The view from the plane window was exquisite, the watercolor sunrise over the Eiffel tower, the rays of golden sunlight reflecting off the Seine, and the intricate architecture of Paris all helped me see why many people considered the city of Paris as the most beautiful city in the world. Although, right now I had mixed feelings about this city. Music sounded in my ears as I stared out the window, as I had been doing for the past seven hours. I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I took out my headphones and peered at my mom, who was sitting next to me.
"Dragă, I know that moving to Paris was quite unexpected, and not exactly what you wanted to happen. But, our new jobs are fantastic, and we'll be closer to your sister." My mother was extremely tired, and it showed. Although, a nonstop seven hour international flight can do that to you.
"Yeah, mom. I know." I smiled at her. "At least we are moving to someplace interesting! Plus the food is supposed to be good." My mom laughed, and my dad, who was asleep in the aisle seat adjusted his position and stayed asleep.
"Passengers, please remain seated and fasten their seatbelts." The voice of the pilot echoed throughout the cabin. "The final descent into Paris is beginning."
"Ah, I should wake up your father. Your sister will be here to pick us up." My mom turned and shook my dad to wake him, and returned to gazing out the window. So Shiori is taking time out of her busy scheduled to pick us up. I snorted to myself. That's surprising, although I guess it will be nice to see her in person, instead of on the cover of a magazine or something.
Customs were nothing special, just like the customs of any other country I had traveled to. It was a relief when it was all finished. Although, not everyone was together. My dog, in accordance with the law, had to be quarantined for a week before we could take him home.
"Mom, Dad, I am hungry, we should get some food." I adjusted the strap of my carry-on bag.
"Hmm, well. I am not hungry." I could tell from my dad's tone he had something dastardly planned. "But here is some money, so you can go buy some food for yourself." He was smirking.
"Father, why?!" I melodramatically shook my fist at him. "How could you do this to me? I am doomed! Doomed!" My dad laughed at me, which is what I had been going for. 'No, but seriously, I am kinda doomed. I can't even speak the language." My voice was deadpan.
"Yet." My dad forced the money into my hands and ushered me towards one of the vendors. Sighing, I tried to swallow my hesitation and nervousness, and shuffled towards the decently sized line. Out of habit, I was always taking in my surroundings, so much so that my family often jokingly accused me of being paranoid. Paranoia is just common sense when everyone is out to get you. I smiled wryly to myself, because I knew I had no reason to be paranoid. Out of habit and boredom, I watched the people in front of me order their food and pay. Currently ordering was a petite, elegant lady, dressed in an expensive, navy blue business suit and six-inch heels. From the looks of it, she was absolutely thrilled to be ordering a thing of fast food. Second in line stood a man of medium height, with droopy eyes and jowls to match. Behind him, a couple leaned against each other, murmuring into each other's ears.
However, the most interesting person in the line was right in front of me. He matched the petite lady in height, but instead of a suit, this person wore a bright red Hawaiian shirt, splattered with white flowers, and using a cane that was almost taller than he was. Khaki shorts completed the look, along with a pair of sandals. The couple finished paying, and it was now the man's turn to order. Everything went smoothly, or so it seemed to me despite my absolute lack of knowledge concerning the French language, until the time came for the man to pay.
"Ce sera euros quatre ans et demi s'il vous plaît.[1]" The cashier blew and popped a bubble, smacking her lips as he drew the gum back into his mouth to repeat the process.
"Pas de problème.[2]" The man seemed a little distracted, answering after a pause and his body language seemed nervous, looking around anxiously. But I was probably just overanalyzing the situation, some people were just naturally twitchy. "Oh, je suis désolé ... Je ne peux pas sembler trouver mon portefeuille ... Peut-être qu'il est ici.[3]" The short man fished around in his pockets for his wallet, or so I presumed.
"Sérieusement? Si vous ne pouvez pas payer simplement laisser.[4]" The cashier, named Colette if her name tag was to be trusted, was acting bratty from the sound of her voice. Do not get involved, it is not your problem.
"Je sais que je l'ai ici quelque part.[5]" The man didn't seem particularly bothered.
"Nous savons tous que n'est pas vrai. Arrêtez de perdre du temps de chacun, stupide vieil homme.[6]" Okay this is ridiculous. I may not be able to speak French, but I can recognize when someone is being an ass, calling people stupid and stuff. Sighing internally, I thought back to what little French I knew, so exactly three things, and decided to just go with Romanian. It's in the same family as French, it should work in a pinch.
"Scuzați-mă!" I tapped the man's shoulder.
"Hmm?" He turned, and I held the money my dad gave me out to him.
Aici. Puteți plăti cu asta, nu într-adevăr nevoie de ea.[7]" Luckily, the bearded man smiled and took the money.
"Merci." He turned, and the cashier looked absolutely pissed at me.
"Non. Il suffit de laisser, aller ailleurs.[8]" Much to my exasperation, the cashier still refused to serve him.
"Dă-i mâncarea, te rog."I kept my voice completely level, enjoying the face of confusion on the cashier's face. He looked at the bag of food resting on the counter.
"Non."
"コレットは、彼に彼の料理をしてください与えます[9]" I spoke Japanese instead of Romanian this time, just because. It didn't make a difference anyway.
"Non."
"In that case, give me my food, and I won't ask for the manager." I desperately hoped that the cashier wasn't the manager that would be a major fail.
"Quelle?[10]" Taken aback, Colette stared at me.
"It's my money, right? That is why you won't give him his food. So, I'll have his order." She narrowed her eyes at me, but didn't say anything. So, I reached over and grabbed the bag, handed it to the man, and left the line. As soon as I had escaped the situation, I released the breath that I didn't realize that I had been holding, and the tension escaped from my body.
"Excusez-moi." I was greeted by the man I had tried to help. "Merci, Je vous remercie, qui était très gentil. Vous géré très bien.[11]" I had no idea what he was saying, so I just stood there awkwardly.
"Umm….Thank you?" I tried to smile, but it felt like more of a grimace. The man laughed, but it there was a note of something that I couldn't place woven in with the laugher.
"Je suis désolé.[12]" He took my hand as he said this, then disappeared into the crowd, leaving me mystified. Still a bit confused, I made my way back to my family, deciding to pay the encounter no mind.
"I thought you went to go get food?" My mother questioned.
"I did, but something happened and I gave my food to someone else. " I shrugged. "I can get something later."
"Figures that would happen." Ruffling my hair, my dad laughed, a tired but happy smile adorning his features. "Come one, let's find a hotel to stay in for tonight, and we'll see our new place tomorrow."
"Okay, dad." I adjusted my strap again, but something felt different. The bag was slightly heavier. What? This is interesting… Loosening the drawstrings, my eyes fell upon something that hadn't been in my bag before, resting on top of the other items in the back.
The item in question was a black, octagonal box, with a beautiful, scarlet, ornately carved Chinese design on it. That's strange. I know I do not own this, did the man give it to me? But how did it get in my bag? I was snapped out of my reverie by my mother.
"Flavia, come. We must go, tomorrow is important." Pulling on the drawstrings, I closed the bag, and went on my way.
"Coming Mom!" My thoughts still lingered on the little black mystery box, questions swirling around my mind. Well, one thing is for sure, I can't wait to open it and see what's inside.
[1] That'll be four and a half euros please. (I used google translate, so sorry for any errors!)
[2] No Problem
[3] Oh, I'm sorry...I can't seem to find my wallet...Maybe it's here.
[4] Seriously? If you can't pay just leave.
[5] I know I have it here somewhere.
[6] We all know that isn't true. Stop wasting everyone's time, stupid old man.
[7] Here, you can pay with this, I don't really need it.
[8] No. Just leave, go somewhere else.
[9] Colette, give him his food please.
[10] What?
[11] Thank you, that was very kind. You handled that very well.
[12] I am sorry.
