"Let's get out of here," Amal Abdirahman said softly, and Haika Livni nodded in agreement, disgusted by what she'd just heard on the bus. The older Arab man sitting across from them looked angrily at the two young gay men, one black and one white, who got on the 95 bus at Tunney's Pasture Station, hand in hand, and shook his head, apparently disturbed by what he'd just seen.
After the twosome went to sit at the back of the crowded bus, the old man looked at Amal, bristling with anger. The raw hatred Amal saw in the old man's gaze gave her pause. Does he know these guys? The young woman wondered privately. Where does one summon such unprovoked hatred for random strangers? As a Hijab-wearing young black woman living in the Canadian Capital, Amal had dealt with her share of bigots, but this one gave her pause...
"In my country those freaks would not be allowed to act like this in public," the man said, and he looked like he wanted to spit at the interracial gay couple, which sat at the back of the bus, seemingly engaged in an animated discussion. As the bus finally reached Bayview Station, Amal rose, followed by Haika, and they waited for the bus to come to a complete stop.
"It's a good thing we're not in your country, you old creep," Amal said smartly, and she clasped Haika's hand in hers, and just like that, the two young women walked off the bus together. The old man had time to register surprise as he suddenly realized that the Hijab-wearing young Somali woman with whom he'd been speaking and her gal pal were much more than they initially seemed...and then the bus doors closed.
"Damn, Amal, you sure showed him," Haika said, smiling and Amal returned her smile with a fatalistic shrug. Hand in hand, the two of them made their way down the ramp, toward the O-Train which waited at the bottom of the slope. The fare inspectors, a burly white dude with a beard and an older white woman in dark uniforms, awaited, their machines at the ready.
"Good morning, sir, here you go," Amal said, flashing her yellow U-Pass, and the bearded man looked at the card, nodded and let her pass. Haika did the same, and they entered the train cart, and went into the first seat behind the conductor's booth, their favorite spot. Partially secluded from sight, they had all the privacy they needed...for the moment.
"You were on fire back there," Haika said excitedly, and she impulsively kissed Amal on the lips. Amal kissed her back, and gently held Haika's lovely face in her hands. It was astonishing how much she loved this funny, vivacious young woman. The O-Train left Bayview Station, and hit the tracks. The stops ticked by, first Carling, and then Carleton University.
"No need to tell me, Sam, I was there, I couldn't stand that bigot," Amal replied, and she and Haika lined up behind the other passengers exiting the train. The two young women made their way toward the University Center building, and Haika winced as she saw the massive lineup at the Tim Horton's restaurant located on the first floor.
"Damn, hope we can still get breakfast," Haika said, checking her watch, which stated 11: 47 A.M. Even on a Sunday morning, the Carleton University campus was busy. Amal and Haika lined up behind the other students, staff members and workers.
