A Thousand Lives

21: You'll Never Find Love in Paris

Standing in the middle of the city of Paris, hoping to find love, then I found her.

"Hindi naman gano'n kaganda," emotionlessly said the girl standing beside me. I smiled a little. I don't know, I find it kinda funny.

"Maganda naman, ah?" I said before turning my gaze to her. She's still looking straight ahead with her beautiful poker face, not minding what I said.

"Can I ask for your name?" I asked, because she seems interesting.

"Do I know you?" She said, sternly.

"Maybe, that's why I'm asking?" I jokingly replied.

She paused for a second, "Paris." Oh.

"Can I get you a warm drink or something? It's quite cold, y'know?"

"Ano bang kailangan mo?" She asked in a serious tone before she elegantly sipped on her coffee.

"A friend?" I said before looking outside through a glass window. "I think it'll be better not to roam around the city alone."

She gave no response, I'm not even sure if she's listening to me. "Pilipino ka rin, and I don't think you're with someone, so I approached you."

"I wanna go to Louvre Museum first."

"Oh, sure." It doesn't show, but I'm really surpised she agreed on joining me. "I plan to go there too."

"Woah..." I said, staring at every corner of the museum, "This is magnificent!"

I looked at Paris. She's looking around, but I can see no amusement in her eyes, not even just a little.

"Okay lang," she simply said.

"Should we roam around?" I asked, because I don't think she's enjoying this.

"Oo naman. Sayang ang punta natin dito, 'no?"

"Where do you wanna go next?" Paris asked after we got out of the museum.

"Uh... Sacré-Cœur?" I suggested.

"Let's take a cab, med'yo malayo eh."

After visiting Sacré-Cœur, we went to Arc de Triomphe. Those places are magestic, yet our beautiful Paris seems to be unappreciative of the art. She's not showing any amusement or just any expression at all. And I don't know why I don't get annoyed with her straight face.

"Eiffel Tower?" I said, asking if she wants to go there.

"Sige," she simply answered. "Lakad na lang tayo, malapit lapit lang naman."

While we're walking, that's when I realized something. She's more appreciative of the art seen in nature and reality.

She walks very slowly as her eyes don't stick to the road. She often stares at the sky, even if there is no star shining, even if the moon is covered by clouds she sees no matter the time and place. She glances at the people's faces, and watches scenarios that are nothing special. She'll look at those, then she'll smile. Yes, she does smile. And she's beautiful.

"Bakit ka pala pumunta rito?" I asked while looking at the tower.

"I just got curious why I was named after this city," she casually answered while minding the view of the people around us.

I glanced at her before turning my gaze to where she is staring. "So, did it feed your curiosity?"

"No." She let out a small smile before looking at me. "Ikaw, bakit ka pumunta rito? Finding love?"

I smiled, "Well, it's The City of Love."

"Naniniwala ka talagang makahahanap ka ng pagmamahal dito?"

"Umaasa."

"'Wag ka nang umasang makikita mo rito ang pag-ibig," she said after chuckling. "Wala 'yon sa lugar, nasa tao 'yon."

"Oo nga. Maybe I'll never find love here," I agreed. "Baka kasi nasa'yo, Paris."

Her face was filled with confusion after she heard my words. And before she could even say anything, I already hit on my point and swept all her confusions away.

"I think I like you."