The parade was chaotic and filled with colours of all sorts. People danced and shouted, people for once got a chance to forget about their problems and immerse themselves in a different world. The sight was fun. She observed everything from the balcony of a small room at a motel. The balcony overlooked the sea in a distance. The view of which was serene and calm as the warm summer sun gleamed above the horizon. On the contrary, the road below was the exact opposite. The parade had been ongoing since the morning, yet no one seemed tired. She sighed as she looked back at the sea. She ran her arm through her short hair, resting her arms on the railing and enjoying the view.

***

"I see, so basically you're having a blast", he spoke at double his voice to be heard amidst the blazing speakers and crowd. He opened a small notebook and jotted down points about the experiences of people at the parade.

He pulled out his camera, aiming to capture the couple who were holding hands. They against the background of the setting sun called for a perfect shot. He pulled out his instant camera, giving the picture to the couple. They chatted and had a laugh before going different ways.

He looked around. "The silence amidst the chaos," he said as he clicked a picture of the woman lost in thoughts on the balcony above the street. He smiled as he looked at the photo he had clicked, clicking another with the instant camera. He pulled out the film and called out, "hey-", she was gone. He looked around but didn't find her.

***

"I might come back tomorrow", she spoke into the phone as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I thought you went there to find yourself or something. Have you found out already that all that ruckus was for nothing?" the voice blared from the phone.

"I'll call you later", she said as she disconnected the phone. She knew she would be asking for too much if she wanted her mother to understand her. She couldn't explain it, nor could anyone understand.

"What am I?" She said to herself. Seeing the parade dying down, she decided to get out of the room and take a walk. She trod along the pavement close to the beach. She watched as the seagulls fed on snacks thrown by the tourists beside the 'Do Not Feed' sign.

"Oh, Miss Owl", the voice shouted in excitement. She turned to her side, to face the man. His smile was infectious. She smiled back. "Owl?" she asked.

He handed out the picture from earlier. "Owls symbolize solitude. Even in this huge mess of a crowd, you managed to find solitude and be lonely".

"I'm not lonely" she refused instantly, he raised an eyebrow while snatching the photo from her.

"Come to think of it, I hate people not having a good time. Want this back? Follow me!" He said as he walked off.

"Wait," she said as she followed him. They stopped at an observatory. She followed as he walked in and looked through the scope.

"That must be Mars. Oh the Big Dipper"

"You know about astronomy?"

"No, I just guessed" he replied laughing. She laughed, taking a turn to look through the scope. Nothing she could make out. She turned around. He had already walked past the main entrance. She followed.

"There is a fantastic barbecue place nearby, I heard," he said as he turned around, facing her and walking backwards. He tripped on a small crack in the tile, she caught his hand, pulling him back up. They stared for a second and giggled before standing back up straight.

The barbecue place was rather difficult to find. The interiors were dimly lit and smoke covered the place. They sat at a corner table munching on grilled meat as she spoke first, "So what are you doing here?"

"The pride parade, of course"

"I see", she felt a slight disappointment taking over.

"You?"

"Same", she said. His smile dropped for a second.

"Found someone?"

"I want to find myself first" she smiled. He looked at her for a minute. He felt his heart race. He ignored it, digging into his food.

***

"You can't go back at night without drinking. Especially not when you're in a foreign country"

"Is that a rule?"

"An unwritten one", he replied, with a smile.

A while later...

"I told my mom I'm gay because I didn't want to get married to this half-bald rich dude. For them it's business but I don't want to marry someone I don't like. But then I thought about it and I didn't have a person I loved. So then I thought why hadn't I loved anyone. I have been single all along the thirty- two years of my life and I don't even have a reason...."

"I should have stopped you at one bottle, shouldn't I?" he said as he took another sip. "Stop," he said as he put chips in her mouth.

"You tell me when you're sober or you don't tell me. Let's go", he said as he got up from the chair, pulling her up by grabbing her hood.

They walked along the beach for an hour until they stopped for ice cream.

"Sober now?", she nodded in response.

"Ok you can tell me now", he said as he looked at her curiously. She turned away in embarrassment.

"I thought I would find my answer here"

"Answer to what" he asked as he licked the ice cream that was about to fall to the ground.

"To why I haven't loved before. I thought maybe I wasn't looking among the right crowd", she looked at him, as he processed the answer looking at the reflection of the moon in the sea. His eyes were beautiful, he looked carefree and happy. She turned away as he looked at her.

"I came here with the same thought two years ago..", he said looking away at the boat pulling up to the dock.

"I don't think there is a specific answer though. It just happens and when it does you will know", he continued.

"That's the cliché-est answer I have heard. Thanks for nothing" she said leaning towards him.

"Did you find a guy you liked?" she asked, hesitant at first yet wanting a specific answer.

"I didn't find a girl I liked" he responded. She looked to the waters, a smile involuntarily spread across her face. "..not until now", he continued.

"It took me 2 years to find it," he said, as their eyes met.

"It took me less than a day", she said not looking away.

"Love happens when you least expect it," he said as he tucked a lock of her short hair behind her ear. They leaned in closer. The shimmering waters sparkled in the moonlight. Their worlds collided as one.