Thirty

"Francis Addler! Where are you?!" I screamed into my phone, searching for a familiar face amid the sea of people. After all, getting lost in a foreign country, was the last thing on my bucket list. If it weren't for this bloke who whisked me away from our class just to be entertained by some street performance, I would have been soaking in on the paintings displayed at the art gala.

Now, with my class and Addler gone, I was all alone.

"For goodness sake, Walker, this is Paris! You cannot blame me for being curious." He responded, sounding a little breathless, probably from all the running and sightseeing.

I am going to kill this man.

Yes, he infuriates me, and it was always a wonder as to how I could tolerate this buffoon. Though we have only known each other for a mere 2 months, it felt like I have known him for a long time. Together, we are the chaotic trio. It was just a pity that Alis couldn't make the trip.

"I don't care! If you are not back within ten minutes, I'll be sure to prepare a coffin the next time I see you! Because if I am kidnapped and killed, I would be sure to haunt you for the rest of your life!" I yelled, causing a few locals to eye disapprovingly.

Could they blame me? All I wanted was to be a painter, not someone who would appear under the 'missing' list.

"Geez, Anna, alright!" The exasperation in his voice was unmistakable as I felt him pout. "I'll meet you at the park we passed through earlier." It took whatever I had to not throw a fit as I hung up the phone.

Knowing how far Francis would have been by now, I took my time to stroll through the market as I made my way towards the location, taking huge breaths to douse the fire within.

"My, my, what a lovely girl." I turned my head to the source of sound, only to find an old woman sitting on the brick-tiled floor with many goods sprawled and displayed on top of a roughly woven textile. Though fair, her skin was wrinkled and thin, her back too, was arched significantly forward, of which stirred immense pity from me. Even her clothes were torn and tattered, losing their original colours.

"Good afternoon, madam." I greeted while she peered upwards, revealing her saggy and puffy eyebags.

Weakly, the senior extended her shaky hands toward me, prompting me to bend down until my knees hit the floor.

"I have something for you." She spoke, as I enveloped her hand between both of mine while she reached for a box. Opening it, she retrieved a chain that was decorated with a red pendant. Though it looked old and somewhat dusty, there was a peculiar shine within the gem; and somehow a sense of familiarity as I gazed upon the jewellery; as if I had seen it before.

That's ridiculous!

This was my first time in Paris, there was no way that I could have seen this before.

"Take it." The old lady said, pushing the necklace into my hand.

"Oh no, I couldn't." I responded, attempting to push the chain back to her but only to have her firmly plant the gem into my palms as I looked dumbfounded, pondering over her sudden action.

"This belongs to you." She explained. "For my whole life, I have been collecting lost things so that I can return them to their rightful owners. And today, this necklace has been calling out to return back to its master."

Master, huh.

My brows furrowed as I contemplated if I should stay or run from this possible loony. But I chose the latter.

Gripping the jewellery, I brought it to my eye level before looking into the stone, seeing my reflection from the clarity of the gem.

"When two souls unite, even the universe will be rendered powerless to separate them." The lady blurted, enabling me to feel even more confused. "I hope that this time, your happiness lies within your reach."

"Umm...thank you?" I uttered, not knowing what to say. However, that alone made the elder beam in delight.

"Let me pay for this." I offered, not wanting to rob her of her wages; it must have been hard to work and manoeuvre at such an advanced age.

"No," she declined while maintaining the look of contentment. "These things are not mine. I am just simply returning them to you."

Her insistence led me to feel a tinge of disappointment that I was not able to help improve a fraction of her circumstances.

"Alright." I reluctantly replied before mouthing a 'thank you' as I pulled away, stealing glances at her while she sat there, looking lonely as ever. Though it pained me, I was helpless to the situation.

Instantly, I was swarmed by a sea of people; vulnerable to the shoving and jostles, I became a human pinball. And what is worse was the bodies that reeked of sweat and the pungent odour that came brushing across my face, infiltrating my nostrils that sent me quivering in repugnance.

"No!" I shrieked, for the necklace in my hand was no more, no doubt trampled under the feet of those in the back.

"Excuse me." I said, pushing against the wave as I attempted to make my way back. However, those efforts were futile as I was soon propelled out of the crowd, exiting the entrance of the market.

Immediately after the crowd was dispersed, I hurried back to the starting point, scanning the ground for the necklace.

The peculiar joy of being reunited with an object that felt strangely familiar was washed away, turning into a dull sore and grief that could not be described as it crept into my heart; building and intensifying as the jewellery was nowhere to be found.

Defeated, I made my way to the park and settled on the bench, wearing the despair on my face.

Leaning my head against the palms of my hand, I covered my eyes before combing through the locks. If anyone were to see me, they would have thought that I had just been through a breakup. Though that was not true, it felt like I did.

I felt torn apart, as if something of much importance had just slipped through my fingers. And somehow, the unnatural desire to cry overwhelmed me as I bit back on my lip, swallowing the ache in my throat.

The crunch of someone's footsteps as they trampled on the fine grains of sand grew louder. Then, with my gaze half focused on the ground, I caught sight of the necklace that was now dangling before me.

"I believe this belongs to you." A voice announced, one that was both deep and rich.

Without looking up, I snatched the necklace out of his fingers and brought it to my lips, feeling relief spreading through me.

"Thank you, sir. You have no idea-"

All thoughts were ceased as I was enraptured by the man before me.

The brown eyes captivated mine as they held a fierce passion, stirring an unknown hunger from deep within me. Before long, my eyes had their attention on his lips, ones that were full, smooth and luscious.

"I have finally found you." The man breathed as he tucked the loose strain of hair behind my ear without ever breaking eye contact.

Instead of feeling crept out, I found myself yearning for his touch as I leaned into his warm and comfortable hand. It was like a fire that burned me, and my soul calling out for him.

He felt like home.

"Who are you?" I asked, as I tried to remember if I had met this stranger before. But, all I got were the fuzziness and haziness at the back of my mind.

"Why do you feel so familiar?" I pondered about the mysteriousness of this gentleman and how he had the power to make me feel things I have never felt before. Somehow, it felt like I had known him my entire life.

His lips curled upwards before a tear escaped, dripping down his chin and onto the sand. The throbbing hurt ached and cracked my heart as he wept; his tears that seem to tell a tale that was far too sophisticated for anyone to bear.

Gingerly, I wiped the stain off his cheek and let my thumb remain there, brushing his skin against mine.

"Why does it hurt me to see you cry?" I mumbled, stepping closer to him as his heat radiated towards me. The man did nothing but chuckle softly, before kissing the back of my hand.

Soon after, my eyes watered and blurred. The dam that withheld streams finally collapsed and broke loose. All I wanted was to hold on to this man, to embrace his fears and anxieties, his weaknesses and doubts. I desire all of him, the good and the bad.

"Because," he continued, our foreheads touching each other. "I have let you slip away from me for more times than I can count. But now, neither heights nor depth, nor anything or anyone else, will be able to take you away from me."

I listened carefully, taking in each word that seemed to weigh tons; the significance in his speech had my heart tugging tremendously and wonderfully.

"I know you don't remember anything and that this is probably going to sound crazy to you, but if you'll allow me, in this life and the life to come, what I have and possess, let it be yours for all time."

The air that was lodged in my throat took my breath away. This man whom I had just met, was confessing to me. And I, felt the euphoric jubilation bursting forth from me.

"Mine?" I muttered while locking my gaze onto his, as he poured out his sincereness and affection.

"Yours..." He whispered, grazing his lips against my ear. "Eternally."