Ahyan glanced impatiently at his watch, has she fallen asleep inside, he wondered annoyed. He is about to stand up when he spotted her coming from inside the work station talking something to a chef, it is then he remembered she owns this place and must have gotten busy with work. He admires people who are dedicated to their work, he smiled little watching her. There is something different about this girl, something that feels familiar. Ahyan didn't realize he had been staring at her, only when a customer accidently hit him did his trance break.
'Pardon.' A middle-aged French man said. Ahyan simply nodded politely.
'What do you prefer? Museums? at galleries? Parks? Cathedral?' Mahdia asked removing her muffler as the two made their way through the busy metro station. Ahyan thought for a while.
'Whatever suits you?' he said
'Okay, we start our tour with the Cathedral, get the blessing.' She smiled and Ahyan nodded. She couldn't decipher his expressions. She hoped he liked the idea.
*************************************
Mahdia checked for the platform and gestured Ahyan to follow her to platform 16, Ahyan nodded and silently followed her. The station seemed overcrowded, it's a working day after all. Ahyan doesn't like crowds but with Mahdia's presence, he felt better and less annoyed.
'Hurry up.' Mahdia called as she quickly climbed down the moving escalator. Ahyan felt little scared as he climbed down.
'Shit!' Mahdia gasped for breath as she stopped at the platform, the train just left. Ahyan dashed into her from behind and she almost fell with the force but Ahyan was quick to hold her arm by her elbow and stop her from falling.
Mahdia straightened and Ahyan exhaled loudly, his breath uneven with all the running. Mahdia glanced at the LED screen and smiled, 'Next train is in five minutes. Thank God!' she sighed happily. Ahyan forced a smile, he has never done so much running for a silly train, he had always roamed around in his AC car back home or cab in foreign countries.
Ahyan and Mahdia sat on one of the benches. Mahdia placed her one leg over the other and leaned back. Ahyan sat up straight.
He frowned on hearing strange sounds, he felt someone stand next to him, he turned his head and found a couple kissing. He quickly looked away. The platform is deserted except for him and Mahdia and the annoying couple. Their smooching sound irritated him. He stood up startling Mahdia, 'Let's sit somewhere else.' He said annoyed. But before Mahdia could protest the metro came. Ahyan is relieved.
But to his annoyance the annoying couple came in the boggy as them, they stood by the door and continued smooching. This time Mahdia saw them, she then looked at Ahyan from the corner of her eyes, he is looking at them making a disgusting face. Mahdia felt her cheeks burn she looked away.
'Stupid people, can't they do whatever they want in their private homes.' Ahyan said bitterly.
************************************************
Mahdia turned her head and looked at Ahyan, he looked around the Cathedral awe-stuck. She found his expressions extremely adorable. Ahyan is amazed by the beauty of the place, the ceiling so high, beautiful carvings, idols, the woodwork, everything breath-taking.
'Have you never been to a church before?' Mahdia asked curiously.
Ahyan shook his head.
'Why?'
He looked at her and smiled, 'I am an Atheist.' He said simply. Mahdia frowned, he should have said this before she wouldn't have brought him here.
'Oh! How come?' she asked innocently. Ahyan smiled and shrugged
'I guess I am a little practical person.' He said
Mahdia looked at him amused, 'Why so serious?' she said and chuckled. Ahyan smiled little, well she does have a point, why so serious?
Ahyan stood beside Mahdia, he turned his head to look at her. He watched her as she prayed sincerely. Her eyes tightly closed and her palms clasped tightly, her lips moving fervently. He couldn't help but smile, she is looking so innocent. There is a child-like innocence in her that makes her very attractive. Ahyan looked away as she opened her eyes. She looked at him and he pretended to be looking at the candles.
'It's so peaceful here, isn't it?' Mahdia said as the two sat on one of the benches.
'Hmm...it's all in the mind, actually.' Ahyan said simply. Mahdia tilted her head and looked at him, he stared front.
'Well, I don't think so.' Mahdia said. Ahyan smiled and looked at her.
'Well, the debate will never end. But we shouldn't waste our time in the debate, we must go back to work too. Haina?'
Mahdia nodded her head, she didn't like the idea of them parting. She sighed and stood up, Ahyan stood up too.
*******************************************
Mahdia took Ahyan next to Arc de Triomphe, it is another landmark place in Paris.
'You can click photos here.' Mahdia said. Since its winter, there aren't many people here but nevertheless, the beauty of the place is still the same.
'Do I look like a photo person?' Ahyan raised his right eyebrow and Mahdia nodded in agreement.
'I get what you mean.' She felt little annoyed. He had said to take him wherever she thought was best, but whatever she thought was best didn't interest him. Only occasionally, did she see some other expressions on his face beside the usual straight face. It's hard to know if he is interested or not.
'Where do you want to go next?' Mahdia asked. This time she made up her mind that if he said the same thing, 'whatever suits you' she will punch his face.
Ahyan looked at her, 'You are from Paris, you should know better.' He said
Mahdia mentally rolled her eyes, 'But I don't know what you like. So?' she managed to say. Ahyan thought for a while, he looked around. Mahdia looked at him. He gestured her to come sit on one of the benches. She nodded.
Half an hour later,
Mahdia yawned as Ahyan checked out an art in the famous, Musee du Louvre, Art Museum. Mahdia felt this is the most boring museums in the history of museums. Some of the arts Mahdia didn't understand though they weren't modern arts, some art and statues made her blush, some were beautiful but boring. She looked at Ahyan he seemed interested.
'What a boring person.' Mahdia muttered.
'You said something?' Ahyan asked looking at her.
'Nothing.' Mahdia shook her head, her cheeks flushed.
**************************************
'The museum was good.' Ahyan said as the two stood inside the metro train. Mahdia nodded her head. It was good they left the museum else she would have died of boredom if there was such a death. Ahyan looked up and found a tall white man leaning in his chair, his eyes on Mahdia. Ahyan looked at Mahdia she seemed oblivious. He looked back at that man who stared at her, his gaze unmoved. Ahyan felt uncomfortable with the man's gaze on Mahdia. Ahyan shifted in his place. Mahdia is surprised when Ahyan stood right in front of her. Ahyan smiled at her pretending like was just casual. Mahdia smiled looking away. Ahyan smirked thinking of the man's expression. He is successful in blocking his view of Mahdia with his back.
'Cathedral? Museums? Mahdia you are an idiot!' Lydia sighed slapping her forehead. Mahdia frowned not understanding her reaction.
'He said he had been to Eiffel tower so I didn't take him there.' Mahdia shrugged tying her hair in a quick bun.
'Idiot, you should have taken him to romantic places. God! What should I with you? You are hopeless. If you took him to romantic places, those romantic feelings would come inside him and you know something would have happened. But you, silly girl,' Lydia held her shoulders, 'He is going next week. Do something.' She shook her slightly.
Mahdia bit her lower lip, her heart sinking with the thought of Ahyan leaving next week.
'Lydia, please help me. Please help me, built those romantic feelings in him for me before he goes.' Mahdia pleaded holding Lydia's hand. Lydia smiled nodding her head. Mahdia leaped forward and hugged her as she muttered her thanks.