Pierre & Tobias

From Goa to Rouen

Pierre and Tobias left for the airport early, before the day had properly begun.After checking in at Manohar International airport ,they sat in the departure lounge with their mango lassi and their thoughts about the cafe they had left behind.

Paris arrived in a grey misty light.Outside the airport,people moved with purpose .Pierre paused just for a moment before he saw his friend.Charlotte lifted her hand and waved.Pierre greeted her in a warm embrace and said ” this is Tobias”.She smiled just slightly and asked “first time in France?” Tobias noticed her pretty green eyes and said ” yes”.

The drive out of Paris was slow with constant traffic ,then gradually it opened to fields stretching on both sides and the wide open sky. ” How was Goa ?”asked Charlotte “too hot” replied Pierre.Tobias watched the landscape change and said “it already feels different”. Pierre responded with ” France changes quickly ,you just have to notice it”. The rest of the drive passed mostly in silence apart from the drum and bass grooves from the radio.

Rouen appeared before them ,a captivating medieval city on the River Seine defined by beautiful architecture and history around every corner.A fairytale destination with colourful half -timbered houses and narrow picturesque cobbled streets. Charlotte found spacious parking at l’Hotel de Ville right next to the pedestrian zone in Rouen.

Saint Abbey Quen stood in front of them without warning. Tobias looked at it in amazement.Pierre kept his eyes on the stunning Gothic church and said ” they started building it in 1318 and it took more than 200 years.Tobias lowered his gaze with ” no one who started it and others through the years ever saw it finished ?” Pierre nodded slightly and then added “time for coffee “.

They walked along cobbled streets and saw umbrellas hung overhead on a side street,blue and green catching the light. Charlotte took them to Prelude Cafe where they sat outside with their coffees. A few moments passed before Tobias told Pierre he needed to buy a postcard. Pierre asked ” to who ” Tobias calmly said “Maya”. ” you have her address?” Tobias answered Pierre with ” I’ll ask Google”.Pierre in a teasing way adds ” Google knows Maya?” Tobias picking up on the humour says ” Google knows everything “. Pierre considers this and says ” then ask where Lucas is ?”The line settled quietly between them.

Tobias found several cards he liked ,in the end Charlotte chose the one she thought would be perfect Tobias thanked her and turned the card over and wrote ” it’s not Goa hope all is well ” He read it once and didn’t change anything.The postcard stayed in his pocket without an address or a stamp.

As evening fell it brought a different kind of energy with it.They found a cosy restaurant with small tables and a warm light spilling onto the street.Pierre ordered a bottle of red wine for him and Charlotte and cider for Tobias . Around them,voices ,laughter and the rhythm of the night continued.

” We can explore more tomorrow ,time to go home ” said Charlotte already reaching for her bag.They walked back slowly through the streets to Charlotte’s home ,a small apartment with a bohemian style. They stepped inside ,Pierre familiar with its surroundings, Tobias paused before he stepped inside ,it felt different but welcoming.

Photos by Author

~