A stolen life

Chapter 1

My obscure and troubled existence took an unexpected twist a warm Saturday afternoon. Everyday I had taken into custom to sit at the same spot, near the Eiffel tower, to watch the passerby. I did it plainly to test my memory, hoping sooner or later I’d recognize someone, at least one soul who could help me decipher who I am, and what happened to me. Nothing I had mentioned previously took place that day, nor it wasn’t anything I’d expect to happen. Around 4 in the afternoon, two elegant young women passed by me. One was of impressive height, and the other, by contrast, petite. She gifted me a quick glance, enough to make my heart flourish with intense feelings, that wouldn’t go away as much as I tried throughout the remaining of the day. At night, lying in the shadows of the bedroom, I tried to erase her from my mind, only to result on the contrary. I saw her over and over again… In that second our eyes met, I could perceive great amounts of intelligence in her being. But her elegance, the way she shone in the simple clothes, it was out of this world. The next day, I walked around the city in the early morning to procure myself food, and in the afternoon, I went to “my” spot, as it was usual. This time, instead of staring indifferently at everyone, I seeked in every face to find hers again. As it was a very enjoyable Sunday, with bright sun and cloudless sky, the streets were very crowded. From time to time one could hear ladies and gentlemen speaking in Russian, a language I seemed to know as well, given the complete understanding I had of what was said by others. At least, this knowledge provided me the hint I was born in that territory, or one of my parents was a native. On the time that had gone by, I couldn’t distinguish her figure among the crowds, and a crushing disappointment grew from the depths of my soul. Another hour passed, and the evening was right around the corner. At the exact moment I took my cigarette case out seeking to smoke, I heard a captivating voice:
-Excusez-moi, Monsieur…
During the past months, I hadn’t been able to experience such a beautiful sensation as looking up and seeing an angelic face. Her angelic face. She smiled, radiantly, enough to provide light to an entire city.
-I am a little lost, and I’d appreciate any help to find Rue Lecourbe… If it isn’t much of an inconvenience, Monsieur…
Out of horror I shook my head. It’d never be an inconvenience, even if I wasn’t quite sure where the street she looked for was located.
-Madame… -I exhaled the smoke of the cigarette – It is located south, that is all I can help with.
In her blue-green eyes there was a shadow of disappointment, my suspicions with this reaction were confirmed: she just wanted to initiate a conversation.
-Who do you recommend I must ask instead? - she wondered.
My sight went from one side to the other, I knew no one, just the old lady who provided the room I slept in.
-That’s another answer I can’t offer, forgive me. I don’t have the knowledge of who I am and where I come from… Let alone knowing this city.
She sighed, hopelessly, taking the remaining space of the bench to sit.
-I am deeply sorry to hear of your misfortune – responded full of kindness.
I kept silent, only shrugging and looking back at her, enjoying the cigarette.
-Do you smoke? -I wondered taking out my case again. It was utterly impolite to not have offered it earlier.
-Occasionally -she smiled, accepting one.
Slowly I leaned closer to light up her cigar. It was a short, magical moment in which we were a few inches of each other, enough to drown myself in the sweetness of her scent.
-Are you not in a hurry, Miss, to arrive at that address? -I asked, after some silent minutes.
-My sister can wait. Some days I wish I had your condition… It is better to forget everything in certain moments.
That had been a very curious answer. Why losing her memory? When I gazed upon her to ponder whether to ask why or not, seemingly, she read my mind:
-Life’s particularly tough for a foreign woman in a country like Great Britain. I was born and raised in Russia -she said in Russian at last.
I nodded and added:
-My suspicions regarding my identity also include being a Russian native, or any of my parents -I responded in the same language she used.
In her face now shone authentic excitement, despite hardly seeing her due to sunlight being more scarce every minute that went by.
-You must come with me! My brother in law knows a lot of people, he was…
-It is not necessary, Miss.
Disappointment won over her face, the next split of second, she seemed rather angry.
-I must go -she bounced up hurriedly.
-It’s dangerous for ladies to walk alone. Please, let me accompany you. If my memory doesn’t fail, you came to me asking for an address…
She turned around, looking at me violently. Probably, because she had already forgotten about this detail.
-No, thank you, Monsieur. I can take care of myself fairly well.
-I insist- I stood up, walking after her.
-Don’t. The last thing I need is a man babysitting me as if I was a toddler! Good evening, Monsieur.
She left almost running, leaving me behind without even knowing her name. Now I had lost all hopes. It was most likely she’d never appear again.