The air bothers me. The space below the stair case is occupied with tools and emergency supplies like water cartons and big flashlights, not an air conditioner like the ones they have in the newer stations. Wind blows onto the platform from the tunnels where the trains pass by every three minutes. The humidity in the air suffocates me, and the chilliness from the cold wind makes me shiver in my low rise jeans and a thin school T-shirt.
I take my father’s hand, pulling him forward to catch the train that has just stopped here, afraid that I am going to lose him in the crowd. Suddenly, my hand is free. I turn to look. Father closes his eyes and grinds his teeth, presses his right hand on the wall and pants.
“Sorry, baba, I should calm down. We still have plenty of time.” I smile apologetically.
“It’s all right, my child. My ankle sprain from last year still slows me down sometimes. I just can’t fly down the stair the way you do.” Father pats my right shoulder and instructs, “Now, just slow down and find me a place to rest a little, okay?”
I nod, taking his hand again, and lead him to a bench in the middle of the platform.
Baba is getting old.