The zoo

"She looked like an animal ready to bolt before the slaughter."

She was wearing a black top. It was shiny satin black with thin straps to hold up the piece, with a wide plunging neckline that gave the impression that a mere tug would expose all (though half was already out) but yet it stayed there firmly, enticing and deceiving all that was looking. A slash of alluring black lace lined the cleavage adding the final touch, confirming that what she was wearing was indeed lingerie.

A considerably rare sight for most men here, is a woman lucky(?) enough to be very well-endowed waist-up and willing to flaunt it. There are many that flaunt but rarely, is one that had something to show. So I sat back in my seat as I watched the spectacle begin.

I ticked off all my fingers as to the number of men that innocently peered, blatantly stared and discreetly stole glances. None stopped at one look. She was like a showpiece; there to be seen. The girl was very well aware of what was happening but she appeared nonchalant, listening quietly to her Ipod. But body language revealed more and for a moment I pitied her, as I could see she was starting to feel defensive.

First her back was stiff and straight destroying every effort at appearing relaxed in the zoo that had magically materialised. She barely looked up or around her. If she had done so, many pairs of eyes would have averted guiltily. Then as if she wished she had worn something with more cloth, she clutched her bag to her chest, pretending to settle into her seat as the train sped away.

It took only a few minutes before she changed her mind and let her bag slipped back to her lap and she once again took the pose of liberated woman determined to live her life in a world of preying men. She sat up, chest a strut, and almost a bit proud. But her eyes never wandered up, almost afraid to see the many that were looking; thereby confirming she was indeed desirable but yet unable to accept that it was only the physical that was admired and not wanting to begrudge herself for succumbing to the instinctive inclination to be desired by men.

The train stopped at Eunos and a group of youths entered. I almost closed my eyes not wanting to watch the animal, now trapped in the cage, nowhere to hide in the zoo that was determined to destroy all.

Sure enough, the youths began whispering to each other and stealing looks at the wanton display, one even nudging his friend and pointing at her. I cringed at the utter lack of discipline of the male species and almost flinched watching the girl shift uncomfortably in her seat. She looked like an animal ready to bolt before the slaughter.

The war of emotions showed in her eyes. To appear sophisticated and unfazed by the gawking monkeys and even be pleased with the attention she was receiving; or to refuse to be a piece of meat and to glare at the on-lookers into shame, regretting not bringing along a shawl to ward off the carnal desires of men who were biologically powerless to not ogle at free flesh.

Finally sanctuary came, when the train arrived at City Hall. She stood up, still avoiding eye contact with anyone, while the rest of the zoo tried to catch their very last glimpse of live action. I followed her out and stood next to her waiting for the train to Orchard to arrive. Some of the zoo was still around and unable to help myself, I looked. Really what was the big deal?

Sighing to myself, I then turned to look at the few around her. They averted their eyes quickly. Realising that they were somehow being silently reprimanded unintentionally by me (I had become the moral police for some reason), I stared at their reflections in the glass, almost daring them to look again.

They didn't. As I stepped off the train at Orchard, the girl was briskly walking away from me. I was already distracted by the shopping that awaited me but I turned to look again. She was looking down, peering at herself, and from the corner of my eye, I could see the self-admiration in her face.

She was checking herself out.