Flirt, Love, Romance and Farewell

I happen to be a researcher and my work requires a lot of traveling. A researcher to me is a traveler and a poet who leaves behind a legacy of heart-wrenching memories, some interesting bundle of narratives, some untold stories, unsung poems, bunch of weathered roses and some broken hearts. When one travels to a
foreign destination one learns local language to effectively engage with locals there.

It is very often said a traveler breaks a heart at every place he makes a stop. You call it a myth or a stereotype that travelers, especially men, break hearts. There are  also women travelers who break hearts. I know by saying this I offend my feminist friends for which I have a great deal of respect. So, be it male or female, a traveler happens to leave a broken heart behind.

I have an untold story to say when I traversed an untraveled road. It all happened on my research trip to Paris last autumn. I met a Frenchman at a bar in Paris. I was having my favorite red wine when he suddenly came to me and said “Puis-je avoir le plaisir de danser avec vous”(May I have the pleasure to dance with you). Though he was a stranger, he did not appear to be a stranger to me. Quickly I gave my hand in his hand and we started dancing.

With every dance move he was drawing me closer and closer to him. And I don't know why I hesitated not once to go close to him. While dancing in his arms he asked me “ Quel est votre nom jeune fille?”(What is your name young lady?). I said Jane. Then I asked him, “What's yours?”. He said “Alfred”. From my accent he understood that I am an American. So he asked me, “Quelle place en Amérique, vous venez de ma chère”?(Which place in America you come from my dear?). I said “New York”.

Suddenly he drew me very close and whispered, “Vous avez un beau sourire sexy lady!”(You have a beautiful smile sexy lady!). I said looking into his eyes “J'aime les deux vin français et les Français” (I love both French wine and French men). We got more cozy and he kissed me on my lips. It seemed two strangers, a French man and an American woman were on an unusual date.

Alfred with a deep sigh said “Je veux te sentir mon amour?” (I want to feel you my love?). At that moment I felt as if he said what I desired but could not utter. I pressed his hand suggesting my consent. That night we spent with each other in a hotel room. The next morning we parted. Alfred said “Je ne vais jamais oublier ces moments précieux”.(I am never going to forget these precious moments.). I said “Même ici Adieu ma belle inconnue!”(Same here, Goodbye my fair stranger!).

Now when on my couch I lie and recall these memories, I see a host of golden daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze. I would not call it a one night stand but an intimacy and romance which lived only for a night. Me, a traveler and this is my story of broken heart.

But again, I have to move on. I am a traveler and this is my journey. Life is a forward journey. There is no turning back. My next research assignment takes me to Madrid in Spain. In Spanish, I ask myself “¿Quién es el que más?.”(Who is the next man?). I wonder “Va a correr la misma suerte?” (Will he meet the same fate?)

Here I pack my bag. All set to travel to Madrid. “Taxi Airport”! Standing in the Queue at John F. Kennedy International Airport for my Boarding Pass, I get a man's voice who is standing on my back speaking in Spanish to somebody over phone. He is saying “La señora delante de mí está deslumbrante!”(The lady in front of me is ravishing!). He seems to be Spanish and unaware of the fact that I know Spanish.

Wow! I got a window seat. I don't see that Spanish man in the flight. Wait a minute! ¿Por qué estoy en busca de él? (Why am I looking for him?). ¿Es él el que más? (Is he the next man?)

The flight lands at the Madrid–Barajas Airport. Excited to be in Spain, the native country of one of my favorite actress, Penélope Cruz. I am waiting for a Taxi to reach the hotel. Hey! I see the same Spanish man boarding a Taxi whom I saw in the queue at the airport. As the Taxi moves, he shouts “Bienvenida Señora del hermoso país España!!” (Welcome Madam to the beautiful country Spain!)

Sitting in the Taxi, on my way to the hotel, my heart is beating fast. I can't stop thinking about that Spanish man. “Me imagino otra historia corazón roto está esperando.” (I imagine another broken heart story is waiting.)

-To be continued