Finding You. | BRUNOL & SIMUEL

Part 10: Pol

It's over. I quit.

Carrying my luggage, I exit my hotel after checking out. I haven't even booked a flight yet. But I just want to get out of here. It's time to face the truth, Pol. Going here was a fucking huge mistake and last night was the confirmation you needed. I just wish it had come sooner.

Suddenly, Rome doesn't feel so welcoming anymore. All the magic that used to be here when I arrived is now gone. Now it's just another city...just another Barcelona. So what do I do now? Go to the airport and book a flight there? I don't know. Even when going home I'm a mess. I wish Merlí was still alive right now. He'd know what to do. He'd check me back into the hotel without telling me and then he'd say, 'Don't come back to Barcelona until you find my son.' I used to think Bruno and Merlí had nothing in in common. But now, I'm thinking those Bergeron men actually have one thing in common: both are stubborn as hell.

Is this really it? Do I just go home? No Bruno? And a fucked up nose for a souvenir? How wonderful. Best vacation ever.

As I continue to walk, I can't help but think of Manuel and how I messed that one up. The guy had just been beaten up and all I did was complain that I didn't get the chance to know where Bruno is. I didn't even ask him if he was okay or what he was feeling.

I remember when I told him that I was annoyed about Bruno not saying goodbye. In my head, it was always easy to do that. My whole life I've let go of people and just moved on. I've always believed that there's no point dwelling on something you can just replace. But when Manuel pointed out that maybe it wasn't so easy for Bruno; I have to admit, I felt a bit defensive. How dare this stranger have an opinion on how Bruno feels? He doesn't even know him. I know Bruno. He was just doing that to be annoying; so that I could come back to him.

But was he just doing that? I don't know anymore. I'm starting to think maybe Manuel could be right. Because if he really wanted to, Bruno could have already returned. But he didn't. And that was four years ago. Maybe him not saying goodbye to me was the sign and I just didn't see it.

I sigh. I don't know. That's a lot for me to think about right now to be honest. I mean, my head already hurts from what happened last night. I don't want to have a public breakdown. But I do realize I messed up last night and before I go home, I want to at least make things right for my Italian friend. He deserves that much.

*

I arrive at the food truck. Manuel is in the middle of catering to a customer. I don't know if I should approach him or not. I'm pretty sure last night he told me to stay away from him. Oh fuck it. I'm going to apologize to him whether he likes it or not. He should feel lucky to be honest. I rarely apologize to anyone. Manuel looks super tired. I don't blame him. That guy really fucked him up last night. As soon as I begin walking towards him, he immediately notices and looks at me. I pause. I don't know what to do. Please don't call the police. Please. I don't want to have to deal with legal troubles in a foreign country.

He stares me down for a bit...and then nods. Okay, what does that mean exactly? I continue walking towards him. Before I could reach him he says, "I'm finished after this one. Just wait a little." I nod and look for an area I could sit on and put down my huge bag. But there aren't any chairs around so I just sit down on the ground.

As I wait, I browse through Bruno's Facebook again on my phone, trying to see if there are any clues I could find. Nothing. I look up to see that the customer has already left. Manuel is almost finished closing up the truck. I get and walk towards him as he closes the backdoor.

He notices me and my bag. "You are going?" he asks. I nod. "Did you find Bruno?"

I shake my head. "No."