Si, Per Favore

3. Ferrari

"So this weekend, Naman and I were thinking of heading to Modena and Maranello to visit the Ferrari museum. Do you want to come along?" Arjun asked.

"100% yes! I've been wanting to go there. It's been on my list." I smiled to myself, thrilled at the thought of striking another item off my list.

"Okay, great. I'll book the tickets during class. Sit with us." Naman added.

"Yeah, sure."

We entered the classroom, already buzzing with students. Unfortunately, I didn't get a seat next to Arjun and Naman, who sat in the second-to-last row at the edge. I found a seat in the row ahead of them, also at the edge.

Every few minutes, I could hear them whispering about the tickets, the cost, and how we'd travel from Milan to Modena and then to Maranello.

Distracted from typing my notes, I opened Google Maps to see for myself where exactly Modena was and how far it was from Milan. Just at that moment, the person next to me sneezed. I turned to look at him and realized I was sitting next to the cute Dutch guy, Tim, who was also here for the semester. HELLO CUTENESS.

"Excuse me."
"Bless you."

We both said at the same time. He briefly looked at me gave me a small smile. After a few minutes he turned his head to look at me.

"How have you been?" His straight blonde hair falling in front of his eyes. His green eyes glanced at my laptop before settling back on me.

"Good, finally getting the hang of this place. And you?"

"It's similar to home in many ways, so adjusting hasn't been an issue. Just trying to figure out how to squeeze in more places to visit here in Italy before I have to go back home for Christmas."

"I can relate. What have you covered so far?" My curiosity was piqued. I remembered overhearing him and his Dutch friends planning an elaborate itinerary during our first few classes back in September.

"We started with the common ones close by: Como, Turin, Verona. Mostly day trips. We also went to the Liguria region and visited some beach towns. Then we did Florence and Pisa together, which was a really fun weekend. We stayed at a great hostel. Now, we're planning to do Rome, Naples, and Capri next weekend, as we have Friday and Monday off."

"That sounds amazing. You've done a lot more than me," I chuckled.

"What about you? Where have you been?"

"I've been to Cinque Terre in Liguria. I have also done Venice. Both were gorgeous. I've visited Como too. Last weekend I went to Lugano with a few friends. And that's it. I feel like I have so much more left to see and so little time. I came here in September, and now it's already the end of October."

"You have time, don't worry. But yes, don't miss out. What are you doing this weekend? If you have no plans, you could do a day trip to Turin or Verona."

"Verona is on my list. I've wanted to go there for a long time. Just been waiting for my friends to have their schedules free up. But I do have plans for this weekend. I'm visiting Modena and Maranello with my friends tomorrow. We're going to the Ferrari museum."

"That's cool. So you're into cars?"

"Yes, and into F1 too. I'm a Ferrari fan."

"Fascinating. Well, I hope you have a great time. And by the way, don't wait up for anyone for visiting some place. If you really want to go, just go, even if it means going by yourself. A solo trip is not a bad idea. They're my favourite, to be honest."

I nod. "I guess a solo trip could be fun... I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

I switched my attention back to my laptop, quickly typing the professor's notes. But I know this will be in the back of my mind the whole time. Because, I've been wanting to add it too my list for the longest time but, I've just been a chicken about it.