Right one at the wrong time

The museum

When they finally reached the museum a few minutes later, Ana slowly and carefully got off the bus, looking around the whole time.
„Are you being followed?“
Asked Marija, who couldn‘t help laughing at the sight of Ana who just rolled her eyes and answered dryly, „No.... I just thought that I-“
But then she decided not to finish the sentence even though she could tell from Marija‘s look that for her the subject was not over yet and she was still waiting for an answer.
„You thought what?“
„Not that important. Let‘s go inside.“

Inside the museum it was pleasantly cool and dark. The little light came from the display cases and information boards. The museum was set up like a large staircase with many different rooms. From the top of the stairs, screens flickered showing various scenes from films and television. The whole sight was mighty and impressive. There was an incredible amount to see and the group actually enjoyed not having to think about the ESC for the rest of the day.

After the first few rooms, Ana had completely forgotten about the „appearance“ from earlier.
Her eyes flew over the panels and she tried to absorb every bit of information. She didn‘t know most of the Italian films that were exhibited here. Nevertheless, she had always been very fascinated by film and television. Art in general. Any kind and form of art.

They had come as a group, but now they each stood alone and read through the flood of information in silence. Ana went through a door and entered the next room. It was completely empty. She enjoyed the silence that reigned there. After the hustle and bustle of the previous days, she could finally come down a bit. To her right was a large television that alternately showed different scenes of the Italian countryside and two men on a bicycle.

There was a button next to it. Ana pressed it and the scenes began to change. It looked like summer there. Something about this movie seemed to fascinate her. She took a few steps forward to be able to see it better. Ana wore her glasses but still her eyes were not the best. Now she could see Italian vineyards. A large house. The two men again. And suddenly they were kissing.

A slight gasp escaped from Ana‘s mouth before she could hold it back and she took a few steps away again. Fleetingly, her eyes flitted to the info sign next to the screen. „Call me by your name, 2017“ She had heard of it. Realising that she had just taken a few steps back, she wondered why she’d done that. Of course, this topic was still relatively new and unfamiliar to her.

When she was growing up, there was no such thing. Or rather, it had certainly existed, it had probably always existed in this world. It just wasn‘t talked about. Especially not in Serbia. Sadly people there were still quite conservative and intolerant in this respect. The longer Ana thought about it, the sadder it made her. It must be very hard for these people. She didn‘t know anyone like them. And she could never imagine being like them. Nevertheless, everyone deserved to just be able to love whoever they love. Regardless of gender, race, religion...

She tried to imagine how it must have felt if she had not been allowed to marry her husband for some reason back then. Her husband... Except for the late text message “Son is home.” she had not heard from him since last night. Although she was still sad and disappointed she secretly she hoped he would call again. And if he didn‘t, she decided she would.
She was still standing in front of the flickering pictures when suddenly a cold hand touched her shoulder. She wheeled around with a start. Despite the darkness, she recognised her immediately.

„Ana?“
Now, at the latest, she also recognised the voice. It was the Swedish woman. So she had actually seen her this afternoon after all. With a grin, she made a move towards Ana and indicated that she wanted to hug her in greeting. But the dark-haired woman was still staring at her in complete bewilderment, trying to come to terms with the shock of a random hand suddenly touching her from behind. Then she stretched out her own hand and automatically blocked her upper body with it so Cornelia couldn’t hug her.

The woman in front of her seemed a little confused, took a step back, but then took her hand in greeting. Ana let go of her hand as soon as she had held it out and hastily put it in her jacket pocket. Cornelia continued: „What a coincidence. I thought I saw someone from your team earlier. But how funny is it that you are here too. How was your rehearsal this morning? The sun is still broken.“
It just bubbled out of her and Ana was always surprised how much energy fit into such a small body.
„Thanks. It was good.“
Ana’s words were short and to the point to indicate that she was not really interested in having a conversation wit her.

She also tried to show Cornelia with her body that she would like to go into the next room, alone. But Cornelia didn‘t notice and continued to block her way. Ana groaned slightly and could only pray that the woman would let her continue the museum tour quietly without further comment. Then Cornelia‘s eyes fell on the film and her face lit up. Of course, she did not leave her alone without further comment.

„Oh wow! I love this movie! I didn‘t know it was on display here too.“
„Well, isn‘t it kinda Italian?“
muttered Ana without looking at the other woman.
Cornelia tore her eyes from the screen and looked at Ana‘s side profile. She could tell the serbian woman was not wearing any make-up and yet she always looked like a marble statue. Her long black hair fell over her light jacket, which she was still wearing since it wasn’t too warm inside.
Without shame Cornelia studied her for a few seconds which made Ana feel a little weird cause she could basically feel her gaze on her.

Then she heard Cornelia laugh.
„I see, you know a lot about the movie already.“
For the first time, Ana now turned her gaze to the woman next to her and quickly said.
„No. It says so right here on the board. I‘ve never seen the film. I wouldn‘t...“
„You wouldn‘t what?“
Ana realised what she had just almost said and cursed herself. Hastily she added,
„No, I didn‘t mean it like that. I‘m not that kind of person.“

Cornelia started laughing again.
„Don’t worry. You don‘t need to justify yourself. It‘s just a movie. I can recommend it to you though. It‘s really good.“
Now quotes from the movie appeared on the screen and they both started reading in silence for a while.
Ana was relieved that the blonde had stopped talking and so she herself didn‘t have to say anything either.

„Maybe we were friends first and lovers second. But then perhaps this is what lovers are.“

The words appeared on screen in yellow letters on a light blue background in front of them.
„Would you agree with that? Like do you think it’s true?“
Cornelia‘s head turned back to Ana again.
„Sometimes.“
The black haired woman answered almost immediately. however, without taking her eyes off of the screen, and the Swede was surprised that she had answered at all.
„At least that‘s how it was with my husband and me.“

Cornelia continued to eye her but remained silent. It was the first time she had left anything of hers uncommented. No question. No comment. Not even a single sound.
Ana didn't dare look at her face so instead she took a step back and turned towards the exit. Then Cornelia called after her,
„I would like to believe in it. You know it could spare people pain. And the thought is.. nice. If it could always be like this.“

Ana stopped and turned around once more.
„But it isn‘t.“
Cornelia‘s gaze dropped and she now looked at her as if Ana had just told her that Santa wasn‘t real.
„Why not?“
„Because life isn‘t like in the movies, Cornelia.“
With these words Ana left the room, leaving Cornelia alone. The Swedish woman had to smile. Ana had just called her by her name for the first time.