I woke up as usual in a foul mood as I’m not a morning person. My mom had to yell at me when my milk glass tilted because my eyes were closed. ‘Jan! You’re spilling the milk!’ I squinted at the glass, steadied it, closed my eyes again and resumed drinking.

Then I slipped into my uniform. It was crisp and spider-free. Not that I had checked. My eyes were still closed but I liked to imagine it that way. Safe.

Not until I was seated in the bus did I notice the spider, actually notice would be inappropriate. I actually felt it with my fingers. My trousers stretched tight around my thighs as I sat down. I reached for my pocket to take out my handkerchief and guess what was in store for me?

The spider’s thorax!

I froze and wet my pants. That scared the spider away.

I sighed in relief at my good fortune. Just then my friend nudged me and asked, ‘Did you check for its eggs? Spiders don’t just leave creepy memories behind you know.’