Puzzled

Chapter 3 - episode 21

Chapter Three‘Maybe, I don't cry but it hurts

Maybe, I won't say but I feel

Maybe, I don't show but I care.’

- Vitor Mota

Episode 21 - A Charming StrangerNice, France, 27 December

The window of my hotel room is wide open, letting a light sea breeze in.

I stand over my suitcase and bewildered stare at its contents. Here we go, a beaming example of hasty packing, piles of evening dresses and nothing decent for every day, just a pair of jeans and a sweater. Uttering a sigh, I pull them on and go downstairs. In a modestly appointed room overlooking the sea continental breakfast is being served.

I sit down, order a cappuccino and look around. My eyes single out a young Arab with a plate of croissants on his table. Picking his croissants, he spreads lumps of marmalade over them and sends the croissants into his mouth. His eyes half-closed, he chews on them, slowly and thoughtfully.

Trying not to stare at him, I focus on my New Year's Eve plans or rather on the absence of such.  The idea of going to Nice came to me just a few days ago. Considering its spontaneous nature, I have really had no time to check on the plans of my few French acquaintances and, to be honest, have little inclination of doing so. I somehow feel my uninvited spontaneity will not be appreciated.

Finished with his croissants, the Arab gets up and walks to the exit. Leaving the room, he throws a hungry look at my table, perhaps in search of something else of edible nature. The French, like their breakfasts, always leave you with a slight cramp of dissatisfaction - delicious, yet not enough. I drink up my cappuccino and decide on a morning walk. 

Throwing the coat on, I grab my mobile and get out. Outside, the sun shines brightly, sending merry sparks across azure waters of the sea.

I cross the street, go down the embankment a few steps and find myself right on the beach. It is still early. There aren't many people around. Just dog owners, walking out their fluffy friends.

 Inspired by the moment, I take my mobile out, frame the view and take a picture. The phone clicks and captures a local morning scene: a charming young man, his hair ruffled by the wind into wavy locks, plays with a little dog on the gravel shore of the Côte d’Azur.