looking out of the window. His jacket was wet, and his shoes were muddy, but he smiled politely when she sat down.

For a few minutes, they said nothing. The sound of the rain on the glass made everything feel quiet and heavy. Mia wanted to check her phone, but she noticed that the man was holding a small notebook. Curious, she asked, “What are you writing?”

He looked surprised, then laughed softly. “It’s not very exciting. I’m writing a list of places I want to visit before I turn thirty.”

Mia’s eyes lit up. “Really? That sounds amazing. What’s on your list?”

He showed her the first page. Paris. Rome. Tokyo. Istanbul. The names were written in messy handwriting, but each one carried a little dream.

Mia suddenly felt her heart beat faster. “I’ve been to Istanbul. The food there is incredible,” she said.

The man leaned closer, listening with real interest. The bus moved through the wet streets, but inside, their world became brighter. They spoke about travel, music, and strange dreams. By the time the bus reached the last stop, Mia felt like she had known him for years.

As she stood to leave, the man smiled again and said, “Maybe one day, we’ll meet in one of those cities.”

Mia stepped off the bus, the rain falling softly. For the first time in weeks, she smiled at the thought that some conversations could change everything.