“The road that was broken, brought us together.”

https://open.spotify.com/track/6N1K5OVVCopBjGViHs2IvP?si=X-GqE6fsSA6TnEPLfsDFbQ

I took a deep breath when I finally stepped in the land of Polignano a Mare.

It’s a small town in the south of Italy; facing the Adriatic Sea. It’s Padre’s and Madre’s favorite place since they met at this very beach, only to be back few years later, with little me inside Madre. They’ve decided on my name here, too.

I’ve been traveling across Europe with Miles for almost four months, now. Well, I was forced to go on this trip, to be honest. I woke up one morning, my luggage had been packed, and after I grabbed my hoodie they drove me to the airport.

At first, I was in for another motive: searching for him. I haven’t heard anything from him for a year, and everyone who knew him claimed that they also had no idea where he is. The only clue they could find was he’s somewhere in Europe. But as the trip went on, my hope got dimmer and dimmer, until it became a mere false dream.

So I let him go.

“You have a whole life to live, Ce,” Miles once said to me, in between coffees and one delicious pain au chocolat we found in Bruges, Belgium. I laughed as it was once my lines, and he said it back to me now.

Oh, I also haven’t touched any kitchen tools and ingredients for almost a year. I can’t go back to the kitchen without breaking down, crying. So I avoided it—maybe for good. I don’t think I can go back.

“Miles.”

“Yes?”

“I’m cold.”

Miles chuckles as he opens his scarf and extends it to my direction so it covers both of us. I put my hand inside his pocket, and he holds it tight. It’s fuckin February but it’s still cold; forget the image of me sun-bathing in the shorelines, coz now all I want to do is just drinking hot chocolate all day long, or just snuggle inside Miles’ comforting hugs in front of the TV. He protests a lot, tho, saying that he’s hot with all the layers of blanket I’m using.

“Ce, di atas sana ada galeri yang pengen gue datengin. Ada titipan Padre juga, kalo lu ga keberatan.” Miles points at one building above the hills. I stun upon hearing the word “gallery”, just another word I want to stay away from.

“Lu aja yang kesana, gapapa? Gue di hotel aja, mau tidur.”

“Ce, gue tau lu kaya, tapi sia-sia duit lu anjir kalo kesini cuma buat tidur doang. Mana lu udah ngga masak, mau cari duit dari mana?”

I hit his arm upon his annoying remarks. He laughs, and he pulls me to follow his way. “Ayolaaah. I promise you’ll like this place. Lagian, I’m here, Oceanna. You’re not alone.”

“I know.”

“You sure you know? If you really do, stop acting like you have to heal on your own and let me in, Ce. Let me help you heal.”

I frown upon his pretty face, and I give in to his demands. “Fine. Tapi kalo capek, gendong ya.”