An Urban Fairytale

Before you read this, know it is not from my fevered wishful imagination. This just unfolded - infront of my own very jaded eyes - and they are burning bright once more with the knowledge that love is alive and well and all around...

I'm sitting at the Bookworm. Doing my homework. Pondering Great Compassion and concluding that without a solid foundation of self esteem and worth its difficult to get a foothold and then the magic occured.

I'd been aware of a very handsome, young couple sitting at the booth beside mine. She had huge blue eyes, soft brown hair, freckles and a European accent. He was a modern day Indian prince, with heavenly wavy hair tapered into his regal neck. They were not having a fun conversation.

They were reliving their last few months or so. She accusing him of not caring. He saying that he was too hurt to behave well. He was in too much pain. My homework focus began to drift as I tuned into this real life occurence of love found and love lost. Their tones were angry, then pleading, then nervously laughing. They recounted tales of being at the same restaurant near Lan Kwai Fong, you know, the one near Bulldogs? How she arrived and he blanked her. So she thought he didn't care. But he did. But he ignored her. Can you understand how I feel? Can you?

After some time, I tuned out, this record was looping. You did this. But I hurt. Imagine how I felt. I'm sorry. Why didn't you say anything. Why did you. Why did you. Why did you?

But then the scene changed.

The Indian prince stood up and asked the waitress if he could play some Sinatra.

The music began to play and he walked back to the table and took Blue Eyes by the hand. There in the restaurant they stopped talking. They slow danced between the tables. He gently turned her watching her sway through the room at twilight. Their eyes never once left each other. The air pulsing with a need to be understood. For it all to be OK.

The song ends and he asks her to stay. They sit down once more. There is another song lined up. It's main lyric is 'One More Try' but he serenades all the lyrics to her, with such a beautiful voice and her big blue eyes begin to spill.

The only actions are his voice and her tears.

'I wish you the best. I guess.'

The music was over. They listened to each other through the silence. Eyes locked.

He gets up. Walks to the counter, 'Can I get the check?'

Another song begins to play. Instrumental guitar.

'This is in my favourite movie,' she says.

'Yeah, I remember that,' he says.

She laughs at how his plate has barely been touched and offers to share the bill. He says she can pay next time. She says there won't be one.

'There'll be no tomorrow' says she.

'There will be. I promise,' says he, 'Are you OK?'

'Errrm, yeah, no, I, I'm just surprised.'

'Let's go and take a long walk together.'

And as he collects his music, she wipes her tears away. He helps her with her coat. They leave the restaurant.

And it's my turn to mist up. I'm so touched by this display of human interaction.

The usual music switches back on. It's Burt. 'Just like me, they long to be, close to you.'

Thank you Blue Eyes and Indian Prince. I wish you love. Thank you for showing some to me.

xxx