Cinema Part 1

I was 20 years old when my parents first bought me my plane ticket to Paris. I’d been saving for nearly two years when they sprung it on me, I was speechless. Well, not literally of course. I thanked them over and over but couldn’t quite find the words to tell them just how grateful I was.

The morning after my leaving party I was hungover as hell, but buzzing with excitement. I added the few parting gifts that I could fit into my luggage and headed for the airport. I tried my best to sleep through the flight from Singapore but barely managed a wink. Hearing the other passengers speaking in French to eachother only got me more excited so I got out my phrase book and went over the parts I still hadn’t got the hang of yet. “Souhaitez-vous une douche? Would you like a shower?” A shower would be great right about now, I thought to myself.

By the time I made it to my hotel room it was late into the night. The room was larger than I’d expected but dull and sparse; everything I’d hoped for. It had a little terrace overlooking the square and vines climbing up the walls and handrail. Everything was perfect, but after 28 hours of flights I was shattered. As I prepared myself for bed I tried to think what I should do with my first day. I decided not to wear myself out right away so the main events like the Eiffel tower and the Louvre would wait until another day. I would start with a film. I had a whole month afterall.

In the morning I strolled through the market; sampling the fruits, admiring the handicrafts and materials, the colours and smells, aswell as all the beautiful people who looked just as happy as I was. I made my way to a small little theatre, it didn’t look all that appealing and the outside needed a wash, but that’s what drew me in.
I approached the booth and paid my fee. I didn’t even know what film they were showing, I just went in and sat near the back. The screen was lit up in black and white, cabaret dancers paraded themselves across a stage, waiving ostrich feathers in time with the music. I reclined in my seat, prepared to watch the show in comfort but a young couple a few rows ahead of me caught my eye.

There were twenty or so people in the theatre but these two, once I’d seen them I couldn’t take my eyes off them. They were so much more engaged with eachother than the film on screen. He had his arm around her and was lazily twirling her straight, black hair in his fingers. She was leaned in close, playing with his open jacket. Their smiles were so captivating. They whispered quietly to one another and giggled together, but not loud enough to interrupt the picture. They looked to be in their late twenties, her hair was black and from what I could tell his was a light brown. They were both beautiful.

I reached into my bag and took out my camera, ensuring the flash was off I snapped a few shots then put it away again. I kept watching them and before I realised it the film was over. The lights came up and people started vacating their seats. I stayed where I was, watching the couple.
They got up together and I finally saw their faces front on. They were younger than I’d thought, not much older than I was. She was of Asian descent, they both had smooth, olive skin and their smiles were so perfect. They both had thin frames, he wasn’t built but I saw muscle definition under his shirt. They caught me staring as they passed but their smiles never faded. Their eyes were so bright.
For the first time I looked away and it felt strange, I suddenly felt alone. When the theatre had emptied I left, knowing I would return the next day.

I skipped the market walk the next morning and went straight into the theatre, taking up my same seat. And there they were, same row as yesterday. I honestly couldn’t tell you what the film was about that day, I don’t think I looked at the screen once. When it was over I followed them out, keeping a short distance. They went to a cafe down a narrow alley. I took up a table a few metres from them and pretended to read the newspaper. Her face was smooth, nothing said Asian save for her eyes which were large but unmistakeable. He had light brown eyes to match his hair whereas hers were a lot darker. He had short stubble, shaved into a small goatee.

When they had ordered their coffees they both turned and looked straight at me. I would have looked away but I was transfixed. I hadn’t thought they’d seen me. I was scared but their smiles were so warm. He made a small motion for me to join them. I couldn’t refuse. I dropped the newspaper and picked up my bag. When I was close she gestured towards the empty third chair.

“Bonjour. My name is Adrian.” He said, holding out his hand. I took it.
“And this is Kaida.”
“Bonjour.” She said.
I stood there, my hand still extended. They exhanged smiles and giggled. I fumbled myself into the chair.
“Sorry, umm, Daniel, my name’s Daniel.” I said
“What brings you to Paris?” Adrian asked. I couldn’t think straight, not with those smiles infront of me.
“Umm, the cinema.” I managed.
“Oui, we’ve seen you there.” said Kaida.
Their accents were both French. But still, I asked the only question I could manage.
“What brings you to Paris?” This was so not like me. Maybe I was still jetlagged.
They laughed politely again.
“Aah, I am from Paris.” said Kaida.
“We live in Orleans where I was born.” said Adrian, “But we visit between Paris and Sapporo often”
“Where’s that?” I asked.
“Northern Japan, my family lives there.” said Kaida, “My mother is from Paris and my father is from Takamatsu.”
She must have analysed the look on my face because she soon added, “South Eastern Japan.”

“Where are you from?” asked Adrian.
“Me? Umm, Wellington, down in New Zealand.”
“Where’s that?” asked Kaida.
“Oh, it’s down just under Aus-”
“I was joking!” They both laughed, I managed a small one. I was just so mesmerised by them both, the energy they gave off was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

“How long are you here for?” Adrian asked.
“Oh, just a month, well, 27 more days.” I replied.
“Do you want to hang out with us?” Kaida asked, “We could show you around?”
“Sh-sure!” I stammered.
“Do you have plans for the afternoon?