Of Jostling Crowds

Otherwise known as "Mommy's gonna kill me"

It probably was an unwise thing to do to make a decision out of the blue like that. I couldn't sit still the whole of yesterday, maybe it was the breakfast I took, and it got worse as the day wore on towards the evening. I needed to run (away from the workplace - not run as in run) So run I did, and where else could I run to but the gym?

Now, a design fault of the gym I go to is that it sits in a building that houses a shopping mall. A big one at that, and of all things I failed to realise is that they were having a member's day sale yesterday. I sort of knew something was up upon seeing the jam, but it only hit me much later that they had sent a text message mentioning the sale and providing a number to call for enquiries, but me being me, I had just read it, and put the phone back into my pocket.

A peek into the mall showed unimaginable crowds pushing their way with trolleys and children in pyjamas tottering about. I walked outside and came across a car idling in one of the parking bays. A harassed looking man was sleeping inside the car. I thought it was funny. I bet the rest of his family were inside - shopping.

The gym was rather empty (which was good for me, because I would otherwise have to wait in turn to use the equipment as is often the case) and about one and half hours later I decided to get back home. On my way out, a woman almost killed me with her shopping cart (the crazy woman actually tried bringing it down using the escalator instead of the elevator!) which then left me a bit disoriented that I attempted leaving the building from the first floor instead of the ground floor. "Hey where are the exits?" So I got stuck in the jostling crowd and had to weave my way out. I saw them with slips of pink paper lining up in aisles, shouting at their kids, their carts full. It was madness. I even managed to think for a moment if the economy was really that bad for a sale to be held at such an extent.

I managed to escape in one piece at the end and thought to myself about how I need to remember these things. Always pay attention to what those text messages say. It will save you from being stuck in crowds and being traumatised forever!