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TIFU by holding up a bus

This happened two days ago, and I'm still a bit embarrassed by this whole thing.

On Mondays, I commute by bus to go to work. This is a relatively recent change in my routine, as I’d usually walk, but I’m mostly used to it by now. However, today I encountered a situation that I was wholly unprepared for. So, picture this, it’s 10:46 AM and I’m standing at the bus stop eating a pop tart. One minute later, a bus arrives. Not my bus; I take the NL, this was the 12. Now usually, this bus drives straight past. The bus is scheduled to stop here, but I usually stay just out of sight beside the bus stop canopy, obscured by an advertisement in its smashed window frame. This time isn’t meant to be any different. I peek around the canopy, spot the bus, and step back out of sight. Unfortunately, the bus stops anyway. The bus driver spots me and gives a small nod of acknowledgment. I don’t return the gesture, instead slightly shaking my head. At this point, I think it’s a bit unfortunate that the bus is going to make a small stop even though I’m not getting on, but it happens. No big deal. I was pretty relieved to see a woman step off the bus when its doors opened. It’s not for me, I thought. I felt a bit silly for overthinking the whole thing and got back to eating my pop tart, deliberately turning my attention away from the bus. But it didn’t move. Its doors remained open and the bus driver stared straight at the road ahead. I continued eating my pop tart. The light was red. They must be waiting for someone else. These thoughts give me some comfort as I stood in place, unwilling to acknowledge the bus in any way. I survey the sidewalk, and everyone else seems to be doing the same. No one is walking towards the bus. The light turns green. By now, I clock on to what may be happening. Food isn’t allowed on the bus. The driver must be waiting for me to finish eating to step on. Strange-- I didn’t know buses did that. My hands don’t waver. I continued eating at the comfortable pace I started at, not that I could even taste the pop tart at this point. The light turns red. At this point, I had committed. No one but God or the driver could convince me to acknowledge the bus parked directly in front of me. I finish eating and the light turns green. The bus sits, and I replace my facemask. There’s a tense moment before the bus finally closes its doors and peels off. Now I stare at it, as it disappears down the street. I check my phone, it’s 10:52 AM. A minute later, my bus arrives.

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TL; DR: Stared down a bus for 5 minutes as I ate a pop tart and had the most uncomfortable wait for the bus I've ever experienced.

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