Chapter 2

"Lana or Alana, Lana or Alana?" I was repeating it to myself throughout the long flight.

We were separated by the crowd when boarding the plane, and I didn’t find her in the economy class.

Jeez, she said her name so indistinctly, just when the landing announcement was made, that I failed to hear her exact name. Shame on meee! Lana or Alana, Lana or Alana? Now it will forever remain a secret, since I will never be able meet her. First class passengers get off the plane first, right? It seems unlikely that she will be waiting for me after the passport control.

It was strange to long for a stranger, wasn’t it? The only thing I have to admit is that I've been so lonely all these hours without her. I sadly squeezed Pikachu in my hands, and when I let go of my hand, he did not return to his previous form, remaining with his ear smashed against his pika-pi snoot.

At Dubrovnik airport, I was sure I saw her in the crowd: dark brown and slightly curly hair, slanting black eyes, blue jeans that appetizingly hugged her hips (and which she took out of her carry-on luggage to change her expensive silky green pants), and a black sleeveless turtleneck. Unfortunately, her silhouette disappeared so quickly into the crowd again, that she might as well have been mistaken for a ghost.

The few hours I spent sleeping in my hotel room were amazing. I chose a cozy family-run hotel: not expensive, clean, and comfortable. The most adorable view of a nice city street was also my reward: traditional bakery, a flower shop and a frozen yogurt kiosk. What could be better? Yummy! As soon as I leave the place, I will immediately buy the whole kiosk and eat all yogurts. Is that one with blueberries?

I can’t choose what to wear. My green summer dress or my very green summer dress? To wear or not to wear? That’s the question... Raised by my father and brothers, I definitely developed a bad taste. “No passion, no fashion,” as my nasty old neighbour would say. Lana noticed it for sure... my bad taste. Surely, she did! She's so stylish, and beautiful, and she seems so businesslike, and sophisticated, and I wish I could see her again! I don't think I apologized enough for ruining her silky pants... very expensive silky pants. Right, I'm sure her name is Lana. Beautiful name.

I came to dinner early. There was no one else, except for one woman who was sitting with her back to me. It was so strange for me to have dinner alone. It's a pity that I never met her again. I walked from the buffet to my table stirring tea with a spoon, being deep in myself to enjoy the first day of my vocation.

"Now I will always be very tense at the sight of you walking with a hot drink," laughs a familiar voice. I never thought that only one voice could inspire me, fill my soul with hope. It's just the voice, but in a second, I'll look up and see her.