Pol Rubio, a young philosophy graduate, isn't feeling his best lately. And he usually is. Working at a dead-end job and living an unfulfilling life was not what he had envisioned his life to be. Until one night, when he recalls a previous failed rel...
It shouldn't be this hard looking for Bruno. I mean, it's not the fucking Middle Ages. But with him posting absolutely nothing on social media to not having any other information on him whatsoever, it might as well be. I really haven't thought this through, have I? Fuck.
The first sign should have been Carmina only telling me that he's in Rome. No specifics, just that. And of course my stupid brain underestimated it, like Rome is some small town or whatever. No Pol. Rome is a massive city with thousands, maybe even millions of people. You only thought it was small because you've only ever seen it through a map or on your phone screen, you idiot.
And what if she was lying? What if she did that to protect Bruno or something? Or what if she knew that I would go looking for him and all of this was just a practical joke? I don't know and I won't know until I find him. But right now, this is all I have. And if I don't see him, well...we'll just have to call it a vacation. An expensive and reckless vacation.
At least on the positive side of things, I made an Italian friend. Well, not really a friend. More like an acquaintance. I don't think the guy likes me very much. But still...could come in handy in the future when I need a guide or something.
It's a hot afternoon as I go for a walk...
...in the fucking Colosseum, no less. I might have a lot of uncertainties at the time but it doesn't mean I shouldn't have fun. If Merlí could see me now. I'm in Rome! Home of some of the greatest minds in philosophy. I shake my head and smile, still in disbelief. I'm here because of him. If he didn't push me to continue school, I would still be working in that factory, wasting my life away.
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I don't know if this a regular thing that happens here, but the place is packed today. And I mean packed. There's no way to move without bumping into someone. And I'm genuinely scared that the structure might not hold us. Well, maybe that's part of the experience?
I ask a stranger to take a photo of me. I'm always kind of hesitant to do it to be honest. What if I give someone my phone and they just run away with it? Even back home, I've always had trust issues with my stuff. Maybe because I've stolen things before and while I know some people do it for no reason, others do it because their life depends on it. It could be their next meal or their family's. I don't know. I just don't want to lose my phone.
The stranger takes a photo of me and gives me back my phone, to my absolute relief. I check the photo and sigh. Where are you Bruno? If you were here, we could've been the ones taking photos of each other; of us together. And I wouldn't worry anymore about speaking fucking English all the time because you'll be there translating my words to Italian.
But you're not here, and I'm running out of time and money. I just wonder...are you also waiting for me? Do I ever cross your mind? Bruno, why do you have to be so annoying? I mean, really? Running all the way to Rome like some kind of protagonist off a Jane Austen novel; being all secretive and shit. You're mother isn't even here anymore. You're just being a dick.
I continue to walk around the Colosseum. I've been here for about forty-five minutes already and yet it's still a lot to take in. Another tourist approaches me and asks me if I could take a photo of him and his family. Judging from their pale complexion and also from the fact that they're fucking giants, I'm guessing they're from somewhere in Scandinavia. They pose and I take their photos; ten different ones. As I give back the phone, the brother, the guy who approached me earlier, smiles at me. I look at his sister and she's also eyeing me. Oh shit. I don't think I've ever had Scandinavians before. Am I about to have two right now? No, I won't. Because all of a sudden, rain starts pouring down. Ugh. Even nature doesn't want me fucking around anymore.
The people around me rush to find areas to keep themselves from getting wet. I look to see that the Scandinavian family have already joined the chaos. I, on the other hand, just stand there. I take in the scenery and the craziness. It's not everyday that I get to be in the Colosseum when it rains. How Stoic of me.
I begin to make my way to the exit. It's difficult; moving forward with so many people pushing and bumping against me. I look around to see if there are other openings in the crowds so I can just slide in and get there faster. I don't want to wait a long time just to get out. I have things to do. I still have to look for...
...Bruno?
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I see him. Amidst the sea of people, he's there.
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He's waiting for his queue to move, almost at the exit. I'm in disbelief. Surely I don't miss him enough to hallucinate him. I pinch my hip just to see if it's real. It is! He's here. Bruno's in Rome! Hell yes, Carmina, I never doubted you for a second.
"Bruno!" I yell. Of course, he's wearing earphones. This fucking guy. "Bruno!" I try again, waving at him. Nothing. The man next to me gives me a bad stare, annoyed by my yelling. I smile at him. I don't give a fuck, tío. Go judge someone else. I try my best to get to Bruno, pushing through the crowd but it's no use. Some people won't budge or give way for me. I try anyway, I push and slide my way into the crowd towards him. And I get a bit far but when I look up to see him, he's already left.
He's really here. I smile as I push and slide some more, trying to get to the exit. At least I know that now for sure. Rome is a massive city with thousands, maybe even millions of people. But you're one of them, Bruno. I'll see you soon.
