.cuatro.
"Perdon." He said nervously, immediately correcting himself in broken english. "Sorry." He reapeated his apology in the one language that was considered universal. In that moment, his notion that he may have found someone who understood him...died. He blurted out the next words that escaped his lips. "I thought--I thought you were Mexican." The moment he said those words, he instantly regretted them. He didn't mean to offend anyone, he had just been surprised to find someone--in Japan--listening to music from his home country. Especially someone who was clearly Japanese.
With a slight shake of her head, she informed him as though he were an ignorant, "Who says I cannot listen to Mexican music because I am Japanese?" She asked him, she had clearly taken offence to his innocently spoken words. Before he could utter a clumsy reply, she interrupted him, "American girls listen to One Direction, and they are not British. Does anyone say anything to them about it? No."
Her example made Javier feel stupid.
Of course the Japanese were allowed to listen to mariachi music just as American girls were allowed to listen to One Direction music. That also didn't mean there was a great deal of Japanese people who actually listened to mariachi music.
"Yeah." He agreed with her. But when he really thought about it, he still thought it sounded strange. The twenty-six year old footballer stood there awkwardly, balancing back and forth on the balls on his feet when the a silence hung in the air and he didn't know whether to stay or go. Maybe humiliating himself in front of a foreigner was enough for him. He could return to his hotel room and forget all about it. It wasn't like he would see her again anyway. "But..." He continued. He thought maybe there was a reason he couldn't stop blurting things out. It was possibly because he found her to be absolutely beautiful and he wanted to keep the conversation going no matter how pointless and stupid it could be. "Do you even know what the lyrics mean?"
To that, her expression softened. "Honestly? No. But I think it sounds lovely. It sounds very romantic and festive, I fall in love with the music from Mexico."
Javier bit down on his lip. He knew he had the opportunity to run back to his hotel, where he would be lonely for the rest of his time. Or he could make his next offer to her, which could possibly earn him a new friend. He opted for making the offer. "I can teach you some basic Spanish." He said, adding, "I would teach you more, but I'll only be here for two weeks."
"I know." She nodded, heaving a sigh. "You're Chichaaaarrrrrrrrrito." Javier found it adorable how, in her attempt to roll her 'r', she had dragged out the sound of his nickname for far too long; the little pea. He also liked the fact that she didn't seem to be fazed by the fact that he was a famous footballer who currently played for one of the best teams in the world. The pale skinned young woman with long dark hair added when she saw the surprise on his face, "The music is not the only thing I love about Mexico. I also love the football. It makes me sad how Mexico never gets the praise they deserve, almost like Japan."
A smile spread onto his lips. "You're going to make me blush, eh."
The young woman giggled. She looked up at him, her dark eyes meeting his almond colored ones when he remained awkwardly standing there. The song which was playing on her boombox was over, and another song was playing. It was 'Mexico Lindo y Querido' sung by Jorge Negrete.
Mexico, beloved and beautiful, if I die away from you, let them say I'm asleep, and let them take me to you. The lyrics said in Spanish.
"Are you going to sit down or not?" She asked him with a teasing smile.
Javier nodded and took a few steps closer to her. He was about to sit down when his cellphone vibrated in his pocket. He whipped his cellphone out to look at his screen. He had received a text from James.
james: where r u? the guys and i came back to the hotel to invite u to dinner. the whole team is coming.
The Mexican footballer clicked on the reply button and typed a response.
javier: i came to the beach. give me a few minutes. i'll be there.
james: va, but hurry up.
He looked at the young woman sitting in the sand, a frown formed on his lips. He wanted to know more about her, but at the same time, this was his chance to fit in with the rest of the team. Perhaps if he could see her again, they could talk and he could teach her spanish like he had offered.
Sensing what was coming, she said, "You have to go."
"Yes." He told her. But then asked, "Will I see you again?"
She shrugged. "Its possible."
"Tomorrow, right here, at the same time." He told her. "Please be here." But she said nothing. As he took a few steps away from her, he stopped in his tracks, realizing he hadn't gotten her name. "Will you tell me your name?"
"Amaya." She responded in a nonchalant manner.
Javier was relieved that her name was not difficult to pronounce. He said her name under his breath with a smile. "Amaya."
And he was on his way back to the hotel whwere his team mates were waiting for him.
-
finally! can you hear the hallelujah chorus?
i know i had promised the update last week, but i simply forgot all about it. but here i am, posting an update. i might post one again soon, i'm hoping to. so thank you all bunches for reading. it means a lot.
i love you.
-clary xx
