splash, and yet, a bigger splash

           While in Munich the sounds couldn’t get more distant, I stumbled upon a half sleep expression at the mirror that denounced my fatigue. The hair tied up on a knot, was starting to show signs of  wear by naturally unfolding itself and falling apart chunk by chunk. “We are now Boarding flight Lufthansa 1926 to Rome” “Lufthansa a Roma”, the female voice repeated in italian. It was the one announcement that entered my ears so loudly that all of a sudden I could hear the voice clearly from the toilet room, for a second I thought it was speaking to no one else in the airport but me. Rome will please your heart, I thought, already fantasizing how delightful such journey could be. I was few steps away from Rome, all it took was walking into the LH 1926 flight. The heart beats grew stronger and more intense. I could feel, and hear them surging through the restless pulsing movement of the veins. “Boarding now” she insisted, and I could picture the walk along the beautiful and timeless buildings of Roma by night, inevitably falling in love at every new corner. My flight however, wasn’t boarding within the next hour - and it wasn’t Rome its destination, not this time - I threw some cold water on my face to wash off the sleepiness, and the dream of Rome that, since I heard the announcement, has been dictating stronger beats to my heart. Splash, and yet, a bigger splash. The water brought me back to my reality and it slowly dripped from my face back to the sink. Naples, that is our flight. I dried my skin with the paper towels, took a last look at my reflection in the mirror, and thought how amazing would it be to land in Naples and go meet my parents - priceless. So how come Rome speaks yet so loudly, and aimlessly appeals to the heart. Strange. Blurry. What’s the purpose. One more hour. The following day wouldn’t be diffuse as the present one. One more hour and I will fall asleep deeply on the flight to southern Italy. For the wait, there was only blur within my reach. You need more of that coffee, I told myself while walking towards the seat where I left N* with my belongings. As I sat on the chairs and watched the rising Sun sharply draw its line from the floor to the round column near the glass windows, people would come and go, late, bored, joyful, and expressionless. The flight to Rome departed. I guess I’m going to Naples then. Good. At least from Naples I can see the sun set at the same time it will find the horizon’s edge in Rome. Maybe there will be a Vatican, or some historic building to create an inevitable anticipation of the night’s shadow, but I wouldn’t think so - why hide behind walls when the skies are at their utmost expansion. It is almost as a countdown to yet another big bang, which I think is about time to happen. Each sunset holds a new surprise. Splash. Why not.

A.