Finding You. | BRUNOL & SIMUEL

Part 16: Pol

Great, Pol. You came all this way just to say nothing to Bruno. I didn't expect this to be so overwhelming. I awkwardly smile at him, trying to form words inside my brain. He shakes his head in disbelief. "This is crazy. I can't believe you're here, Pol," he says. "Me neither." We both stare at each other for a bit. What now? Suddenly, Bruno goes in for a hug. It catches me off guard and takes the air out of my lungs for a second. I finally realize how ill-thought-out this whole thing was. What do I even tell him? That I came all this way just to find him? Yeah, that's not weird at all. It's completely normal. He smells so good. I, on the other hand, probably smell like shit right now, looking for him all over the city. "What are you doing here in Rome?" he asks. I was looking for you, Bruno.

"Vacation," I say. "I...I needed a break from work."

"And you chose Rome?" he asks. Well, yes, Bruno. I was looking for you. I don't respond. I just smile. "Well, I understand how that feels. Being an adult fucking sucks."

I nod in agreement. "And you? What are you doing here?" I'm trying my best to act calm but this is just too fucking surreal. Like, was so ready to give up earlier and then he just pops up. Is it you Merlí? Is this your doing?

"I was watching a production. There." He points towards the theater. So he was there. "A friend invited me. Remember when I used to take dance classes?" I nod. "Well, one of my classmates there is now a professional dancer and she invited me."

"Nice." I say. What are you doing Pol? Pull yourself together. Bruno doesn't say anything for a second. He probably thinks I'm not interested in him. I am, Bruno. I swear. I'm just really surprised right now.

"How are you?" we both ask at the same time. We laugh. God, he looks so good with his scruffy beard and his messy hair. I gesture towards him. "You first," I say.

"Okay, erm..." he pauses to think. "I'm great. It's tough living on my own. But..." he looks at me. "It's also very...rewarding. I've always relied on other people. I was secure and comfortable. But I'm really happy now. It's challenging being away from yaya. I miss Barcelona. But I think...I made the right choice." He checks his phone for a bit. Oh fuck. Is he bored? Am I really boring now?

"And you? How's life back home?" He looks up at me, waiting for an answer.

I can't say anything without it sounding too sad. I really don't want to seem like I'm desperate for Bruno. Because I'm not.

Well, I am. But he doesn't need to know that. He says he's happy and I can see it. He doesn't need me dragging him down. "I'm okay," I tell him. He's a bit confused; probably expecting me to say more.

"Are we okay, Pol?" he asks.

I nod as I take a deep breath through my nose. "Yes, we are. Sorry," I tell him. "It's just, erm...it's-it's been a while."

With a grin on his face, he puts both his hands on my shoulders. "I know what you need," he says. I swallow. Is he going to—

"You need to get drunk. Come, let's buy you some drinks. I know a bar somewhere near here." He immediately starts walking. I trail behind him. Okay, Pol, you need to relax. You've been overthinking this too much. Just enjoy the moment. You haven't seen Bruno in years. And you're only wasting time worrying. Just have fun. I look at him and I smile. He checks his phone again. He probably has an appointment or something.

"Do you have somewhere else you have to be, Bruno? Because it's really fine. We can just reschedule or something," I tell him.

"Oh, no. I was just checking the time because there's an after-party with all the dancers in like an hour or so...but it's fine, Pol. I want to drink with you." That's a relief. I was really he would hate me. He should hate me. But he doesn't look like he does. We go through an alley.