The conference was the ideal way to forget about everyone and everything. Nicholas knew that she would focus on the main issues facing immigrants from Syria and Pakistan, and that she would completely forget about her problems in love. Until she returned to Romania, she would indulge herself in the presence of the two male figures so dear to her.
At the end of the first day of debates, Necolai sent his driver to accompany his grandchildren through the wonderful capital. They stormed Charles Bridge, delighting in the local and foreign artists who had crowded along its edges to sell their works. They were happy to be surrounded by people from all over the world—from typically American presences to Russians, Egyptians, and even Asians. It was an amalgam of nations and nationalities, a huge anthill in which everyone knew what they had to do and moved in their own direction.
They crossed the bridge toward the castle and took refuge at a terrace partially hidden by tree branches. It was, obviously, the moment for confessions. Both of them had something to say, yet neither dared to begin.
After their order arrived—coffee for Nicholas and a frappé for Maya—it was time to tell each other what they had been holding back.
"Do you want to tell me everything, Maya? Not just what you told me at the hotel. I don't think that's the whole story."
"That's why I came all the way here, to tell you. It's actually a very short story—I hope you won't be disappointed."
"Short or not, if you're the protagonist, it certainly won't be boring."
"Oh, not at all. Well, here it goes… I have a boyfriend—or rather, I had a boyfriend, I don't even know anymore. We've been together since the first day of college; we met at lectures, he's my classmate. Before I called you, I found out that another girl is pregnant. She called him to tell him and to say that he has to take responsibility, if he made promises. He was in the shower and I answered the call. I left his place and called you. And, not to forget… I slept with him."
It took him several minutes to process everything he had heard, but when he finally spoke, Nicholas's voice betrayed his anger.
"What did you do? Have you talked to him?"
"He's called me about fifty times by now, but I haven't talked to him. And anyway, what would I say? Congratulate him?"
"I think that if I had him in front of me right now, I'd do something I've never done to anyone. Did you ask him more about…?"
"I don't think I want to know, Nicholas."
"Not details like that—you know that. I mean to find out more about the situation you've been dragged into. And it's better if you talk to him than if I do. Unless he wants his face rearranged."
"When I get back home, I'll have to look for him. I can't hide forever."
"Let me know whatever you do. If three days pass and you don't call me, I'll be standing at your door."
"Nicholas, what about you?"
"I'm thinking of starting college myself."
"Are you serious? That's wonderful! What university, what major?"
"I haven't decided yet. Shall we go back to the hotel? I need to finish filling out some paperwork for my grandfather, and then I have some flyers to distribute to the other conference participants."
"Yes, of course."
That evening, all three of them stayed up late, talking about their lives lately. Nicholas spent his days with his grandfather. Being the only grandson, he was to take over once the old man was gone. That was also the reason Nicholas wanted to start college. Their grandfather had convinced him that he would work much more easily with people from all over the world if he'll major in the Art of communication. And usually, whatever the old man said was law for his two grandchildren.
They went to their rooms quite late and had to wake up early in order to reach the airport on time. As on the day of their arrival, the hotel lobby was full of people. Some were already heading to the reception desk to return their keys before leaving for the airport; others were departing only the next day, hoping they would still have time to visit the wonderful capital.
Maya went to the airport together with her grandfather and her brother. The plane heading to Târgu Mureș was taking off half an hour before the one carrying Necolai and Nicholas back home. Once she boarded the plane, Maya thought about what she would do next. Those three days away from everything that meant student life had helped her greatly, but it was time to return to real life—the one in which she faced problems that required solutions.