Long-awaited holidays are
an outlet to a hard-working person who spends his spare time only thinking about future projects. If you spend holidays with your relatives – it’s a double outlet, especially when you love them. This situation was relatable for Oskar Ulberg, who visited his sister in the small fishing village of Reine. This picturesque place always reminded Oskar of their precious childhood days.Ingrid found her brother prone to reflection.
“You look kinda exhausted. Girls said you were extra-clumsy during their game and took time-out too often. Going senile?” Ingrid chuckled.
“I hope not. I’m sitting here, looking at dusk and trying to rethink my life and to cope with some nostalgia. And I wasn’t clumsy”, Oskar’s eyes flew wide.
“All this time I thought that my brother was an architect, but now I see you’ve lied to me. Philosophy is your element!” sometimes Ingrid acted like she was a drama-actress, and it was fun to look at her in those times.
“I guess philosophy is much deeper than just rethinking your whole life, Ingrid. But that was sweet of you”.
A tall, young woman became more serious on her face. She pulled out a letter from behind and gave it to astounded Oskar.
“It’s such an old-fashioned way to transmit the information. Your Espen is a real weirdo. I hope that the content of this letter will please you”
Espen Vangness was Oskar’s colleague. This man was truly vigorous and full of ideas, you never knew what will come to his head the next minute. That’s why Oskar didn’t have an idea what Espen decided to tell him in such an unusual way.
“Espen wants me to have a little trip to Italy with him. He writes that the weather is fantastic in Isola di Capri, so we’ll have great time together spending our holidays like this”.
“Italy? Is he sane? It’s halfway around the world and we’re in Norway! Why doesn’t he propose you to visit local sights?” Ingrid exclaimed.
“Espen told me about beauty of Italian women not a long time ago, so I can assume that he’s looking for Italian girlfriend in addition to an excellent rest by the sea”.
“What a sly dog. Oskar, you’re a handsome guy, don’t hang around Espen in case you’ll go to… Carpi? Crapi? Nevermind. If you’ll go to Italy, you should take your fate into your own hands and finally meet someone adorable that will steal your heart! You’re already twenty-eight and still single!”
“It’s Isola di Carpi, Ing. And I’m not that interested in falling in love, I just want to feel less blue and vitamin D in Italy will help me with it. Spare me your lectures, do me a favor. I’m not already twenty-eight, I’m still twenty-eight”.
“Well, in that case, I surrender. But take my advice and get acquainted with someone”
Ingrid hugged Oskar from the back and wished him all the best in her mind.
***
As soon as the two friends arrived in sunny and hot Italy, it became clear that Oskar’s assumptions were true: Espen came here with an intention to find a torrid love at the resort. Same couldn’t be said about Oskar. They certainly spent time together and enjoyed each other’s company. Even if Oskar tended to be quieter and calmer than Espen, the colleague always respected his friend’s personal boundaries and never tried to change Oskar’s temper.
It was a truly splendid day. Mates decided to split up and spend a day on their own. Oskar made his way to St. Michele’s church in Anacarpi. While other tourists sunbathed with some cold drinks, our hero preferred to stay pale and enjoy Italian masterpieces. To each their own, as stated. The distinctive feature of Church of San Michelle is its incredible ceramic floor, so Mr. Ulberg couldn’t stop looking at such wonderful mosaic.
“You should also pay attention to the elegance of this baroque ceiling, sir”, a
fruity voice near Oskar resounded. The gentleman turned his head and hold his
breath. Amid nearly deserted church there stood a young lady. She was wearing long
linen dress that covered all parts of her body. The dress was plain but its’ colour
reminded Oscar of the field of dandelions. Her chestnut brown eyes were clear and
peaceful and… peering over Oskar.
“I’m terribly sorry that I startled you, sir. I’ve never seen a person who stared
at this mosaic with such genuine delight”, a girl had an accent which actually made
English better even to Oskar, who was skeptical about this international language.
“That’s fine, miss. I wasn’t scared, your appearance was just a surprising
thing. I’ll take your words as a compliment”, said Oskar in broken English.
“My name is Michelle. Just like the name of this church, so it should be easy
to memorize”, Michelle chuckled softly, and dimples appeared on her cheeks.
“Oskar. Just Oskar”, the guy replied awkwardly. He felt like he wasn’t a man,
more like a teenager who saw a pretty girl for the first time.
“Just like Oscar Wilde? I thought you were British at first, but-”
“But then my awful English came out”.
“No way your English is awful! We all are learning and that’s nothing wrong
with it. You’re not a native speaker, neither am I. I don’t blame you”, Michelle’s
smile was so innocent and contagious that gave Oskar more confidence in his speech.
Michelle turned out to be a linguist that studied North Germanic languages at
Universität Wien (University of Vienna). She enjoyed British poetry and Roy
Orbison’s music (Oskar could have sworn that Roy Orbison was inspired by
Michelle when he wrote his prominent “Pretty Women”), liked long walks and Sadie Hawkins dance. She was a rebellious person who went up against her parents (who saw her as a diplomatist) and lived her best life on the little money that she had by teaching the English language to Italian kids. Michelle escaped to Italy from her furious parents in the summertime to change scenery and grow stronger to continue her education at university. Oskar was impressed by Michelle’s versatility: she was timid and brave, mature and juvenile at the same time. And when they visited Certosa di San Giacomo, he was sure that all eyes were on Michelle, not on those amazing sights around, however architecture was genuinely worth of visitors’
excitement.
***
“Where are you going all day long? I start to worry about you, Oskar. There’s only one day left, you know. We have to pack up. Are you even listening?” Espen remarked.
Meanwhile, Oskar tried to make his messy hair done. He decided to let them down for the first time in ten years. Oskar liked rigour, even in his looks, so his choppy layers were always tied in a ponytail. But with his trip to Italy, he began to experiment and now he stood next to the mirror styling his hair studiously.
“Woah, buddy, have you just come down from Mars? I don’t recognize you.
You look so gay and enamored right now. Who is that fortunate man?”
“I look how?... Espen, you’re such a stereotypical numpty. Did you have a sun stroke at the beach? If a man is wearing perfume and has long hair it doesn’t mean he’s gay! Maybe he’s just European, like me”, Oskar finished his primping and changed the T-shirt to a loose white linen shirt.
“Oh yeahh, I’m a stereotypical numpty and you have Oscar Wilde’s collection of works on your nightstand. Hey, don’t be shy, you can rely on me!”
“Espen, I-, I just enjoy my time in Italy with my new friend. My friend is female. And I’m going to a meeting. There is a dance party in the town, do you want to join?”
“To be a third wheel? No, thanks. I’ll visit my Italian homie Paul better. And you two, have fun together!”, Espen tapped Oskar on the shoulder and left the room.
***
Dusk was fabulous, like that time in Reine, when Ulberg visited Ingrid. But now his attention was drawn to a lady in the yellow linen dress that bared her frail shoulders. This time the dress was shorter as Michelle fully opened to Oskar, their relationship, despite short time, was full of trust and care. Oskar suddenly recalled the picture of his mother at the wedding photos, for some reason. Anne Ulberg looked a lot like Michelle. Oskar blushed. What a lucky man was his father! And how lucky is he, Oskar Ulberg, who is standing right now with this sweetheart belleza (he wasn’t sure about the correctness of this Italian word, after all, Oskar still had some problems with foreign languages). Michelle’s chestnut brown eyes melted into golden rays and then “Hey Lover” by Daughters of Eve started playing. Michelle grabbed Oskar’s hand and even a cold wind couldn’t cool their loving hearts.
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