Before the morning sun was up, and when the winter’s cold still bit into the darkness of the district, I made my way towards the deli at the end of the street and round the corner towards the bakery. Work had already started on the new Mich Café that Marie told me about a few weeks ago. From the looks of it, it would be spectacular. Evenings would never be as quiet here again.The baker, Gustav, is a wonderful gentleman. Stocky built and a heart of gold, he recently opened shop in the district and gathered a cult following in a relatively short time. Though he was not there that...

I woke up on a Saturday morning with a bulbul exchanging flatteries and compliments with its own reflection on the window. The sun rays were barely warming up the walls but I could already smell the scent of tea and cinnamon from three floors below. Marie. I felt inexplicably indolent that morning, and decided to indulge in the aroma of Marie’s breakfast while eavesdropping on the bird’s monologue and watching it pounce around the windowsill, amused at itself. I felt inclined, however, to leave the bed when a whiff of bagels blended into the mix. “Well hello...

“You look wonderful today!” said Marie as I walked in. “You look as radiant as God’s light,” I remarked back at her. She did look beautiful. Her four diamond earrings were as sparkling as ever. “Oh, you keep flattering me with your words!” “Interested in being my partner?” I smiled. A rose painted her face, and she laughed silently. “Well I am sure most men would disapprove! I am sorry, and although I truly appreciate your offer, I simply cannot accept it.” “Rejection line taken,” I said, smiling. “Any plans for breakfast?” “I already had...

“So tell me about her!” pleaded Marie. I have told her about my thoughts towards the piano lady and she seemed intrigued by the new piece of information. It felt as though I have broken the routine of every day; I have become a case study in her psychology book. “The situation is rather complex,” I told her. “Tell me,” she said. She leaned forward, her hand held her chin. I paced slowly about, my eyes on her. “It is complex,” I started, not knowing what to say. I really have not thought about it fully. “Because I do not understand the situation objectively,” I...

A continuation of parts one and two. That was the point where my thoughts began to collide, when the hot flames of passion clashed with the frozen reality. I did not want to experience what I had no power over; I wanted to be bathed with the tenderness of an illusion, even if it were temporary. What has become of me? What madness of a miracle would bind the two of us together? It was just an illusion, a dream..Who judges whether or not a person loves another more, or vice versa? Who defines love? It had always been asked but never answered. The battle waged between heart and mind. I...