The metro rider yelled: “Didn’t they teach you to give up your seat to elderly people?” However, the young man took an unexpected action
Next stop. A stream of additional passengers surged in as the car shook slightly and the doors hissed open. Others clambered inside with luggage, umbrellas, and weary looks, while others disembarked.
A woman in her fifties was one of the people aboard. A long gray coat, high heels, lipsticked lips, and a frustrated expression in her eyes. Over her shoulder was a bulky leather bag. To put it briefly, a woman who wears the statement “everyone owes me something.”
She unintentionally nudged the young man seated beside the window with her knee as she was walking down the aisle. I simply bumped into him. didn’t offer an apology. She took a few steps, though, and then stopped. flipped around. As if only then she understood her noble purpose.
“Comfortable to sprawl out here!” she quipped in a demanding tone. — Have you considered how other people are expected to pass? You have your legs out in the aisle. Your parents taught you to respect other people, didn’t they?
The youth raised his head. He was still wearing headphones. He removed one calmly, without making any needless moves. He gave her a look. Just looked, not frightened, nor hostile.
The woman said, “I’m talking to you!” with a loud voice. — Is giving up your seat to a woman really that difficult? Or do you believe that you are the center of the universe?
The automobile became quieter. People began to turn around. In the corner, two teenagers sat up, anticipating the performance. Everything went according to plan: he would say something impish, she would become more irate, and then there would be disagreement, shouting, and possibly security.
However, the young man abruptly took an extremely surprising action
Abruptly, the youth averted his eyes and spoke in a whisper:
Apologies.
He got to his feet.
Everyone watched as the seat he was leaving began to slowly tilt backward, making a creaking sound as it slid down under its own weight and hardened against the wall.
The cushion had slipped, exposing metal springs and a shattered plastic frame, and the backrest was only secured by one side mount. It was obvious that it was nearly difficult to sit there and not grab on.
The young man remained still. He swayed slightly, like his leg had dozed off.
Over the car, an uneasy quiet descended. For a moment, the woman froze. She then glanced at the damaged seat before turning back to face the young man.
“I didn’t know,” she mumbled. Apologies.
He simply nodded, replaced the headphones, and turned to face the entrance.









