During a long bus ride, I claimed a seat by placing my bag on it while I stepped away to grab a snack. Upon returning, I found a man sitting there, my bag discarded on the floor.

ME: “Excuse me, but that’s my seat.”

MAN: “I don’t care. There are no assigned seats on this bus.”

ME: “True, but my bag was here, and you threw it on the floor. I was holding this seat.”

MAN: “Just take your bag and go away. I’m not moving!”

That was my interaction with this so-called “gentleman” on the bus. I decided to let it go and walked away, unaware that he would come to regret his behavior three times during the trip!

First, shortly after we started, he began to experience motion sickness as the bus wound through hilly terrain. I watched as he clutched his stomach, clearly struggling. That was karma strike one.

Later, during a rest stop, he rushed off the bus for some fresh air and slipped on a wet patch, landing hard on his backside. He stood up wincing in pain, checking to see if anyone had seen him. That was karma strike two.

Finally, as we approached our destination, the bus hit a pothole, causing his phone, which he had carelessly placed on his lap, to fly out of the window he had opened for air. He helplessly watched it disappear into the bushes. That was karma strike three.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of vindication as I observed these events unfold. I didn’t need to confront him; the universe took care of his rude behavior.

When the bus finally pulled into the station, the man looked completely defeated. He shuffled off, perhaps realizing he should have shown a bit more respect. I grabbed my bag, exited the bus, and felt grateful that sometimes karma takes care of things for you.