I walked briskly towards the bus stop. There is a bus at 8.55, and the next one is 20 minutes later. Missing the bus at 8.55 would mean a long 20 minute wait in the sweltering Dubai heat.
I was still a couple of minutes from reaching the bus stop when I saw with dismay the 8.55 departing from the bus stop. I had just missed it.
The 20 minute wait at the deserted bus-stop was very agonizing. I was very frustrated – and each minute of the 20 was painful, and spent kicking myself for having missed the bus.
What made the wait painful was the certainty that this is a 20 minute wait – and I was certain of that because I saw the bus departing – and I knew with certainty that the next one is not due until 20 minutes later.
But supposing I had not seen the bus depart from the bus stop? I would have then arrived at the bus station, and waited hopefully expecting the 8.55 to turn up in the next “few” minutes (probably it is a few minutes late today?). The next few minutes would have turned into 20 minutes eventually – and I would have ended up taking the same bus anyway. But I would have still waited with anticipation, and these 20 minutes would have passed more pleasantly.
But supposing I had not seen the bus depart from the bus stop? I would have then arrived at the bus station, and waited hopefully expecting the 8.55 to turn up in the next “few” minutes (probably it is a few minutes late today?). The next few minutes would have turned into 20 minutes eventually – and I would have ended up taking the same bus anyway. But I would have still waited with anticipation, and these 20 minutes would have passed more pleasantly.
As far as I am concerned I am happy with not knowing whether I just missed the bus - or when precisely the next bus would arrive. I have started to embrace unpredictability. It makes me hopeful of unexpected and exciting turn of events – and it makes any wait worthwhile.
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