Breaking habits

In a country that is not my own,

I perform my 10-15 mins daily commute.

I go by bus.

It has a ticket controller

From whom I also buy the ticket.

I can buy the ticket

In the local language

And more often than not

We don’t even use words anymore.

But sometimes I wonder

What if she addresses me one day

With a simple question like:

“What do you think of the weather today?”

Would I panic?

Would I smile?

Would I sheepishly reply I do not understand?

Or try my shot?

While I wonder these things,

The bus halts at my stop,

And I get off.

Other times I wonder,

Should I ask a question?

How would she reply?

Would she understand me?

Would I blow my cover?

By the time I build my nerve,

We stop again.

I guess it’s hard to break habits

Once established.

I’ll start bringing my book.