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Tale as Old as Time

Beauty  

The city is crowded.  The navigation system amazing, so well connected, the transportation system beyond me. New job, new life, new heart. I have left my broken heart behind me. I have left my old life behind me, old friends, family.  

I have created a routine here; I wake at 6, leave at 7:30, office by 9. An almost 9 to 5 job, but I don't mind extra hours. It's my new life; I want to leave my old habits behind. Evenings I spend near the sea, because it's perfect. Then I take the train back home, normally with someone's smelly armpit directly aimed at my face. Every jerking stop of the train, sending a nauseatingly strong smell into my nose. I didn't mind.  

Today, no different from normal,  I breathe in the crowd at the station,  mixture of smells, jasmine being sold, sweat, mixed perfumes, fried food, I could get used to this, forever. I close my eyes for a second. Someone rams into me really hard and I nearly drop everything I am holding. I don't mind. I smile and apologize. She gives me a horribly dirty look. I can't help but laugh. I love this city.  

Beast  

The city is crowded. The navigation system confusing, the transportation system is beyond me, been lost too many times. New job, new life, old heart. I carried my broken heart with me. I have left my old life behind, old friends, family.    

I have been forced to create a routine here; I wake at 6, leave at 7:30, office by 9. An almost 9 to 5 job, and I hate the extra hours. It's my old life I crave for and the new habits I want to leave behind. Evenings I spend near the sea, because it's perfect. It is the only thing that helps me keep my sanity. Then I take the train back home, normally with someone's smelly armpit directly aimed at my face. Every jerking stop of the train, sending a nauseatingly strong smell into my nose. It takes everything in me not to puke.    



Today, no different from normal, I breathe in the crowd at the station, mixture of malodorous scents: jasmine being sold, sweat, mixed perfumes, fried food, I know I would feel the puke rising up, forever. I walk quickly and someone rams into me really hard and I nearly drop everything I am holding. She has her eyes closed in the middle of the crowded station! She has the audacity to smile but at least she apologises. I am so tired and angry. I can't help but give her a horribly dirty look. I hate this city. 

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